Answers to test questions on the novel by L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace"

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is a monumental historical novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, which intertwines the lives of Russian aristocratic families – primarily the Bezukhovs, Bolkonskys and Rostovs – with themes of love, war, fate and personal growth.

"War and Peace", summary

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War and Peace is a Russian historical (and somewhat fantastic) novel by Leo Tolstoy, published in 1865-1869. The novel tells about the alliances and wars between Russia and France at the beginning of the 19th century, as well as the life of characters drawn by historical events. "War and Peace" is considered one of the most significant novels in Russian and world literature, films, TV shows and much more have been filmed based on it.

The novel explores the spiritual journey of Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky’s struggle with ambition and loss, Natasha Rostova’s romantic passions and coming of age, and the impact of the Napoleonic invasion on Russian society. The book masterfully combines fictional characters with real historical events, allowing it to depict both individual lives and the larger scope of history.

1. When does the novel War and Peace begin?
The action begins in July 1805. The first scenes unfold in the salon of the maid of honor Anna Pavlovna Scherer, where political events are discussed, including the threat from Napoleon. This is confirmed by the mention of military actions in 1805 and the preparation of a coalition against France.

2. How did L. N. Tolstoy himself define the genre of the work "War and Peace"?
Tolstoy rejected traditional genre definitions. In a letter to A. A. Fet (1866) he wrote: "This is not a novel, even less a poem, even less a historical chronicle." In the preface to the 1868 edition, the author called the work a "book" , emphasizing the synthesis of philosophy, history and fiction.

3. Who is opposed to Napoleon in the novel?
The embodiment of the antithesis to Napoleon is M.I. Kutuzov . Tolstoy depicts him as a commander whose "wise passivity" reflects the trust of the people’s elements. Unlike the vain Napoleon, Kutuzov is devoid of theatricality: "Simplicity, goodness and truth" are the basis of his greatness (volume 3, part 2).

4. How long does the novel take place?
The main action covers 7 years (1805-1812), the epilogue takes the reader to 1820 - 15 years after the events began. This chronology allows us to trace the evolution of the characters against the backdrop of key historical upheavals.

5. In whom does Tolstoy see the decisive force of history?
The people , as a spontaneous, collective force. In the Battle of Borodino, it is the "club of the people’s war" that determines the outcome of the battle (volume 4, part 3). Even minor characters (like Tushin or Tikhon Shcherbaty) embody the idea of national unity.

6. With what event does the novel begin?
With an evening at Anna Pavlovna Scherer’s , where the high society of St. Petersburg discusses Napoleon and the threat of war. The ironic description of the salon ("gossip, slander and empty chatter") immediately introduces the theme of the falseness of social life.

7. How old is Natasha Rostova at the beginning of the novel?
13 years old . In 1805, she is still a teenager: “A black-eyed, big-mouthed, unattractive but lively girl” (volume 1, part 1). By 1812, she is 20 years old, which is confirmed by the chronology of personal references.

8. How many children did Count and Countess Rostov have?
Four :

• Vera (24 years old in 1805),
• Nikolay (20 years old),
• Natasha (13 years old),
• Peter (Petya, 9 years old).

The epilogue also mentions the Countess’s youngest daughter - her name is not given, but she is not one of the main characters.

9. The culmination of Volume 1 of the novel?
The Battle of Austerlitz (1805). The wounding of Prince Andrei and his epiphany before the “high sky” is the turning point: “How quiet, calm and solemn… Everything is empty, everything is a deception…” (Volume 1, Part 3). This is the collapse of his Napoleonic ambitions.

10. Why does Prince Andrei go to serve in the active army?
He is disillusioned with social life (“This life is not for me!” — Volume 1, Part 1) and longs for glory, which he associates with military exploits. He admires Napoleon, but after Austerlitz this attitude changes.

11. What attracted Pierre to Freemasonry?
The search for the meaning of life after the duel with Dolokhov. He was attracted by the ideas of "brotherhood, equality and love" , as well as the possibility of moral purification (volume 2, part 2). However, later he becomes disillusioned with the formalism of Masonic rituals.

12. Why was Prince Andrei sad after the Battle of Schöngraben?
He realizes the injustice: Captain Tushin’s feat went unnoticed, while the false heroism of the staff officers is praised. This debunks his romantic ideas about war (volume 1, part 2).

13. What prompted Prince Andrei to leave the service for the second time?
Work in the Speransky Commission (1808 – 1809). He becomes disillusioned with bureaucracy: “Everyone is busy with trifles… Toys!” (Volume 2, Part 3). This forces him to return to private life.

14. Why did the marriage of Prince Andrei and Natasha fall apart?
Reasons:

• A year’s postponement of the wedding at the request of the old prince Bolkonsky,
• The intrigues of Helen Bezukhova, who introduced Natasha to Anatole Kuragin,
• The immaturity of Natasha, who succumbed to Anatole’s charm (volume 2, part 5).

15. What was the name of Prince Andrei’s village?
Bogucharovo was an estate given to him by his father. Here Prince Andrei tried to improve the lives of the peasants by converting them into "free farmers" - a progressive step for the era of serfdom (volume 2, part 3).

16. The occasion for a dinner at the English Club? Bagration’s
celebration after the Battle of Schöngraben (1805). Count Rostov, as a patriot, organizes a lavish reception, demonstrating the unity of society before the war (volume 1, part 3).

17. The amount of Nikolai Rostov’s loss to Dolokhov?
43 thousand rubles - an astronomical sum, comparable to the family’s annual income. This episode (volume 2, part 1) shows the crisis of the Rostovs’ patriarchal way of life.

18. Through whose eyes is the Battle of Borodino shown?
Pierre Bezukhov , a civilian. His naive view allows us to show the absurdity of war: “A strange dispassion for everything around him…” (volume 3, part 2). Through Pierre, Tolstoy conveys the horror and heroism of “ordinary” soldiers.

19. Tikhon Shcherbaty as a symbol…
of popular resistance . He personifies guerrilla warfare - spontaneous, cruel, but natural for peasants: "You won’t find a better man… He can do everything!" (volume 4, part 3). His actions contradict the regulations, but are effective.

20. Completion of Tolstoy’s phrase about greatness: There is not and cannot be greatness where there is not…
“simplicity, goodness and truth” (volume 3, part 2). This is a contrast between Napoleon and Kutuzov: true greatness is in naturalness and moral purity.