The image of Platon Karataev in the novel "War and Peace"

Consider the image of Platon Karataev from the work "War and Peace". This novel can be called a broad historical canvas. Its main hero is the people. The composition of the novel is quite complex. In it there are many different storylines, which are often intertwined, intersect. Photo of the author of the work, Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich, is presented below.

The image of the Russian people in the work of L. Tolstoy

Tolstoy traces the fate of families and individual heroes. The characters of the work are related by love, friendly, family relations. They are often divided by enmity, mutual hostility. Lev Nikolaevich created a historically truthful image of the people - the hero of the war. In the scenes with the participation of soldiers, in the actions of ordinary people, in the replicas of some characters, one can see, first of all, the manifestation of "warmth of patriotism," inspiring all fighters: soldiers, generals, best officers, partisans.

Who is Platon Karataev

Platon Karataev is shown in the work by a Russian soldier. He was met at the booth for the prisoners by Pierre Bezukhov and lived next to him for 4 weeks. According to the writer, Karataev in Pierre's soul has forever remained the most expensive and strong memory, the personification of all the good, Russian.

In the novel, the image of Platon Karataev is one of the key, reflecting the philosophy of people's life . This peasant, torn by the war from the usual way of life and placed in new, unusual conditions for him (the French captivity, the army), in which his spirituality manifested itself particularly vividly.

This is the image of Platon Karataev, briefly described. Let's consider it in more detail. The image of Platon Karataev in the novel is largely revealed through the acquaintance of this character with Pierre Bezukhov and the influence he had on this hero. What was it? Let's figure it out.

How Platon Karataev influenced Pierre Bezukhov

After Pierre becomes witness to a terrible event - the shooting of prisoners, he loses faith in a person, in the fact that his actions are reasonable. Bezukhov is after that depressed. His return to life is the meeting with Plato in the barracks. Tolstoy, describing it, notes that Karataev, a small man, was sitting bent down next to Pierre. Bezukhov first noticed his presence by the strong smell of sweat that separated him from any movement. The peasant and the count were in the same conditions: they were prisoners. In a similar situation, it is necessary, above all, to remain a man, to survive and survive. Pierre learned this survival from Karataev. The meaning of the image of Platon Karataev is, among other things, in the inner degeneration of Pierre Bezukhov. This hero, as you know, is experiencing a deep inner transformation, like some other characters of the work.

Platon Karataev - collective image

Platon Karataev can be called a collective image, like Tikhon Shcherbaty. Introducing Bezukhov, he does not accidentally call himself in the plural. He says: "Soldiers of the Absheron Regiment." However, Plato is the exact opposite of Shcherbaty. If the latter is merciless toward the enemy, then Karataev loves all people, not excluding the French. If Tikhon can be called rude, and his humor is often combined with cruelty, Plato wants to see in everything "solemn blessing." Karataev does not feel himself an individual person, but a part of the people, part of the whole: the peasantry, ordinary soldiers. The wisdom of this character consists of capacious and apt proverbs and proverbs, behind which are hidden episodes from his life. The image of Platon Karataev, a brief description of which we compose, is marked by one important detail. Plato suffered because of an unfair trial against him, and he had to serve in the army. But Karataev takes for granted every turn of his destiny. For the welfare of his family, he is willing to sacrifice himself.

Love and kindness of Platon Karataev

Love for all is an important feature that characterizes the image of Platon Karataev in the novel War and Peace. This hero loves everyone, every living being, a person, the whole world. He is not casually affectionate with a stray dog. According to the philosophy of this character, it is necessary to regret not only people, but also animals. Karataev acts according to the Christian commandment, which says: "Love your neighbor." Plato lived with all lovingly, with comrades, Frenchmen, Pierre. The surrounding warmed this attitude. Karataev "treated" the word, consoled people. He was friendly, sympathetic to them, in the voice of this hero felt simplicity, affection. The first words he said to Pierre were words of support: "It's an hour to endure, but a century to live!"

Philosophy of Platon Karataev

We see in Platon Karataev harmony of inner life, won by the boundless belief that everything that is happening on Earth - the will of God, that sooner or later justice and good will win, therefore, one should not resist evil with violence. It is necessary to accept everything that happens. Karataev, thus, preached the philosophy of obedience to fate, patience, composed for centuries. His willingness to suffer for people is an echo of the philosophy he adhered to. Karataev was raised on Christian ideals, and religion, first of all, calls us to obedience and patience. Therefore, Karataev never felt hurt and angry with others.

Echoes of the Christian religion in Plato's behavior

Plato does not share Bezukhov's pessimistic view, which was exhausted by physical suffering. He preaches faith in the best, in the infinite kingdom of God. Pierre begins after getting to know this character in a different way to treat life, to the events that occurred in it. For him Karataev is an example for imitation. Platon helped Bezukhov restore in his soul a sense of stability of the world order, the basis of which is mutual understanding and love, helped him get rid of the terrible question that tormented Pierre: "Why?" Bezukhov felt, after communicating with him, the joy of liberation from the endless search for the meaning and purpose of life, because only they prevented him from feeling that in life itself is its meaning. He is everywhere and in everything. God is with people, and he loves everyone. Without his will, no hair will fall from the person's head. It was in captivity, because of the encounter with Karataev and the experiences of hardships and trials, that Pierre regains faith in God, learns to value life. Karataev's philosophy is Christian. To any person, in whatever difficult conditions he does not find himself, religion helps to live.

The importance of people like Karataev, for the victory over the French

Complementing the image of Platon Karataev, we note that, perhaps, Plato is weak as a soldier. After all, a real fighter must, like Tikhon Shcherbaty, hate his enemy. But Plato is definitely a patriot. He is very manly and strong as a person. Truly great is the significance of the image of Platon Karataev in the work, as in reality of that time such as he. If there were no such people in the Russian army ready not only to beat the enemy, but also to philosophically deal with various difficulties in life, to find the strength to overcome them, perhaps Kutuzov could not defeat Napoleon.

This is the image of Platon Karataev in the novel "War and Peace", one of the most striking characters of the work. Leo Nikolayevich wrote his novel from 1863 to 1869.