Comparison of Russian and French mentalities in Tolstoy’s novel war and peace

this article examines a comparative analysis of Russian and French mental orientations based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace. The aim of the study is to identify the deep differences and points of intersection between the two cultural paradigms as manifested in language, moral values, historical self-perception, and the behavioral strategies of the characters. The French mentality, as represented in the artistic structure of the novel, appears as an expression of rationalist worldview, hierarchical social structures, and a dominant individualistic orientation—reflecting a desire for cognitive regulation of reality. In contrast, the Russian mental model emphasizes the significance of spiritual life, collective principles, and a focus on moral self-perfection, forming an emotionally and ethically charged perception of the world. The study is based on an integration of cultural-philosophical interpretation and philological analysis, which makes it possible to chart new directions in the fields of comparative literary studies, ethnopsychology, and intercultural hermeneutics.

Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace, mentality, intercultural analysis, French rationality, Russian spirituality, cultural identity