The Tale of Two Brothers: What is the Purpose of Life?

Literary and philosophical activity of Leo Tolstoy is highly appreciated by contemporaries and successive generations, as well as by political, religious figures and writers of all countries and peoples. No one remained indifferent to his work: neither the French writer A. Maurois, the Indian philosopher and political figure Mahatma Gandhi, the Russian philosopher V. Rozanov, nor the Christian A. Men. Tolstoy was considered by many to be unsurpassed. And he reflected, wrote, set up a school for children in Yasnaya Polyana and did not think about his own glory.

Primary School

After retiring, having traveled Europe, Lev Nikolaevich in 1859, when he was 30 years old, opens a school for peasant children, in which he saw the future Lomonosovs, Pushkin. In other words, precious nuggets. There were few students at school (thirty-seven), but boys and five girls studied together, which was not accepted in the school system at that time.

The basic educational principles of L. Tolstoy

The main Yasnaya Polyana teacher believed that it was necessary to cultivate a creative personality. But as? Children need to develop:

• observation;
• The ability to think independently;
• The ability to feel deeply;
• Interest in religion.

And also it is necessary to respect the personality of the child and take into account that he has shortcomings.

In addition to such familiar objects as reading, writing, arithmetic, history, reading books, walking tours in the park, in the field and in the garden were held at the school. They were told stories about the Patriotic War of 1812, instructive stories were told. It was introduced and labor training - carpentry and children's usual agricultural work. L. Tolstoy tried to make all subjects fascinating and useful for children.

children's literature

In those years there were few interesting and necessary works written specifically for children.

Tolstoy tried to correct this situation. Since 1862, he begins to write stories, alphabet, fairy tales, that is all that children can easily and without effort absorb. Among them is the fairy tale "Two Brothers", which will be considered below. The alphabet was with drawings that explained short stories.

With the help of L.N. Tolstoy in the neighborhood opened twenty more schools.

An instructive story in the presentation of L. Tolstoy

How does the tale "Two brothers" begin? From a journey where the brothers, perhaps adults, were well versed in reading and writing. One day they lay down in the woods to rest. When they woke up, they saw a stone next to them, on which were inscriptions. That's how the fairy tale "Two Brothers" begins. Slowly they dismantled that it was knocked out. The travelers were asked to go to the sunrise, then cross the river, pick up the bear cubs from the she-bear and escape, without looking back at the mountain. And on it there will be a house, and in that house there will be happiness. The tale "Two Brothers" opens with such a start.

What were the brothers

And the brothers, although they were relatives and were brought up the same way, were, however, different. The older brother approached the text judiciously, practically and calmly. He did not believe in what was written, saw a lot of difficulties behind it and very much doubted that happiness can be found. This was not the younger one. It was a romantic, full of faith in himself, determined, brave and courageous. He wanted to overcome all obstacles and achieve happiness. So from the very beginning the fairy tale "Two brothers" shows how different people are.

The brothers discussed everything that is written on the stone. The younger suggested that we go together to seek happiness. The elder saw too many obstacles: perhaps it's all a lie that is written on a stone, and if it's true, you can get lost in the forest, drown in a river or die in the clutches of a bear protecting its cubs. And in the end, if everything is overcome, it is not known whether the happiness offered to them by the stone is necessary. The younger brought his arguments: no one will write on the stone, try to look for happiness, if you do not work, you will not achieve any happiness, and finally, he did not want to be considered a coward.

Everyone stayed at his own opinion. The elder decided not to take risks and did not go anywhere. The younger brother went on the road. Since this is a fairy tale, two brothers in it will necessarily receive everything on merit. The elder brother is sure that it is safer to live a quiet life, and the younger one is convinced that happiness can be found, albeit with difficulty and travel.

How the brothers' beliefs are expressed

They are explained by proverbs in the tale "Two Brothers" by Tolstoy:

They are polar: everyone has his own truth. This is the main idea of the fairy tale "Two Brothers": every meaning of life and happiness understands in its own way. Therefore, the brothers part.

Adventure

The younger brother successfully overcame all obstacles and received the kingdom. Five years he was king, and then came the enemy, and he lost the war, again set off on a journey and returned home.

What did he find at home

And the house was still as before - neither poor nor rich. The brothers began to discuss what happened to them.
And the elder reasonably said that although he was the least king, he lost everything and saw the grief. The brothers still talk about everything in different ways. This is confirmed by an excerpt from the fairy tale "Two Brothers". That's what the younger replied to the older man's speech: "Although I'm bad now, but there is something to remember my life, and you have nothing to remember."

A great sage, such that he can be compared with the biblical prophets, Leo Tolstoy very clearly and simply revealed two approaches to life. On the example of this story, everyone can choose what is closer to him.