The complex relationship between Leo Tolstoy and his masterpiece War and Peace

Leo TolstoyTolstoy’s War and Peace is often regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written, an epic that explores the lives of individuals against the backdrop of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. However, Tolstoy’s relationship with his masterpiece was anything but straightforward. His journey with War and Peace reflects not only his immense creative genius, but also his complex attitudes toward literature, philosophy, and life itself.

The origins of war and peace

Tolstoy initially set out to write a very different book. His original intention was to create a novel centered on a radical Russian nobleman during the Decembrist Revolt of 1825, a failed uprising against Tsar Nicholas I. However, as Tolstoy began researching the historical context, the project evolved dramatically. He found himself drawn even further back in time, eventually setting the story during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812. This shift in focus allowed him to explore broader themes, including the conflict between individual lives and the broad movements of history.

For Tolstoy, writing War and Peace was not just a novel, but also an investigation into the relationship between history and human action. Tolstoy used the book to challenge the traditional view that history is determined by great men, such as Napoleon or Tsar Alexander I. Instead, Tolstoy believed that historical events were determined by the countless actions and decisions of ordinary people, often beyond their control.

The evolution of Tolstoy’s philosophical views

One of the reasons War and Peace is so complex is that it reflects Tolstoy’s changing views on life, politics, and philosophy during the years he was writing it. Tolstoy was deeply influenced by his reading of European philosophers, particularly Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whose ideas about natural life, education, and morality found their way into Tolstoy’s thinking. Tolstoy admired Rousseau’s belief in the goodness of humanity and his distrust of institutional power, and these ideas shaped the way Tolstoy portrayed his characters in War and Peace.

As Tolstoy wrote, his philosophical ideas evolved. He became increasingly skeptical of both the aristocracy and the military, despite having been born into the Russian noble class and having served in the army. ‘War and Peace’ reflects this skepticism, particularly in its portrayal of the futility of war and the hollow nature of political power. Characters such as Pierre Bezukhov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky are caught up in the tumult of these forces, constantly questioning their role in society and history.

The writing process: struggles and doubts

Tolstoy’s writing process for War and Peace was long and fraught with difficulties. He began work on the novel in 1863 and did not finish it until 1869. During those years, Tolstoy struggled with the scope and structure of the book, often doubting whether he would be able to finish it. At several points, he considered abandoning the project altogether, feeling overwhelmed by the task of writing a novel that combined personal drama with detailed historical research.

During the writing of War and Peace, Tolstoy’s creative process was intense. He frequently wrote late into the night, revising entire sections and sometimes discarding hundreds of pages. His perfectionism was legendary; Tolstoy revised the novel numerous times and even after its initial publication, he continued to make changes in subsequent editions. This desire for perfection reflected his constant internal conflict over whether War and Peace truly expressed his ideas about life and history.

Tolstoy’s reception and ambivalence

When War and Peace was finally published, it received widespread acclaim. Critics praised its vivid characters, grand scale, and innovative combination of historical narrative with personal accounts. However, Tolstoy himself was not entirely satisfied with the book. While he acknowledged its success as a literary achievement, he questioned whether it had fully conveyed its deeper philosophical ideas.

In the years following the publication of War and Peace, Tolstoy’s views on art and literature continued to evolve. He became increasingly critical of literature that focused on aristocracy or that romanticized war and violence. Indeed, by the time he wrote his later masterpiece, Anna Karenina, Tolstoy was increasingly disillusioned with the very ideas that had shaped War and Peace. He began to reject the idea of ​​art for art’s sake, believing instead that literature should serve a moral purpose, inspiring readers to live better, more meaningful lives.

Tolstoy’s legacy: a love-hate relationship

Tolstoy’s complex relationship with War and Peace did not end after its publication. In his later years, he became increasingly critical of the novel, claiming that it no longer reflected his philosophical or spiritual beliefs. He turned his attention to religious and ethical writings, distancing himself from his earlier works. Tolstoy even went so far as to say that War and Peace was a flawed book because it did not convey a clear moral message.

Despite Tolstoy’s ambivalence, War and Peace remains one of the most celebrated works of world literature. Its exploration of human nature, history, and the interconnectedness of lives and events continues to resonate with readers today. The novel’s characters—Pierre, Natasha, Andrei, and others—remain some of the most vividly drawn in all of literature, capturing the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.

Ultimately, War and Peace is a testament to Tolstoy’s genius, even as he himself grappled with doubts about its worth. His ambivalence toward the novel reflects the complexities of his own shifting beliefs about art, history, and morality. Though Tolstoy may have questioned the novel’s ultimate message, readers still find in it a profound meditation on life, love, war, and the forces that shape our destinies.