Traditional Values and Fates of Female Characters in A. N. Tolstoy’s Novel “Peter the Great”

Aim. To explore how the topic of family and traditional values was presented during a challenging period in Russian history – the Petrine era.
Methodology. The analysis focuses on the poetics of female character development in A. N. Tolstoy’s novel “Peter the First.” In the study tragic destinies of women are central. Analytical and comparative methods of literary text analysis are employed. Special emphasis is placed on the portrayal of the young Tsar’s favorite, the German Anna Mons. Particular attention is given to the author’s juxtaposition of two traditions: Russian and Western European. Through examining the novel’s exploration of familial and 
romantic relationships, the analysis demonstrates how Tolstoy guides readers toward understanding the broader spiritual and moral dimensions of life during that period.
Results. The study confirms that issues of family, marriage, and gender relations possess a spiritual foundation and occupy a central place in Tolstoy’s extensive body of work. A detailed analysis helps illuminate one of the author’s key themes – the pursuit of happiness and love, whose absence brings suffering to individuals of all social strata, from royalty to commoners. The work argues that these elements are vital to the existence of the state.
Research implications. The significance of the study lies in its in-depth and concrete interpretation of the artistic embodiment of the stated theme. The research reaffirms that spiritual concerns hold a prominent position in A. N. Tolstoy’s works.

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