Irony in W&P

[curlyqlink]

I'm finding War and Peace to be surprisingly lively and entertaining, and I think a big reason is Tolstoy's irony. Pierre's involvement with the Masons is absolutely delightful: the absurd rituals, the numerology (Napoleon's "number" is 666-- given enough juggling!) Poor, likable Pierre... he's so serious about the Masonic code... while to everyone else it's just a social club!

I'm now wondering about Tolstoy's treatment of the Tsar and patriotism, and his treatment of religion. At times, he seems to be treating the Tsar with true reverence. But then again, the populace's Tsar-worship seems to be absurdly over the top. And the Tsar himself seems a bit of a goofball at times. Shoving matches in the street as his majesty tosses biscuits to the crowd... old ladies trampled as the mob cries out "angel! father!" It makes the patriotic fervor of 1812 seem more than a little absurd.

Religion takes its knocks also:
But [Natasha] could not pray for the trampling of her enemies underfoot, when she had only a few minutes before been wishing she had more of them to forgive and pray for. But yet she could have no doubts of the righteousness of this prayer that had been read by the priest on his knees.

This is all so absurd, contradiction on top of contradiction, it seems clearly ironical.

I think at this point what I admire most about Tolstoy is his lively ridicule of human folly, which he manages while maintaining a deep sympathy for all of his characters. It's remarkable!

[WildCityWoman]

But life itself is ironic, and that's what Tolstoy writes from - life!

His time in the armed services is what he's using for the military segments. As for the social aspect, he was a dyed in the cloth 'people watcher'.

There are so many things in the story that can get you angry - people being trampled, well I haven't got to that part yet, but I can imagine.

I'm in the middle of Book 8, where Natasha has been given a huge lesson on the reality of life.

There are people in this book that you'd like to walk up to and give them a big hug. And there are people you'd like to give them a swift kick.

What's wonderful is the way Tolstoy has his characters develop - when I began this book I didn't like Pierre much and I didn't like Andrei. Now, I just love them both.

Helene was somebody I thought I was going to like, but I do not like her at all now.

The men . . . grrrrrr! It annoys me the way Andrei has kept Natasha waiting to hear from him - but I'm sure there's a good reason for that.

And Nicolas - he took all that time deciding about Sonya while the poor girl's growing old waiting for him.

Andrei's father - old Bolkonsky! Arrrrrgh! Somebody needs to bump him off.

[bazarov]

Originally Posted by WildCityWoman

The men . . . grrrrrr! It annoys me the way Andrei has kept Natasha waiting to hear from him - but I'm sure there's a good reason for that.

He didn't like her, neither other womens also. He aimed for higher purpose, only he never got a clue what was he looking for.
It really turned out she did not deserve him, and that she, beautiful like a rose had more then one torn; and luckily, he escaped it.

Originally Posted by WildCityWoman

And Nicolas - he took all that time deciding about Sonya while the poor girl's growing old waiting for him.

She was waiting for him, that doesn't necessary means he sees her like best option. That's life.

Originally Posted by WildCityWoman

Andrei's father - old Bolkonsky! Arrrrrgh! Somebody needs to bump him off.

Why? He is very realistic, old and traditional, with no women to soft him a little bit.

[WildCityWoman]

Hey, you don't like women do ya'?

[JBI]

Originally Posted by WildCityWoman

Hey, you don't like women do ya'?

No, he is just familiar with the text. Keep in mind, Tolstoy was writing realism, not romantic literature. I think many of the questions addressed are understood by understanding this distinction.

[bazarov]

Originally Posted by JBI

No, he is just familiar with the text. Keep in mind, Tolstoy was writing realism, not romantic literature. I think many of the questions addressed are understood by understanding this distinction.

Excellent, mon ami!