The story "After the Ball", written by the great Russian writer Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, describes events that were not invented. They actually took place in 1853 and formed the basis of the work. From the first pages you get the feeling that the main theme of the story is love, but this is not a correct interpretation. Lev Nikolaevich, through his creation, teaches us not to judge a person at first glance, because his image may turn out to be deceiving.
(300 words) The main character, Ivan Vasilievich, on whose behalf the narrative is being conducted, was a cheerful and active young man in his youth. His entertainment included horseback riding, balls, and, of course, girls. Sometimes he spent time with his comrades, but he gave the greatest preference to evenings and dances.
One of the balls he attended gave him an acquaintance with the daughter of Colonel Varenka, a slender and beautiful girl with a gentle smile and sparkling eyes. Ivan Vasilyevich fell in love without a trace and almost all the dances danced with her. However, time passed, and at the end of the evening Varenka’s father, Colonel Pyotr Vladislavovich, a man of Nikolaev dressing, of good physique, arrived. His dance with his daughter captivated the audience, but in particular impressed the protagonist, who did not see the boundaries of his admiration. Father Varenka was tall, handsome, and stately. Not immediately agreeing to dance with his daughter, he, however, deftly went through two circles, which indicates his endurance and dance experience. The entire audience watched the movements of the couple, which struck everyone present.
After the ball, in an attempt to fall asleep, which were unsuccessful, Ivan Vasilyevich decided to take a walk and unknowingly headed towards his beloved's house. Bad music interrupted his romantic mood, and he saw a picture of the cruel punishment of the Tatar who had escaped. Next to the guilty man was a tall man in military uniform whose silhouette seemed familiar to the protagonist. It was Varenka's father, whose ruddy face gave way to an evil grimace. The soldiers beat the Tatar on the back, which no longer looked like its back, but like a bloody mess, not listening to his requests for mercy. Pretending that he had not noticed the young man, the colonel turned away, frowning. Father Varenka appears to be a completely different person than what we saw in the first part of the story. Before our eyes, there was a transformation of Peter Vladislavovich from a good father into a cruel dictator, not a noble and angry.
After what he saw, the life of the main character, Ivan Vasilyevich, changed dramatically. The desire to serve, which was earlier, has disappeared. He did not enter the military service, and love for Varenka from that day was rapidly declining.
