Tolstoy Character Definitions/Terms

Defamilarization

describing instead of naming; describing something familiar as if seen/experienced for the first time 

Absolute language

narrative style where the narrator assumes a divine-like perspective, not omniscient; a voice of absolute truth

The War of 1812

Russia’s successful campaign, led by Kustov, in response to Napoleon’s army invasion of Russia in 1812. Moscow captured by Napoleon but then retreated. This war appears in Volume 3 and 4.

Borodino

One of the key battles of the 1812 war in Russia; one of the bloodiest baths of Napoleonic military campaigns; Pierre visits this battle and Andrei is wounded; perceived as a major victory in Russia

Decemberists

Russian noblemen who led an unsuccessful revolt against the tsar Nicolas the first in December of 1825. The revolt was crushed and the participants were executed or sent to Siberia. War and Peace came about from an idea for a novel about the Decembrists that he never completed.

Bezukhov, Count Kirill Vladimirovich

Pierre’s father who fell ill and died and left Pierre with his estate. He had many children and was known for his wealth. Pierre’s father was never close with Pierre, yet he gave Pierre all of his savings.

Count Pyotr Kirillovich (Pierre)

One of the main protagonists in war and peace, who is easily fooled by many other characters in the novel. Pierre is known to be stubborn, not very bright, but talkative and open to many different ideas. He has a soft personality, that later slightly hardens after he experiences many hardships.

Princess Katarina Semyonovna (the niece of Pierre’s father)

The cousin of Prince Vassily. She cares for Pierre’s father as he falls ill. Plans with Prince Vassily to take the estate from Pierre and trick Pierre. Overall, has ill intentions.

Bolkonsky Prince Nikolai Andreevich

The father of Prince Andrei and Princess Marya. Appears to be a cold man who hides his true emotions. He is very harsh on Princess Marya and they have a tough relationship. He wants his children to listen under his rules, he is not overly comforting or supportive overall.

Prince Andrei Nikolaevich (Prince Andrei)

One of the main protagonists who is a very ambitious man and plays a huge role in the war. He seems to be trying to find the meaning in life after his wife passes and he goes back to war. He had feelings for Natasha as well but their relationship didn’t work out. He ends up dying in the end from Borodino.

Princess Marya Nikolaevna

The daughter of Prince Bolkonsky and the sister of Prince Andrei. Marya is very religious and at first an independent woman. She wants to serve others, which has caused her to be slightly verbally abused by her own father. She struggles to stand up for herself but she is thoughtful and likes to write things down. She ends up marrying Nikolai in the end.

Prince Nikolai Andreevich (Nikolenka or Nikolushka)

The son of Prince Andrei and Princess Liza. He is a boy who lost both his mother and his father which has caused him to be neglected. Princess Marya takes him in and raises him, but she treats him differently than her own children. He admires Pierre a lot and doesn’t know what to make of his own father.

Count Ilya Rostov

Known for not being very responsible with his own money. A kind hearted man who loves his family and can’t say no to their wishes, so he tends to give more than he actually has. He leaves the family with a lot of debt once he passes.

Countess Natalya (Count Illya’s wife)

Has a lot of love for her children and cares for them all individually. She worries about her younger son the most, and is especially protective over him. Overall, she is a protective mother who knows her children well. Very controlling and anxious overall especially since she is aware of the financial state.

Countess Vera Ilyinichna

The eldest daughter of the Rostov family. She is often neglected as well and not very liked. She appears to be mistreated by most because her personality is not favored by others. She is rational and speaks directly, very truthful overall.

Count Nikolai Ilyich

The oldest rostov son. He is a very naive boy and doesn’t make smart decisions at war. He is also abusive towards others and hostile. He is a man of action overall even though he is emotionally impulsive.

Countess Natalya Ilyinichna (Natasha)

The youngest daughter of the Rostov family. Known for being very energetic, lively, and full of young spirit. She is seen as a woman that stands out from others due to her youthfulness. She is charming yet also very impulsive.

Sofya Alexandrovna (Sonya)

Adopted by the Rostov family as an orphaned cousin and is close to Natasha. She is a very patient person, unselfish, and devoted. Very kind and intelligent but overlooked due to her status of being poor. She stays loyal to Nikolai and even lets him “go.”

Kuragin, Prince Vassily Sergeevich

Known to be calculating and narcissistic. He is a social climber who manipulates others to get what he wants. Greedy and craves wealth.

Prince Ippolit Vassilievich

The eldest son of Prince Vassily. Socially awkward and known as a fool. Tends to say nonsensical things at parties, but his foolishness is often entertainment for others.

Prince Anatole Vassilevich

The youngest son of Prince Vassily. He is known to be very reckless in his actions and doesn’t care for the consequences. He lives for pleasure and entertainment. Known for being handsome yet creating scandals.

Princess Elena Vassilevna (Helene)

The daughter of Prince Vassily and the sister of Prince Ipploit and Prince Anatole. She is known for being evocative and flirtatious. She is also greedy and lives for pleasure and wealth. She marries Pierre, but not because of love.

Princess Anna Mikhailovna

The mother of Boris. She is known for being selfless when it comes to guaranteeing success for her only son. A woman who is impoverished but still well liked in society. She is warm hearted yet can easily manipulate to socially climb up.

Prince Boris

The son of Princess Anna Mikhailovna. He is known for being cold but intellectual. He focuses on social and military advancement more than anything else. He also acts very cynical and is less friendly than others.

Marya Dmitrievna

A Moscow society matron. She is known as the “dragon lady” who evokes admiration and fear in others. She is the godmother of Natasha Rostov and is very protective. She is also brutally honest and doesn’t sugarcoat anything.

Alpatych Yakov

He is a steward of the Bolkonsky estates. He is a dedicated and loyal servant. He remains calm and orderly during the war havoc on the town. A silent man of zeal.

Osip (Iosif)

An elderly freemason who helps Pierre during his crisis. He is known to be wise and kind. He wins the trust of Pierre since he becomes his mentor. Also known for his glittering eyes.

Berg (sometimes called Adolf)

A young russian officer who is ambitious yet emotionally detached. He is career driven and practical and can be compared to Boris. He only married Vera to be financially comfortable.

Bourienne Amalia Evgenievna (Amelie; most notably Bourienne)

Princess Marya’s french companion. She is known to be superficial and selfish in her actions. She is charming and flirtatious and wants to be taken away by a prince. She lacks deep loyalty overall and is not trustworthy.

Denisov, Vassily Dmitrich

A hussar officer and a friend of Nikolai Rostov. He is known to be energetic and impulsive. He is distinguished by his speech impediment and speaks rapidly. He is very dedicated to his friends and comrades.

Dolokhov Fyodor Ivanovich

A russian officer who is known for being reckless and having a cold demeanor. He thrives on chaos and likes to humiliate others (gambling scene with Nikolai Rostov). He is fearless and manipulative but has a warm heart for his family.

Karagin Julie

A wealthy heiress who is superficial and obsessed with her social status and soirees. She cares more about materialistic things and is an insincere friend. Ends up marrying Boris because they both are obsessed with social status and connections. Childhood friend with Princess Marya.

Karataev, Platon

A peasant foot soldier befriended by Pierre in prison. Known for being round and for being a simple man. He is loving and has a spiritual Russian soul. He becomes a mentor to Pierre because he lives by reason and truth (lives in the present) and lacks an ego.

Lavrushka

Denisov and later Nikolai Rostov’s orderly. He is well known for his ability to charm and manipulate high ranking offers (notably Napoleon). He is overall cunning and quick witted. Known also as the example of a “little man” in which history is driven by small individuals rather than large leaders.

Anna Pavlovna

The hostess of an aristocratic salon in Petersburg. She is known to be an artificial woman who loves gossip and has an overly animated demeanor. She is a player in high society and cares for wealth and social status above all else.

Tikhon

Old Prince Bolkonsky’s personal manservant. He is loyal to Prince Bolkonsky and is strict and old fashioned. Characterized by being rigid and stoic.

Tushin

Captain of the Russian artillery during the battle of Schongraben. He is small, quiet and slightly comical. He is intensely brave despite his timid appearance. He embodies the “real military man” because he is a humble leader.

Willarski

A polish count and mason who is somewhat pedantic. He is a stern idealist who criticizes Russia while praising European civilization. A very philosophical man who has rigid ideas of how life should be structured