Tolstoy, 8/31

Tolstoy, 8/31

One of the recurrent themes that I have observed through the text so far is the idea of heroism. Tolstoy seems to be turning the traditional concept of heroism on its head. He time and again demonstrates that the real heroes are not getting the recognition they deserve, while those men that feel that have made a significant impact openly talk about their actions and are thus rewarded for their bravery. For example, in our reading for last time Berg is wounded at the front line, but chooses to hold his sword in his other hand and continue to fight. He says to Nicholas:

"Count! I am wounded in my right hand" (and he showed his bleeding hand with a handkerchief tied round it) "and I remained at the front. I held my sword in my left hand. Count. All our family - the von Bergs - have been knights!" (247)

Another key passage in understanding what Tolstoy is trying to do to the traditional concept of heroism comes at the end of Book 5. When Denisov is court-martialed after he steals provisions for his troops, Rostov takes a petition for pardon to the Tsar. Although Denisov was jeopardizing his own career for the lives and sake of the men serving under him, he was chastised by the Russian army for his actions. Yet Rostov witnesses the ceremony with Napoleon and Alexander in which a Russian soldier is arbitrarily awarded the Legion of Honor for bravery. We should look at the passage on page 364 in which Rostov reflects on the justice of this event.

What is Tolstoy trying to do with the concept of heroism both in these passages and the rest of the novel?