(352 words) Leo Tolstoy, like many other classics, is obliged to be present in our life at least once, because the heroes of this writer become eternal images, role models, engines for thinking about morality, truth and life in general. There are those who cannot be understood, but there are also favorites. Based on this, you can rephrase the famous phrase: "Tell me who your favorite character is, and I will say who you are." I hope my favorite characters do not compromise me.
One of my favorite heroines is Anna Karenina. Unfortunately, many people look at her with some bias, not trying to take her place. I believe that true love should not be stoned with stones of public morality. Therefore, Anna’s strength of mind and her independence from the opinion of the crowd simply amaze me. It is rare to meet a person who can go against the foundations of society for the sake of his love. But Anna Karenina was able to. And it cannot but delight. Of course, she made many mistakes, but in part they are justified by the persecution that a hypocritical society brought down on her. If the poor woman had not been harassed by bigots and pseudo-moral authorities, then she could live and enjoy her love.
But a real role model can be considered Kutuzov. Why so? I understand that this is a real historical person, but in “War and Peace” it is a literary character whom Tolstoy presents exactly as we could really know him. I like Kutuzov because he is a national hero, a patriot. It is the opposite of narcissism, tyranny and flattery of the Napoleonic court. He is always simple, honest, loves soldiers, and not his rewards. He is truly wise and can see events far ahead precisely because he understands: the main thing is the whole army, the mood of each soldier, and not just one single commander. The life of the entire hive is stronger and more significant than a single bee. Knowing this, the hero guarded his army and skillfully put into practice the only true tactic - not to interfere with the natural course of history. I think that it will not hurt each of us to learn from him patience, composure and foresight.
Thus, Leo Tolstoy’s prose is so rich in various types that it can satisfy every reader, because we all can find a hero in it: calm or passionate, courageous or wise in our retreat, handsome or someone for whom appearance does not plays a role.
