(295 words) “Pointless and merciless” - statement of A.S. Pushkin about the Russian rebellion very accurately describes any war, despite the reasons for its occurrence. However, armed attacks do occur, and a person has to face death, suffering, physical and spiritual trials. The struggle changes us, makes us show our best or worst qualities, show what you really are. So, the heroes of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” go through these inevitable changes.
The young officer of the Russian army, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, whose ideals were fame, career and the desire to excel, radically changed his worldview, having been between life and death. After the Battle of Austerlitz, the hero's value orientations changed. On the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Bolkonsky would say: "War is not a courtesy, but the most disgusting thing in life." Andrei comes to the realization that all the violence happening around, political and personal interests are all empty, compared to the peaceful blue sky above your head and honest work with which you can fill the earth and not empty it.
Fear at war is natural, - L.N. Tolstoy shows on the example of Nikolai Rostov. The boy, whose idealistic ideas crumble in the first battle, and heroism turns into cowardice, has turned into a mature and responsible man. He will find the strength in himself to say: “Everything is over; but I'm a coward. " However, the “young unfired junker” finds strength and courage, transgresses through fear, and returns to the battlefield. But not all nobles fought with themselves to save the state. Many of them (like Governor-General Rastopchin) sat out in the living rooms and demonstrated fake patriotism in loud, but meaningless words.
Each hero of the novel “War and Peace” is a person in a war, even if he has not personally fought. Such are Natasha Rostova, who lost the carts to the wounded soldiers, and Berg, who makes money on people's grief, and all those who worked and supported the country, and the few who betrayed it. Bloody strife does not pass anyone by, makes you think and choose who you are.
Candide
