War and Peace Essay: The Importance of Sonya -- War Peace

The Importance of Sonya in War and ataraxis   Leo Tolstoys War and Peace speculates deeply close history, religious life and human br other(a)hood. Most readers focus on the characters of Natasha, Prince Andrew, and Pierre. Another character named Sonya, who is an orphaned cousin, is staying with the Rostov family. Sonya is overshadowed by the other characters, however, she is vital to the rounding out of the other characters in the tonic.    The people she loves most take her life of commitment and sacrifice for granted. The reader is thus also inclined to give little emphasis to her procedure in their lives and in the novel as a whole. As someone who has essentially nothing, Sonya is willing to give everything she has to those she loves. She gives of herself willingly and thanklessly. This life of sacrifice truly embodies Sonyas giving character. This genuine nature of her character allows her to reveal so much about those with whom she interacts throughout the nov el. With Sonyas seeming simplicity in the background, Tolstoy fully develops the characters of Natasha and Nicholas. He uses Sonya as a contrast for his heroine, Natasha, and also as a chart of growth for Natashas brother, Nicholas. Tolstoy even uses Sonya as a contrast to Princess Mary. Here, if one looks deeper, one will find that on that point is very little contrast at all between the two women. Most importantly, Sonya is an illustration of societys effects on a poor selfless untested girl who puts her needs below those of all others. Tolstoy employs Sonyas character in a variety of situations. Without Sonya, a great deal of his novels depth and richness would be lost.   Sonya is counterbalance introduced as Count Rostovs fifteen-year-old niece who ... ... all.   Just as the characters in the novel never really appreciate all that Sonya does for them, the reader puts very little emphasis on all that Sonya does to enhance the entire novel. Sonya serves as a truly re flective mirror to Natasha who never needed to sacrifice herself, but made others sacrifice themselves for her and up to now was beloved by everybody(903). Sonyas presence also helps the growth of Nicholas and reveals a great deal about the society in which she lives. The importance of Sonyas character to War and Peace is immense, yet overshadowed by characters deemed more important than she. Sonya tends to be put in the background of this novel as she is put in the background of the lives of those whom she loves. Without her Leo Tolstoys novel would greatly diminished.   Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace, Book of the Month Club, Inc., New York.