logo

90 pages 3 hours read

Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace

Leo TolstoyFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1867

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Themes

Living a Meaningful Life

The characters in War and Peace search for meaning in a complex, chaotic world. This meaning takes many forms, from Pierre’s intellectualism to Marya’s religion to Nikolai’s patriotism. The search for meaning is an essential need, but not every character finds it.

Pierre’s search for meaning is mostly intellectual. Unhappy with his aristocratic trappings—a beautiful wife he doesn’t love and a wealth that allows him to indulge in endless physical comforts—he joins the Freemasons and allows himself to be mentored by Iosif Alexeevich Bazdeev. The secret spiritualism of the Freemasons is only a temporary reprieve. When he sees through the hypocrisy of the order, Pierre decides to focus on patriotism and the war effort, obsessed with killing Napoleon. This too fails. Pierre only finds meaning as a French prisoner—a horrific ordeal that teaches him to value the more mundane aspects of existence. This time of physical and psychological suffering is transformative. Pierre sees the flaws in his intellectual pursuits. After he marries Natasha, he blends the purposeful action of raising a family with the intellectual demands of the civil service. This simple, satisfying life makes him truly happy.

Andrei is a counterpoint to Pierre. He searches for meaning in the same places: He has a family, joins the army, and falls in love.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 90 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools