The richness and breadth of life of the characters in Leo Tolstoy’s «War and Peace».
Leo Tolstoy, with his pure Russian quill, breathed life into an entire world of characters in «War and Peace». His fictional heroes, intertwined into noble families or familial ties between households, offer contemporary readers a genuine reflection of the individuals who lived during the times depicted by the author. «War and Peace», one of the greatest books of global significance, confidently conveys the historian’s expertise while simultaneously reflecting the Russian spirit, the personalities of high society, and the historical events that were prevalent at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries.
Against this backdrop, the magnificence of the Russian soul is showcased in all its power and diversity.
Leo Tolstoy and the characters of «War and Peace» relive the events of the nineteenth century, yet Tolstoy begins his narrative with the events of 1805. The looming war with the French, the impending threat sweeping across the world, the rising grandeur of Napoleon, the turmoil in Moscow’s high society, and the visible tranquility in St. Petersburg’s social circles – all of these serve as a unique backdrop upon which, like a brilliant artist, the author meticulously sketches his characters. The novel boasts a vast ensemble of characters – around 550 to 600 in total. There are primary and central figures, and then there are others who are merely mentioned. Broadly speaking, the characters of «War and Peace» can be categorized into three groups: central, secondary, and those briefly mentioned. Among them, we find fictional characters, prototypes of people who surrounded the writer at the time, as well as genuine historical figures. Let’s delve into the main protagonists of the novel.
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Quotes from the novel «War and Peace»
I often think about how life’s happiness is sometimes distributed unjustly.
A person can’t truly own anything as long as they fear death. But he who does not fear it, owns everything.
Until now, thank God, I’ve been a friend to my children and enjoyed their complete trust, — said the countess, echoing the misconception of many parents who believe their children keep no secrets from them.
Everything, from napkins to silverware, porcelain, and crystal, bore that distinctive mark of novelty found in the household of newlyweds.
If everyone fought solely based on their convictions, there would be no wars.
Being passionate had become her social position, and sometimes, even when she wasn’t feeling it, she’d become passionate to meet the expectations of those who knew her.
To love everything and everyone, to always sacrifice oneself for love, means to love no one and to not live this earthly life.
Never, ever marry, my friend; here’s my advice: don’t marry until you can say to yourself that you’ve done everything you could, and until you cease to love the woman you’ve chosen, until you see her clearly; otherwise, you’ll make a cruel and irreparable mistake. Marry when you’re old and good for nothing…
Central Figures of the Novel «War and Peace»
The Rostovs – Count and Countess
Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov
The count is the father of four children: Natasha, Vera, Nikolai, and Petya. A genuinely kind-hearted and generous man with a zest for life, his boundless generosity eventually leads him to financial imprudence. A loving husband and father, he excels at organizing balls and receptions. However, his extravagant lifestyle, combined with his selfless assistance to the wounded during the war with the French and the Russian evacuation from Moscow, takes a toll on his wealth. The impending poverty of his family weighs heavily on his conscience, but he feels helpless to change his ways. The death of his youngest son, Petya, devastates him, but he finds renewed vigor during the wedding preparations of Natasha and Pierre Bezukhov. A mere few months after the Bezukhovs’ wedding, Count Rostov passes away.
In this character, the author sees a prototype of his own grandfather, Ilya Andreevich Tolstoy.
Countess Natalya Rostova (wife of Ilya Andreevich Rostov)
The wife of Count Rostov and mother of their four children, this forty-five-year-old woman possesses distinct Eastern facial features. Her deliberate and measured demeanor is interpreted by others as the gravitas and pivotal role she holds within the family. However, the true reason for her mannerisms may lie in the physical toll of childbirth and raising four children. She deeply loves her family and children; thus, the news of Petya’s death nearly drives her mad. Much like Ilya Andreevich, Countess Rostova has a penchant for luxury and expects her commands to be executed without fail.
In Countess Rostova, Lev Tolstoy and the characters of «War and Peace» help depict the prototype of the author’s grandmother, Pelageya Nikolaevna Tolstoy.
Nikolai Rostov
The son of Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov. A loving brother and son who reveres his family, he is also passionate about serving in the Russian army, a matter of great pride and importance to him. He often sees his fellow soldiers as an extension of his family. Although he’s long been in love with his cousin Sonya, by the novel’s end, he marries Princess Maria Bolkonskaya. Nikolai is a spirited young man with curly hair and an «open facial expression.» His patriotism and unwavering love for the Russian Emperor remain steadfast. Having endured the hardships of war, he emerges as a bold and brave hussar. After the death of his father, Ilya Andreevich, Nikolai retires to address the family’s financial matters, settle debts, and finally become a devoted husband to Maria Bolkonskaya.
To Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, Nikolai seems to embody the prototype of his own father.
Natasha Rostova
The daughter of Count and Countess Rostov. A highly spirited and emotional girl, she was considered not conventionally beautiful but lively and captivating. While not particularly intellectual, she possessed keen intuition and had an uncanny ability to «read people,» discerning their moods and character traits. She had a fiery sense of nobility and self-sacrifice. She sang and danced beautifully, both esteemed traits for a lady in high society at the time. A defining quality of Natasha, repeatedly emphasized by Lev Tolstoy and his characters in «War and Peace,» is her profound connection to the common Russian people. She wholly embodies the essence and spirit of Russian culture. However, she lives in her own illusion of goodness, happiness, and love, which eventually confronts her with reality. These trials and emotional experiences mature Natasha, leading her to find true love with Pierre Bezukhov. Particularly notable is her spiritual rebirth, as Natasha began attending church after being seduced by a deceitful charmer. If you’re interested in Tolstoy’s works that delve deeper into the Christian heritage of our people, you should read about Father Sergius and his battle against temptation.
The collective prototype for Natasha is the writer’s daughter-in-law, Tatyana Andreevna Kuzminskaya, and also her sister, Lev Nikolaevich’s wife, Sofia Andreevna.
Vera Rostova
The daughter of Count and Countess Rostov. Known for her stern demeanor and often untimely, yet fair, remarks in society. For unknown reasons, her mother didn’t hold her in great affection, a fact Vera keenly felt, possibly leading her to often rebel against those around her. She eventually marries Boris Drubetskoy.
She is modeled after Tolstoy’s sister, Sofia, who was also named Elizabeth Bers.
Petya Rostov
A young boy, son of Count and Countess Rostov. As Petya grows older, he is eager to join the war, so much so that his parents can’t hold him back. He manages to escape their care and enlists in Denisov’s hussar regiment. Petya dies in his very first battle without truly experiencing war. His death deeply affects his family.
Sonya
A petite and lovely girl, Sonya is Count Rostov’s niece and has lived under his roof all her life. Her longstanding love for Nikolai Rostov becomes her tragic flaw, as she never gets to marry him. Furthermore, old Countess Natalya Rostova is strongly against their marriage since they are cousins. Sonya acts nobly, rejecting Dolokhov and choosing to love Nikolai for her entire life, while simultaneously freeing him from his promise to marry her. She spends the rest of her life under the care of the old Countess and Nikolai Rostov.
The prototype for this seemingly minor character was Lev Nikolaevich’s cousin-aunt, Tatyana Alexandrovna Yergolskaya.
The Bolkonskys — Princes and Princesses
Nikolay Andreevich Bolkonsky
Father to the main character, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. A former active duty general-in-chief, now a prince, he earned the nickname «Prussian King» in Russian high society. Socially active, stern as a father, he’s a rigorous, meticulous, but wise landlord. Externally, he’s a gaunt old man with a powdered white wig, thick eyebrows overshadowing sharp, intelligent eyes. He rarely displays affection, even towards his beloved son and daughter. He often torments his daughter, Maria, with sharp remarks and criticisms. From his estate, Prince Nikolay stays alert to events unfolding in Russia. Only before his death does he lose a full understanding of the war’s vast tragedy against Napoleon.
The writer’s grandfather, Nikolay Sergeyevich Volkonsky, served as the prototype for Prince Nikolay Andreevich.
Andrei Bolkonsky
The prince, son of Nikolay Andreevich. Ambitious and reserved like his father, he deeply loves his father and sister. Married to the «little princess» Liza, he has had a successful military career. He often ponders life, its meaning, and the state of his soul, indicating his perpetual quest for understanding. After his wife’s death, he sees in Natasha Rostova a beacon of hope, an authentic woman unlike the pretentious ones in society, and a glimpse of potential future happiness. After proposing to Natasha, he leaves for treatment abroad, testing their love. In the end, their wedding falls apart. Prince Andrei goes to war against Napoleon, suffers a severe wound, and eventually succumbs to his injuries. Natasha loyally cares for him until his death.
Maria Bolkonskaya
Daughter of Prince Nikolay and sister to Andrei. A gentle soul, she isn’t traditionally beautiful but is kind-hearted and a very eligible bachelorette. Her devoutness and dedication to religion stand as a testament to her virtues. She dearly loves her often-critical father and her brother, Andrei. Initially, she wasn’t receptive to Natasha Rostova as Andrei’s future bride, seeing her as too frivolous. After enduring many hardships, she marries Nikolai Rostov.
Maria serves as a prototype for Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy’s mother, Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya.
The Bezukhovs — Counts and Countesses
Pierre (Pyotr Kirillovich) Bezukhov
One of the central characters deserving of utmost attention and praise. He undergoes significant emotional turmoil but retains a fundamentally kind and noble disposition. Tolstoy, along with other characters in «War and Peace», frequently express their admiration and acceptance of Pierre Bezukhov as a person of high morals, benevolence, and philosophical wisdom. Lev Nikolaevich holds a deep affection for Pierre. As a friend to Andrei Bolkonsky, young Count Pierre Bezukhov is incredibly loyal and empathetic. Despite the many intrigues surrounding him, Pierre remains amiable and retains his goodwill towards others. Marrying Natasha Rostova, he finally attains the grace and happiness he sorely lacked with his first wife, Helene. By the novel’s end, there’s a hint of his desire for political reform in Russia, and one can even detect inklings of Decembrist inclinations.
Character Prototypes
The majority of characters in such a complex novel often reflect individuals whom Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy encountered during his life.
The writer masterfully crafted an expansive panorama of the epoch’s historical events and the private lives of the societal elite. Additionally, Tolstoy managed to vividly illustrate the psychological traits and personalities of his characters, offering lessons in worldly wisdom even for modern readers.