Abstract:
Today, every classic work dedicated to war and human psychology in
an extreme situation is of particular relevance, especially if it concerns
such a masterpiece as Hadji Murat.
Tolstoy’s story was created in 1896-1904 (published in 1912, after
Tolstoy’s death). He’d been weightigit for a long time, postponing
the, then returning to the text, which included the entire life and
philosophical experience of the writer.
With great force, Tolstoy presented the collision, confrontation
and coexistence of several worlds, irreconcilable and cruel. He strongly
condemns the war of the Russian Empire, in which the peoples of the
Caucasus fought for their independence. Tolstoy penetrated deeply into
the psychology of his characters, and his sympathies are unambiguously
on the side of Hadji Murat.
Lev Tolstoy never interrupted his internal connection with Georgia,
the country of his writer’s birth. His extensive correspondence with
Georgian friends and even strangers testifying his true love and keen
interest in this country. Almost half a century after his departure from
Georgia, Tolstoy conceived a story based on Caucasian material, in which
Georgia occupies a leading place. The story was destined to become
one of the masterpieces of the world prose. It was “Hadji Murat” (1896-
1904, published in 1912). It is especially relevant for the 21st century,
when new cruel wars broke out.
In connection with the preparation of a new work, Lev Nikolayevich’s
ties with Georgian writers and scientists are expanding and revitalizing.
In search of historical materials, he turns to his great admirer, the
Georgian public figure and writer Ilya Nakashidze (1866-1923).
Head of the Military History Department, General V. Potto, an expert
on Caucasian wars, having provided Tolstoy with important information,
entrusts further work to his colleague Colonel Simon Esadze (1868-1927),
a well-known military historian of the Caucasus. S. Esadze sent Tolstoy
a detailed note with M. Loris-Melikov “From the stories and testimony of
Hadji Murat”, which almost completely were included into the narrative. All correspondents of the Russian classic rendered him invaluable help,
and the correspondence with Ilya Nakashidze went far beyond the
subject of Hadji Murat and acquired the character of family friendship.
Lev Tolstoy constantly expresses gratitude to his correspondents and
with surprising modesty asks for permission to send, for example, S.
Esadze his compositions with the author’s signature. It is known that
Tolstoy gave autographed books to his Georgian friend.
