Tolstoy uses irony to express his opinions on certain incidents he portrays. An obvious example is the way he handles Pierre's initiation into the masons and his light treatment of Pierre's methods to better the lot of his peasants. Tolstoy is decidedly satirical when he describes the German theorists who believe in the science of war. The incidents Tolstoy selects from biographies of Napoleon are satirical evidences to show Bonaparte's vanity and showmanship.
Connect with CliffsNotes
