True and false heroism in literature. True and false heroism in the depiction of L.N.

Essays on literature: True and false patriotism and heroism in the understanding of L. N. Tolstoy in the novel War and Peace"

The idea for “War and Peace” goes back to Tolstoy’s novel “The Decembrists,” which the writer began working on in 1856. The hero of the work was supposed to be a Decembrist returning with his wife and children from exile. However, gradually the temporal boundaries of the novel expand, forcing the author to immerse himself more and more in the study of historical events and the life of Russian society as a whole. And the work itself ceased to be just a novel, becoming, as the writer himself preferred to call it, a book. “This is not a novel,” said Tolstoy, “even less a poem, even less a historical chronicle.”

“War and Peace” reflects all aspects of Russian reality of that time, all its positive and negative features. And the real moral test for the heroes is the test of war. It is when faced with a large-scale, all-encompassing tragedy that true spiritual qualities emerge and human essence is revealed. It is under these conditions that it becomes clear who is a real patriot, and for whom patriotism was just a mask.

Throughout the novel, the leading one is “people's thought.” It is with the people that the writer connects everything positive and true. Because the people show genuine concern for the future of their country, without feigned boasting, they resolutely stand up for the defense of their Motherland, pursuing a noble goal: even at the cost of their own lives, to defend Russia, and not to lose it to the enemy. The people understood that the fate of the fatherland was being decided, and they considered the upcoming battle to be a common cause. In this united people's army, embraced by a common idea, the author draws images of individual heroes. We see Vasily Denisov, a combat hussar officer, brave, courageous, ready for daring actions and decisive actions. We see Tikhon Shcherbaty, a peasant armed with a pike, an ax and a blunderbuss, who knows how to “rake” the enemy, take tongues and “get into the very middle of the French.” This is the bravest man in Denisov’s party, he beat the enemy more than anyone else, and his ingenuity, dexterity and intelligence help him in this.

“The hidden warmth of patriotism” is manifested in the Rostov family, and in the Bolkonsky family, and in the views of Pierre Bezukhov, and even in Katisha, who says: “Whatever I am, I cannot live under Bonaparte’s rule.”

In his work, Tolstoy decisively “rips off the masks.” Showing the ghostly life of high society, he also reveals how unnatural and feigned their patriotism actually is. Thus, Berg, who had nothing sacred at all, who in the most difficult times could think about purchasing a “lovely wardrobe,” exclaimed with feigned pathos: “The army is burning with the spirit of heroism... such a heroic spirit, the truly ancient courage of the Russian troops, which they showed in this battle... there are no words worthy to describe them...” Throwing beautiful words, visitors to aristocratic salons reveal the same indifference to everything except their selfish interests. The “patriotic” sentiments of noble Moscow were also imbued with class interests. The idea of ​​a people's militia makes them fear that the peasants will become free spirited. “It’s better to have another set... otherwise neither a soldier nor a man will return to you, just debauchery,” said one of the nobles gathered in the Slobodsky Palace. For another speaker, a “bad card player,” “patriotism” manifests itself in a frenzied cry: “We will show Europe how Russia rises up for Russia.” There is no spirit of unity between the king and the people in the meeting scene in the Kremlin. In Tolstoy's depiction of Alexander, the features of posing, duplicity, and affectation clearly appear.

In the last two parts of the novel, Tolstoy reproduces a broad and majestic picture of popular resistance to the French invasion. The outcome of the war was decided by “the incitement of hatred of the enemy in the Russian people,” which resulted in the partisan movement. And although Napoleon complained to Kutuzov and the emperor about the violation of the usual rules of military operations, the partisans did their noble work. They “destroyed the great army in parts... there were parties... small, combined, on foot and on horseback, there were peasants and landowners, unknown to anyone. The head of the party was a sexton who took several hundred prisoners a month. There was the elder Vasilisa, who killed a hundred French.” Here the full might of the people was felt, who with pitchforks and axes destroyed, in the words of Tikhon Shcherbaty, “sharomyzhniki” and “peace-makers.” In the fight against the enemy, the detachments of Dolokhov and Denisov showed genuine enthusiasm and fury. It was, as the author aptly put it, a real “club of the people’s war.”

The work of Leo Tolstoy is full of military actions. Together with the author, following him, the reader on the pages of the work “War and Peace” will see incredible pictures of battles and battles: Borodinsky, Shengrabensky, Austerlitz. But the writer not only shows military operations, but, above all, he wants to show each person as an individual, separately, how he, a soldier or a general, involved in the noisy flow of military operations, will manifest and show himself.

There are many participants in these events. These are the commanders-in-chief of the army on the one hand and on the other. This includes all the staff, generals, officers and, of course, military personnel and partisans. In order for the reader to see them more fully, to realize not only the scale of the entire event, but also to see each individual person, the author tries to put them in a variety of situations: combat and peaceful life. It is known that Leo Tolstoy himself also fought, he took part in the fighting in the Caucasus and proved himself during the defense of Sevastopol. That is why he tries to show the real and harsh military truth, without embellishing it. And it consists of suffering, and blood, and death.

But it is precisely in such conditions that a person’s wonderful qualities manifest themselves: courage, courage, heroism. Tolstoy's epic depicts two wars: 1805 – 1807, which took place abroad, and in Russia in 1812. Different participants with different characters meet on one front and on the other. For example, Bagration’s detachment makes a heroic transition, and the heroism of the talented commander of the Russian army Kutuzov is shown. But they are opposed by the mediocre and vain Maka, an Austrian general.

But ordinary Russian peasants who became military personnel and their honest commanders show special courage. But among the staff commanders there are many cowards and traitors. Zherkov especially stands out among them. After he was expelled from the Russian regiment, he was able to easily join Bagration himself as an orderly. He told everyone that he didn’t want to fight, but you could get a lot more medals and orders, even without doing anything for it.

But the real heroes who were able to show courage and bravery on the battlefield are modest and simple. They reveal themselves in battle, showing strength of character and spirit. Persistent and solid in execution, they evoke only admiration. One of these heroes is Timokhin. He is a company commander who has successfully maintained his company. But he will always be an example for his soldiers. He himself, by his example, inspired the rank and file of his company to launch a surprise attack on the French. This made it possible to push back the enemy and give the other battalions the opportunity to come to their senses a little and put themselves in order.

The author tries to show everything truthfully, so the pictures of confusion and heroic deeds are simply intertwined. A striking example of this is the description on the pages of the novel of the battle that took place near Austerlitz. Disorder reigned everywhere, and there was some kind of confusion. Some troops were bored waiting for the battle, while others died, received many injuries and wounds. And those who were still waiting, seeing all this confusion, gradually lost heart. And this is the real truthful picture.

The striking battles in the novel, where courage and daring were demonstrated, are Shengraben and Austerlitz. They were conducted outside the Russian state, and its goals were not at all clear to the common people. The War of 1812 looks completely different, when it contained the greatest meaning and goal - to defend one’s homeland. These battles of 1812 were popular, as they were fought against those enemies who encroached on the independence of Russia.

A huge French regiment, which consisted of five hundred people, attacked the country. This power of Napoleon was already famous as the most invincible and strong. But in the Russian state this formidable power received powerful resistance. Not only the military stood up as a wall, but the entire people stood up to defend their country and independence.

The author truthfully shows how the entire population, forgetting about their property, abandoning it, leaving Moscow, which could soon fall into the hands of the French. But this happened not only in Moscow, but also in other villages and cities.

To resist this strongest Napoleonic army, partisan detachments begin to be created. The largest and most heroic on the pages of Tolstoy’s epic novel are the detachments of Dolokhov and Denisov. The writer also tells about the sexton who heads one of the detachments. His story also includes Vasilisa, the elder who was able to beat many Frenchmen. More than a hundred of the enemy died at her hands. The partisans did not act openly; they tried to destroy the huge French army piece by piece. Fighting bravely, they gradually destroyed their enemies, liberating their land.

As a result, the war, which on the part of the French army was aggressive, but on the part of Russia was liberation and people's, ended. It was the people who did everything to win. Only he showed unprecedented courage and bravery. Both commanders and generals showed heroism, who also influenced the defeat of Napoleon’s enormous countless forces.

In the arsenal of the modern film industry, unfortunately or fortunately, there is simply a stunning number of very diverse examples of true heroism, which all more or less impressionable representatives of the human race look up to and admire. The unsurpassed Sandra Bullock, for example, survives alone in outer space, in the image of Dr. House saves an infinite number of lives from lupus, and the almighty Terminator once again returns to Earth in order to solve all its pressing problems.

Roughly the same thing happens with modern literature. Take, for example, one of the latest bestsellers - Andy Weir's book "The Martian", which is an adaptation of Robinsonade, which has long been familiar to the reading population of the globe. Or the famous “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George Martin, who is cruel and merciless to his heroes - all this is written about the heroes.

Saving the world

The question “what is heroism?” at first glance it seems rather stupid and useless. Most people will be able to answer it without a single second allotted for reflection and reasoning. In fact, why unnecessary philosophizing if the idea of ​​heroes, firstly, is different for everyone, and secondly, is imparted to everyone from the earliest years through fairy tales, songs, cartoons and masterpieces of cinema?

So, what is heroism for modern man? By and large, this is a set of qualities necessary to accomplish a good deed, such as saving the world, curing a terrible virus that turns everyone into zombies, or solving the problem of racial inequality. In a word, for most people, examples of heroism are inextricably linked with such a global mission.

to connect with the ancient Greeks

As you know, it is in Hellas that the cradle of modern world culture is located, and therefore who else would know exactly what heroism is if not the ancient Hellenes? The fact is that if you familiarize yourself with ancient mythology in detail, you will notice the fact that it is all about gods, people, and, as you might guess, heroes. Who were they for the trendsetters of philosophy and trends in the field of art and architecture?

The answer is very simple: in the minds of the ancient Greek, a hero is a creature born of God and man. According to the well-known myth, this is exactly what Hercules was, or Hercules, as the ancient Romans later called him. He was born to an earthly woman named Alcmene from the supreme god of Olympus named Zeus, also known as the Thunderer.

Another embodiment of heroism for the ancient Hellenes was the famous Achilles, born of the sea goddess Thetis from King Peleus. Odysseus, although he was not born of God, was still his descendant - the family tree of this mythological character goes back to Hermes - the guide of souls through the afterlife and the patron of travelers.

What is heroism for the ancient Greeks? In addition to unconditional participation in there is also a special origin, some closeness to the divine principle, with the exception of immortality, which neither Hercules, nor Odysseus, nor, as is known, Achilles, possessed.

Comics culture

For any self-respecting American, there is a slightly different idea of ​​heroes and heroism. In this case, we are talking about representatives of the human race, endowed with superpowers for one reason or another. Numerous creations of the MARVEL and DC comics studios are literally on screens all over the world today.

For most modern children, real examples of heroism are the achievements of Iron Man, Batman, Captain America, Wolverine and a whole legion of other possessors of supernatural qualities.

Heroes of the Slavs

However, it would be wrong to assume that outstanding actions are characteristic only of representatives of Western culture. Despite the fact that it was the foreign Avengers, Gladiators and Terminators that captured the consciousness of the whole world, there are also many examples of such daring guys in Slavic culture.

In this case we are talking about glorious heroes like Dobrynya Nikitich, Alyosha Popovich and Svyatogor, about whom for some reason everyone conveniently began to forget. However, even if we omit traditional Slavic folklore, the famous dog Mukhtar and Uncle Styopa always remain.

Seriously speaking

True and false heroism is found in the modern world at almost every step. Great achievements sometimes happen around the corner, and insignificant trifles are blown up into global proportions.

How true and false heroism differ from each other is a rather philosophical question, since everyone has their own idea on this matter. For some, truth lies in the selflessness of this or that act, while others differentiate these concepts for themselves by measuring scales.

In any case, contrary to popular belief, heroism exists in our time, and not due to supernatural abilities or special origin.

Live and die for the children

The gallery of outstanding deeds could start with anyone, but some actions are especially worthy of not being forgotten. An outstanding teacher and a Man with a capital M, Janusz Korczak literally gave his life to his students. Finding himself in the Warsaw ghetto, he organized an orphanage in which 192 children of different ages found refuge.

In inhumane conditions, Korczak continued to treat, educate and teach children, no matter what, trying to find any opportunity to save his charges. Since at this time the Nazis were eliminating all “unproductive elements,” the entire orphanage was sent to the Treblin “death camp.” Korczak's death was so enormous that it earned him a pardon, but the teacher refused his ticket to freedom and spent his most terrible last hours with the children. Together with his assistant Stefania Wilczynska and his students, Janusz Korczak suffered martyrdom in the gas chamber.

A megaphone for a thousand voices

What would American democracy be like today if the great King had not made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech?

Thousands of people followed their leader to defend their civil rights and dignity.

Among the battle and blood

Heroism in war is a seemingly common thing, but not when you are six. It was at this age that Sergei Aleshkov, who participated in the defense of Stalingrad, reached Poland, saved his commander, fell into the ranks of Soviet soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. A boy who became an adult before his time, surviving one of the most terrible times in human history.

However, heroism in war does not always mean a willingness to shoot at an enemy or throw yourself under tanks to save a partner. Sometimes it is simply the ability to remain human in the most inhuman conditions, when the lines of good and evil become especially thin.

Depth of meaning

What is heroism? The definition of this term, although it seems simple, allows for a huge number of interpretations. This is Yuri Gagarin's first flight into space and raising his own child during the war, this is the donation of all capital to improve the quality of life in third world countries and the willingness to come to the aid of a friend in a critical situation.

For some, a real example of heroism is the feat of Ramazi Datiashvili, a young microsurgeon who returned the legs of three-year-old Rasa, cut off by a combine harvester.

Immortalized in books

Heroism in literature has found simply a huge number of reflections, from the classics to modern prose. For example, in his bestseller “The Book Thief” he described the real feat of a German family who sheltered a Jew in their basement in the middle of Nazi Germany.

Heroism was also immortalized in literature by Boris Pasternak, who wrote an immortal work, a true masterpiece of world classics, the novel Doctor Zhivago. In order to do good deeds, you don’t need to have superpowers at all - it’s enough just to be a person who believes in the best and is ready for any everyday adversity and troubles.

The novel “War and Peace” is a historical epic of the valor and courage of the Russian people - the winner of the War of 1812. As in “Sevastopol stories”, and in this novel he realistically depicts war in “blood, in suffering, in death.” Tolstoy tells us about gravity, about its horrors, grief (the departure of the population from Smolensk and Moscow, hunger), death (Andrei Bolkonsky dies after being wounded, Petya Rostov dies). War requires the utmost effort of moral and physical strength from everyone. Russia during the Patriotic War, during the period of robbery, violence and atrocities committed by the invaders, suffered enormous material sacrifices. This is the burning and devastation of cities.

The general mood of soldiers, partisans and other defenders of the Motherland is of great importance during military events. War of 1805-1807 was conducted outside Russia and was alien to the Russian people. When the French invaded the territory of Russia, the entire Russian people, young and old, rose up to defend theirs.

In the novel "War and Peace" Tolstoy divides people according to moral principles, especially highlighting the attitude to patriotic duty. The writer depicts true patriotism and false patriotism, which cannot even be called patriotism. Real- this is, first of all, patriotism of duty, action in the name of the Fatherland, the ability to rise above the personal at a decisive moment for the Motherland, to be imbued with a sense of responsibility for the fate of the people. According to Tolstoy, the Russian people are deeply patriotic. When the French occupied Smolensk, peasants burned hay so as not to sell it to their enemies. Each in his own way tried to hurt the enemy so that they would feel the hatred of the true owners of the earth. The merchant Ferapontov burned down his own shop so that it would not fall to the French. True patriots are shown to be residents who, leaving their hometown, leave their homes, because they consider it impossible to remain under the rule of impostors.

Russian soldiers are true patriots. The novel is replete with numerous episodes depicting the varied manifestations of patriotism by Russian people. We see the true patriotism and heroism of the people in the depiction of classical scenes under Shengraben, Austerlitz, Smolensk, Borodin. Of course, love for the fatherland, the willingness to sacrifice one’s life for it, is most clearly manifested on the field, in direct confrontation with the enemy. It was in this period that the extraordinary tenacity and courage of Russian soldiers was particularly evident. Describing the night before the Battle of Borodino, Tolstoy draws attention to the seriousness and concentration of the soldiers who clean their weapons in preparation for battle. They refuse vodka because they are ready to consciously enter into battle with a powerful enemy. Their feeling of love for the Motherland does not allow reckless drunken courage. Realizing that this battle could be the last for each of them, the soldiers put on clean shirts, preparing for death, but not for retreat. While courageously fighting the enemy, Russian soldiers do not try to look like heroes. They are alien to panache and pose; there is nothing ostentatious in their simple and sincere love for the Motherland. When, during the Battle of Borodino, “one cannonball blew up the ground two steps away from Pierre,” the broad, red-faced soldier innocently confesses to him his fear. “After all, she will not have mercy. She will smack and her guts will be out. “You can’t help but be afraid,” he said laughing.” But the soldier, who was not at all trying to be brave, died soon after this short dialogue, like tens of thousands of others, but did not give up and did not retreat.

Outwardly unremarkable people become heroes and true patriots in Tolstoy. That's the captain Tushin, who found himself in the face of his superiors in a comical position without boots, embarrassed, stumbling and at the same time, at the most critical moment, doing exactly what was needed.

The strength of the people's spirit will give birth to outstanding commanders. Such as . Kutuzov in the novel is an exponent of the idea of ​​patriotism; he was appointed commander against the will of the tsar and the royal court. Andrey explains this to Pierre like this: “ While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man.”. Kutuzovlives only by the feelings, thoughts, interests of the soldiers, perfectly understands their mood, takes care of them like a father. He firmly believes that the outcome of a battle is determined by “an elusive force called the spirit of the army” and strives with all his might to support this hidden warmth of patriotism in the army.

The episode in Fili is important. Kutuzov takes upon himself the gravest responsibility and orders a retreat. This order contains the true patriotism of Kutuzov. Retreating from Moscow, Kutuzov retained an army that could not yet compare in numbers with Napoleonic's. Defending Moscow would mean losing the army, and this would lead to the loss of both Moscow and Russia.After being pushed beyond Russian borders, Kutuzov refuses to fight outside. He believes that the Russian people have fulfilled their mission by expelling the invader, and there is no need to shed more people’s blood.

The patriotism of the Russian people is manifested not only in battle. After all, not only that part of the people who were mobilized into the army took part in the fight against the invaders.

Lev Nikolaevich shows that patriotic feelings embrace people of different political views: the progressive intelligentsia (Pierre, Andrey), the confrontational old Prince Bolkonsky, the conservative Nikolai Rostov, the meek Princess Marya. A patriotic impulse also penetrates the hearts of people who seem far from the war - Petya, Natasha Rostov. But it only seemed so. A real person, according to Tolstoy, cannot help but be a patriot of his Fatherland. All these people are united by a feeling that exists in the soul of every Russian person. (The Rostov family, leaving the city, gives all the carts to the wounded, thereby losing their property. After the death of her father, Maria Bolkonskaya leaves the estate, not wanting to live in the territory occupied by enemies. Pierre Bezukhov thinks about killing Napoleon, knowing full well how this could end.)

The writer attaches great importance to partisan movement. This is how Tolstoy describes his spontaneous growth: “ Before the guerrilla war was officially accepted by our government, thousands of people of the enemy army - backward marauders, foragers - were exterminated by the Cossacks and peasants, who beat these people as unconsciously as dogs unconsciously kill a rabid dog.”. Tolstoy characterizes partisan “war not according to the rules” as spontaneous, comparing it with a club, “ rising with all its formidable and majestic power and, without asking anyone’s tastes and rules... nailing the French... until the entire invasion perished.”.

Tolstoy contrasts the true patriotism of the bulk of the Russian people with the false patriotism of the highest noble society, which is repulsive in its falseness, selfishness and hypocrisy. These are fake people, whose patriotic words and deeds become a means of achieving base goals. Tolstoy mercilessly tears off the mask of patriotism from German and half-German generals in Russian service, “golden youth” like Anatoly Kuragin, careerists like Boris Drubetsky. Tolstoy angrily denounces that part of the senior staff officers who did not take part in the battles, but tried to get a job at the headquarters and simply receive awards.

People like false patriots there will be a lot until people realize that everyone must defend their own, and that there will be no one else to do this except them. This is exactly what Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy wanted to convey through antithesis, contrasting true and false patriots. But Tolstoy does not fall into the false patriotic tone of the narrative, but looks at events sternly and objectively, like a realist writer. This helps him more accurately convey to us the importance of the problem of false patriotism.

A false patriotic atmosphere reigns in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, Helen Bezukhova and other St. Petersburg salons:“...calm, luxurious, concerned only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life went on as before; and because of the course of this life, it was necessary to make great efforts to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same French theater, the same interests of the courts, the same interests of service and intrigue. Only in the highest circles were efforts made to recall the difficulty of the present situation.” Indeed, this circle of people was far from understanding all-Russian problems, from understanding the great misfortune and needs of the people during this war. The world continued to live by its own interests, and even in a moment of national calamity reign here greed, promotion, service.

The Count also displays false patriotism Rastopchin, who posts stupid ones around Moscow "posters", calls on the city residents not to leave the capital, and then, fleeing the people’s anger, deliberately sends the innocent son of the merchant Vereshchagin to death. Meanness and betrayal are combined with conceit and pout: “It not only seemed to him that he controlled the external actions of the inhabitants of Moscow, but it seemed to him that he controlled their mood through his proclamations and posters, written in that ironic language that in its midst despises the people and which he does not understand when he hears it from above.”

Indicative for understanding the author’s attitude to what is happening is the reaction of the scene participants to Berg’s behavior - both direct and not having a direct connection with the hero’s monologues. The direct reaction is contained in the Count’s actions: “The Count wrinkled his face and choked...”; “Oh, you all get out to hell, to hell, to hell and to hell!..” Natasha Rostova’s reaction is even more definite: “... this is such disgusting, such an abomination, such... I don’t know! Are we some kind of Germans?..” Natasha Rostova’s exclamation is somewhat divorced from Berg’s monologues; the plot is connected with Petya’s story about his parents’ quarrel over carts. But it is obvious that Tolstoy puts these words into Natasha’s mouth, among other things, with the aim of giving a final assessment of Berg’s hypocritical shamelessness (the mention of the Germans is no coincidence).

This is finally Drubetskoy, who, like other staff officers, thinks about awards and promotion, wants “to arrange for himself the best position, especially the position of adjutant to an important person, which seemed especially tempting to him in the army”. It is probably no coincidence that on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Pierre notices this greedy excitement on their faces; he mentally compares it with “another expression of excitement,” “which spoke of not personal, but general questions, questions of life and death.”

Tolstoy convinces us that only those nobles who comprehend the spirit of the people, for whom there can be no happiness outside the peace and prosperity of their country, can be true patriots.

By uniting people on a moral principle, emphasizing the special importance in assessing a person of the truth of his patriotic feeling, Tolstoy brings together people who are very different in their social status. They turn out to be close in spirit, rising to the greatness of national patriotism. And it is not without reason that during a difficult period of his life, Pierre Bezukhov, finding himself on the Borodino field, comes to the conviction that true happiness is merging with the common people. (“Be a soldier, just a soldier. Enter this common life with your whole being.”)

Thus, true patriotism in Tolstoy’s understanding is the highest manifestation of the moral strength and spirit of the people. People's patriotism is an invincible force in the fight against enemies. The winner is the Russian people.

What is true heroism? Under what conditions does it manifest itself? Is every person capable of performing a feat for the sake of his Motherland? It is these questions that the Russian writer B.L. Vasiliev reflects on.

In my opinion, the problem of courage in war is especially popular in our time. Many people treat heroism with irony, believing that it is just a way to show off their fearlessness to others. But we should not forget about those who save others at the cost of their lives. Such people do not demand awards and honors, they only fulfill their moral duty. Revealing the problem of manifestation of heroism, the author relies on his own life experience. In his story, he talks about the heroism of young female anti-aircraft gunners and their commander. In this passage we are presented with a scene of the oncoming battle between the heroes and the Germans. The girls and their commander fearlessly and stubbornly fight their enemies, showing true heroism and patriotism. The heroes are not without fear, but, realizing their responsibility to the Motherland, they successfully fight it.

B.L. Vasiliev is convinced that true heroism lies in self-sacrifice, the ability to sacrifice one’s life to save others, as well as the ability to fight one’s fear.

The works of Russian literature convince us of this. Thus, in K.D. Vorobyov’s story “Killed near Moscow,” the Kremlin cadets who defended their hometown and died in the name of the freedom of their people show steadfastness and heroism. At the end of the story, young lieutenant Alexey Yastrebov, who miraculously survived the bombing and attack of German tanks, accomplishes a feat. He does not give in to fear, but, remembering the words of the old soldier, throws a Molotov cocktail into the tank’s engine. The hero shows true courage, risking his life to save his native country.

Another example is the story “Sotnikov” by V. Bykov. The main character of this work, the young partisan Sotnikov, goes in search of food and, having been captured, does not lose his moral fortitude and loyalty to his country. His comrade behaves in the opposite way, who is ready to become a policeman if only his life is spared. At the end of the work, Sotnikov decides to accomplish a feat - to sacrifice his life to save the innocent. But the cruel and insensitive policemen and commanders are not going to leave their enemies alive, so they sentence everyone to death. The author emphasizes that only a morally pure person, faithful to his duty, is capable of this feat.

Thus, true heroes are those people who are able to sacrifice themselves for others without thinking about rewards and respect.