Why should you read Tolstoy's "War and Peace"? - Brendan Pelsue

Summary

This video script delves into Leo Tolstoy's 'War and Peace,' a literary masterpiece that transcends the traditional novel. Initially intended as a short story, it evolved into a 1,200-page epic, exploring love, war, and the Russian aristocracy. Tolstoy's work is a profound examination of history's impact on individual lives, interweaving real and fictional characters. It poses philosophical questions about the nature of war and the forces that shape nations, offering a panoramic view of human experience and historical significance.

Takeaways

• 📚 'War and Peace' is a lengthy novel, but it offers a thrilling exploration of history with deep, realistic characters.
• 🎭 The book was initially intended to be a short novel about a political dissident, but it evolved into a 1,200-page epic over five years.
• 🏰 Tolstoy's own life was marked by eccentricity and a restless spirit, which influenced his writing.
• 👑 The narrative of 'War and Peace' spans various significant historical events, including the Decembrist revolt and Napoleon's invasion of Russia.
• 🌍 Tolstoy's focus was on the aristocracy, with limited insight into the lives of peasants and serfs, reflecting his own social class.
• 🎭 The novel does not have a single main character but instead presents a complex web of interconnected relationships and stories.
• 🔍 Real historical figures are interwoven with fictional characters, including Napoleon and one of Tolstoy's ancestors.
• 🤔 Tolstoy often interrupts the narrative to ponder philosophical questions about the nature of war, history, and human behavior.
• 📖 Critics of the 19th century found 'War and Peace' to be unconventional, with Tolstoy himself acknowledging it as a unique form of expression.
• 🏁 The novel concludes in 1820, offering a broad examination of history, culture, philosophy, psychology, and the human response to war.

Q & A

What was Tolstoy's original intention when he started writing 'War and Peace'?

Tolstoy initially set out to write a short novel about a political dissident returning from exile in Siberia.

How did the scope of 'War and Peace' expand beyond Tolstoy's initial plan?

Tolstoy's original plan grew to include the stories of the Decembrists, the revolt against Tsar Nicholas I, and the backdrop of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, leading to a much larger narrative.

What significant historical event does 'War and Peace' open with?

The book opens on the eve of war between France and Russia.

Who are the Decembrists mentioned in the script?

The Decembrists were a group of well-born revolutionaries pardoned in 1856 after 30 years in exile, and their story is integral to the historical context of 'War and Peace'.

What type of characters does Tolstoy focus on in 'War and Peace'?

Tolstoy focuses on aristocrats, the social class he knew best, with the book only occasionally touching on the lives of peasants or serfs.

How does 'War and Peace' handle the relationship between historical figures and fictional characters?

Real historical figures like Napoleon are interwoven with fictional characters, creating a rich tapestry of interlocking relationships and events.

What kind of questions does Tolstoy pose about history within the narrative of 'War and Peace'?

Tolstoy poses insightful questions about the nature of war, the reasons behind its start, and the influence of great men versus larger cultural and economic forces on the rise and fall of nations.

How does the script describe the structure of 'War and Peace' in terms of its characters and narrative?

The script describes 'War and Peace' as having no main characters but rather a vast interlocking web of relationships and questions, with a narrative that bounces between the political and personal.

What was the reaction of some 19th-century critics to 'War and Peace'?

Some 19th-century critics felt that 'War and Peace' barely felt like a novel, with Henry James describing it as a 'large, loose, baggy monster'.

What does Tolstoy himself say about the genre of 'War and Peace'?

Tolstoy agreed with the critics to some extent, stating that 'War and Peace' is not a novel, nor an epic poem or a historical chronicle, but rather an expression of what he wanted and was able to express.

What is the time span that 'War and Peace' covers by the end of the book?

By the end of 'War and Peace', Tolstoy has brought his characters to the year 1820, covering a significant historical period leading up to the events he originally hoped to write about.