Passages for memorization from the novel "War and Peace" (two of your choice). The old oak tree, all transformed, spread out like a juicy tent

Passages for memorization from the novel

"War and Peace" (two of your choice)

I. Sky of Austerlitz

What's this? I'm falling! my legs give way, ”he thought, and fell on his back. He opened his eyes, hoping to see how the fight between the French and the artillerymen ended, and wishing to know whether the red-haired artilleryman had been killed or not, whether the guns had been taken or saved. But he didn't take anything. Above him there was nothing now but the sky—a lofty sky, not clear, but still immeasurably lofty, with gray clouds quietly creeping across it. “How quiet, calm and solemn, not at all the way I ran,” thought Prince Andrei, “not the way we ran, shouted and fought; not at all like the way a Frenchman and an artilleryman dragged a bannik from each other with embittered and frightened faces - not at all like the clouds crawling across this high, endless sky. How could I not have seen this lofty sky before? And how happy I am that I finally got to know him. Yes! everything is empty, everything is a lie, except for this endless sky. Nothing, nothing but him. But even that is not even there, there is nothing but silence, calmness. And thank God!.. "

I.Description of oak

There was an oak at the edge of the road. Probably ten times older than the birches that made up the forest, it was ten times thicker and twice as tall as each birch. It was a huge oak tree in two girths with broken branches, which can be seen for a long time, and with broken bark, overgrown with old sores. With his huge clumsy, asymmetrically spread out clumsy hands and fingers, he stood between the smiling birches like an old, angry and contemptuous freak. Only he alone did not want to submit to the charm of spring and did not want to see either spring or the sun.

"Spring, and love, and happiness!" - as if said this oak. - And how not to get tired of you all the same stupid and senseless deceit. Everything is the same, and everything is a lie! There is no spring, no sun, no happiness. There, look, crushed dead firs are sitting, always alone, and there I spread my broken, peeled fingers, wherever they grew - from the back, from the sides; as I grew up, so I stand, and I do not believe your hopes and deceptions.

Prince Andrei looked back at this oak tree several times as he rode through the forest, as if he was expecting something from him. There were flowers and grass under the oak, but he still, frowning, motionless, ugly and stubbornly, stood in the middle of them.

“Yes, he is right, this oak is a thousand times right,” thought Prince Andrei, let others, young ones, again succumb to this deception, and we know life, our life is over! Whole new row Hopeless thoughts, but sadly pleasant in connection with this oak, arose in the soul of Prince Andrei. During this journey, it was as if he thought over his whole life again, and came to the same calming and hopeless conclusion that he had no need to start anything, that he should live his life without doing evil, without worrying and desiring nothing.

III. Description of oak

“Yes, here, in this forest, there was this oak, with which we agreed,” thought Prince Andrei. “Yes, where is he,” thought Prince Andrei again, looking at the left side of the road and, without knowing it, not recognizing him , admired the oak he was looking for. old oak, all transfigured, spread out in a tent of juicy, dark greenery, thrilled, slightly swaying in the rays of the evening sun. No clumsy fingers, no sores, no old mistrust and grief - nothing was visible. Juicy, young leaves broke through the tough, hundred-year-old bark without knots, so that it was impossible to believe that this old man had produced them. “Yes, this is the same oak,” thought Prince Andrei, and an unreasonable spring feeling of joy and renewal suddenly came over him. All the best moments of his life were suddenly remembered to him at the same time. And Austerlitz with a high sky, and the dead, reproachful face of his wife, and Pierre on the ferry, and the girl, excited by the beauty of the night, and this night, and the moon - and he suddenly remembered all this.

“No, life is not over at the age of 31,” Prince Andrei suddenly decided, finally, invariably. Not only do I know everything that is in me, it is necessary that everyone knows this: both Pierre and this girl who wanted to fly into the sky, it is necessary for everyone to know me, so that my life does not go on for me alone, so that they do not live so independently of my life, so that it is reflected on everyone and that they all live with me together!

IV. Natasha's dance

Natasha threw off the handkerchief that was thrown over her, ran ahead of her uncle and, propping her hands on her hips, made a movement with her shoulders and stood.

Where, how, when she sucked into herself from that Russian air that she breathed - this Countess, brought up by a French emigrant - this spirit, where did she get these tricks that dances with a shawl should long ago have supplanted? But the spirit and methods were the same, inimitable, unstudied, Russian, which her uncle expected from her. As soon as she stood up, she smiled solemnly, proudly and cunningly cheerfully, the first fear that gripped Nikolai and all those present, the fear that she would do something wrong, passed, and they were already admiring her.

She did the same thing and did it so exactly, so quite exactly, that Anisia Fyodorovna, who immediately handed her the handkerchief necessary for her case, shed tears through laughter, looking at this thin, graceful, so alien to her, educated countess in silk and velvet who knew how to understand everything that was in Anisya, and in Anisya's father, and in her aunt, and in her mother, and in every Russian person.

What's this? I'm falling! my legs give way, ”he thought, and fell on his back. He opened his eyes, hoping to see how the fight between the French and the artillerymen ended, and wishing to know whether the red-haired artilleryman had been killed or not, whether the guns had been taken or saved. But he didn't take anything. Above him there was nothing now but the sky—a high sky, not clear, but still immeasurably high, with gray clouds quietly creeping across it. “How quiet, calm and solemn, not at all the way I ran,” thought Prince Andrei, “not the way we ran, shouted and fought; not at all like the Frenchman and the artilleryman dragging each other's bannik with embittered and frightened faces - not at all like the clouds crawling across this high, endless sky. How could I not have seen this lofty sky before? And how happy I am that I finally got to know him. Yes! everything is empty, everything is a lie, except for this endless sky. Nothing, nothing but him. But even that is not even there, there is nothing but silence, calmness. And thank God!.. "

1. Description of oak

There was an oak at the edge of the road. Probably ten times older than the birches that made up the forest, it was ten times thicker and twice as tall as each birch. It was a huge oak tree in two girths with broken branches, which can be seen for a long time, and with broken bark, overgrown with old sores. With his huge clumsy, asymmetrically spread out clumsy hands and fingers, he stood between the smiling birches like an old, angry and contemptuous freak. Only he alone did not want to submit to the charm of spring and did not want to see either spring or the sun.

"Spring, and love, and happiness!" - as if said this oak. - And how not to get tired of you all the same stupid and senseless deceit. Everything is the same, and everything is a lie! There is no spring, no sun, no happiness. There, look, crushed dead firs are sitting, always alone, and there I spread my broken, peeled fingers, wherever they grew - from the back, from the sides; as I grew up, so I stand, and I do not believe your hopes and deceptions.

Prince Andrei looked back at this oak tree several times as he rode through the forest, as if he was expecting something from him. There were flowers and grass under the oak, but he still, frowning, motionless, ugly and stubbornly, stood in the middle of them.

“Yes, he is right, this oak is a thousand times right,” thought Prince Andrei, let others, young ones, again succumb to this deception, and we know life, our life is over! A whole new series of thoughts, hopeless, but sadly pleasant in connection with this oak, arose in the soul of Prince Andrei. During this journey, it was as if he thought over his whole life again, and came to the same calming and hopeless conclusion that he had no need to start anything, that he should live his life without doing evil, without worrying and desiring nothing.

III. Description of oak

“Yes, here, in this forest, there was this oak, with which we agreed,” thought Prince Andrei. “Yes, where is he,” thought Prince Andrei again, looking at the left side of the road and, without knowing it, not recognizing him , admired the oak he was looking for. The old oak, all transformed, spread out like a tent of juicy, dark greenery, was thrilled, slightly swaying in the rays of the evening sun. No clumsy fingers, no sores, no old distrust and grief - nothing was visible. Juicy, young leaves broke through the tough, hundred-year-old bark without knots, so that it was impossible to believe that this old man had produced them. “Yes, this is the same oak,” thought Prince Andrei, and an unreasonable spring feeling of joy and renewal suddenly came over him. All the best moments of his life were suddenly remembered to him at the same time. And Austerlitz with a high sky, and the dead, reproachful face of his wife, and Pierre on the ferry, and the girl, excited by the beauty of the night, and this night, and the moon - and he suddenly remembered all this.

“No, life is not over at the age of 31,” Prince Andrei suddenly decided, finally, invariably. Not only do I know everything that is in me, it is necessary that everyone knows this: both Pierre and this girl who wanted to fly into the sky, it is necessary for everyone to know me, so that my life does not go on for me alone, so that they do not live so independently of my life, so that it is reflected on everyone and that they all live with me together!

IV. Natasha's dance

Natasha threw off the handkerchief that was thrown over her, ran ahead of her uncle and, propping her hands on her hips, made a movement with her shoulders and stood.

Where, how, when she sucked into herself from that Russian air that she breathed - this Countess, brought up by a French emigrant - this spirit, where did she get these tricks that dances with a shawl should long ago have supplanted? But the spirit and methods were the same, inimitable, unstudied, Russian, which her uncle expected from her. As soon as she stood up, she smiled solemnly, proudly and cunningly cheerfully, the first fear that gripped Nikolai and all those present, the fear that she would do something wrong, passed, and they were already admiring her.

She did the same thing and did it so exactly, so quite exactly, that Anisia Fyodorovna, who immediately handed her the handkerchief necessary for her case, shed tears through laughter, looking at this thin, graceful, so alien to her, educated countess in silk and velvet who knew how to understand everything that was in Anisya, and in Anisya's father, and in her aunt, and in her mother, and in every Russian person.

In 1808 Emperor Alexander traveled to Erfurt to new meeting with Napoleon and high society Much has been said about the importance of this event. In 1809, the proximity of the two "masters of the world", as Alexander and Napoleon were called, reached the point that when Napoleon declared war on Austria, the Russian corps went abroad to fight on the side of the former enemy against the former ally, the Austrian emperor.

Life is ordinary people she went on as usual, with her questions of health, love, work, hope, etc., regardless of Napoleon's relationship with Alexander. Prince Andrey lived in the village for two years, without going anywhere. All those measures that Pierre started on his estate and which he could not bring to any result, all these measures, without much difficulty, were successfully implemented by Prince Andrei. He, unlike Bezukhov, had that practical tenacity, thanks to which things moved forward without his special efforts. He listed some peasants as free cultivators, for others he replaced corvée with dues. Peasants and courtyards were taught to read and write, and a trained midwife was issued especially for them. Andrei spent one part of his time in the Bald Mountains with his father and son, the other - in the Bogucharovo estate. At the same time, he closely followed external events, read a lot and pondered. In the spring of 1809, Prince Andrei went to the Ryazan estate of his son, who was under his care.

Warmed by the spring sun, he sat in the carriage, looking at the first grass, the first leaves of the birch, and the first puffs of white spring clouds scattered across the bright blue of the sky. He did not think about anything, but looked cheerfully and senselessly around ...

There was an oak at the edge of the road. Probably ten times older than the birches that made up the forest, it was ten times thicker and twice as tall as each birch. It was a huge oak tree in two girths with broken branches, which can be seen for a long time, and with broken bark, overgrown with old sores. With his huge clumsy, asymmetrically spread, clumsy hands and fingers, he stood between the smiling birches, an old, angry and contemptuous freak. Only he alone did not want to submit to the charm of spring and did not want to see either spring or the sun.

“Spring, and love, and happiness!” this oak seemed to be saying, “and how you don’t get tired of all the same stupid and senseless deceit. Everything is the same, and everything is a lie! There is no spring, no sun, no happiness. Look over there, crushed dead firs are sitting, always the same, and there I spread my broken, peeled fingers, wherever they grew - from the back, from the sides; as you have grown, so I stand, and I do not believe your hopes and deceptions.

Prince Andrei looked back at this oak tree several times as he rode through the forest, as if he was expecting something from him. There were flowers and grass under the oak, but he still, frowning, motionless, ugly and stubbornly, stood in the middle of them.

“Yes, he is right, this oak is a thousand times right,” thought Prince Andrei, let others, young ones, again succumb to this deception, and we know life, our life is over! A whole new series of thoughts, hopeless, but sadly pleasant in connection with this oak, arose in the soul of Prince Andrei. During this journey, it was as if he thought over his whole life again, and came to the same calming and hopeless conclusion that he had no need to start anything, that he should live his life without doing evil, without worrying and desiring nothing.

On guardianship matters, Prince Andrei needed to see the district marshal, Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov. Bolkonsky went to him in Otradnoye, where the count lived, as before, hosting the whole province, with hunts, theaters, dinners and musicians. Approaching the Rostovs' house, Andrei heard a woman's cry and saw a crowd of girls running across his carriage. Ahead of the others, closest to the carriage, ran a black-eyed girl in a yellow cotton dress, who was shouting something. But recognizing a stranger, she, without looking at him, ran back. The girl whom Prince Andrei drew attention to was Natasha Rostova. When looking at her, Bolkonsky suddenly felt pain.

“Why is she so happy? What is she thinking? And why is she happy? Prince Andrei involuntarily asked himself with curiosity.

During the day, during which Andrey was occupied by the senior owners and guests who arrived at the Rostov estate on the occasion of his name day, he repeatedly fixed his gaze on something Natasha, who was having fun, trying to understand what she was thinking and what she was so happy about.

In the evening, left alone in a new place, he could not sleep for a long time. He read, then put out the candle and lit it again...

Prince Andrei's room was on the middle floor; they also lived in the rooms above it and did not sleep. He heard a woman speak from above.

Just one more time, said from above female voice, which Prince Andrei now recognized.

So when are you going to sleep? answered another voice.

I won't, I can't sleep, what should I do! Well, last time...

Oh what a delight! Well, now sleep, and the end.

You sleep, but I can't, answered the first voice, approaching the window. She apparently leaned completely out of the window, because the rustling of her dress and even breathing could be heard. Everything was quiet and petrified, like the moon and its light and shadows. Prince Andrei was also afraid to move, so as not to betray his involuntary presence.

Sonya reluctantly answered something.

No, look what a moon!.. Oh, what a charm! You come here. Darling, dove, come here. Well, see? So I would squat down, like this, would grab myself under my knees - tighter, as tight as possible - you have to strain - and I would fly .. That's it!

All right, you're going to fall.

It's the second hour.

Ah, you're just ruining everything for me. Well, go, go.

Everything fell silent again, but Prince Andrei knew that she was still sitting there, he sometimes heard a quiet stir, sometimes sighs.

Oh my god! My God! what is it! she suddenly cried out.

Sleep so sleep! - and slammed the window.

"They don't care about my existence!" - thought Prince Andrei while he listened to her conversation, for some reason expecting and fearing that she would say something about him. - And again she! And how on purpose! he thought. Such an unexpected confusion of young thoughts and hopes, which contradicted his whole life, suddenly arose in his soul, that he, feeling himself unable to understand his condition, immediately fell asleep.

The next day, saying goodbye only to the count, without waiting for the ladies to leave, Andrei went home. On the way back, he drove into the same birch grove, in which he was struck by a gnarled oak. But now Andrei looked at him in a completely different way.

The old oak, all transformed, spread out like a tent of juicy, dark greenery, was thrilled, slightly swaying in the rays of the evening sun. No clumsy fingers, no sores, no old distrust and grief - nothing was visible. Juicy, young leaves made their way out of the knots through the tough hundred-year-old bark, so that it was impossible to believe that this old man had produced them. “Yes, this is the same oak tree,” thought Prince Andrei, and a causeless spring feeling of joy and renewal suddenly came over him. All the best moments of his life were suddenly remembered to him at the same time. And Austerlitz with a high sky, and the dead, reproachful face of his wife, and Pierre on the ferry, and the girl, excited by the beauty of the night, and this night, and the moon - and he suddenly remembered all this.

“No, life is not over at the age of 31,” Prince Andrei suddenly decided definitively, without change. Not only do I know everything that is in me, it is necessary that everyone knows this: both Pierre and this girl who wanted to fly into the sky, it is necessary that everyone knows me, so that my life goes not for me alone so that they do not live so independently of my life, so that it is reflected on everyone and that they all live with me together!

Returning from a trip to the estates, Andrei, unexpectedly for himself, decided to go to St. Petersburg in the fall. In August 1809, he carried out his intention. "This time was the apogee of the glory of the young Speransky and the energy of the coups he carried out."

Soon after his arrival, Prince Andrei appeared at the court, but the sovereign, having met him twice, did not honor him with a single word. According to the courtiers, Alexander was unhappy that Bolkonsky had not served since 1805. Andrei handed over his note with a proposal to introduce new military laws to the field marshal, a friend of his father. The field marshal received him amiably and promised to report to the sovereign about him. A few days later, Bolkonsky was summoned to an appointment with Arakcheev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, before whom the whole court trembled. Arakcheev, in a grumbling and contemptuous tone, informed Andrei that his note had been submitted to the committee on military regulations, and he himself was enlisted as a member of this committee.

While waiting for notification of his enrollment as a member of the committee, Andrey renewed his old acquaintances and, thanks to his natural intelligence and erudition, was well received in all the various and highest circles of St. Petersburg society. Those around him noticed that he had changed a lot since his last stay in St. Petersburg: “he softened and matured, that there was no former pretense, pride and mockery in him, and there was that calmness that is acquired over the years.”

The day after visiting Count Arakcheev, Prince Andrei was at the evening with Count Kochubey, where he met Speransky, the state secretary, speaker of the sovereign and his companion in Erfurt, where he met and spoke with Napoleon more than once. Prince Andrei carefully looked at Speransky, wanting to find complete perfection in him. human dignity. Speransky, paying tribute to the general conversation, recalled Andrey to the other side of the room and spoke to him about important state issues. At the end of the conversation, Speransky invited Andrei to his place for dinner with a proposal to continue their acquaintance.

Plunging into the atmosphere of St. Petersburg secular life, Prince Andrei felt that he did nothing, did not think about anything, but only said what he managed to comprehend during his life in the village. Speransky, appreciating Andrei's merits, often talked to him one on one. Andrei, who had to communicate with many worthless people, it seemed that he found in Speransky the ideal of a reasonable and completely virtuous person, who achieved power with energy and perseverance and used it only for the good of Russia. However, Bolkonsky was unpleasantly struck by the mirror look of Speransky, as well as his too great contempt for people. At the first time of his acquaintance with Speransky, Prince Andrei felt a sincere feeling of respect and admiration for him, but then this feeling began to wane. A week after arriving in St. Petersburg, Andrei became a member of the military regulations commission and head of the department of the law drafting commission.

In 1808, returning to St. Petersburg from a trip to the estates, Pierre was elected head of St. Petersburg Freemasonry. His duties included organizing dining and grave lodges, recruiting new members, and taking care of connecting the various lodges. He gave money for the construction of temples and replenished the collection of alms, which most members of Freemasonry were stingy with. Pierre's life, despite his new views and beliefs, went on as before. He liked to dine and drink well, and often took part in the amusements of bachelor societies. In the course of his studies and hobbies, Pierre felt that he was gradually moving away from Masonic principles, and the stronger his position in Freemasonry became, the stronger he felt his detachment from him. Realizing that most of the brothers entered Freemasonry not because of ideological convictions, but because of profit (hoping to be close to rich and influential people), Pierre could not feel satisfied with his activities.

In the summer of 1809, Pierre returned to Petersburg. By this time, he managed to get the confidence of many high-ranking officials abroad, was elevated to the highest degree and brought with him a lot for the prosperity of Freemasonry in Russia. At the solemn meeting of the lodge, Pierre delivered a speech in which he called on the brothers to take active steps "to spread the truth and deliver the triumph of virtue." This speech made a strong impression on the brothers, most of whom saw in it dangerous plans. Pierre's offer was rejected, and he went home in a bad mood. He succumbed to one of the attacks of melancholy, three days after the meeting of the lodge lay at home, doing nothing and not leaving anywhere. At this time, he received a letter from his wife, who begged him for a date and wrote that she wanted to devote her life to him. At the end of the letter, she informed him that one of these days she would come to St. Petersburg from abroad. A few days later, one of the Masonic brothers came to Pierre, who, starting a conversation about Pierre's marital relations, expressed the opinion that Pierre's attitude towards his wife was unfair and that without forgiving her, he deviated from the first rules of Freemasonry. Pierre understood that it was a conspiracy, that it was beneficial for someone to connect him with his wife, but he did not care. Under the influence of those around him, he got along with his wife, asking her to forgive everything old and forget everything that he could be guilty of before her.

The secular Petersburg society of that time was divided into several circles, the most extensive of which was French. One of the prominent places in this circle was occupied by Helen, from the time when she and Pierre settled in St. Petersburg. At her receptions there were important gentlemen of the French embassy and a large number of people who had a reputation for being smart and amiable. Helen was in Erfurt during the famous meeting of the Russian and French emperors and had great success there. The beauty of the Russian countess was noticed by Napoleon himself. Her success as beautiful woman did not surprise Pierre, because over the years she became even more beautiful. However, the fact that in two years his wife had managed to acquire a reputation as a “charming woman, as smart as she was beautiful” amazed Pierre. To be received in the salon of Countess Bezukhova was considered a great honor. Pierre, knowing that his wife was stupid, attended with a strange feeling the dinners she hosted, where politics, poetry, philosophy and other topics were discussed.

In the eyes of public opinion, Pierre was the very husband that a "brilliant secular woman" needed. Those around him considered him a funny eccentric, who did not interfere with anyone and did not spoil the general tone of the living room. Pierre himself behaved indifferently and casually with those around him - “he was equally happy and equally indifferent with everyone,” which for some reason inspired involuntary respect. However, all this time he did not stop thinking and reflecting on the meaning of life.

Among the young people who visited Countess Bezukhov daily was Boris Drubetskoy. Helen communicated with him with a special, affectionate smile, calling him her page. Pierre subconsciously felt that friendly relations Helen and Boris are hiding something more, but remembering what his jealousy had led to three years ago, he did not allow himself to suspect his wife. On the advice of Bazdeev, Pierre diligently kept a diary, recording all his actions and thoughts. He tried to engage in self-improvement, to eradicate laziness, gluttony and other vices in himself.

Soon Boris Drubetskoy was accepted into the lodge of Masons. Pierre wrote in his diary that he himself recommended Boris, struggling with an unworthy feeling of hatred for this man, although, in his opinion, Drubetskoy entered the box with one sole purpose- get close to famous and influential people.

The Rostovs lived in the village for two years, but despite this, their financial position didn't get better. The manager conducted business in such a way that debts grew every year. Count Rostov saw only one way out to improve the financial affairs of the family - to enter the service. To this end, he and his family moved to St. Petersburg. But if in Moscow the Rostovs belonged to high society, then in St. Petersburg they were considered provincials.

In St. Petersburg, the Rostovs continued to live hospitably, their dinners were attended by an audience belonging to different social strata. Shortly after the Rostovs' arrival in Petersburg, Berg made an offer to Vera, and it was accepted. For so long and with such significance he told others about how he was wounded in the battle of Austerlitz that in the end he received two awards for one wound. In the Finnish war, he also distinguished himself: he picked up a fragment of a grenade, which killed the adjutant near the commander-in-chief, and brought this fragment to the commander. As after Austerlitz, he recounted this event for a long time and persistently until he received two awards.

In 1809, Berg was a captain of the guard with decorations and held profitable positions in St. Petersburg, enjoying the reputation of a brave officer. Berg's courtship, met at first with bewilderment (he did not have a noble birth), was finally approved by the Rostovs, since Vera was already twenty-four years old, and despite the fact that she was considered beautiful girl No one has yet proposed to her. Berg did not hide from close friends that he was looking for benefits from the upcoming marriage. Before the wedding, he persistently asked Count Rostov to explain what dowry would be given for his daughter, and calmed down only when he was given twenty thousand in cash and a bill for eighty thousand rubles.

Boris, despite the fact that he made a brilliant career and stopped communicating with the Rostovs, nevertheless paid them a visit during their stay in St. Petersburg. Natasha, who by this time was sixteen years old, had never seen Boris since she kissed him. She understood that childhood had passed and everything that happened between them was childish, but in the depths of her soul she was tormented by the question: was her promise to Boris a joke or a serious obligation? Coming several times to Moscow, Boris never visited the Rostovs.

When the Rostovs arrived in St. Petersburg, Boris came to visit them.

He rode towards them not without excitement. The memory of Natasha was the most poetic memory of Boris. But at the same time, he rode with the firm intention of making it clear to her and her relatives that the childish relationship between him and Natasha could not be an obligation either for her or for him. He had a brilliant position in society, thanks to intimacy with Countess Bezukhova, a brilliant position in the service, thanks to the patronage of an important person, whose trust he fully enjoyed, and he had nascent plans for marrying one of the richest brides in St. Petersburg, which could very easily come true. . When Boris entered the Rostovs' living room, Natasha was in her room. Upon learning of his arrival, she almost ran into the living room, flushed... a completely different Natasha, he was embarrassed, and his face expressed enthusiastic surprise ...

What, you recognize your little naughty buddy? said the Countess. Boris kissed Natasha's hand and said that he was surprised at the change that had taken place in her.

How you have improved!

“Sure!” answered Natasha's laughing eyes...

Boris decided on his own to avoid meeting Natasha, but, despite this decision, he arrived a few days later and began to travel often and spend whole days with the Rostovs. It seemed to him that he needed to explain himself to Natasha, to tell her that everything old should be forgotten, that, despite everything ..., she cannot be his wife, that he has no fortune, and she will never be given for him . But he did not succeed in everything and it was embarrassing to start this explanation. Every day he became more and more confused. Natasha, according to the remark of her mother and Sonya, seemed to be in love with Boris in the old way. She sang his favorite songs to him, showed him her album, forced him to write in it, did not allow him to remember the old, letting him know how wonderful the new was; and every day he left in a fog, without saying what he intended to say, not knowing himself what he was doing and why he came, and how it would end.

One evening, while the countess was reading evening prayer, an excited Natasha ran into her room and asked what she thought about Boris. The countess said that at the age of sixteen she herself was already married, but if Natasha does not love Boris, then one should not rush. In addition, marriage with Natasha is also undesirable for Boris, because he is poor. Reproaching her daughter for turning the young man's head in vain, the countess promised to settle the matter herself. The next day, the countess invited Boris to her place, and after frank conversation with her, the young man stopped visiting the Rostovs' house.

On December 31, on the eve of the new year, 1810, one of Catherine's nobles arranged a ball, at which the sovereign was supposed to be.

Natasha looked into the mirrors and in the reflection she could not distinguish herself from others. Everything was mixed in one brilliant procession. At the entrance to the first hall, a uniform rumble of voices, steps, greetings deafened Natasha; the light and brilliance blinded her even more.

Two girls in white dresses, with identical roses in their black hair, sat down in the same way, but the hostess involuntarily fixed her gaze longer on thin Natasha. She looked at her, and smiled at her alone, in addition to her master's smile. Looking at her, the hostess remembered, perhaps, her golden, irrevocable girlish time, and her first ball. The owner also looked after Natasha and asked the count, who is his daughter?

Arrived at the ball great amount guests. The invitees exchanged whispers breaking news. Among the new arrivals, the Rostovs noticed two ugly girls, heirs of large fortunes, followed by "suitors" - Anatol Kuragin and Boris Drubetskoy. Among the guests was Pierre, who accompanied his wife.

Pierre walked, waddling his fat body, pushing the crowd apart, nodding right and left as casually and good-naturedly as if he were walking through the crowd of a bazaar. He moved through the crowd, apparently looking for someone.

Natasha looked with joy at Pierre's familiar face, and knew that Pierre was looking for them, and especially her, in the crowd. Pierre promised her to be at the ball and introduce her to the gentlemen.

But, before reaching them, Bezukhov stopped beside a short, very handsome brunette in a white uniform, who, standing at the window, was talking to some tall man in stars and ribbon. Natasha immediately recognized the short young man in a white uniform: it was Bolkonsky, who seemed to her very rejuvenated, cheerful and prettier ...

More than half of the ladies had cavaliers and were going or preparing to go to the Polish. Natasha felt that she remained with her mother and Sonya among the smaller part of the ladies pushed back to the wall and not taken to the Polish. She stood, lowering her thin arms, and with a measuredly rising, slightly defined chest, holding her breath, shining, frightened eyes looked ahead of her, with an expression of readiness for the greatest joy and for greatest grief. She was not occupied by either the sovereign, or all important persons- she had one thought: “Is it possible that no one will come up to me, is it possible that I will not dance between the first, is it possible that all these men will not notice me, who now, it seems, do not see me, and if they look at me, then they look with such an expression as if they are saying: “Ah! it's not her, so there's nothing to see. No, it can't be!" she thought. “They must know how I want to dance, how well I dance, and how fun it will be for them to dance with me.”

The sounds of Polish, which had gone on for quite some time, were already beginning to sound sad, a memory in Natasha's ears. She wanted to cry. The count was at the other end of the hall. The Countess, Sonya, and she stood alone as in a forest in this alien crowd, uninteresting and unnecessary to anyone. Prince Andrei walked past them with some lady, apparently not recognizing them. The handsome Anatole, smiling, said something to the lady he was leading, and looked at Natasha's face with the look with which they look at the walls. Boris walked past them twice and each time turned away...

Prince Andrei, in his colonel's white (for cavalry) uniform, in stockings and boots, lively and cheerful, stood in the forefront of the circle, not far from the Rostovs. Baron Firgof spoke to him about tomorrow, the proposed first meeting of the State Council ...

Prince Andrei watched these cavaliers and ladies, who were shy under the sovereign, trembling with the desire to be invited.

Pierre went up to Prince Andrei and grabbed his hand.

You are always dancing. There is ... Rostova is young, invite her, ”he said.

Where? Bolkonsky asked. “I’m sorry,” he said, turning to the baron, “we’ll finish this conversation in another place, but at the ball you have to dance.” - He stepped forward, in the direction that Pierre indicated to him. Natasha's desperate, fading face caught Prince Andrei's eyes. He recognized her, guessed her feelings, realized that she was a beginner, remembered her conversation at the window, and with a cheerful expression approached Countess Rostova.

Allow me to introduce you to my daughter,” said the Countess, blushing.

I have the pleasure of being acquainted, if the countess remembers me, - said Prince Andrei with a courteous and low bow, approaching Natasha, and raising his hand to hug her waist even before he finished the invitation to dance. He suggested a waltz tour. That fading expression on Natasha's face, ready for despair and delight, suddenly lit up with a happy, grateful, childish smile.

“I have been waiting for you for a long time,” this frightened and happy girl seemed to say, with her smile that appeared because of ready tears, raising her hand on the shoulder of Prince Andrei.

Prince Andrei loved to dance, and wanting to quickly get rid of the political and intelligent conversations with which everyone turned to him, and wanting to quickly break this annoying circle of embarrassment formed by the presence of the sovereign, he went to dance and chose Natasha, because Pierre pointed her out to him. and because she was the first of the pretty women that caught his eye; but as soon as he embraced this thin, mobile body, and she moved so close to him and smiled so close to him, the wine of her charms hit him in the head: he felt revived and rejuvenated when, catching his breath and leaving her, he stopped and began to look on the dancers.

After Prince Andrei, Natasha was invited by other gentlemen, including Boris. She, happy and flushed, not noticing the intricacies of secular etiquette, did not stop dancing the whole evening.

Prince Andrei, like all people who grew up in the world, loved to meet in the world that which did not have a common secular imprint. And such was Natasha, with her surprise, joy and timidity, and even mistakes in French. He spoke with her especially tenderly and carefully. Sitting beside her, talking to her about the simplest and most insignificant subjects, Prince Andrei admired the joyful gleam in her eyes and smile, which related not to spoken speeches, but to her inner happiness. While Natasha was chosen and she got up with a smile and danced around the hall, Prince Andrei admired in particular her timid grace. In the middle of the cotillion, Natasha, having finished the figure, still breathing heavily, approached her place. The new gentleman again invited her. She was tired and out of breath, and apparently thought of refusing, but immediately again cheerfully raised her hand on the cavalier's shoulder and smiled at Prince Andrei ...

“If she comes first to her cousin, and then to another lady, then she will be my wife,” Prince Andrei said quite unexpectedly to himself, looking at her. She went up to her cousin first.

“What nonsense sometimes comes to mind! thought Prince Andrei; but it’s only true that this girl is so sweet, so special, that she won’t dance here for a month and get married ... This is a rarity here, ”he thought, when Natasha, straightening the rose that had fallen back from her corsage, sat down beside him.

Pierre at this ball for the first time felt insulted by the position that his wife occupied in higher spheres. He was sullen and distracted. There was a wide crease across his forehead, and he, standing at the window, looked through his glasses, seeing no one.

Natasha, on her way to dinner, walked past him.

The gloomy, unhappy face of Pierre struck her. She stopped in front of him. She wanted to help him, to convey to him the surplus of her happiness.

How fun, count, - she said, - isn't it?

Pierre smiled absently, obviously not understanding what was being said to him.

Yes, I'm very happy, he said.

“How can they be dissatisfied with something,” thought Natasha. Especially as good as this Bezukhov?” In Natasha's eyes, all those who were at the ball were equally kind, sweet, beautiful people, loving friend friend: no one could offend each other, and therefore everyone should have been happy.

The next day, Prince Andrei recalled the ball and Natasha. Sitting down to work, he was constantly distracted and could not do anything, and was delighted when one of the officials came to him to announce the opening State Council. This event, to which Prince Andrei would have paid much attention before, now seemed to him petty and insignificant. On the same day, Prince Andrei was invited to dinner with Speransky, which was also attended by other reformers. Bolkonsky listened with sadness and disappointment to the conversations of those present, their fun seemed to him unnatural and simulated. The sound of Speransky's voice struck him unpleasantly. The incessant laughter of the guests for some reason irritated and offended Andrey's feelings. Everything that Speransky did seemed to Andrei far-fetched and simulated. Bolkonsky left early and, returning home, began to recall all the meetings of the Council, at which a lot of time was spent discussing the form instead of solving pressing issues. This work now seemed to Andrei empty and unnecessary, and he himself was surprised how he could not understand this before.

The next day, Prince Andrei went on visits to some houses where he had not yet been, including the Rostovs, with whom he renewed his acquaintance at the last ball.

Natasha was one of the first to meet him. She was in a homely blue dress, in which she seemed to Prince Andrei even better than in the ballroom. She and the entire Rostov family accepted Prince Andrei as an old friend, simply and cordially ...

Prince Andrei felt in Natasha the presence of a completely alien to him, a special world, full of some joys unknown to him, that alien world that even then, in Otradnenskaya alley and at the window, on a moonlit night, so teased him. Now this world no longer teased him, there was no alien world; but he himself, entering into it, found in it a new pleasure for himself.

After dinner, Natasha, at the request of Prince Andrei, went to the clavichord and began to sing. Prince Andrei stood at the window, talking to the ladies, and listened to her. In the middle of a sentence, Prince Andrei fell silent and suddenly felt tears rising to his throat, the possibility of which he did not know behind him. He looked at the singing Natasha, and something new and happy happened in his soul...

Prince Andrei left the Rostovs late in the evening. He went to bed out of the habit of going to bed, but soon saw that he could not sleep. Lighting a candle, he sat in bed, then got up, then lay down again, not at all weighed down by insomnia: he felt so joyful and new in his soul, as if he had stepped out of a stuffy room into the free light of God ...

The bergs settled down on new apartment and, in order to secure their position in society, they decided to have a party. Among those invited were Pierre, Rostov, Bolkonsky. Thanks to the efforts of the hosts, this evening was no different from other similar evenings.

Pierre, as one of the most honored guests, was to sit in Boston with Ilya Andreevich, a general and a colonel. Pierre had to sit opposite Natasha at the Boston table, and the strange change that had taken place in her since the day of the ball struck him. Natasha was silent, and not only was she not as good as she was at the ball, but she would be bad if she did not have such a meek and indifferent look to everything.

"What with her?" Pierre thought, looking at her ...

Prince Andrei, with a thrifty, tender expression, stood before her and said something to her. She, raising her head, blushing and apparently trying to hold her breath, looked at him. And bright light some kind of inner, previously extinguished fire, again burned in her. She has completely changed. From the bad girl she again became the same as she was at the ball.

Prince Andrei went up to Pierre and Pierre noticed a new, youthful expression in the face of his friend. Pierre changed seats several times during the game, now with his back, then facing Natasha, and during the entire course of 6 roberts he made observations of her and his friend.

“Something very important is happening between them,” thought Pierre, and a joyful and at the same time bitter feeling made him worry and forget about the game ...

It seemed to Natasha that even when she first saw Prince Andrei in Otradnoye, she fell in love with him. She seemed to be frightened by this strange, unexpected happiness that the one whom she had chosen back then (she was firmly convinced of this), that he had now met her again, and, as it seemed, was not indifferent to her. “And it was necessary for him, now that we are here, to come to Petersburg on purpose. And we should have met at this ball. All this is fate. It is clear that this is fate, that all this was led to this. Even then, as soon as I saw him, I felt something special.

From the time of the ball, Pierre felt the approach of fits of hypochondria in himself and with a desperate effort tried to fight against them. From the time of the prince’s rapprochement with his wife, Pierre was unexpectedly granted a chamberlain, and from that time on he began to feel heaviness and shame in a large society, and more often the same gloomy thoughts about the futility of everything human began to come to him. At the same time, the feeling he noticed between Natasha, who was patronized by him, and Prince Andrei, his opposition between his position and the position of his friend, further strengthened this gloomy mood ...

For marriage, permission from his father was required, and Andrei went to the Bald Mountains. old prince he received his son's message with inner malice, but with outward calmness. Recognizing that marriage was unprofitable either in terms of kinship or in terms of money, and the bride was young, he insisted that Andrei wait a year: he left the bride and went abroad to improve his health. Three weeks later, Andrei returned to St. Petersburg.

Prince Andrei with an anxious and serious face entered the living room. As soon as he saw Natasha, his face lit up. He kissed the hand of the countess and Natasha and sat down beside the sofa.

For a long time we have not had pleasure ... - the countess began, but Prince Andrei interrupted her, answering her question and obviously in a hurry to say what he needed.

I have not been with you all this time, because I was with my father: I had to talk to him about a very important matter. I just got back last night,” he said, looking at Natasha. “I need to talk to you, Countess,” he added after a moment's silence.

The Countess sighed heavily and lowered her eyes.

I am at your service,” she said.

Natasha knew that she had to leave, but she could not do it: something was squeezing her throat, and she was impolite, blunt, open eyes looked at Prince Andrei.

"Now? This minute! .. No, it can’t be!” she thought.

He looked at her again, and this look convinced her that she had not been mistaken. - Yes, now, this very minute her fate was being decided.

Come on, Natasha, I'll call you, - said the countess in a whisper.

Natasha, with frightened, pleading eyes, looked at Prince Andrei and at her mother, and went out ...

Natasha sat on her bed, pale, with dry eyes, looked at the images and, quickly crossing herself, whispered something. Seeing her mother, she jumped up and rushed to her.

What? Mom?.. What?

Go, go to him. He asks for your hand, - said the countess coldly, as it seemed to Natasha ... - Go ... go, - the mother said with sadness and reproach after the fleeing daughter, and sighed heavily.

Natasha did not remember how she entered the living room. When she entered the door and saw him, she stopped. “Is this stranger really become my everything now?” - she asked herself and instantly answered: "Yes, everything: he alone is now dearer to me than everything in the world." Prince Andrei went up to her, lowering his eyes.

I loved you from the moment I saw you. Can I hope?

He looked at her, and the earnest passion of her countenance struck him. Her face said: “Why ask? Why doubt that which is impossible not to know? Why talk when you can't express what you feel in words...

Natasha did not understand why it was necessary to postpone the wedding for a year if they love each other. At Andrey's insistence, the engagement that took place between the Rostov and Bolkonsky families was not disclosed - Andrei did not want to bind Natasha with any obligations. On the eve of his departure from Petersburg, Prince Andrei brought Bezukhov to the Rostovs. He told Natasha that he had let Pierre know their secret, and asked her to contact him if anything happened during his absence.

Neither father and mother, nor Sonya, nor Prince Andrei himself could foresee how parting with her fiancé would affect Natasha. Red and agitated, with dry eyes, she walked around the house that day, doing the most insignificant things, as if not understanding what awaited her. She did not cry even at the moment when he said goodbye, he kissed her hand for the last time.

Don't leave! - she only said to him in a voice that made him think about whether he really needed to stay and which he remembered for a long time after that. When he left, she didn't cry either; but for several days she sat in her room without crying, was not interested in anything, and only sometimes said: “Ah, why did he leave!”

But two weeks after his departure, just as unexpectedly for those around her, she woke up from her moral illness, became the same as before, but only with a changed moral physiognomy, like children with a different face get out of bed after a long illness.

In the Bald Mountains, life went on as usual. The old prince became more grouchy every day, Princess Mary was engaged in the education of Nicholas, the son of Andrei, more and more immersed in religion. She could not fail to notice the change that had taken place in Prince Andrei, but she did not know anything about her brother's love. However, soon Andrei from Switzerland informed her of his engagement to Natasha. Princess Mary took this news with displeasure. In the depths of her soul, she wished that Prince Andrei would change his intentions. In her free time, Princess Marya continued to host wanderers, read scriptures, and in the end, she decided to go wandering. However, pity for her father and little Nikolenka kept her from such a step.

In order to create the most full portrait hero, Leo Tolstoy in his work refers to different facets of personality. These can be barely noticeable movements of the face, a sparkle in the eyes, or a smile ... However, not only emotions, but also their external manifestations play an important role in the description. The writer finds other features that are able to show readers his "dialectics of the soul". In the article, we will focus on the image of an oak tree from the novel "War and Peace", which helps to reveal the state of mind of Andrei Bolkonsky.

L. N. Tolstoy. "War and Peace". Oak

Andrei meets this tree on his way to Rostov). The prince has a life rich in content, although short in time, behind him. He had already seen all the facets of both the world and the war, and he made a firm conviction that everything in this world was over for him. Seeing the tree, Bolkonsky again recalls the path he has traveled, but does not change his attitude towards himself. The charms of spring are not able to give a fresh breath of new life.

However, it is the oak in "War and Peace" that becomes the key aspect in the fate of the protagonist. Andrei does not understand why the coachman Peter can be so happy. The only one whom the prince finds as allies is an old oak, which is probably ten times older than birches. The tree further confirmed Bolkonsky in the opinion that he should live out his life "desiring nothing and not worrying."

Opposition to spring rebirth

The description of the oak tree in the novel War and Peace helps to understand why Andrei perceived it as the only ally among the beauty of the fabulous spring forest. It was huge tree with broken branches and bark. Between the smiling birches, he stood with his asymmetrical branches, like a monster, and he alone did not want to submit to the spring charm. The old oak tree has also seen a lot in its lifetime. War and peace brought him disappointment and wounds, as evidenced by the damage to his bark.

Tolstoy deftly uses one technique in describing this picture. It shows the meeting of two kindred spirits, opposing the common fun. But all the same, they remain lonely: Andrei is in life, a tree is in the forest. Nothing will change from the fact that two kindred souls decided to close themselves from others and from the light. After all, life goes on, bringing new impressions and events that gradually overshadow any sadness.

Natasha Rostova

Natasha Rostova was able to revive Bolkonsky to life. He was struck by her sincere admiration for everything that is around. She so directly rejoices at an ordinary night that Andrei begins to think about the fact that things that are inconspicuous at first glance can inspire a person. When Bolkonsky returns from Otradnoye, he sees that summer has already come into its own in the yard, and he can’t find the tree with which until recently he was so lonely in the realm of awakening nature.

Crucial moment

The description of the oak in the novel "War and Peace" is very important, because this tree is shown precisely through the eyes of Prince Andrei. Tolstoy uses this image to reveal a hero who is not inclined to speak directly about his fears and anxieties. Bolkonsky only allows himself to be frank with Pierre. And when a friend is not around, it is the description of the oak in the novel "War and Peace" that gives us the opportunity to understand what is going on in Andrei's soul and what changes have occurred in him. The hero, like this same oak tree, came to life under the gentle sun and began, like birch trees that met again on the way, to enjoy the summer days. With her admiration, Natasha Rostova gave impetus to a spark flaring up in the prince.

Bolkonsky strengthened his opinion when he saw the tree again. It seemed to be also enjoying life, and Andrei admired it. The description of the oak tree in War and Peace now depicted a transfigured giant, sprawled out in a tent of lush greenery, which was thrilled, swaying in the sun's rays. Wounds and sores were hidden by new foliage, and the prince thought that, probably, his spiritual wounds could heal. So, he can start life from a new leaf.

The healing power of nature

The oak from "War and Peace" seems to convey the steps of the character's revival. Seeing how young leaves make their way through the century-old bark, Bolkonsky understands that he can go forward and rely not on gloomy dark moments, but on bright memories. Prince Andrey realizes that it is precisely the admiration of life and renewal that allow you to move to new heights, and not hide your talents and youth behind a “bark with sores”. You need to live not only for yourself, but also for others, so that they also have the opportunity to consider in him the best that he has been hiding for so long.

Thus, the meeting of the protagonist with the oak was a turning point, showing that it is never too late to start life from a clean page. And those around him, perhaps, will help him in this. Indeed, during his awakening, Bolkonsky recalls Natasha, Pierre and this resurrected oak.

Finally

So, the image of the old tree in the narrative plays several key roles. He not only opens the door for us inner world hero, but he himself is a character, thanks to which Prince Andrei Bolkonsky finds the path of rebirth to a wonderful new life. But the image of the oak at the same time allows the author to demonstrate to readers those qualities and traits of the hero that would not have been possible to show through the description of the appearance.

The description of this tree will make anyone think about the meaning of life, reevaluate some moments, remember that nothing lasts forever on earth. A fragment of the hero's meeting with the oak suggests that a person finds happiness only when he stops running from him, when he opens himself to meet love. This is the law of life.

The meeting of Prince Andrei with an old oak tree is one of the main turning points in Leo Tolstoy's novel. After this meeting, Andrei Bolkonsky begins new stage in life, there is a change in the perception of the world of the hero. In addition, a meeting with an oak is both a turning point in a former life and the beginning of a new one, united with all the people, and therefore happy.

Oak symbolizes psychological condition Prince Andrei, reflecting massive changes that happened in his soul.

Andrei Bolkonsky met with an oak tree twice. And both of these meetings were symbolic.

For the first time, the oak looks gloomy and gloomy: “With his huge clumsy, asymmetrically spread clumsy hands and fingers, he stood between the smiling birches as an old, angry, contemptuous freak. the sun."

Exactly the same feelings possess the soul of the hero.

Prince Andrei is also different from the others, he contrasts with the guests in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Sherer, those conversations that are conducted in secular society are alien to him.

The same apathy is felt in the external appearance of the oak, which also grows lonely and wild among noisy chirping birches.

The second meeting between Prince Andrei and the oak took place under different circumstances. Cardinal changes took place in the soul of Andrei Bolkonsky. The meeting with the oak fell on the best moments of the prince's life - he saw the sky over Austerlitz, when "there was nothing above him but the sky - a high sky, not clear, but still immeasurably high, with gray clouds quietly creeping over it ", these are the discoveries about life and God made by Pierre and stirred up the soul of Prince Andrei, Natasha's overheard conversation about beauty moonlit night awakened the desire to be happy dormant in him.

These changes in the soul of Andrei Bolkonsky are consonant with changes in the external appearance of the oak.

Now it's full vitality and spread its branches towards the world, as if embracing it: "The old oak tree, all transformed, spread out in a tent of juicy, dark greenery, was thrilled, slightly swaying in the rays of the evening sun. No clumsy fingers, no sores, no old grief and mistrust - there was nothing Juicy, young leaves broke through the hundred-year-old hard bark without knots, so that it was impossible to believe that it was the old man who produced them.

The disappointments he experienced contributed to the changes in the soul of Prince Andrei. He is disappointed in his idol - Napoleon, he is deeply worried about the death of Lisa, feeling guilty in front of her and realizing that nothing can be corrected.

The hero understands that new life with new ideals and new aspirations can change everything. He realizes that previously he lived only for himself. He wanted to accomplish a feat, dreamed of glory. Now, having seen the renewed oak, Prince Andrei draws a parallel between himself and this mighty tree. He is experiencing an internal transformation, renewal and rethinking of the foundations of life.

The episode of Prince Andrei's meeting with the oak has importance to reveal the image of the hero. This is a new step in life, a transition from life for himself, to a life in which he feels his unity with the whole people.

Updated: 2012-04-17

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