Goals of the Kuragin family. The Kuragin family in the novel War and Peace, characteristics of family members, essay

The Kuragin family in the novel “War and Peace” represents a special union that is based on common interests and goals. Of course, this association cannot be called a family in the full sense of the word: there is no love, no care, no sincerity in the relations between relatives.

Characteristics of the Kuragin family

The head of the family, Prince Vasily, is a hypocrite, a fraudster, a deceiver and a liar. The children adopted all the moral principles from him, therefore Helen, Hippolyte, and Anatole are also soulless and deceitful, like their father. Prince Vasily, oddly enough, is very respected in society - which emphasizes the superficial attitude of the nobility to the true essence of man. A beautiful cover, good manners, the ability to “contain oneself” - this is enough to be considered a worthy representative of aristocratic society.

Prince Vasily is the closest relative of the dying Count Bezukhov and is trying by all possible means to achieve the inheritance. When his scam to steal a briefcase containing documents goes wrong, he becomes close to Pierre. Helps him cope with the management of the inheritance, simultaneously robbing the young man. The idea of ​​marrying a rich heir to his daughter becomes another point in Pierre Bezukhov’s plan to seize the wealth. Lovers of easy money, all family members play along in this performance, and Pierre finds himself in the position of a groom, without wanting it.

The head of the Kuragin family has a lot of necessary contacts; he is only interested in those who can be useful, at whose expense he can raise his status and improve his financial situation. In conversations about children, Vasily Sergeevich often mentions that they are a “burden”, his “cross”. Nevertheless, he is concerned about his sons’ careers, trying to arrange their destinies in such a way that they do not need anything.

Very little is known about Prince Vasily’s wife, Alina Kuragina. In her younger years, this woman shone with beauty, but with age she changed - she gained a lot of weight. Probably it was her external data that became the reason for choosing a woman for the role of Kuragin’s wife.

Helen Kuragina

The daughter of Vasily Sergeevich, Helen Kuragina, is considered the most beautiful woman in St. Petersburg, she is young, graceful, cunning and insidious. The heroine is empty and cold, she attracts everyone with her revealing outfits, appearance, and mystery, behind which there is no depth of feelings, spiritual qualities, or warmth. Marriage to Pierre becomes for Helen an opportunity to shine in secular society, change outfits, receive guests and have lovers. Her husband’s weak character leads to Helen’s permissiveness: she despises him, cheats on him and does not hide her feelings. The image of Helen in the novel is a symbol of external beauty, behind which there is no worthy content; she personifies society ladies, empty and cold. Such women do not create comfort, do not strive to have children or a family, and are not able to empathize and support their husbands. For this reason, the author removes Helen from the plot: she dies of chest sore throat at the age of 32.

Hippolyte and Anatole

Ippolit is the eldest son of the Kuragins, whose characterization received the lion's share of the author's irony and sarcasm. Tolstoy calls him a “sweet” young man, noting that he is surprisingly “foolish.” Hippolytus is not only ugly in appearance - in face and figure - his inner world is also wretched. Nature did not reward the Kuragins’ son with intelligence and eloquence; he is frankly stupid, and his facial expression betrays traits of “idiocy.” The author directly notes that both of the Kuragins’ sons, Anatol and Ippolit, are “fools.” Fortunately for his parents, Ippolit is a calm “fool,” which cannot be said about Anatole. Ippolit, thanks to his father, takes a place at the embassy as a secretary.

Anatol Kuragin, the youngest son of the Kuragin couple, is a young man of amazing beauty. His portrait appearance and dandy habits are the same empty shell as his sister’s appearance. Anatole is a lover of fights, a drunkard, a gambler and a rake. The father is trying to arrange his son’s wedding with a rich bride, Princess Marya, but his love for the female sex and entertainment betrays him. Anatole is not like his father, he is more stupid than cunning. His passion is irresponsibility, debauchery and fun, changing women and wasting his life - this is what the meaning of the hero’s life is.

Our article provides a description of all members of the Kuragin family. This material will be useful in preparing for the essay “The Kuragin Family.”

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Tolstoy in his work “War and Peace” depicted an incredible number of people, families, society as a whole, in its various manifestations, trying to find something in common: common habits and values, the character and behavior of people of different times.

A prominent representative of the family of that time was the Kuragin family. Tolstoy makes fun of her and allows the reader to laugh or be sad because of the immorality of these people. The writer shows the lowest qualities of the Kuragins - hypocrisy, lies, criminal inclinations, dishonor, greed. This family is ready to do anything for their own benefit.

It is not surprising that the Kuragins are depicted in the work, because Tolstoy wrote his epic novel at the peak of the development of the bourgeoisie, and the Kuragins were one of them. The bourgeois attitude to life is clearly shown through Napoleon - one of the representatives of the bourgeoisie who wanted wealth, achieved by any means. With these characters, Tolstoy shows the cult of personality - worship of oneself and one’s own desires, the implementation of which is justified by any means.

The Kuragins created their own laws that contradict social rules and norms, and they live by them.

Thanks to this mercantile family, the lives of Pierre, Natasha, Andrei Bolkonsky, and the entire Rostov family were destroyed. Prince Vasily, Helen and Anatole did not spare anyone, destroying any obstacles that stood in front of their whims.

Family is an unnatural concept for the Kuragins. There is no place for love, affection, or care in their family. The only thing that keeps them afloat is mutual support for each other's egoism and indulgence in base desires. Such a “union” cannot be called a family, unlike the Rostov and Bolkonsky families who love each other and respect each other.

The Kuragin family is individual, but this individuality is insignificant, because it lies in a contradiction to all social and moral norms, in which the basis of everything is profit by any means.

The Kuragin family in Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is the most repulsive and unpredictable in its actions and deeds.

As you know, the Kuragin family consists of father - Prince Kuragin, mother - Alina Kuragina, daughter Helen, son Anatoly and son Ippolit. This family is not like the gentle and loving Rostov family, nor is it like the Bolkonskys, strangers to each other. These people can truly be called a family, because they help each other and achieve their goals together (although the ways to achieve them are not always correct and noble).

Of course, the head of the family deserves special attention - Vasily Kuragin. He is one of the first characters the reader meets from Anna Pavlovna. He looks to be about fifty years old. The prince is highly respected in society and has influential connections. He is luxuriously dressed, his face is washed and clean, but his soul is empty and meager. However, his self-confidence can be envied. It is he who arranges the family life of his daughter Helen.

About his wife - the princess Alina Kuragina little is known. All we know is that she is curvaceous. It is also noted that in her youth the princess was famous for her beauty, for which she was chosen by Vasily.

The most attractive member of the family is the only daughter of Vasily Kuragin - Helen, or just Elena. At the beginning of the story, the author introduces her as a girl of marriageable age. The young princess is famous for her extraordinary beauty. Everyone who saw her at balls or parties admired her beauty to the core.

The reader sees how furiously Helen seeks a wedding with Pierre Bezukhov. Not without the help of her father, she achieves her goal and soon becomes the enviable Countess Bezukhova. The reader understands immediately that this marriage is only for the sake of money, there is no place for love here. Helen makes Pierre unhappy. Because of her, Pierre's inner world opens up and his soul is healed. Because of her, he shoots himself in a duel with Dolokhov, putting his life in danger.

Helen herself was stupid and depraved. But behind her aristocratic manners and impeccable appearance, few could discern her true nature. Helen ends her life the way she probably deserved. The disease led to loss of beauty, which was a real blow, and later to death.

Fate Anatoly Kuragin The fate of my sister is not enviable. Anatole himself was as handsome as his sister. The admiration of the court girls knew no bounds. He was tall, so he stood out from the crowd. The author endowed him with beautiful big eyes with which he could play in a certain situation. He was an officer, which, of course, is the merit of Prince Kuragin. However, Kuragin was known not for his beauty, but for his easy behavior, debauchery, drunkenness and stupidity. Like other family members, he was not known for his kindness and honesty. It was this man who caused the destruction of all Natasha Rostova’s dreams by planning her escape. He must have had to pay for this by dying on the battlefield, enduring pain and physical suffering.

Ippolit Kuragin- another son of the prince and princess was ugly, one might even say bad in appearance. However, he still inherited some of his brother's traits. He was also stupid, uneducated and self-confident. He served at the embassy in Austria as a diplomat. Nothing more is said about this person in detail. Or his image was eclipsed by his brother and sister.

At the end of the novel, the reader sees how the Kuragin family collapsed. And the old prince remained inconsolable, having lost two children.

Description of the Kuragin family members

The Kuragin family occupies a special place in the work “War and Peace”. L.N. Tolstoy strives to introduce the reader to the life of high society families, to show their life and problems of relationships with each other. The Kuragins have considerable weight and influence in high society, which has been achieved by not a single generation of the family, but the current representatives of this family care little about maintaining status, they use what they have now.

The head of the Kuragin family is Prince Vasily Sergeevich , a man aged fifty, who achieved a lot as an official. He is personally acquainted with the empress and other important people of the state. The prince maintains his acquaintances out of a sense of self-interest, calculating what benefits can be derived from them in the future. Vasily Sergeevich easily wins the trust of his interlocutor, knows how to win him over, and has a talent for persuasion, which he uses on all the people around him, except his family. He cannot influence them, and the prince often loses control over the children. Vasily Sergeevich is a secular man, accustomed to moving in high society. He has a good memory and quick thinking.

It is difficult to judge the prince’s appearance; we can only say that the prince had a bald head and shaved his cheeks smoothly. Despite his age, Vasily Sergeevich moved with ease and grace. He spoke in a deep voice with a cough, lazily and monotonously. Self-confident, indifferent, allowed a mocking tone in relation to others. L.N. Tolstoy describes him as a talker and an empty person.

Prince Vasily did not feel any special love for his children, calling them a burden, his cross. He considered his sons fools.

Princess Alina Kuragina little described by L.N. Tolstoy. It is known that she does not have an attractive appearance and has a large physique. This is a representative woman, once attractive. Princess Alina feels a strong feeling of envy towards her beautiful daughter Elena, which prevents her from leading a full life.

Ippolit Vasilievich Kuragin - the eldest son of Vasily Sergeevich. Unlike Helen and Anatole, this representative of the Kuragin family does not have a beautiful appearance. He lives in St. Petersburg and leads a secular lifestyle. He dressed ridiculously, which didn’t bother him at all. One could often observe a grimace of grumpiness and idiocy on his face. His physique was thin and weak.

L.N. Tolstoy describes Ippolit as a stupid, self-confident man, a bad conversationalist. He likes to take part in conversations, although he does not know how to conduct them at all, he speaks first and then thinks, often answers inappropriately and says nonsense. Many ridiculed his manner of communication, but Ippolit, not realizing that they were laughing at him, kept his interlocutors laughing. He has a calm disposition, he is quite awkward, both in conversation and in movements, despite his stupidity, he does not harm others.

Despite the lack of attractive appearance, stupidity and absurdity, Ippolit Vasilyevich is popular with women, making husbands jealous of their wives.

Thanks to his father during the war, Ippolit makes a good career at the embassy, ​​but despite this, the officers who served with him consider him a buffoon and do not take him seriously.

Anatoly Vasilievich Kuragin - family headache: rowdy, lover of constant partying and drinking, very gambling, often lost at cards. His age is not indicated in the novel, L.N. Tolstoy describes him as a young, tall, black-browed, handsome man.

Anatole is a socialite, a ladies' man. He is ready to go to great lengths for his own benefit, has a selfish character, is cowardly, and a sycophant. Despite the education given to him, Anatole can be called a stupid person. The young man dreams of shining in secular society, he does not miss a single drinking party and, under the influence of alcohol, often behaves aggressively. Kuragin's riotous lifestyle requires quite a bit of financial resources, and since Anatole does not know how to properly manage finances, the young man often does not have enough money. Kuragin often borrows money, not trying to pay off his debts, and soon his father, tired of this state of affairs, refuses to pay off his son’s debts.

Anatole is a self-confident person with high self-esteem. He does not like traitors and scoundrels, although based on his actions he can easily be classified as one of both. It is difficult to find positive traits in the image of this hero.

Anatoly Vasilyevich can be called a dishonest man, despite the fact that he is married to a Polish girl, he seduces Natasha Rostova and makes plans for their escape abroad. Everything is revealed on the night of the escape, and Natasha attempts suicide.

Anatole, by indulging his weaknesses, brings a lot of troubles and misfortunes to the people around him. On the advice of Pierre Bezukhov, Anatole is expelled from the capital. Then there are various rumors about him, but the reader does not meet him again in the novel.

Ellen Kuragina. A beauty with a slim figure. Men admire her and women envy her. The writer sparingly describes Helen's appearance; the reader can get an idea about her based on the reaction of other characters to the heroine. It is also difficult to judge the education she received, but her friends are convinced that she is intelligent and diversified.

Possessing unique beauty, Helen Kuragina knows how to behave in society, she loves to be in society. The heroine looks cheerful, smiles often, is very sociable, but at the same time restrained and calm.

Helen is selfish, she strives to live in wealth. For her, marriage is just a step on the path to enrichment; the age and appearance of her husband do not matter to her. Marriage to Pierre does not affect the heroine’s lifestyle; she is also a frequent guest at social evenings. She often hosts receptions in her new home. Helen's outfits became even more revealing and pretentious. The marriage of Pierre and Helen was doomed from the very beginning, they are very different in character and outlook on life. Countess Bezukhova does not even want to think about possible motherhood; the very thought of pregnancy terrifies her, because it will prevent her from enjoying social life. In addition, Pierre does not evoke tender feelings in her; rather, the heroine feels disgust for him.

Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s epic novel “War and Peace” is famous not only for its most interesting storyline, but also for its detailed description of the life of society in peacetime

In his work, Leo Tolstoy often addresses the topic of family values. The relationship between parents becomes a model of behavior for children in the future.

The image and characterization of the Kuragin family in the novel “War and Peace” reflects the unacceptable moral standards of the aristocratic society of Russia at the beginning of the 19th century.

Prince Vasily

The elder Kuragin occupied an important place at the court of Alexander I. The father of the family was over 50 years old at the beginning of the story; he was a distant relative of Pierre Bezukhov, whom he later successfully married to his daughter. The prince had some influence at court, but carefully saved his connections, tried to submit petitions for personal purposes, often refusing relatives who asked.

Feeling himself a significant person in high society, he always expressed himself in an exquisitely patronizing tone. Vasily Sergeevich was an excellent reader, he had to read to the queen herself, so everywhere the prince behaved confidently, attended evenings exclusively of noble persons, where he could meet the people he needed.

The nobleman wore a uniform with stars and was always washed until his bald forehead shone. The gait was graceful, the movements were free, even familiar. Vasily Sergeevich spoke in a deep voice, capable of solving all the problems that arose in his life. The monotonous lazy speech made it clear to the interlocutor that the prince was talking about something that he was well aware of.

The experience of court life made Kuragin self-confident, indifferent to the grief of others, mocking everyone who was below him in rank. The prince was of little concern to fatherly feelings; he considered children a burden to life, and called both sons frankly stupid.

Prince Vasily carefully chooses his social circle, trying to spend time in circles where there are many people higher than his rank. As soon as a profitable acquaintance appeared on the horizon, Vasili immediately made contact, without preparation or thought, trying not to miss the opportunity that presented itself. The hero used every situation that arose randomly, where things could be turned to his advantage, to his full potential.

The goal of his life was new, more profitable positions in the service and breast stars, emphasizing his status and national importance.

Youngest son Anatole

The guy was tall and handsome. Large radiant eyes gave the face a victorious expression, good-natured and cheerful. The blush on his cheeks emphasized the excellent health of the cavalry guard. Black eyebrows indicated youthful prowess. A shock of light brown hair fell seductively onto a white, regular forehead.

The son studied outside of Russia. His army career developed successfully with the support of his father. Having success with women, Anatole is proud of his reputation as a ladies' man. In women's society, a dandy behaves freely and can carry on a conversation on any topic.

Petersburg turned the head of the novice officer; he did not miss a single revelry at Dolokhov’s, and was the ringleader of all scandals and adventures. Alcohol excited the blood of the young man; when drunk, he was capable of any act.

The younger Kuragin could afford a lot, did not skimp on entertainment, and his father was angry with him for his wastefulness. When there was not enough money, Anatole immediately borrowed a large amount, relying on his father to repay the debts. This man didn't care what the people around him felt.

Wooing Marya Bolkonskaya, Kuragin, without thinking about the consequences, flirts with Madame Bourien. An arrogant attitude towards women does not reduce their interest in him as a noble groom. He drove all the girls crazy, he himself was not against getting married in order to enrich himself, he was looking out for a party with a dowry.

Young Natasha Rostova comes into view, who, being engaged, was waiting for Andrei Bolkonsky from Turkey. Anatole used all his skill in seducing girls to win the girl’s favor. Having fallen in love with a vile deceiver, Natasha decides to run away with him. The escape was thwarted by Sonya, Rostova learned the outrageous details of the personal life of her would-be groom. As a result of the greedy plan, the engagement with Prince Bolkonsky had to be terminated.

It turned out that two years ago Kuragin got married in Poland under the pressure of the parents of a dishonored girl. Having escaped from his wife, Anatole paid his father so that few people in Russia would know about this oversight.

Daughter Helen

The black-eyed beauty had antique forms and could conquer any man. The girl was a fashionista, knew a lot about jewelry, and wore luxurious perfume. The princess easily charmed young Pierre, the heir to a huge fortune. She kindled such a passion in the young man’s heart that he painfully wanted to possess her. With the help of her father, the princess quickly became Countess Bezukhova so as not to miss out on the spoils.

Socialite Helen is known throughout St. Petersburg; she has a huge number of friends. Countess Bezukhova is visited by ambassadors of other states. Admirers of the highest aristocratic circles of Russia kiss her hand. But Tolstoy considers the heroine stupid, perhaps because she failed to manage her position decently, to benefit society from the height of her status.

A sensual nature, she loves her body, values ​​carnal pleasures, champagne and balls in life. The star of receptions, the decoration of a festive evening, the woman was able to make even a prince fall in love with her. This is a reason to consider the heroine smart; Rumyantsev himself visited her house.

Helen's lovers are countless; through bed she arranges her husband's career. Passion forces the woman to demand a divorce from Pierre. To achieve her goal, Kuragina converts to the Catholic faith and waits for permission from the Pope to dissolve her marriage with Count Bezukhov.

A sudden illness leads to the sudden death of the unfortunate woman. Officially, the woman passed away due to pneumonia, but there were persistent rumors that the true diagnosis related to a sexually transmitted disease and was hidden by relatives out of shame.

Son of Hippolyte

During the time of Leo Tolstoy, the appearance of the eldest of the prince's sons stood out from the aristocratic crowd. The guy carefully looked after himself, followed fashion trends, but wore pretentious things. The hero named his trousers the colors of the frightened nymph.

Hippolytus did not know where to place the thin long limbs, which seemed to move on their own. Trying to give a smart expression to his face, the prince looked very stupid and funny. His father speaks of him as a calm fool, compared to the violent Anatole.

At one time, Andrei Bolkonsky was jealous of the hero for his wife Lisa, although he believed that he behaved in high society like a buffoon. His speech is distinguished by a French accent, which was often found in aristocratic families in those days. Representatives of the nobility spoke better French than their native language.

Ippolit speaks English well. Under the patronage of his father, the prince builds a career as an ambassador.

The author does not talk about Princess Mother, mentioning her only as an old fat woman. Kuragins are devoid of moral values; their life priority is personal gain, enrichment and idleness.

For Tolstoy, the world of family is the basis of human society. The Kuragin family in the novel appears as the embodiment of immorality. Self-interest, hypocrisy, the ability to commit crime, dishonor for the sake of wealth, irresponsibility for one’s actions in personal life - these are the main distinguishing features of this family. Among the characters of "War and Peace" the Kuragins live, knowing throughout the world only their own personal interests and

energetically pursuing him with intrigue. And how much destruction the Kuragins brought - Prince Vasily, Helen, Anatole - into the life of Pierre, the Rostovs, Natasha, Andrei Bolkonsky!

Kuragins are devoid of generic poetry. Their family closeness and connection is unpoetic, although it undoubtedly exists - instinctive mutual support and solidarity, a kind of mutual guarantee of almost animal egoism. Such a family connection is not a positive, real family connection, but, in essence, its negation. Real families - the Rostovs, the Bolkonskys - have, of course, an immeasurable moral superiority on their side against the Kuragins; but still, the invasion of base Kuragin egoism causes a crisis in the world of these families.

The entire Kuragin family are individualists who do not recognize moral standards, living according to the unchanging law of fulfilling their insignificant desires.

Vasily Kuragin

The head of this entire family is Prince Vasily Kuragin. We first meet him in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer. He was "in a courtier's embroidered uniform, stockings, shoes and stars, with a bright expression on his flat face." The prince spoke in that refined French language, in which our grandfathers not only spoke, but also thought, and with those quiet, patronizing intonations that are characteristic of a significant person who has grown old in high society and at court,” “he always spoke lazily, like an actor speaking a role.” old play."

In the eyes of secular society, Prince Kuragin is a respected person, “close to the emperor, surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic women, scattering social pleasantries and chuckling complacently.” In words he was a decent, sympathetic person, but in reality there was a constant internal struggle in him between the desire to seem like a decent person and the actual depravity of his motives.

Tolstoy's favorite technique is the contrast between the internal and external characters of the heroes. The image of Prince Vasily very clearly reflects this opposition.

The episode of the struggle for the inheritance of the old Count Bezukhov most accurately reveals the two-faced essence of Vasily Kuragin.

The prince forced Pierre to marry Helen, while pursuing his own selfish goals. At Anna Pavlovna Scherer’s proposal to “marry the prodigal son Anatole” to Princess Maria Bolkonskaya, having learned that the princess is a rich heiress, he says: “She has a good name and is rich. Everything I need.” At the same time, Prince Vasily does not think at all about the fact that Princess Marya may be unhappy in her marriage to the dissolute scamp Anatole, who looked upon his entire life as one continuous amusement.

Prince Vasily and his children absorbed all the base, vicious traits.

Helen Kuragina

Helen is the embodiment of external beauty and internal emptiness, fossilization. Tolstoy constantly mentions her “monotonous,” “unchanging” smile and “ancient beauty of body,” she resembles a beautiful, soulless statue.

Helen personifies immorality and depravity, marries only for her own enrichment.

She cheats on her husband because the animal nature predominates in her nature. It is no coincidence that Tolstoy leaves Helen childless.

Even as Pierre’s wife, Helene, in front of the whole society, is organizing her personal life.

Helen Bezukhova is not a woman, she is rather an animal. No novelist has ever encountered this type of high-society libertine who loves nothing in life except her body. In addition to a luxurious bust, a rich and beautiful body, this representative of high society had an extraordinary ability to hide her mental and moral poverty, and all this was thanks only to the grace of her manners and the memorization of certain phrases and techniques.

As Helen said, in the world after the duel and departure everyone considered Pierre a naive fool. She began to live with her husband again and created her own salon.

“Being accepted in the salon of Countess Bezukhova was considered a diploma of intelligence.” This incredibly surprised Pierre, who knew that Helen was very stupid. But she knew how to teach herself so well that no one thought about it.

She also played a negative role in the fate of Natasha Rostova. For the sake of fun, an empty whim, Helen ruined the life of a young girl, pushing her to cheat, and did not even think about it.

Helen is completely devoid of patriotic feelings. While the whole country rose up to fight Napoleon, and even high society took part in this fight in its own way (“they didn’t speak French and ate simple food”), in Helen’s French circle, rumors about the cruelty of the enemy were refuted and war and all Napoleon's attempts at reconciliation were discussed." When the threat of the capture of Moscow by Napoleon's troops became clear, Helen went abroad. And there she shone at the imperial court. But the court returned to St. Petersburg. "Helen, returning with the court from Vilna to St. Petersburg , was in a difficult situation. In St. Petersburg, Helen enjoyed the special patronage of a nobleman who occupied one of the highest positions in the state.

In Vilna, she became close to a young foreign prince."

For her own good, she betrays the most sacred thing - faith, and accepts Catholicism. By this, it seemed to her, she was freeing herself from the moral obligations given to Pierre by becoming his wife. Helen decides to throw in her lot with one of her two suitors. At the beginning of August, everything was completely decided, and she wrote a letter to her husband (who loved her very much, as she thought) in which she informed him of her intention to marry NN and that she was asking to fulfill all the formalities necessary for a divorce. But Pierre did not receive the letter; he was at war.

While waiting for an answer from Pierre, Helen spent her time idly. She still shone in the world, accepted the courtship of young people, despite the fact that she was already going to marry one of the most influential nobles, but, unfortunately, an old man.

In the end, Helen dies. This death is a direct consequence of her own intrigues.

Ippolit Kuragin

"... Prince Hippolyte struck with his extraordinary resemblance to his beautiful sister, and even more so because, despite the similarity, he was strikingly ugly... his face was clouded with idiocy and invariably expressed self-confident disgust, and his body was thin and weak. Eyes, nose, mouth - everything seemed to shrink into one vague, boring grimace, and the arms and legs always took an unnatural position."

Hippolytus was unusually stupid. Because of the self-confidence with which he spoke, no one could understand whether what he said was very smart or very stupid.

At Scherer’s reception, he appears to us “in a dark green tailcoat, in trousers the color of a frightened nymph, as he himself said, in stockings and shoes.” And such absurdity of the outfit did not bother him at all.

Despite the oddities of his character, Prince Ippolit had success with women and was a ladies' man. So at the end of the evening in the living room, Scherer, Ippolit, as if innocently courting the little princess, Bolkonsky’s wife, arouses the prince’s jealousy.

Father Prince Vasily calls Ippolit "a dead fool." Tolstoy in the novel is “sluggish and breaking.”

These are the dominant character traits of Hippolytus. Hippolyte is stupid, but at least with his stupidity he does not harm anyone, unlike his younger brother Anatole.

Anatol Kuragin

Anatol Kuragin, according to Tolstoy, is “simple and with carnal inclinations.” These are the dominant character traits of Anatole. He looked at his whole life as a continuous entertainment that someone like that for some reason had undertaken to arrange for him.

“He was unable to consider how his actions might affect others, nor what might come of such or such an action.” He is sincerely convinced, instinctively, with his whole being, that everything around him has the sole purpose of entertaining him and exists for this. No regard for people, their opinions, consequences, no long-term goal that would force one to concentrate on achieving it, no remorse, reflection, hesitation, doubt - Anatole, no matter what he does, naturally and sincerely considers himself an impeccable person and highly bears its beautiful head: freedom is truly limitless, freedom in actions and self-awareness.

Such complete freedom is given to Anatole by his senselessness. A person who consciously approaches life is already subject, like Pierre, to the need to understand and decide; he is not free from life’s difficulties, from the question: why? While Pierre is tormented by this difficult question, Anatole lives, contented with every minute, stupid, animalistic, but easy and fun.

Marrying the “rich, ugly heiress” Maria Bolkonskaya seems to him like just another amusement.

He and his father come to Bald Mountains to make a match.

Marya and her father feel offended by the excitement that the arrival of the prospective groom has caused in them, and which they cannot overcome within themselves.

The beautiful big eyes of the fool Anatole "attract to themselves, and Princess Marya, and the little princess, and Mlle Bourienne do not remain indifferent to the beauty of Kuragin. Everyone wants to appear before him in the best light. But for Princess Marya it seems insulting that she is forced dress up and behave inconsistently with their habits. The longer her friends picked out outfits, the less the princess wanted to meet Anatole. She understood that now she was being put on display, that she would not be able to interest anyone with her appearance, and the more inappropriate the efforts of her friends seemed to her Having achieved nothing, the friends left the princess alone. She not only did not change her outfit, but did not even look at herself in the mirror.

Anatole, paying attention to the pretty mlle Bourienne, decided that it would not be boring in the Bald Mountains.

In a conversation with the father of Princess Marya, Anatole again reveals himself to be a complete fool, a reckless rake.

Anatole seemed kind, brave, decisive, courageous and generous to Princess Marya. She was convinced of it. Thousands of dreams about a future family life arose in her imagination. Anatole thought: “Poor thing! Damn bad.”

Mlle Bourienne thought that this Russian prince would take her away and marry her.

Anatole was not at all interested in the princess as a person; he needed her rich dowry.

While Princess Marya went to her father at the usual hour, Mlle Bourienne and Anatole met in the winter garden.

After talking with her father, the princess went to her place through the winter garden and saw Anatole passionately hugging Mlle Bourienne.

When the father and Prince Vasily invited Princess Marya to give an answer, she said: “I thank you for the honor, but I will never be your son’s wife.”

Thanks to Anatole's reckless behavior, Prince Vasily was left with nothing.

In St. Petersburg, Anatole led the life of a riotous rake. A gambling society would gather in his house, after which there would usually be a drinking party. He leads the good-natured, trusting Pierre astray with his feigned simplicity.

Anatole also played a negative role in the fate of Natasha Rostova. His base, vicious desire to instantly have what he wants, regardless of the interests of others, led to Natasha’s break with Prince Andrei and brought mental suffering to the Rostov and Bolkonsky families.

Knowing that Natasha is engaged to Prince Andrei, Anatole still confesses his love to her. What could come out of this courtship, Anatole could not know, since he never knew what would come out of each of his actions. In a letter to Natasha, he says that either she will love him, or he will die. And, if Natasha says “yes,” he will kidnap and take her to the ends of the world. Impressed by this letter, Natasha refuses Prince Andrei and agrees to escape with Kuragin. But the escape failed, Natasha’s note fell into the wrong hands, and the kidnapping plan failed.

The next day, in a conversation with Natasha, Pierre revealed to her that Anatole is married, so all his promises are deception. Then Bezukhov went to Anatoly and demanded that he return Natasha’s letters and leave Moscow. The next day Anatole left for St. Petersburg.

Having learned about Natasha’s betrayal and about Anatole’s role in this, Prince Andrei was going to challenge him to a duel and searched for him throughout the army for a long time. But when he met Anatole, whose leg had just been taken away, Prince Andrei remembered everything, and enthusiastic pity for this man filled his heart. He forgave him everything.