Tolstoy on National Characteristics

by Newnameelizabeth

War and Peace (13) Volume III

From this one brief encounter with Pfuel, Prince Andrei, owing to his memories of Austerlitz, formed a clear notion of the man’s character for himself. Pfuel was one of those hopelessly, permanently, painfully self-assured men as only Germans can be, and precisely because only Germans can be self-assured on the basis of abstract idea – science, that is, and imaginary knowledge of the perfect truth. A Frenchman is self-assured because he considers himself personally, in mind as well as body, irresistibly enchanting for men as well as women. An Englishman is self-assured on the grounds that he is a citizen of the best-organized state in the world, and therefore, as an Englishman, he always knows what he must do, and knows that everything he does as an Englishman is unquestionably good. An Italian is self-assured because he is excitable and easily forgets himself and others. A Russian is self-assured precisely because he does not know anything and does not want to know anything, because he does not believe it possible to know anything fully. A German is self-assured worst of all, and most firmly of all, and most disgustingly of all, because he imagines that he knows the truth, science, which he has invented himself, but which for him is the absolute truth. Such, obviously was Pfuel. (p. 639)

Where to begin. First impression, it is a stretch for Prince Andrei to be so self-assured of this assessment based on one experience with other nationals. He seems a device for Tolstoy’s self-assurance on these matters despite his being a Russian who supposedly doesn’t believe it’s possible to know anything. Secondly, prejudice is based on putting essence in front of person, which puts everyone in too simplistic a box that no one consistently fits in. Still, there are national tendencies and the above list is thus interesting.  It is also funny, as caricatures usually are. However, nationalist caricatures are now mostly viewed as racial stereotyping. At least this list points at everyone. It gets distasteful when one views one’s own culture as particularly superior to others, or one culture as particularly inferior. The more pointed stab at the Germans seems too based in anger and hatred, though German nationalism of course has gone through its identity superiority and subsequent crisis since then.

Can’t we all just get along? Kumbaya events are nice and healing, but can go too far the other way and diminish the value of individual cultural distinctions. American mixtures make it more difficult to evaluate one’s personal tendencies as based in rootedness in any of the above types. I am 1/4 German from my paternal Grandfather whose parents came to this country 100 years ago. The rest a Scotch/English mixture that has been marinating in the South for over 200 years. I do have a strong science streak and an English organizational/moralistic streak. There is another English characteristic that I don’t think I have, and that is their charming way of speaking which the writers such as Milne, Wodehouse, and Dickens possess. Perhaps that is a genetic strain that has bypassed me.

Or, perhaps certain geographic areas cultivate certain tendencies at the expense of others. I keep thinking there is a free, easy, charming, and clear way of expressing things inside of me, but German and Puritan imposed restraint stop me. Or past personal experiences. Or genetic incapability. Or lack of taking the opportunity. I don’t know despite not having any Russian relatives that I know of. I can still read and appreciate it however.