Victory and defeat are approximate themes. "Victory and defeat." Essay example. Several interesting essays

List of topics in new directions.

There will be no real topics on the Internet before the exam! These are just examples.

"Reason and Feeling"

You can be the master of your actions, but we are not free in our feelings. (Gustave Flaubert).

There is no need to give people hope for mutual feelings if there are none at all.

Do you need to let your feelings out?

When we are ready to give in to the dictates of our feelings, Shyness always prevents us from admitting it. Know how to recognize the tender call behind the coldness of words, the excitement of the soul and heart. (Moliere)

If reason reigned in the world, nothing would happen in it.

How terrible the mind can be if it does not serve a person (Sophocles).

Should reason obey science?

Is intelligence a lucky gift of man or his curse?

Do the rational and the moral always coincide?

Reason is a burning glass, which, while ignited, itself remains cold (René Descartes).

In an unreasonable age, reason set free is destructive to its owner (George Saville Halifax).

Feeling is a moral force that instinctively, without the help of reason, makes a judgment about everything that lives... (Pierre Simon Ballanche).

"Honor and Dishonor"

Our honor lies in following the best and improving the worst... (Plato)

Can honor resist dishonor?

Take care of your honor from a young age... (proverb)

How to choose in a difficult moment between honor and dishonor?

Where do dishonest people come from?

True and false honor.

Are there people of honor these days?

Which heroes live by honor?

Death or dishonor?

A dishonest person is ready for a dishonest deed.

Water will wash away everything, only dishonor cannot wash away.

It is better to be poor with honor than rich with dishonor

Is there a right to dishonor?

An honest person values ​​honor, but what should a dishonest person value?

Every dishonesty is a step towards dishonor.

"Victory and Defeat"

Every small victory over yourself gives you great hope in your own strength!

The winning tactic is to convince the enemy that he is doing everything right.

If you hate, it means you have been defeated (Confucius).

If the loser smiles, the winner loses the taste of victory.

Only the one who defeats himself wins in this life. Who conquered his fear, his laziness and his uncertainty.

All victories begin with victory over yourself.

No victory will bring as much as one defeat can take away.

Is it necessary and possible to judge the winners?

Do defeat and victory taste the same?

It's hard to admit defeat when you're so close to victory.

Victory achieved by violence is tantamount to defeat, because it is short-lived.

Do you agree with the statement “Victory... defeat... these lofty words are devoid of any meaning.”

"Experience and mistakes"

Does inexperience always lead to trouble?

The source of our wisdom is our experience.

The mistake of one is a lesson for another.

Experience is the best teacher, but the tuition fees are too high.

Experience teaches only those who learn from it.

Experience allows us to recognize a mistake every time we repeat it.

The wisdom of people is measured not by their experience, but by their capacity for experience.

For most of us, experience is the stern lights of a ship, which illuminate only the path traveled.

Mistakes are a common bridge between experience and wisdom.

The worst trait that all people have is to forget about all the good deeds after one mistake.

Should you always admit your own mistakes?

Can wise men make mistakes?

He who does nothing never makes mistakes.

All people make mistakes, but great people admit to mistakes.

The biggest mistake is trying to be nicer than you are.

"Friendship and Enmity"

Is it true that without true friendship life is nothing?

Is it possible to live life without having friends?

When can enmity develop into friendship?

You must be good with both friend and enemy! He who is kind by nature will not find malice in him. If you offend a friend, you will make an enemy; if you hug an enemy, you will gain a friend. (Omar Khayyam).

There is nothing better and more pleasant in the world than friendship: excluding friendship from life is like depriving the world of sunlight (Cicero).

Is it possible to love friends for their shortcomings?

Do you agree with the statement “Both friends and foes should be judged with equal measure” (Menander).

Even an enemy can be conquered by noble behavior.

Don't be afraid of the enemies attacking you. Beware of friends who flatter you!

Why does enmity arise between relatives?

You cannot shake hands with clenched fists.

There are no bad nations, there are only bad people...

If yesterday's friend became an enemy, then he was never a friend...

Beware and beware of the domestic enemy, for every arrow fired by the bow of his cunning and the bow of his ill will will bring death (Muhammad Azzahiri As-Samarkandi).

True friendship is based on common views, not common enemies.

The essay is evaluated according to five criteria:
1. relevance to the topic;
2. argumentation, attraction of literary material;

3. composition;

4. speech quality;
5. literacy

The first two criteria are required , and at least one of 3,4,5.

Victory and defeat

The direction allows you to think about victory and defeat in different aspects: socio-historical, moral-philosophical, psychological.

The reasoning can be related aswith external conflict events in the life of a person, country, world, and witha person's internal struggle with himself , its causes and results.
Literary works often show the concepts of “victory” and “defeat” in differenthistorical conditions and life situations.

Possible essay topics:

1. Can defeat become victory?

2. “The greatest victory is victory over oneself” (Cicero).

3. “Victory is always with those in whom there is agreement” (Publius).

4. “Victory achieved by violence is tantamount to defeat, because it is short-lived” (Mahatma Gandhi).

5. Victory is always desired.

6. Every small victory over oneself gives great hope in one’s own strength!

7. The winning tactic is to convince the enemy that he is doing everything right.

8. If you hate, it means you have been defeated (Confucius).

9. If the loser smiles, the winner loses the taste of victory.

10. Only the one who defeats himself wins in this life. Who conquered his fear, his laziness and his uncertainty.

11. All victories begin with victory over yourself.

12. No victory will bring as much as one defeat can take away.

13. Is it necessary and possible to judge the winners?

14 Do defeat and victory taste the same?

15. Is it difficult to admit defeat when you are so close to victory?

16. Do you agree with the statement “Victory... defeat... these lofty words are devoid of any meaning.”

17. “Losing and winning taste the same. Defeat tastes like tears. Victory tastes like sweat."

Possibleabstracts on the topic: "Victory and Defeat"

Victory. Every person has the desire to experience this intoxicating feeling. Even as a child, we felt like a winner when we received our first A's. As they grew older, they felt joy and satisfaction from achieving their goals, defeating their weaknesses - laziness, pessimism, maybe even indifference. Victory gives strength, makes a person more persistent and active. Everything around seems so beautiful.

Everyone can win. You need willpower, the desire to succeed, the desire to become a bright, interesting person.

Of course, both a careerist who has received another promotion and an egoist who has achieved some benefits by bringing pain to others experiences a kind of victory. And what a “victory” a money-hungry person experiences when he hears the clink of coins and the rustle of banknotes! Well, everyone decides for themselves what they strive for, what goals they set, and therefore “victories” can be completely different.

A person lives among people, so the opinions of others are never indifferent to him, no matter how much some people want to hide it. A victory appreciated by people is many times more pleasant. Everyone wants others to share their joy.

Victory over oneself becomes a way of survival for some. People with disabilities make efforts on themselves every day and strive to achieve results at the cost of incredible efforts. They are an example for others. The performances of athletes at the Paralympic Games are striking in how great the will to win these people are, how strong in spirit they are, how optimistic they are, no matter what.

The price of victory, what is it? Is it true that “winners are not judged”? You can think about this too. If the victory was achieved dishonestly, then it is worthless. Victory and lies, toughness, heartlessness are concepts that exclude each other. Only fair play, playing according to the rules of morality and decency, only this brings true victory.

It's not easy to win. Much needs to be done to achieve it. What if you suddenly lose? What then? It is important to understand that in life there are many difficulties and obstacles along the way. To be able to overcome them, to strive for victory even after defeat - this is what distinguishes a strong personality. It’s scary not to fall, but not to get up later in order to move on with dignity. Fall and get up, make mistakes and learn from your mistakes, retreat and move on - this is the only way you should strive to live on this earth. The main thing is to move forward towards your goal, and then victory will definitely be your reward.

The victory of the people during the war years is a sign of the cohesion of the nation, the unity of people who have a common destiny, traditions, history, and a single homeland.

How many great trials our people had to endure, what enemies we had to fight. Millions of people died during the Great Patriotic War, giving their lives for the Victory. They were waiting for her, dreaming about her, bringing her closer.

What gave you the strength to survive? Of course, love. Love for the homeland, loved ones and loved ones.

The first months of the war were a series of continuous defeats. How hard it was to realize that the enemy was advancing further and further across his native land, approaching Moscow. Defeats did not make people helpless and confused. On the contrary, they united the people and helped them understand how important it is to gather all their strength to repel the enemy.

And how everyone rejoiced together at the first victories, the first fireworks display, the first reports of the defeat of the enemy! The victory became the same for everyone, everyone contributed their share to it.

Man is born to win! Even the very fact of his birth is already a victory. You must strive to be a winner, the right person for your country, people, loved ones.

Quotes and epigraphs

The greatest is victory over oneself. (Cicero)

Man was not created to suffer defeat... Man can be destroyed, but he cannot be defeated. (Hemingway Ernest)

The joy of life is learned through victories, the truth of life - through defeats. A. Koval.

The consciousness of an honestly sustained struggle is almost higher than the triumph of victory. (Turgenev)

Wins and losses travel in the same sleigh. (Russian last)

Victory over the weak is like defeat. (Arabic last)

Where there is agreement, there. (Lat. seq.)

Be proud only of the victories you have won over yourself. (Tungsten)

You should not start a battle or war unless you are sure that you will gain more in victory than you will lose in defeat. (Octavian Augustus)

None will bring as much as one defeat can take away. (Gaius Julius Caesar)

Victory over fear gives us strength. (V. Hugo)

To never know defeat means to never fight. (Morihei Ueshiba)

No winner believes in chance. (Nietzsche)

Achieved by violence is tantamount to defeat, because it is short-term. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Nothing but a lost battle can compare even with half the sadness of a won battle. (Arthur Wellesley)

The winner's lack of generosity reduces the meaning and benefits of victory by half. (Giuseppe Mazzini)

The first step to victory is objectivity. (Tetcorax)

The winners sleep sweeter than the losers. (Plutarch)

World literature offers many arguments for victory and defeat :

L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace" (Pierre Bezukhov, Nikolai Rostov);

F.M. Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment (Raskolnikov’s act (the murder of Alena Ivanovna and Lizaveta) - victory or defeat?);

M. Bulgakov “Heart of a Dog” (Professor Preobrazhensky - did he defeat nature or lose to it?);

S. Alexievich “War does not have a woman’s face” (the price of victory in the Great Patriotic War is crippled lives, the fate of women)

I suggest 10 arguments on the topic: “Victory and defeat”

A.S. Griboedov “Woe from Wit”

A.S. Pushkin "Eugene Onegin"

N.V. Gogol “Dead Souls”

I.A.Goncharov "Oblomov"

A.N. Tolstoy “Peter the First”

E. Zamyatin “We”

A.A. Fadeev “Young Guard”

The famous work of A.S. Griboedov “Woe from Wit” is still relevant in our time. It has a lot of problems, bright, memorable characters.

The main character of the play is Alexander Andreevich Chatsky. The author shows his irreconcilable clash with Famus society. Chatsky does not accept the morality of this high society, their ideals, principles. He expresses this openly.

I don't read nonsense
And even more exemplary...

Where? show us, fathers of the fatherland,
Which ones should we take as models?
Aren't these the ones who are rich in robbery?

The regiments are busy recruiting teachers,
More in number, cheaper in price...

The houses are new, but the prejudices are old...

The ending of the work, at first glance, is tragic for the hero: he leaves this society, misunderstood in it, rejected by his beloved girl, literally flees from Moscow:"Give me a carriage, carriage ! So who is Chatsky: the winner or the loser? What is on his side: victory or defeat? Let's try to understand this.

The hero brought such a commotion into this society, in which everything is so scheduled by day, by hour, where everyone lives according to the order established by their ancestors, a society in which opinion is so important “Princess Marya Alekseevna " Isn't this a victory? To prove that you are a person who has your own point of view on everything, that you do not agree with these laws, to openly express your views about education, about service, about the order in Moscow - this is a real victory. Moral. It is no coincidence that they were so frightened of the hero, calling him crazy. And who else in their circle could object so much if not a madman?

Yes, it’s hard for Chatsky to realize that he was not understood here. After all, Famusov’s house is dear to him, his youth passed here, here he first fell in love, he rushed here after a long separation. But he will never adapt. He has a different road - the road of honor, service to the Fatherland. He does not accept false feelings and emotions. And in this he is a winner.

A.S. Pushkin "Eugene Onegin"

Evgeny Onegin, the hero of the novel by A.S. Pushkin, is a contradictory personality who has not found himself in this society. It is no coincidence that in literature such heroes are called “superfluous people.”

One of the central scenes of the work is Onegin’s duel with Vladimir Lensky, a young romantic poet passionately in love with Olga Larina. Challenging an opponent to a duel and defending one’s honor was common practice in noble society. It seems that both Lensky and Onegin are trying to defend their truth. However, the result of the duel is terrible - the death of young Lensky. He was only 18 years old and had his life ahead of him.

Will I fall, pierced by an arrow,
Or she will fly by,
All good: vigil and sleep
The certain hour comes;
Blessed is the day of worries,
Blessed is the coming of darkness!

Is the death of a man whom you called a friend a victory for Onegin? No, this is a manifestation of Onegin’s weakness, selfishness, unwillingness to overcome the insult. It is no coincidence that this fight changed the hero’s life. He began to travel around the world. His soul could not find peace.

So victory can become defeat at the same time. What matters is what the price of victory is, and whether it is necessary at all, if the result is the death of another.

M.Yu. Lermontov “Hero of Our Time”

Pechorin, the hero of the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov, evokes conflicting feelings among readers. So, in his behavior with women, almost everyone agrees - the hero here shows his selfishness, and sometimes simply callousness. Pechorin seems to be playing with the destinies of the women who love him.(“I feel in myself this insatiable greed, devouring everything that comes my way; I look at the sufferings and joys of others only in relation to myself, as food that supports my spiritual strength.”)Let's remember Bela. She was deprived by the hero of everything - her home, her loved ones. She has nothing left except the hero’s love. Bela fell in love with Pechorin, sincerely, with all her soul. However, having achieved her by all possible means - both deception and dishonest acts - he soon began to grow cold towards her.(“I was wrong again: the love of a savage is little better than the love of a noble lady; the ignorance and simple-heartedness of one are just as annoying as the coquetry of the other.”)Pechorin is largely to blame for the fact that Bela died. He did not give her the love, the happiness, attention and care that she deserves. Yes, he won, Bela became his. But is this a victory? No, this is a defeat, since the beloved woman did not become happy.

Pechorin himself is capable of condemning himself for his actions. But he can’t and doesn’t want to change anything about himself: “Whether I am a fool or a villain, I don’t know; but it is true that I am also very worthy of regret, perhaps more than she: my soul is spoiled by light, my imagination is restless, my heart is insatiable; I can’t get enough...", "I sometimes despise myself..."

N.V. Gogol “Dead Souls”

The work “Dead Souls” is still interesting and relevant. It is no coincidence that performances are staged based on it, and multi-part feature films are created. The poem (this is the genre indicated by the author himself) intertwines philosophical, social, moral problems and themes. The theme of victory and defeat also found its place in it.

The main character of the poem is Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. He clearly followed the instructions of his father:“Take care and save a penny... You can change everything in the world with a penny.”Since childhood, he began saving it, this penny, and carried out more than one dark operation. In the city of NN, he decided on a grandiose and almost fantastic enterprise - to redeem dead peasants according to the “Revision Tales”, and then sell them as if they were alive.

To do this, he must be inconspicuous and at the same time interesting to everyone with whom he communicated. And Chichikov succeeded in this:“... knew how to flatter everyone,” “entered sideways,” “sat down at an angle,” “answered by bowing his head,” “put a carnation in his nose,” “brought a snuff-box with violets at the bottom.”

At the same time, he tried not to stand out too much(“not handsome, but not bad-looking, neither too fat nor too thin, one cannot say that he is old, but not that he is too young”)

Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov at the end of the work is a real winner. He managed to fraudulently make himself a fortune and left with impunity. It seems that the hero clearly follows his goal, follows the intended path. But what awaits this hero in the future if he chose hoarding as his main goal in life? Isn’t Plyushkin’s fate destined for him too, whose soul was completely at the mercy of money? Anything is possible. But the fact that with each acquired “dead soul” he himself morally falls is certain. And this is defeat, because human feelings in him were suppressed by acquisitions, hypocrisy, lies, and selfishness. And although N.V. Gogol emphasizes that people like Chichikov are “a terrible and vile force,” the future does not belong to them, yet they are not the masters of life. How relevant are the words of the writer addressed to young people:“Take it with you on the journey, emerging from the soft years of youth into stern, embittered courage, take with you all human movements, do not leave them on the road, you will not pick them up later!”

I.A.Goncharov "Oblomov"

Victory over yourself, over your weaknesses and shortcomings. It is worth a lot if a person reaches the end, the goal that he has set. Ilya Oblomov, the hero of the novel by I.A. Goncharov, is not like that. Sloth celebrates victory over his master. She sits so firmly in him that it seems that nothing can make the hero get up from his sofa, simply write a letter to his estate, find out how things are going there. And yet the hero tried to make an attempt to overcome himself, his reluctance to do something in this life. Thanks to Olga and his love for her, he began to transform: he finally got up from the couch, began to read, walked a lot, dreamed, talked with the heroine. However, he soon abandoned this idea. Outwardly, the hero himself justifies his behavior by saying that he cannot give her what she deserves. But, most likely, these are just more excuses. Laziness dragged him away again, returned him to his favorite sofa("...There is no peace in love, and it keeps moving somewhere forward, forward...")It is no coincidence that “Oblomov” has become a common noun, denoting a lazy person who does not want to do anything, who does not strive for anything. (Stolz’s words: “It began with the inability to put on stockings and ended with the inability to live."

Oblomov pondered the meaning of life, understood that it was impossible to live like this, but did nothing to change everything:“When you don’t know why you live, you live somehow, day after day; you rejoice that the day has passed, that the night has passed, and in your sleep you plunge into the boring question of why you lived this day, why you will live tomorrow.”

Oblomov failed to defeat himself. However, the defeat did not upset him so much. At the end of the novel, we see the hero in a quiet family circle, he is loved and cared for, as he once was in childhood. This is the ideal of his life, this is what he achieved. Also, however, having won a “victory”, because his life has become the way he wants it to be. But why is there always some kind of sadness in his eyes? Maybe because of unfulfilled hopes?

L.N. Tolstoy "Sevastopol Stories"

“Sevastopol Stories” is a work by a young writer that brought fame to Leo Tolstoy. An officer, himself a participant in the Crimean War, the author realistically described the horrors of war, the grief of people, the pain and suffering of the wounded.(“The hero, whom I love with all the strength of my soul, whom I tried to reproduce in all his beauty and who has always been, is and will be beautiful, is true.”)

The center of the story is the defense and then the surrender of Sevastopol to the Turks. The entire city, along with the soldiers, defended itself; everyone, young and old, contributed to the defense. However, the forces were too unequal. The city had to be surrendered. Outwardly it is a defeat. However, if you look closely at the faces of the defenders, the soldiers, at how much hatred they have for the enemy, the unbending will to win, then we can conclude that the city has been surrendered, but the people have not accepted their defeat, they will still regain their pride, victory is certain will be ahead.(“Almost every soldier, looking from the northern side at abandoned Sevastopol, sighed with inexpressible bitterness in his heart and threatened his enemies."Failure is not always the end of something. This could be the beginning of a new, future victory. It will prepare this victory, because people, having gained experience and taken into account mistakes, will do everything to win.

A.N. Tolstoy “Peter the First”

A.N. Tolstoy’s historical novel “Peter the Great,” dedicated to the distant era of Peter the Great, fascinates readers even today. I read with interest the pages in which the author shows how the young king matured, how he overcame obstacles, learned from his mistakes and achieved victories.

More space is occupied by the description of the Azov campaigns of Peter the Great in 1695-1696. The failure of the first campaign did not break young Peter.(...Confusion is a good lesson... We are not looking for glory... And they will beat us ten more times, then we will overcome).
He began to build a fleet, strengthen the army, and the result was the greatest victory over the Turks - the capture of the Azov fortress. This was the first victory of the young king, an active, life-loving man, striving to do a lot(“Neither an animal nor a single person, probably, wanted to live with such greed as Peter... «)
This is an example of a ruler who achieves his goal and strengthens the power and international authority of the country. Defeat becomes an impetus for further development for him. The result is victory!

E. Zamyatin “We”

The novel “We”, written by E. Zamyatin, is a dystopia. By this, the author wanted to emphasize that the events depicted in it are not so fantastic, that under the emerging totalitarian regime something similar could happen, and most importantly, a person will completely lose his “I”, he will not even have a name - only a number.

These are the main characters of the work: he - D 503 and she - I-330

The hero has become a cog in the huge mechanism of the United State, in which everything is clearly regulated. He is completely subordinate to the laws of the state, where everyone is happy.

Another heroine of I-330, it was she who showed the hero the “unreasonable” world of living nature, a world that is fenced off from the inhabitants of the state by the Green Wall.

There is a struggle between what is allowed and what is forbidden. How to proceed? The hero experiences feelings previously unknown to him. He goes after his beloved. However, in the end the system defeated him, the hero, part of this system, says:“I am confident that we will win. Because reason must win."The hero is calm again, he, having undergone the operation, having regained calm, looks calmly at how his woman dies under the gas bell.

And the heroine of I-330, although she died, remained undefeated. She did everything she could for a life in which everyone decides for themselves what to do, who to love, how to live.

Victory and defeat. They are often so close on a person's path. And what choice a person makes - to victory or defeat - depends on him too, regardless of the society in which he lives. To become a united people, but to preserve one’s “I” is one of the motives of E. Zamyatin’s work.

A.A. Fadeev “Young Guard”

Oleg Koshevoy, Ulyana Gromova, Lyubov Shevtsova, Sergei Tyulenin and many others are young people, almost teenagers who have just graduated from school. IN

During the Great Patriotic War, in Krasnodon, which was occupied by the Germans, they created their own underground organization “Young Guard”. The famous novel by A. Fadeev is dedicated to a description of their feat.

The characters are shown by the author with love and tenderness. The reader sees how they dream, love, make friends, enjoy life, no matter what (Despite everything that was happening around and in the whole world, the young man and the girl declared their love... they declared their love, as they declare only in their youth, that is, they talked about absolutely everything except love.) Risking their lives, they put up leaflets and burn the German commandant’s office, where lists of people who were supposed to be sent to Germany are kept. Youthful enthusiasm and courage are characteristic of them. (No matter how difficult and terrible the war is, no matter how cruel the losses and suffering it brings to people, youth with its health and joy of life, with its naive kind egoism, love and dreams of the future does not want and does not know how to see the danger behind the general danger and suffering and suffering for herself until they come and disrupt her happy walk.)

However, the organization was betrayed by a traitor. All its members died. But even in the face of death, none of them became a traitor, did not betray their comrades. Death is always a defeat, but fortitude is a victory. The heroes are alive in the hearts of people, a monument was erected to them in their homeland, a museum was created. The novel is dedicated to the feat of the Young Guard.

B.L. Vasiliev “And the dawns here are quiet”

The Great Patriotic War is a glorious and at the same time tragic page in the history of Russia. How many millions of lives she took! How many people became heroes defending their homeland!

War does not have a woman’s face - this is the leitmotif of B. Vasilyev’s story “And Here They Are Quiet.” A woman, whose natural destiny is to give life, to be the keeper of the family hearth, to personify tenderness and love, puts on soldier’s boots, a uniform, takes up a weapon and goes to kill. What could be worse?

Five girls - Zhenya Komelkova, Rita Osyanina, Galina Chetvertak, Sonya Gurvich, Liza Brichkina - died in the war against the Nazis. Everyone had their own dreams, everyone wanted love, and just life..(“...I lived all nineteen years in the feeling of tomorrow.”)
But the war took all this away from them.("It was so stupid, so absurd and implausible to die at nineteen years old.")
Heroines die in different ways. So, Zhenya Komelkova accomplishes a true feat, leading the Germans away from her comrades, and Galya Chetvertak, simply frightened of the Germans, screams in horror and runs away from them. But we understand each of them. War is a terrible thing, and the fact that they went to the front voluntarily, knowing that death could await them, is already a feat of these young, fragile, gentle girls.

Yes, the girls died, the lives of five people were cut short - this, of course, is a defeat. It is no coincidence that Vaskov, this battle-hardened man, is crying; it is no coincidence that his terrible face, filled with hatred, causes horror among the fascists. He, alone, captured several people! But still, this is a victory—a victory for the moral spirit of the Soviet people, their unshakable faith, their perseverance and heroism. And Rita Osyanina’s son, who became an officer, is a continuation of life. And if life continues, this is already a victory - a victory over death!

Examples of essays:

№1 There is nothing more courageous than victory over yourself.

What is victory? Why is the most important thing in life to win over yourself? It is these questions that the statement of Erasmus of Rotterdam makes us think about: “There is nothing more courageous than victory over ourselves.”I believe that victory is always a success in the fight for something. Conquering yourself means overcoming yourself, your fears and doubts, overcoming laziness and uncertainty that interfere with achieving any goal. The internal struggle is always more difficult, because a person must admit to himself his mistakes, and also that the cause of failures is only himself. And this is not easy for a person, since it is easier to blame someone else than yourself. People often lose in this war because they lack willpower and courage. That is why victory over oneself is considered the most courageous.Many writers have discussed the importance of victory in the fight over one’s vices and fears. For example, in his novel “Oblomov,” Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov shows us a hero who is unable to overcome his laziness, which became the cause of his meaningless life. Ilya Ilyich Oblomov leads a sleepy and motionless lifestyle. Reading the novel, in this hero we see traits that are characteristic of ourselves, namely: laziness. And so, when Ilya Ilyich meets Olga Ilyinskaya, at some point it seems to us that he will finally get rid of this vice. We celebrate the changes that have happened to him. Oblomov gets up from his couch, goes on dates, visits theaters, and begins to become interested in the problems of the neglected estate, but, unfortunately, the changes turned out to be short-lived. In the fight with himself, with his laziness, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov loses. I believe that laziness is a vice of most people. After reading the novel, I concluded that if we weren’t lazy, many of us would reach high heights. Each of us needs to fight laziness; defeating it will be a big step towards future success.Another example confirming the words of Erasmus of Rotterdam about the importance of victory over oneself can be seen in the work of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment.” The main character Rodion Raskolnikov at the beginning of the novel is obsessed with an idea. According to his theory, all people are divided into two categories: “those with the right” and “trembling creatures.” The first are people who are capable of transgressing moral laws, strong personalities, and the second are weak and weak-willed people. To test the correctness of his theory, as well as to confirm that he is a “superman,” Raskolnikov commits a brutal murder, after which his whole life turns into hell. It turned out that he is not Napoleon at all. The hero is disappointed in himself, because he was able to kill, but “he didn’t cross.” The realization of the fallacy of his inhuman theory comes after a long time, and then he finally understands that he does not want to be a “superman”. Thus, Raskolnikov’s defeat in front of his theory turned out to be his victory over himself. The hero, in the fight against the evil that has gripped his mind, wins. Raskolnikov retained the man within himself and took the difficult path of repentance, which would lead him to purification.Thus, any success in the fight against oneself, with one’s wrong judgments, vices and fears, is the most necessary and important victory. It makes us better, makes us move forward and improve ourselves.

№2. Victory is always desired

Victory is always desirable. We expect victory from early childhood, playing different games. We need to win at all costs. And the one who wins feels like the king of the situation. And someone is a loser because he doesn’t run so fast or the chips just fell out wrong. Is victory really necessary? Who can be considered the winner? Is victory always an indicator of true superiority?

In Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's comedy “The Cherry Orchard” the conflict is centered on the confrontation between the old and the new. Noble society, brought up on the ideals of the past, has stopped in its development, accustomed to receiving everything without much difficulty, by right of birth, Ranevskaya and Gaev are helpless before the need for action. They are paralyzed, cannot make a decision, cannot move. Their world is collapsing, going to hell, and they are building rainbow projects, starting an unnecessary holiday in the house on the day of the estate auction. And then Lopakhin appears - a former serf, and now the owner of the cherry orchard. Victory intoxicated him. At first he tries to hide his joy, but soon triumph overwhelms him and, no longer embarrassed, he laughs and literally shouts:

My God, my God, my cherry orchard! Tell me that I'm drunk, out of my mind, that I'm imagining all this...
Of course, the slavery of his grandfather and father may justify his behavior, but in the face of, according to him, his beloved Ranevskaya, it looks, at least, tactless. And here it is already difficult to stop him, like a real master of life, a winner he demands:

Hey musicians, play, I want to listen to you! Come and watch how Ermolai Lopakhin takes an ax to the cherry orchard and how the trees fall to the ground!
Maybe, from the point of view of progress, Lopakhin’s victory is a step forward, but somehow it becomes sad after such victories. The garden is cut down without waiting for the former owners to leave, Firs is forgotten in the boarded-up house... Does such a play have a morning?

In the story “The Garnet Bracelet” by Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin, the focus is on the fate of a young man who dared to fall in love with a woman outside his circle. G.S.J. He has long and devotedly loved Princess Vera. His gift - a garnet bracelet - immediately attracted the woman’s attention, because the stones suddenly lit up like “lovely, rich red living lights. “Definitely blood!” - Vera thought with unexpected alarm.” Unequal relationships are always fraught with serious consequences. The alarming premonitions did not deceive the princess. The need to put the presumptuous scoundrel in his place at all costs arises not so much from the husband as from Vera’s brother. Appearing in front of Zheltkov, representatives of high society a priori behave like winners. Zheltkov’s behavior strengthens them in their confidence: “his trembling hands ran around, fiddling with buttons, pinching his light reddish mustache, touching his face unnecessarily.” The poor telegraph operator is crushed, confused, and feels guilty. But only Nikolai Nikolaevich remembers the authorities to whom the defenders of the honor of his wife and sister wanted to turn, when Zheltkov suddenly changes. No one has power over him, over his feelings, except the object of his adoration. No authorities can prohibit loving a woman. And to suffer for the sake of love, to give one’s life for it - this is the true victory of the great feeling that G.S.Zh was lucky enough to experience. He leaves silently and confidently. His letter to Vera is a hymn to a great feeling, a triumphant song of Love! His death is his victory over the insignificant prejudices of pathetic nobles who feel like masters of life.

Victory, as it turns out, can be more dangerous and disgusting than defeat if it tramples on eternal values ​​and distorts the moral foundations of life.

№3 . The greatest is victory over oneself.

Every person experiences victory and defeat throughout his life.A person's internal struggle with himselfcan lead a person to victory or defeat. Sometimes he himself cannot even immediately understand whether this is a victory or a defeat. Butthe greatest is victory over oneself.

To answer the question: “What does Katerina’s suicide mean - her victory or defeat?”, it is necessary to understand the circumstances of her life, the motives of her actions, to understand the complexity and inconsistency of her nature and the originality of her character.

Katerina is a moral person. She grew up and was brought up in a bourgeois family, in a religious atmosphere, but she absorbed all the best that the patriarchal way of life could give. She has a sense of self-esteem, a sense of beauty, and she is characterized by the experience of beauty, which was brought up in her childhood. N.A. Dobrolyubov noted the image of Katerina precisely in the integrity of her character, in the ability to be herself everywhere and always, to never betray herself in anything.

Arriving at her husband’s house, Katerina was faced with a completely different way of life, in the sense that it was a life in which violence, tyranny, and humiliation of human dignity reigned. Katerina’s life changed dramatically, and the events took on a tragic character, but this might not have happened if not for the despotic character of her mother-in-law, Marfa Kabanova, who considers fear to be the basis of “pedagogy”. Her philosophy of life is to frighten and keep in obedience with fear. She is jealous of her son towards the Young Wife and believes that he is not strict enough with Katerina. She is afraid that her youngest daughter Varvara might be “infected” by such a bad example, and that her future husband might later reproach her mother-in-law for not being strict enough in raising her daughter. Katerina, humble in appearance, becomes for Marfa Kabanova the personification of a hidden danger that she feels intuitively. So Kabanikha seeks to subjugate, break Katerina’s fragile character, force her to live according to her own laws, and so she sharpens her “like rusty iron.” But Katerina, endowed with spiritual gentleness and trepidation, is capable in some cases of showing both firmness and strong-willed determination - she does not want to put up with this situation. “Eh, Varya, you don’t know my character!” she says. “Of course, God forbid this happens! And if I get really tired of being here, you won’t be able to hold me back with any force. I’ll throw myself out the window, throw myself into the Volga. I don’t want to be here.” I won’t live like that, even if you cut me!” She feels the need to love freely and therefore enters into a struggle not only with the world of the “dark kingdom”, but also with her own beliefs, with her own nature, incapable of lies and deception. A heightened sense of justice makes her doubt the correctness of her actions, and she perceives the awakened feeling of love for Boris as a terrible sin, because, having fallen in love, she violated those moral principles that she considered sacred.

But she also cannot give up her love, because it is love that gives her the much-needed feeling of freedom. Katerina is forced to hide her dates, but living a life of deception is unbearable for her. Therefore, she wants to free herself from them by her public repentance, but only further complicates her already painful existence. Katerina’s repentance shows the depth of her suffering, moral greatness, and determination. But how can she continue to live, if even after she repented of her sin in front of everyone, it did not become easier. It is impossible to return to your husband and mother-in-law: everything there is foreign. Tikhon will not dare to openly condemn his mother’s tyranny, Boris is a weak-willed man, he will not come to the rescue, and continuing to live in the Kabanovs’ house is immoral. Previously, they couldn’t even reproach her, she could feel that she was right in front of these people, but now she is guilty in front of them. She can only submit. But it is no coincidence that the work contains the image of a bird deprived of the opportunity to live in the wild. For Katerina, it is better not to live at all than to put up with the “miserable vegetation” that is destined for her “in exchange for her living soul.” N.A. Dobrolyubov wrote that Katerina’s character “is full of faith in new ideals and selfless in the sense that it is better for him to die than to live under those principles that are disgusting to him.” To live in a world of “hidden, quietly sighing sorrow... prison, deathly silence...”, where “there is no space and freedom for living thought, for sincere words, for noble deeds; a heavy tyrant ban is imposed on loud, open, widespread activity "There is no way for her. If she cannot enjoy her feeling, her will legally, “in broad daylight, in front of all the people, if something that is so dear to her is snatched away from her, then she doesn’t want anything in life, she doesn’t even want life...” .

Katerina did not want to put up with the reality that kills human dignity, could not live without moral purity, love and harmony, and therefore got rid of suffering in the only way possible in those circumstances. “... Simply as a human being, we are glad to see Katerina’s deliverance - even through death, if there is no other way... A healthy personality breathes upon us with joyful, fresh life, finding within itself the determination to end this rotten life at any cost !..” - says N.A. Dobrolyubov. And therefore, the tragic ending of the drama - Katerina’s suicide - is not a defeat, but an affirmation of the strength of a free person, - this is a protest against Kabanov’s concepts of morality, “proclaimed under domestic torture, and over the abyss into which the poor woman threw herself,” this is “a terrible challenge to the tyrant power ". And in this sense, Katerina’s suicide is her victory.

№4. P Defeat is not only a loss, but also an acknowledgment of this loss.

In my opinion, victory is the success of something, and defeat is not only a loss in something, but also the recognition of this loss. We will prove it using examples from the well-known writer Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol from the story “Taras and Bulba”.

Firstly, I believe that the youngest son betrayed his homeland and Cossack honor, for the sake of love. This is both victory and defeat, victory is that he defended his love, and defeat is that the betrayal he committed: going against his father, his homeland is unforgivable.

Secondly, Taras Bulba, having committed his act: killing his son, is probably most of all a defeat. Even though it’s a war, you have to kill, and then live with it all your life, suffering, but it was impossible to do otherwise, since war, unfortunately, has no regrets.

Thus, to summarize, this story by Gogol tells about ordinary life that can happen to someone, but we must remember that admitting your mistakes is necessary immediately and not only when it is proven by fact, but in its essence, but for you need to have a conscience for this.

№5. Can victory become defeat?

There are probably no people in the world who would not dream of victory. Every day we win small victories or suffer defeats. Trying to achieve success over yourself and your weaknesses, getting up thirty minutes earlier in the morning, studying in the sports section, preparing lessons that are not going well. Sometimes such victories become a step towards success, towards self-affirmation. But this doesn't always happen. Apparent victory turns into defeat, but defeat is, in fact, victory.

In A.S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit,” the main character A.A. Chatsky, after a three-year absence, returns to the society in which he grew up. Everything is familiar to him; he has a categorical judgment about every representative of secular society. “The houses are new, but the prejudices are old,” the young, hot-blooded man concludes about the renewed Moscow. The Famusov society adheres to the strict rules of the times of Catherine:
“honor according to father and son”, “be bad, but if there are two thousand family souls - he and the groom”, “the door is open for those invited and uninvited, especially from foreigners”, “it’s not that they introduce new things - never” “they are judges of everything, everywhere, there are no judges above them.”
And only servility, veneration, and hypocrisy rule over the minds and hearts of the “chosen” representatives of the top of the noble class. Chatsky with his views turns out to be out of place. In his opinion, “ranks are given by people, but people can be deceived,” seeking patronage from those in power is low, one must achieve success with intelligence, and not with servility. Famusov, barely hearing his reasoning, covers his ears and shouts: “... to trial!” He considers young Chatsky a revolutionary, a “carbonari,” a dangerous person, and when Skalozub appears, he asks not to express his thoughts out loud. And when the young man does begin to express his views, he quickly leaves, not wanting to bear responsibility for his judgments. However, the colonel turns out to be a narrow-minded person and only catches discussions about uniforms. In general, few people understand Chatsky at Famusov’s ball: the owner himself, Sophia and Molchalin. But each of them makes his own verdict. Famusov would prohibit such people from approaching the capital for a shot, Sophia says that he is “not a man - a snake,” and Molchalin decides that Chatsky is simply a loser. The final verdict of the Moscow world is madness! At the climactic moment, when the hero makes his keynote speech, no one in the hall listens to him. You can say that Chatsky is defeated, but this is not so! I.A. Goncharov believes that the hero of the comedy is a winner, and one cannot but agree with him. The appearance of this man shook up the stagnant Famus society, destroyed Sophia’s illusions, and shook Molchalin’s position.

In I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” two opponents collide in a heated argument: a representative of the younger generation, the nihilist Bazarov, and the nobleman P. P. Kirsanov. One lived an idle life, spent the lion's share of the allotted time on love for the famous beauty, socialite - Princess R. But, despite this lifestyle, he gained experience, experienced, probably, the most important feeling that overtook him, washed away everything superficial, arrogance and self-confidence were knocked down. This feeling is love. Bazarov boldly judges everything, considering himself a “self-made man,” a man who made his name only through his own labor and intelligence. In a dispute with Kirsanov, he is categorical, harsh, but observes external decency, but Pavel Petrovich cannot stand it and breaks down, indirectly calling Bazarov a “blockhead”:
...before they were just idiots, and now they suddenly became nihilists.
Bazarov's external victory in this dispute, then in the duel turns out to be a defeat in the main confrontation. Having met his first and only love, the young man is unable to survive defeat, does not want to admit failure, but cannot do anything. Without love, without sweet eyes, such desirable hands and lips, life is not needed. He becomes distracted, cannot concentrate, and no amount of denial helps him in this confrontation. Yes, it seems that Bazarov won, because he so stoically goes to death, silently struggles with the disease, but in fact he lost, because he lost everything for which it was worth living and creating.

Courage and determination in any struggle are essential. But sometimes you need to put aside self-confidence, look around, re-read the classics so as not to make a mistake in the right choice. This is how life is. And when you defeat someone, you should think about whether this is a victory!

№6 Essay topic: Are there winners in love?

The theme of love has concerned people since ancient times. In many works of fiction, writers talk about what true love is and its place in people’s lives. In some books you can find the idea that this feeling is competitive in nature. But is it? Are there really winners and losers in love? Thinking about this, I can’t help but remember the story “The Garnet Bracelet” by Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin.
In this work you can find a large number of love lines between the characters, which can be confusing. However, the main one among them is the connection between the official Zheltkov and Princess Vera Nikolaevna Sheina. Kuprin describes this love as unrequited, but passionate. At the same time, Zheltkov’s feelings are not vulgar in nature, even though he is in love with a married woman. His love is pure and bright, for him it expands to the size of the whole world, becomes life itself. The official does not spare anything for his beloved: he gives her his most valuable thing - his great-grandmother's garnet bracelet.
However, after the visit of Vasily Lvovich Shein, the princess’s husband, and Nikolai Nikolaevich, the princess’s brother, Zheltkov realizes that he will no longer be able to be in the world of Vera Nikolaevna, even at a distance. In essence, the official is deprived of the only meaning of his existence, and therefore he decides to sacrifice his life for the happiness and peace of mind of the woman he loves. But his death does not become in vain, because it affects the feelings of the princess.
At the beginning of the story, Vera Nikolaevna “is in a sweet slumber.” She lives a measured life and does not suspect that her feelings for her husband are not true love. The author even points out that their relationship has long flown into a state of true friendship. Vera's awakening comes with the appearance of a garnet bracelet with a letter from her admirer, which brings anticipation and excitement into her life. Complete relief from drowsiness occurs after the death of Zheltkov. Vera Nikolaevna, seeing the expression on the face of the already dead official, thinks that he is a great sufferer, like Pushkin and Napoleon were. She realizes that an exceptional love has passed her by, the kind that all women expect and few men can give.
In this story, Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin wants to convey the idea that in love there can be no winners or losers. This unearthly feeling that spiritually elevates a person is a tragedy and a great mystery.
And in conclusion, I would like to say that, in my opinion, love is a concept that has nothing to do with the material world. This is a sublime feeling from which the concepts of victory and defeat are far away, because few manage to comprehend it.

№7. The most important victory is victory over yourself

№8.

Essay topic: True defeat comes not from the enemy, but from oneself

A person's life consists of his victories and defeats. Victory, of course, makes a person happy, but defeat makes a person sad. But it’s worth thinking about whether a person himself is to blame for his own defeat?
Thinking about this question, I remember Kuprin’s story “The Duel.” The main character of the work, Romashov Grigory Alekseevich, wears heavy rubber galoshes one and a half quarters deep, covered to the top with thick, dough-like black mud, and an overcoat cut off at the knees, with fringe hanging at the bottom, with salted and stretched loops. He is a little clumsy and constrained in action. Looking at himself from the outside, he feels insecure, thereby pushing himself to defeat.
Considering the image of Romashov, we can say that he is a loser. But despite this, his responsiveness evokes special sympathy. So he stands up for the Tatar, in front of the colonel, and keeps the soldier Khlebnikov, driven to despair by bullying and beatings, from committing suicide. Romashov’s humanity also manifests itself in the case of Bek - Agamalov, when the hero, risking his life, protects many people from him. However, his love for Alexandra Petrovna Nikolaeva leads him to the most important defeat of his life. Blinded by his love for Shurochka, he does not notice that she just wants to escape from the army environment. The finale of Romashov’s love tragedy is the nighttime appearance of Shurochka in his apartment, when she comes to offer the terms of a duel with her husband and to buy her prosperous future at the cost of Romashov’s life. Grigory guesses this, but because of his strong love for this woman, he agrees to all the conditions of the duel. And at the end of the story he dies, deceived by Shurochka.
Summarizing what has been said, we can say that Second Lieutenant Romashov, like many people, is the culprit of his own defeat.

When we hear the words “victory” and “defeat,” images of military action or sports competitions usually appear before our eyes. But these concepts themselves, of course, are much broader and accompany us every day. Victory or defeat always involves confrontation with someone or something. Our life, whether we like it or not, is a struggle with circumstances, problems, competitors. And the more serious the opponent, the more significant and important the victory over him is for us. To win a grueling struggle against a powerful enemy means to become better, stronger. But if the enemy is obviously weaker, can such a victory be called real?

It seems to me that victory over the weak is still a defeat. Moreover, if a person enters into confrontation with someone who cannot fight back, he shows his moral weakness. Many Russian writers shared the same opinion. Thus, in A.S. Pushkin’s novel “Dubrovsky” we see the landowner Troekurov, who, out of a sense of resentment, deprived his longtime friend Andrei Gavrilovich of his estate. The imperious tyrant Kirila Petrovich, using his influence and wealth, ruined the Dubrovsky family. As a result, Andrei Gavrilovich, struck by such betrayal, goes crazy and soon dies, and his son Vladimir becomes a noble robber. Can Troekurov, who took advantage of his opponent’s weakness, be called a real winner? Of course not. The true moral victory in the novel is won by the younger Dubrovsky, who gave up revenge, falling in love with Masha, the daughter of his enemy.

Prepared material

Since the 2014-2015 academic year, the program for the state final certification of schoolchildren has included a final graduation essay. This format differs significantly from the classic exam. The work is of a non-subject nature, relying on the graduate’s knowledge in the field of literature. The essay aims to reveal the examinee’s ability to reason on a given topic and argue his point of view. Mainly, the final essay allows you to assess the level of speech culture of the graduate. For the examination paper, five topics from a closed list are offered.

1. Introduction
2. Main part - thesis and arguments
3. Conclusion - conclusion

The final essay 2016-2017 requires a volume of 350 words or more.

The time allotted for the examination work is 3 hours 55 minutes.

Topics for the final essay

The questions proposed for consideration are usually addressed to the inner world of a person, personal relationships, psychological characteristics and concepts of universal morality. Thus, the topics of the final essay for the 2016-2017 academic year include the following areas:

1. "Victory and Defeat"

Here are concepts that the examinee will have to reveal in the process of reasoning, turning to examples from the world of literature. In the final essay 2016-2017, the graduate must identify the relationships between these categories based on analysis, construction of logical relationships and application of knowledge of literary works.

One such theme is “Victory and Losing.”

As a rule, works from a school literature course are a large gallery of different images and characters that can be used to write a final essay on the topic “Victory and Defeat.”

• Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace"
• Roman I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons"
• Tale by N.V. Gogol "Taras Bulba"
• Story by M.A. Sholokhov "The Fate of Man"
• Story by A.S. Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter"
• Roman I.A. Goncharov "Oblomov"

Arguments for the theme “Victory and defeat” 2016-2017

• “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy

The theme of victory and defeat itself is present in the war in its most obvious manifestation. War of 1812 - this is one of the largest and most significant events for Russia, during which the national spirit and patriotism of the population, as well as the skill of the Russian high command, were demonstrated. After the council in Fili, the Russian commander M.I. Kutuzov decided to leave Moscow. Thus, it was planned to save the troops and thereby Russia. This decision does not demonstrate defeat in military operations - but on the contrary: it proves the invincibility of the Russian people. After all, after the military, all its residents, representatives of high society and the nobility began to leave the city. The people demonstrated their disobedience to the French by leaving the city to the enemy rather than be under the rule of Bonaparte. Napoleon, who entered the city, did not meet resistance, but saw only burning Moscow, which people had abandoned, and realized not his seemingly victory, but defeat. Defeat from the Russian spirit.

• “Fathers and Sons” by I.S. Turgenev

In the work of I.S. Turgenev, the conflict of generations is manifested, in particular, in the confrontation between the young nihilist Evgeny Bazarov and the nobleman P.P. Kirsanov. Bazarov is a self-confident young man, he boldly judges everything, considering himself a man who made himself with his own work and mind. His opponent Kirsanov led a riotous lifestyle, experienced a lot, felt a lot, loved a secular beauty and thereby gained an experience that influenced him. He became more reasonable and mature. In the dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov, the outward victory of the young man is manifested - he is harsh, but at the same time maintains decency, and the nobleman does not restrain himself, breaking into insults. However, during the duel between the two heroes, the seemingly won victory of the nihilist Bazarov turns into a defeat in the main confrontation.

He meets the love of his life and cannot resist his feelings, nor admit it, because he denied the existence of love. Yes, here Bazarov was defeated. Dying, he realizes that he lived his life denying everything and everyone, and at the same time lost the most important thing.

• "Taras Bulba" N.V. Gogol

In the story by N.V. Gogol can be found as an example of how victory and defeat can be intertwined. The youngest son Andriy, for the sake of love, betrayed his homeland and Cossack honor, going over to the enemy side. His personal victory is that he defended his love by boldly deciding to do this kind of act. However, his betrayal of his father and homeland is unforgivable - and this is his defeat. The story demonstrates one of the most difficult battles - the spiritual struggle of a person with himself. After all, here we cannot talk about victory and defeat, since it is impossible to win without losing on the other side.

Essay example

In life, a person is accompanied by a large number of situations in which he has to resist something or someone. Often, these are some circumstances, specific conditions and a struggle where there are winners and losers. And sometimes these are more complex situations where victory and defeat can be viewed from different points of view.

Let us turn to the treasury of arguments from Russian classical literature - the great work of Leo Tolstoy “War and Peace”. A significant part of the novel consists of military actions during the Patriotic War of 1812, when the entire Russian people stood up to defend the country from the French invaders. The theme of victory and defeat itself is present in the war in its most obvious manifestation. After the council in Fili, the Russian commander M.I. Kutuzov decided to leave Moscow. Thus, it was planned to save the troops and thereby Russia. This decision does not demonstrate defeat in military operations - but on the contrary: it proves the invincibility of the Russian people. After all, after the military, all its residents, representatives of high society and the nobility began to leave the city. The people demonstrated their disobedience to the French by leaving the city to the enemy rather than be under the rule of Bonaparte. Napoleon, who entered the city, did not meet resistance, but saw only burning Moscow, which people had abandoned, and realized not his seemingly victory, but defeat. Defeat from the Russian spirit.

In the story by N.V. Gogol can be found as an example of how victory and defeat can be intertwined. The youngest son Andriy, for the sake of love, betrayed his homeland and the honor of the Cossack army, going over to the enemy side. His personal victory is that he defended his feelings by boldly deciding to do this kind of act. However, his betrayal of his father and homeland is unforgivable - and this is his defeat. The story demonstrates one of the most difficult battles - the spiritual struggle of a person with himself. After all, here we cannot talk about victory and defeat, since it is impossible to win without losing on the other side.

Thus, it is worth saying that victory does not always represent the superiority and confidence that we are accustomed to imagine. And, besides, often victory and defeat go side by side, complementing each other and shaping the characteristics of a person’s personality.

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What is victory? What is defeat? Why do we sometimes suffer defeats or, conversely, win victories? Victory is success, achieving a set goal, overcoming oneself and hostile circumstances. Every day we face all kinds of problems, obstacles and thorns. People are hindered by laziness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. That is why on the way to the goal it is important to show willpower and fortitude.

Let's turn to the novel, where the main character lost the battle with himself, with his laziness. He grew up in an environment where everything went as usual, smoothly, calmly, measuredly. Ilyusha was always surrounded by care and attention, and that is why he lacked independence in the future. Oblomov's favorite pastime was lying on the sofa. Days, months, years passed... But all “good things” come to an end, right? Ilya Ilyich was faced with problems that, if desired, probably could have been solved, but he did not change himself and did not do anything to correct the disastrous state of affairs. They say that love changes people, and this is what happened with Oblomov: he made an attempt to overcome himself. Thanks to his love for Olga, he: got up from the couch, started reading, and walking. However, he soon abandoned this idea, justifying himself by saying that he would not be able to give his beloved what she really deserved. Having found an excuse, the hero returns to his home sofa and his usual way of life. But his closest friend Stolz was able to achieve his goal, because his upbringing was harsh and, as life showed, correct. Stolz overcame his fear of the big city and homesickness in order to succeed in the big city and find his calling. He achieved career success and won Olga's favor.

In the story of M.A. Sholokhov “The Fate of Man” there is a truly great story. On his way, he survived a lot of cruel blows of fate. During the civil war, he lost his family and was left completely alone. Having pulled himself together, Sokolov passed the time of suffering: he received an education, then got a job, and after some time he got married. A close-knit family, three children, this seemed to be happiness... Everything collapsed in one moment. The war began, the hero was taken to the front. Captivity, hunger, exhausting work, death of comrades. At such moments, only the thought of family, of home can warm the soul; only they can give hope for a bright future. A shell fell into the house where his wife and his two daughters were, and on Victory Day Sokolov learned of the death of his son. It is difficult to imagine how a person feels in such seconds. Where does he get his strength from? Despite everything, he continued to live, adopted a boy as lonely as himself. I think that anyone else would have broken already, but not