Characteristic of Platon Karataev in the novel "War and Peace"

On the pages of the novel "War and Peace" even seemingly secondary heroes appear not accidentally. Characteristic of Platon Karataev occupies an important place in the work of Leo Tolstoy . Let's try to remember what this hero was.

Meeting Pierre Bezukhov with Platon Karataev

Characterization of Platon Karataev in the great work of Leo Tolstoy begins with the moment of his acquaintance with Pierre. This meeting occurs in a difficult period for Bezukhov: he managed to avoid execution, but saw the death of other people. The main character lost faith in the possibility of improving the world and God. To overcome this crucial moment of life, Pierre is helped by a native of the people of Platos.

People's philosopher

Platon Karataev, whose characterization is the topic of this article, is a person who was able to attach Pierre Bezukhov to the folk principle and wisdom of ordinary people. He is a real philosopher. It is no coincidence that LN Tolstoy gave Karataev the name Plato. His speech is full of folk sayings, from this ordinary, it would seem, soldier breathes a wise calm.

The meeting with Platon Karataev became for Pierre one of the most significant in life. Even after many years already aging Bezukhov evaluates his actions and thoughts on the principles that he learned for himself, dealing with this casual acquaintance.

Round start

The characteristic of Platon Karataev, which is formed in our view, is very unusual due to the author's imaginative speech. Tolstoy mentions the "round" and controversial movements of the philosopher of the people. The hands of Platon Karataev are stacked as if he is about to embrace something. His kind brown eyes and a pleasant smile fall into the soul. In all his appearance, in his movements there was something soothing and pleasant. Platon Karataev was a participant in a large number of military campaigns, but, having taken prisoner, he refused all "soldier's" and returned to the warehouse of a native of the people.

Why does Tolstoy bestow his hero on precisely the roundness of the movements? Probably, Lev Nikolaevich emphasizes this peaceful nature of Platon Karataev. Modern psychologists say that the circle is usually preferred to draw soft, charming, easy-going people who are mobile and relaxed at the same time. The circle is a symbol of harmony. It is not known whether the author of the great novel knew about this, but intuitively he, of course, felt it. The characteristic of Platon Karataev is an unconditional confirmation of Tolstoy's life wisdom.

Speech of Platos

Speech can tell a lot about such a hero as Platon Karataev. "War and Peace" is a characteristic of the psychological world of the characters, since in this novel Tolstoy pays much attention to the peculiarities of the language and the behavior of those about whom he wants to tell in more detail.

The first words with which our hero turned to Bezukhov are filled with simplicity and affection. Speech of Platon Karataev is a melodic, it is permeated with folk sayings and sayings. His words do not just reflect their own thoughts, but they also express people's wisdom. "It's an hour to endure, but a century to live," said Platon Karataev.

Characterization of this character is impossible without mentioning his story about a merchant who was sentenced to hard labor for someone else's crime.

The speech of Platon Karataev, his statements - this reflects the ideas of the Christian faith about humility, justice.

About the meaning of life

The description of Platon Karataev in the novel "War and Peace" is given by the author in order to show another type of man, not like Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky. This simple soldier, unlike the aforementioned protagonists, does not reflect on the meaning of life, he simply lives. Platon Karataev does not fear death, he believes that his life is controlled by a higher power. This hero looks at his life not as something separate, but as a part of the whole. The essence of Karataev's nature is the love that he feels for everything in the world.

In conclusion, it should be said that Leo Tolstoy, creating the image of Platon Karataev, wanted to show how important a person is not in itself, but as a member of a society that implements common goals. Only by participating in public life can you realize your desires. This is the only way to achieve harmony. All this became clear to Pierre after his acquaintance with Platon Karataev. In accordance with this idea, I want to add that this national hero, of course, is interesting to us in itself. But much more important is the role he played in the life of Pierre Bezukhov. Thanks to this meeting, the main character was able to find inner harmony and agreement with the world and people.

The image of Platon Karataev is a spiritual folk principle, boundless harmony, which is given only through faith in God, in his will for everything that happens in life. This hero loves everyone around, even the French, to whom he was captured. Through conversations with the "people's philosopher" Pierre Bezukhov comes to understand that the meaning of life is to live, realizing the divine beginning of all that is happening in the world.

So, we characterized Platon Karataev. He comes from a people who managed to bring the life of the protagonist, Pierre Bezukhov, an understanding of the wisdom of ordinary people.