The problem of Russian national character in A. N. Tolstoy’s story “Russian Character”

At the center of A. N. Tolstoy’s story is the problem of the Russian national character, which was extremely relevant in those years. Legends were made about the “mysterious” and “enigmatic” Russian character in the West; many poets, writers, and journalists in our country and abroad wrote about the courage of the Russian people who managed to stop the hitherto invincible fascist hordes. A. N. Tolstoy turned to this problem not only because it was topical, but also because the problem of the Russian national character worried him throughout his entire creative career. It should also be noted that not only Russian writers, but also great artists of the past wrote about the heroic character of the Russian people. As an example, we can cite works already well known to students: the poem by A. S. Pushkin “”, the story by N. V. Gogol “”.

A. N. Tolstoy never considered the Russian character to be fixed, given once and for all. He viewed it in historical development. The Russian character is the subject of the closest attention of A. N. Tolstoy both in the trilogy “”, and in the historical novel “”, and in other works. The writer could not help but note that during the years of Soviet power, the Russian character underwent significant changes and was enriched with new features. During the Great Patriotic War, when the question arose about the existence of the world's first socialist state, Soviet people felt their deep responsibility for the fate of their Motherland. In the conditions of the most difficult trials that befell our country, courage, fortitude, love for the Motherland, will and energy were manifested in the character of the Soviet man as never before.

This is what A.N. Tolstoy writes about in his story, which is called quite remarkably - “Russian Character”. It should be borne in mind that he interprets the very concept of “Russian character” primarily as the character of a Soviet person. The writer is interested in what specific features of the Soviet man were especially evident during the war years, which helped him not only survive, but also win. In his story, A. N. Tolstoy talks about the love of life of the Soviet man, about his strength and beauty, about his heroism, about how he can love and hate.

The story of A. N. Tolstoy continues the development of one of the main thematic lines outlined in the school curriculum - to show the inner beauty of the character of the Russian person, his spiritual generosity, modesty, combined with amazing perseverance and dedication. This was discussed when studying Russian folk tales and epics, and even more so in lessons in which we talked about the heroes of such works by Russian and Russian writers as “Taras Bulba” by N.V. Gogol, “Blizzard” by A.A. Fadeev , “Son of an Artilleryman” by K. M. Simonov, “Son of a Regiment” by V. P. Kataev, “The Tale of a Real Man” by B. N. Polevoy. Therefore, while working on A. N. Tolstoy’s story, the Reader will help students remember these works and heroes, in which the greatness of the character of the Russian man was glorified.

Everyone knows the cheerful Pinocchio well, they have read “Nikita’s Childhood”, “Engineer Garin’s Hyperboloid”, “Aelita” and other works of the writer. However, very few of them are familiar with the facts of the biography of A. N. Tolstoy. Therefore, based on the material given in the textbook, the Reader will introduce us to some facts of the writer’s life and work. In 1942-1944. the writer created a series of works united by a common title - “Stories of Ivan Sudarev”. In the image of Ivan Sudarev, the writer embodied the best features of the Soviet man and often expressed his own thoughts through his lips.

Most of the “stories of Ivan Sudarev” are written based on specific facts and events. A.N. Tolstoy drew material for his stories during his trips to the front and meetings with front-line soldiers. But from the many stories that the writer heard, from the mass of people with whom he had the opportunity to talk, he selected for his works only the most interesting episodes, the most expressive characters. The vitality and truthfulness of “Ivan Sudarev’s stories” were so great that many readers wrote letters to A.N. Tolstoy asking him to say hello to the heroes he wrote about and to tell them their addresses. Readers were seriously convinced that the writer was talking about people who really exist.

The basis of “Russian Character”, included in the cycle “Stories of Ivan Sudarev”, is also based on real facts and events. There is not one or even two, but several stories heard by the writer at different times. And this made it possible to generalize, summarize and create a vivid work with memorable characters.

Check, please. my essay, and if possible, give me points.

Source
(1) Russian character! (2) Go ahead and describe it... (3) Should we talk about heroic deeds? (4) But there are so many of them that you get confused which one to prefer.
(5) In war, constantly hovering around death, people become better, all nonsense peels off from them, like unhealthy skin after a sunburn, and the core remains in the person. (6) Of course, for one it is stronger, for another it is weaker, but those who have a flawed core are drawn to it, everyone wants to be a good and faithful comrade.
(7) My friend, Yegor Dremov, even before the war had a strict behavior, he extremely respected and loved his mother, Marya Polikarpovna, and his father, Yegor Yegorovich, fulfilled his behest: “You will see a lot in the world, son, and you will go abroad, but Russian title - be proud..."
(8) He also didn’t like to rant about military exploits: he would frown and light a cigarette. (9) We learned about the combat performance of his tank from the words of the crew; the driver Chuvilev especially surprised the listeners.
- (10) You see, he leads the tiger with its trunk, and the comrade lieutenant, as soon as he gives it in the side, when he gives it to the turret - he lifted his trunk, when he gives it to the third - smoke poured out of all the cracks of the tiger, flames burst out of it a hundred meters up...
(11) This is how Lieutenant Yegor Dremov fought until a misfortune happened to him. (12) During the Battle of Kursk, when the Germans were already bleeding and trembling, his tank - on a hillock, in a wheat field - was hit by a shell, two of the crew were immediately killed, and the tank caught fire from the second shell. (13) The driver Chuvilev, who jumped out through the front hatch, again climbed onto the armor and managed to pull out the lieutenant: he was unconscious, his overalls were on fire. (14) Chuvilev threw handfuls of loose earth on the lieutenant’s face, head, and clothes to put out the fire. (15) Then he crawled with him from crater to crater to the dressing station...
(16) Yegor Dremov survived and did not even lose his sight, although his face was so charred that bones were visible in places. (17) He spent eight months in the hospital, he underwent plastic surgery one after another, his nose, lips, eyelids, and ears were restored. (18) Eight months later, when the bandages were removed, he looked at his and now not his face. (19) The nurse, who handed him a small mirror, turned away and began to cry. (20) He immediately returned the mirror to her.
(21) “It can be worse,” he said, “but you can live with it.”
(22) But he no longer asked the nurse for a mirror, he only often felt his face, as if he was getting used to it.
(23) The commission found him fit for non-combatant service. (24) Then he went to the general.
(25) I ask for your permission to return to the regiment. “(26) But you are disabled,” said the general.
(27) No way, I’m a freak, but this won’t interfere with the matter, I’ll completely restore my combat capability!
(28) Yegor Dremav noted that the general tried not to look at him during the conversation and only grinned with purple lips, straight as a slit.
(29) Yes, here they are, Russian characters! (30) It seems like a simple person, but a severe misfortune will come, in big or small ways, and a great power rises in him - human beauty.

(According to A.N. Tolstoy*)

* Alexey Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1882-1945) - Russian Soviet writer and public figure, author of socio-psychological, historical and science fiction novels, stories and stories, journalistic works

Composition
What is the essence of the Russian character? How does it manifest itself? This problem is posed by A. N. Tolstoy in his text.

The author reveals the beauty of the Russian character using the example of the feat of one tankman. His Dremov more than once showed courage in battles. but in one of the battles, in the Battle of Kursk, his tank caught fire. The driver Chuvilov pulled him out of the burning car and dragged him to the dressing station. Yegor Dremov's face was so charred that bones were visible in places. And, although he had undergone several plastic surgeries, the nurse could not hold back her tears when she saw his face. Despite this, the tanker asked the general for permission to return to the regiment. “I’m a freak, but this won’t interfere with the matter,” said Yegor Dremov. This was his greatest feat

A. N. Tolstoy is confident that the essence of the Russian character is love for the Motherland, heroism and inner strength. “It seems like a simple person, but a severe misfortune will come, and a great power will rise in him - human beauty,” says the writer.
I absolutely agree with the author's position. Since ancient times, the Russian people have been famous for their patriotism, their readiness to defend their land and give their lives for it. How many times, in order to save their homeland, our soldiers performed feats that cannot be explained. And as AK noted. /N. Tolstoy, it is in the days of difficult trials that the best qualities of the Russian character are revealed

This is confirmed by M.I. Sholokhov’s story “The Fate of a Man.” Andrei Sokolov withstood all the trials of war and the horrors of captivity, but when he returned home, he learned that his family had died during the bombing. But even then, he did not break down; on the contrary, he found the strength to accomplish a moral feat - he adopted the boy. Andrei Sokolov’s courage and resilience, as well as his ability to maintain self-esteem, are most clearly demonstrated in a conversation with the camp commandant. “Your will,” Andrei Sokolov responded to Mueller’s words that he would now personally shoot him.

Speaking about the Russian character, one cannot help but mention the Great Patriotic War. After all, it was the Russian people who stood up to defend their homeland, it was the Russian people who stopped fascism, it was the Russian people who owned the Great Victory.

So, analyzing the text of A.N. Tolstoy, I came to the conclusion that the main features of the Russian character at all times were patriotism, perseverance and heroism. And I believe that it will always be this way.

Pay attention to wise thoughts.

Disasters most of all reveal strength in the character of the Russian people. (Writer, historian N.M. Karamzin)
A person is not born, but becomes who he is. (French writer and philosopher C.A. Helvetius.

Russian character is... a meaningful name.
The narrator Ivan Sudarev talks about the life of people at the front:

Ivan Sudarev introduces the reader to a participant in the Great Patriotic War - tanker Yegor Dremov. During the Battle of Kursk, his tank was hit by a shell and caught fire from the second shell. In the hospital he underwent several plastic surgeries. He looked at his face and did not recognize himself.

Dremov decided to return to the regiment.

Before returning to the regiment, he received leave and went home. When he saw his mother, he realized that it was impossible to scare her, and introduced himself as Lieutenant Gromov. The mother did not recognize his voice. He began to talk about her son. So he wanted to say: acknowledge me, you freak. He felt both good and offended at his parents’ table.

At dinner, Dremov noticed that his mother was especially closely watching his hand with a spoon. When his bride came running and looked at him, “it was as if she had been lightly hit in the chest, she... leaned back, got scared.”
Yegor decided this: “let his mother not know about his misfortune for a longer time. As for Katya, he will tear this thorn out of his heart.”
Soon a letter arrived from the mother in which she admitted that it seemed to her that her son was coming. After some time, two women arrived at the unit.

Alexey Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1883-1945) - Russian writer and public figure. Author of socio-psychological, historical and science fiction novels, novellas and short stories, journalistic works.
Novels:
Hyperboloid of engineer Garin
Walking through torment
Peter the Great
etc.
Novels and stories:
Count Cagliostro
Nikita's childhood
Aelita
Russian character
etc.
Tales:
Mermaid Tales
The Golden Key, or The Adventures of Pinocchio
etc.

Before the reader is the life story of this man.
He calls his life ordinary. During the Civil War he was in the Red Army. Parents and sister died of hunger. He worked at a factory as a mechanic, got married, and was happy. Three children studied with excellent marks. The eldest was the pride of his father - he turned out to be capable of mathematics.
The Great Patriotic War began. When they said goodbye, Andrei Sokolov pushed his wife away, who had a presentiment that they would not meet again.

Sokolov was wounded twice. Carried shells. I was captured. It was necessary to deliver shells to the battery. On the way, he came under bombing and was shell-shocked. In the column of prisoners, he walked with all his strength. In Germany he worked in a stone quarry.

After the rain, the prisoners did not even have a place to dry themselves, and in the evening there was no food.

One of his own people conveyed these words to the camp commandant Muller, who summoned Andrei Sokolov. Andrei did not drink to the victory of German weapons, but to his own death, without taking a bite even after the second glass.

Commandant Müller called Sokolov a real Russian soldier, a brave soldier and expressed respect for a worthy opponent. Suddenly he handed him a loaf of bread and a piece of bacon. Everyone got little, “but they shared it without offense.”
Then Andrei Sokolov had to carry a German engineer. One day he decided to run away and took a German with him.

In the hospital he received a letter about the death of his wife and daughters. An aircraft factory was bombed. There was no trace left of their house, only a deep hole...

He went home to Voronezh.

They found a son, Anatoly, who was at the front. But on May 9, Victory Day, a German sniper killed his son.

After the war, Andrei Sokolov worked as a driver. One day he saw a street boy near the tea shop.

The boy's father died in the war, his mother died during a bombing. Vanyusha was left an orphan.

One day Andrei Sokolov asked the boy who he was and said that he was his father.

One day in November, the car skidded into the mud, and Andrei accidentally hit a cow. Although the cow remained alive, his driver's license was taken away from him. Then a colleague invited him. So father and son go to this area.

Andrei Sokolov ends his story with concerns about a bad heart. He is afraid that someday he will die in his sleep and scare his little son. At night he is tormented by nightmares. He sees his relatives, and himself behind the barbed wire. During the day he always holds himself tightly, but at night he wakes up and “the whole pillow is wet from tears.”

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov (1905-1984) - Soviet writer and public figure. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature (1965) - “for the artistic strength and integrity of the epic about the Don Cossacks at a turning point for Russia.” Classic of Russian literature.
Works:
"Don Stories"
"Quiet Don"
"Virgin Soil Upturned"
"They fought for their homeland"
"The Fate of Man"
etc.

Let the events you read about worthy people help you think about the life around you.

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Essay based on the text:

The mystery of the Russian soul is the subject of philosophical speculation by most Russian cultural and artistic figures, and society as a whole. Disputes about this mysterious originality of character have not subsided over many centuries of Russian history, and, of course, a conversation about national character cannot be conducted in isolation from nature and the riches that our country has endowed those living on its vast territory. Likewise, the philosopher Ivan Ilyin in his text touches on the problem of the Russian national character.

The author talks about the inexhaustible natural resources that Russia has endowed us with, and the positive qualities of the Russian person who managed to develop on this generous land: he is “compassionate, easy-going and gifted.” Moral principles, not imposed on us from the outside, but naturally present in the psyche of the Russian person, are inextricably linked with the history of Russia and the Orthodox faith. Ilyin gives the example of monastic meals, during which everyone “glorifies God,” and the prayers with which we get down to business. He emphasizes that life according to God's laws has instilled in our people generosity and mercy, love for the poor and forgiveness. However, Ilyin’s enumeration of these spiritual qualities is associated with bitter reflections that we do not know how to properly manage the blessings that life has given us: “the Russian person does not value his gift.” The deceptive ease with which we manage to create and work leads to laziness and idleness - another integral features of the national character: the Russian “seeks ease and does not like tension.” Unfortunately, as Ilyin notes, the “careless child of inspiration” does not realize that “talent without work is a temptation and danger,” and in our character there is trust in God and a reluctance to act on our own. This is where many troubles come from: recklessness and lack of understanding of the threat leads to inconsistency and waste of the talent of the Russian soul (“to cut down one tree, he will destroy five,” “he cannot economically cope with the burden of natural generosity”).

The philosopher and writer does not give a clear answer on how a Russian person can overcome these destructive character traits, but his words contain an instruction to each of us: we must think and finally understand that “the temptation of mismanagement, carelessness and laziness” can lead the country to collapse , because natural resources do not come easy; they must be wisely and patiently extracted “from under the bush.” This is hampered by false confidence in the boundlessness of Russian nature and our innate talent, because of which we commit thoughtless actions and do not fully realize the potential inherent in us. According to Ilyin, everyone should work on themselves and overcome their weak character. Discipline and will are traits that a Russian person has yet to learn.

I cannot but agree with the author's position. The Russian person had the great fortune to be born on this land and, without the slightest effort, to have at his disposal both the vastness of Russian territory and its generous gifts, as well as boundless spiritual strength, a special, contradictory mentality that has no analogues in other parts of the planet. But this has also placed on us a burden of responsibility that we often cannot cope with.

The problem of the duality of the Russian character was considered most fully and thoughtfully in classical literature, for example, in the novel by I.A. Goncharov "Oblomov". This work creates an image of a Russian man with his multifaceted character, in which the most destructive and noblest traits collide, preventing the hero from realizing his potential. Oblomov strangely combined generosity and kindness, depth of thoughts and at the same time laziness, inactivity, aimless daydreaming. “Oblomovism” is a state of society that, due to the patriarchal structure and upbringing in an atmosphere of peace and serenity, has lost the ability to act and live independently. But in the Russian character, the desire for knowledge, spiritual improvement and life for the benefit of others does not disappear.

Another example is the poem by N.V. Gogol's "Dead Souls", in which one of the main themes is the special Russian path and national character, which has yet to be fully realized. According to the writer, the living Russian soul did not die in the peasants, although they, being under the yoke of serfdom, are not able to fully demonstrate their spiritual strength, their good impulses gradually fade away. Glorifying the breadth and generosity of the Russian soul, the accuracy of the Russian word, the talent of craftsmen from the people, Gogol does not idealize the peasants. He points out the vices inherent in Russian people: the inability to complete a task (“the goal will be wonderful, but nothing will come of it”), idle profundity, carelessness. The wonderful impulses of the people's character turn into their opposite in conditions of captivity and miserable life.

Thus, Ivan Ilyin convinces us that Russian people have been given a lot from above, but in order to take advantage of this blessing and use it correctly, one must make an effort, cultivate the will in oneself and overcome the internal tendency towards laziness and idleness.

Text by I.L. Ilyina:

(1) Russia has endowed us with enormous natural resources, both external and internal; they are inexhaustible. (2) True, they are not always given to us in a ready-made form: a lot is hidden under a bushel; a lot needs to be extracted from under this bushel. (3) But we all know, we know too well, that our depths, both external and internal, are abundant and generous. (4) We are born in this confidence, we breathe it, we live with this feeling that “there are many of us, and we have a lot of everything,” that “there is enough for everyone, and there will still be left”; and often we do not notice either the goodness of this feeling or the dangers associated with it...

(5) From this feeling, a certain spiritual kindness is poured into us, a certain organic, affectionate good nature, calmness, openness of soul, sociability. (6) The Russian soul is light, fluid and melodious, generous and poverty-loving - “there is enough for everyone and the Lord will send more”... (7) Here they are - our monastery meals, where everyone comes, drinks and eats, and glorifies God. (8) This is our wide hospitality. (9) Here is this wonderful prayer during sowing, in which the sower prays for his future thief: “God! Establish, and multiply, and grow to every share of the hungry and the orphan man, the willing, the asking and the willful, the blessing and the ungrateful." There was a place for Rus'” and where was the source of love, justice and mercy for all “orphans” without exception?...

(11) Yes, the Russian man is good-natured, easy-going and gifted: he will create wonderful things out of nothing; with a rough ax - a fine pattern of hut decoration; from one string it will extract both sadness and daring. (12) And it’s not he who will do it; but somehow “it will come out on its own,” unexpectedly and without tension; and then suddenly he rushes and is forgotten. (13) The Russian person does not value his gift; does not know how to get it out of hiding, a careless child of inspiration; does not understand that talent without work is a temptation and danger. (14) He lives out his gifts, squanders his wealth, drinks away his goods, and rolls down the line of least resistance. (15) Looks for ease and does not like tension: he will have fun and forget; he will plow up the earth and throw it away; To cut down one tree will destroy five. (16) And his land is “God’s”, and his forest is “God’s”; and “God’s” means “nobody’s”; and therefore what is foreign to him is not forbidden. (17) He cannot economically cope with the burden of natural generosity. (18) And how should we deal with this temptation of mismanagement, carelessness and laziness in the future - all our thoughts should now be about this...

(According to I.L. Ilyin)

Introduction

The research topic of this course work is “Image of Russian national character.”

The relevance of the topic is caused by the acute interest these days in writers with a pronounced national consciousness, which includes Nikolai Semenovich Leskov. The problem of the Russian national character has become particularly acute in modern Russia, and in the world, national self-awareness is currently being updated by active processes of globalization and dehumanization, the establishment of a mass society and the increase in socio-economic and moral problems. In addition, studying the stated problem allows us to understand the writer’s worldview, his concept of the world and man. In addition, the study of the stories of N.S. Leskova in school allows the teacher to draw students' attention to their own moral experience, contributing to the education of spirituality.

Goals and objectives of the work:

1) Having studied the existing research literature available to us, identify the originality of N.S.’s creativity. Leskov, his deeply folk origins.

2) Identify the features and traits of the Russian national character that are captured in the artistic work of N.S. Leskov as a certain spiritual, moral, ethical and ideological integrity.

The work is based on the study of literary criticism, critical literature; the conclusions obtained in the work were made on the basis of observations of literary texts - the stories “The Enchanted Wanderer” (1873) and “The Tale of the Tula Oblique Lefty and the Steel Flea” (1881).

The structure of the work includes an introduction, two parts, a conclusion and a list of references.

The significance of the work is associated with the possibility of using it when studying this author in a literature course at school.

The problem of Russian national character in Russian philosophy and literature of the 19th century

“The mysterious Russian soul”... What epithets have been bestowed upon our Russian mentality. Is the Russian soul so mysterious, is it really so unpredictable? What does it mean to be Russian? What is the peculiarity of the Russian national character? How often have philosophers asked and asked these questions in scientific treatises, writers in works of various genres, and even ordinary citizens in table discussions? Everyone asks and answers in their own way.

The character traits of the Russian person are very accurately noted in folk tales and epics. In them, the Russian man dreams of a better future, but he is too lazy to make his dreams come true. He keeps hoping that he will catch a talking pike or catch a goldfish that will fulfill his wishes. This primordial Russian laziness and love of dreaming about the advent of better times has always prevented our people from living. A Russian person is too lazy to grow or make something that his neighbor has - it is much easier for him to steal it, and even then not himself, but to ask someone else to do it. A typical example of this is the case of the king and the rejuvenating apples. All Russian folklore is based on the fact that being greedy is bad and greed is punishable. However, the breadth of the soul can be polar: drunkenness, unhealthy gambling, living for free, on the one hand. But, on the other hand, the purity of faith, carried and preserved through the centuries. A Russian person cannot believe quietly and modestly. He never hides, but goes to execution for his faith, walking with his head held high, striking his enemies.

There are so many things mixed into a Russian person that you can’t even count them on your fingers. Russians are so eager to preserve what is theirs that they are not ashamed of the most disgusting aspects of their identity: drunkenness, dirt and poverty. Such a trait of the Russian character as long-suffering often goes beyond the bounds of reason. From time immemorial, Russian people have resignedly endured humiliation and oppression. The already mentioned laziness and blind faith in a better future are partly to blame here. Russian people would rather endure than fight for their rights. But no matter how great the patience of the people is, it is still not limitless. The day comes and humility transforms into unbridled rage. Then woe to anyone who gets in the way. It’s not for nothing that Russian people are compared to a bear - huge, menacing, but so clumsy. We are probably rougher, certainly tougher in many cases. Russians have cynicism, emotional limitations, and a lack of culture. There is fanaticism, unscrupulousness, and cruelty. But still, mostly Russian people strive for good. There are many positive features in the Russian national character. Russians are deeply patriotic and have high fortitude; they are capable of defending their land to the last drop of blood. Since ancient times, both young and old have risen to fight against invaders.

Speaking about the peculiarities of the Russian character, one cannot fail to mention the cheerful disposition - a Russian sings and dances even in the most difficult periods of his life, and even more so in joy! He is generous and loves to go out on a grand scale - the breadth of the Russian soul has already become the talk of the town. Only a Russian person can give everything he has for the sake of one happy moment and not regret it later. Russian people have an inherent aspiration for something infinite. Russians always have a thirst for a different life, a different world, they always have dissatisfaction with what they have. Due to greater emotionality, Russian people are characterized by openness and sincerity in communication. If in Europe people are quite alienated in their personal lives and protect their individualism, then a Russian person is open to being interested in him, showing interest in him, caring for him, just as he himself is inclined to be interested in the lives of those around him: both his soul wide open and curious - what is behind the soul of the other.

A special conversation about the character of Russian women. A Russian woman has unbending fortitude; she is ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of a loved one and go to the ends of the earth for him. Moreover, this is not blindly following a spouse, like Eastern women, but a completely conscious and independent decision. This is what the wives of the Decembrists did, going after them to distant Siberia and dooming themselves to a life full of hardships. Nothing has changed since then: even now, in the name of love, a Russian woman is ready to spend her entire life wandering around the most remote corners of the world.

An invaluable contribution to the study of Russian national character was made by the works of Russian philosophers at the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries - N.A. Berdyaev (“Russian Idea”, “Soul of Russia”), N.O. Lossky (“The Character of the Russian People”), E.N. Trubetskoy (“The Meaning of Life”), S.L. Frank (“The Soul of Man”), etc. Thus, in his book “The Character of the Russian People,” Lossky gives the following list of the main features inherent in the Russian national character: religiosity and the search for absolute good, kindness and tolerance, powerful willpower and passion, and sometimes maximalism . The philosopher sees the high development of moral experience in the fact that all layers of the Russian people show a special interest in distinguishing between good and evil. Such a feature of the Russian national character as the search for the meaning of life and the foundations of existence, according to Lossky, is excellently illustrated by the works of L.N. Tolstoy and F.M. Dostoevsky. Among such primary properties, the philosopher includes the love of freedom and its highest expression - freedom of spirit... Those who have freedom of spirit are inclined to put every value to the test, not only in thought, but even in experience... As a result of the free search for truth, it is difficult for Russian people to come to terms with each other ... Therefore, in public life, Russians’ love of freedom is expressed in a tendency towards anarchy, in repulsion from the state. However, as N.O. rightly notes. Lossky, positive qualities often have negative sides. The kindness of a Russian person sometimes prompts him to lie so as not to offend his interlocutor, due to the desire for peace and good relations with people at all costs. Among the Russian people there is also the familiar “Oblomovism”, that laziness and passivity that is excellently depicted by I.A. Goncharov in the novel “Oblomov”. Oblomovism in many cases is the flip side of the high qualities of the Russian person - the desire for complete perfection and sensitivity to the shortcomings of our reality... Among the especially valuable properties of the Russian people is a sensitive perception of other people's states of mind. This results in live communication between even unfamiliar people. “The Russian people have highly developed individual personal and family communication. In Russia there is no excessive replacement of individual relationships with social ones, there is no personal and family isolationism. Therefore, even a foreigner, having arrived in Russia, feels: “I am not alone here” (of course, I am talking about normal Russia, and not about life under the Bolshevik regime). Perhaps, these properties are the main source of recognition of the charm of the Russian people, so often expressed by foreigners who know Russia well...” [Lossky, p. 42sch.

N.A. Berdyaev in the philosophical work “Russian Idea” presented the “Russian soul” as the bearer of two opposite principles, which reflected: “the natural, pagan Dionysian element and ascetic monastic Orthodoxy, despotism, hypertrophy of the state and anarchism, freedom, cruelty, a tendency to violence and kindness, humanity, gentleness, ritualism and the search for truth, a heightened consciousness of the individual and impersonal collectivism, pan-humanity, ... the search for God and militant atheism, humility and arrogance, slavery and rebellion” [Berdyaev, p. 32]. The philosopher also drew attention to the collectivist principle in the development of national character and in the fate of Russia. According to Berdyaev, “spiritual collectivism”, “spiritual conciliarity” is a “high type of brotherhood of people”. This kind of collectivism is the future. But there is another collectivism. This is “irresponsible” collectivism, which dictates to a person the need to “be like everyone else.” The Russian person, Berdyaev believed, is drowning in such collectivism; he feels immersed in the collective. Hence the lack of personal dignity and intolerance towards those who are not like others, who, thanks to their work and abilities, have the right to more.

So, in the works of Russian philosophers at the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, as well as in modern studies (for example: N.O. Kasyanova “On Russian National Character”), three leading principles stand out among the main characteristics of the traditional Russian national mentality: 1) religious or quasi-religious character ideology; 2) authoritarian-charismatic and centralist-power dominant; 3) ethnic dominance. These dominants - religious in the form of Orthodoxy and ethnic - were weakened during the Soviet period, while the ideological dominant and the power dominant, with which the stereotype of authoritarian-charismatic power is associated, became more strengthened.

In Russian literature of the 19th century, the problem of the Russian national character is also one of the main ones: we find dozens of images in the works of A.S. Pushkin and M.Yu. Lermontova, N.V. Gogol and M.E. Saltykova-Shchedrina, I.A. Goncharov and N.A. Nekrasova, F.M. Dostoevsky and L.N. Tolstoy, each of whom bears the indelible stamp of Russian character: Onegin and Pechorin, Manilov and Nozdryov, Tatyana Larina, Natasha Rostova and Matryona Timofeevna, Platon Karataev and Dmitry Karamazov, Oblomov, Judushka Golovlev and Raskolnikov, etc. You can’t list them all.

A.S. Pushkin was one of the first to pose in Russian literature the problem of the Russian national character in its entirety. His novel “Eugene Onegin” became a highly popular work, “an encyclopedia of Russian life.” Tatyana Larina, a girl from a noble background, is the one in whom the primordial nationality was most powerfully reflected: “Russian in soul, / She herself, without knowing why, / With her cold beauty, / loved the Russian winter.” This twice repeated “Russian” speaks about the main thing: the domestic mentality. Even a representative of another nation can love winter, but only a Russian soul can feel it without any explanation. Namely, she can suddenly see “frost in the sun on a frosty day,” “the radiance of pink snow,” and “the darkness of Epiphany evenings.” Only this soul has an increased sensitivity to the customs, mores and legends of the “common antiquity” with its New Year’s card fortune-telling, prophetic dreams and alarming signs. At the same time, the Russian beginning for A.S. Pushkin is not limited to this. To be “Russian” for him is to be faithful to duty, capable of spiritual responsiveness. In Tatyana, like in no other hero, everything that was given merged into a single whole. This is especially evident in the scene of explanation with Onegin in St. Petersburg. It contains deep understanding, sympathy, and openness of soul, but all this is subordinated to the observance of necessary duty. It does not leave the slightest hope for the loving Onegin. With deep sympathy, Pushkin also talks about the sad serfdom of nanny Tatyana.

N.V. Gogol in the poem “Dead Souls” also strives to vividly and succinctly portray the Russian people, and for this he introduces into the narrative representatives of three classes: landowners, officials and peasants. And, although the greatest attention is paid to the landowners (such vivid images as Manilov, Sobakevich, Korobochka, Plyushkin, Nozdryov), Gogol shows that the real bearers of the Russian national character are the peasants. The author introduces into the narrative the carriage maker Mikheev, the shoemaker Telyatnikov, the brickmaker Milushkin, and the carpenter Stepan Probka. Particular attention is paid to the strength and sharpness of the people's mind, the sincerity of folk songs, the brightness and generosity of folk holidays. However, Gogol is not inclined to idealize the Russian national character. He notes that any meeting of Russian people is characterized by some confusion, that one of the main problems of the Russian person: the inability to complete the work begun. Gogol also notes that a Russian person is often able to see the correct solution to a problem only after he has performed some action, but at the same time he really does not like to admit his mistakes to others.

Russian maximalism in its extreme form is clearly expressed in the poem by A.K. Tolstoy: “If you love, it’s crazy, / If you threaten, it’s not a joke, / If you scold, it’s rash, / If you chop, it’s wrong!” / If you argue, it’s too bold, / If you punish, then it’s a good thing, / If you ask, then with all your soul, / If you feast, then you feast like a mountain!”

N.A. Nekrasov is often called the people's poet: he, like no one else, often addressed the topic of the Russian people. The vast majority of Nekrasov's poems are dedicated to the Russian peasant. In the poem “Who Lives Well in Rus'” a generalized image of the Russian people is created thanks to all the characters in the poem. These are central characters (Matryona Timofeevna, Savely, Grisha Dobrosklonov, Ermila Girin), and episodic ones (Agap Petrov, Gleb, Vavila, Vlas, Klim and others). The men came together with a simple goal: to find happiness, to find out who has a good life and why. A typical Russian search for the meaning of life and the foundations of existence. But the heroes of the poem failed to find a happy man; only landowners and officials were at ease in Rus'. Life is hard for the Russian people, but there is no despair. After all, those who know how to work also know how to rest. Nekrasov expertly describes village holidays, when everyone, young and old, starts dancing. True, unclouded fun reigns there, all worries and labors are forgotten. The conclusion that Nekrasov comes to is simple and obvious: happiness lies in freedom. But freedom in Rus' is still very far away. The poet also created a whole galaxy of images of ordinary Russian women. Perhaps he romanticizes them somewhat, but one cannot help but admit that he managed to show the appearance of a peasant woman in a way that no one else could. For Nekrasov, a serf woman is a kind of symbol of the revival of Russia, its rebellion against fate. The most famous and memorable images of Russian women are, of course, Matryona Timofeevna in “Who Lives Well in Rus'” and Daria in the poem “Frost, Red Nose.”

The Russian national character also occupies a central place in the works of L.N. Tolstoy. Thus, in the novel “War and Peace” the Russian character is analyzed in all its diversity, in all spheres of life: family, national, social and spiritual. Of course, Russian traits are more fully embodied in the Rostov family. They feel and understand everything Russian, because feelings play a major role in this family. This is most clearly manifested in Natasha. Of the entire family, she is most endowed with “the ability to sense shades of intonation, glances and facial expressions.” Natasha initially has a Russian national character. In the novel, the author shows us two principles in the Russian character: militant and peaceful. Tolstoy discovers the militant principle in Tikhon Shcherbat. The militant principle must inevitably appear during a people's war. This is a manifestation of the will of the people. A completely different person is Platon Karataev. In his image, Tolstoy shows a peaceful, kind, spiritual beginning. The most important thing is to attach Plato to the earth. His passivity can be explained by his inner belief that, in the end, good and just forces win and, most importantly, one must hope and believe. Tolstoy does not idealize these two principles. He believes that a person necessarily has both a militant and a peaceful beginning. And, depicting Tikhon and Plato, Tolstoy depicts two extremes.

A special role in Russian literature was played by F.M. Dostoevsky. Just as in his time Pushkin was the “starter,” so Dostoevsky became the “finisher” of the Golden Age of Russian art and Russian thought and the “starter” of the art of the new twentieth century. It was Dostoevsky who embodied in the images he created the most essential feature of Russian national character and consciousness - its inconsistency, duality. The first, negative pole of the national mentality is everything “broken, false, superficial and slavishly borrowed.” The second, “positive” pole is characterized by Dostoevsky by such concepts as “simplicity, purity, meekness, broadness of mind and gentleness.” Based on the discoveries of Dostoevsky, N.A. Berdyaev wrote, as already mentioned, about the opposite principles that “formed the basis for the formation of the Russian soul.” As N.A. said Berdyaev, “To understand Dostoevsky to the end means to understand something very significant in the structure of the Russian soul, it means to get closer to the solution to Russia” [Berdyaev, 110].

Among all the Russian classics of the 19th century, M. Gorky pointed specifically to N.S. Leskov as a writer who, with the greatest effort of all the forces of his talent, sought to create a “positive type” of a Russian person, to find among the “sinners” of this world a crystal clear person, a “righteous person.”