Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Is love a redemption or destruction for Sonya?


To be honest, when Sonya first came into my sight, I liked this kitten-like girl who passionately believed in her love with her cousin Nicholas. However, when I kept reading on, I found that Sonya was firmly convinced that her love would save her from the plain life rather than giving her an overwhelming destruction. I feel like that in the progress of the plot line, I see the girl I like at the beginning is gradually stepping into her ruin.

Sonya’s love for Nicholas is so blind that she eagerly sacrifices everything for the man she loves and even for his family. When Nicholas wanted to put his career first instead of his love with Sonya, she could sacrifice her thought of marriage for Nicholas. When the countess opposed the growing attachment between her and Nicholas, she could sacrifice her dignity for Nicholas and bear all the acrimony and vexation from the countess. When Sonya found out Natasha’s elopement with Anatole, she could sacrifice her three nights’ sleep for Nicholas. Sonya’s total world is centered in one man—Nicholas. She has sacrificed so much and I don’t know what else can she sacrifice next?

Love makes Sonya live for others instead of herself.  I just read that Nicholas grew affection for Princess Mary. I’m afraid that when the love—the only support in Sonya’s life—breaks down, will she want to kill herself like Natasha?

5 comments:

  1. I think that Sonya lives for more than just Nicholas. There are many examples of times when she realizes that Nicholas may never marry her, but she decides to love him forever. I think she knows she will never marry Nicholas, however, I think she lives for more than just him. I think she lives to help the Rostov family, and I think given the right opportunity, she could fall in love with another. After all, her love for Nicholas is based in childhood crushes.

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    1. I really hope Sonya can have the opportunity to love someone else. Leaving away from the love for Nicholas, Sonya will not depend on the Rostov's family so much. She might enjoy her own life instead of endless sacrifice.

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  2. I partially agree with you, Ashley. I feel Sonya realizes Nicholas likely will never marry her and has come to accept that fact. I don't know how sure I am that she could fall in love with another, however, because I agree with Kaiqian in thinking her love might be at an extent where Nicholas and his family have become her world and her love is so great she is not capable of loving another. I really like Sonya though because she is so unselfish and kind; I hope she ends up happy by the time the book is over!

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    1. I love Sonya at the beginning, so I really hope Tolstoy gives her an happy ending, too!

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  3. I think it's pretty clear that Sonya understands that she doesn't have a chance with Nicholas despite him promising to only marry her. What they had was puppy love and if she actually focuses her mind on something else-she can be happy without a man. With majority of the characters we see some kind of change that alters their behaviors so it will be interesting to see what Tolstoy does with Sonya. Will she find her own happiness or continue to only please others?

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