Tolstoy's ability to evoke the physical presence of characters is what Merezhovsky calls his gift of"clairvoyance of the flesh." Karataev's symbolic roundness, the podgy hands of Napoleon, and the mobile play of Natasha's facial expressions attest to this judgment. Kutuzov's obesity, for instance, becomes symbolic of his passivity in face of destiny, his impassivity at moments of crisis. Ellen Bezuhov's"unvarying dazzling smile" indicates her picture-book beauty as well as her emotional shallowness.
These details of physical description also act as identifying motifs to help us distinguish among the many characters in the novel. Marya's"heavy tread," Dolohov's cold blue eyes, Andrey's bored expression, Count Rostov's characteristic attitude of ineffectuality — his gesture of throwing up his hands — are significant particulars that fix these personalities firmly in our minds.
