betweentheheavesofstorm:

Despite the absence of Napoleon at East High, I contend that the High School Musical franchise can in certain contexts be considered as a modern reimagining of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Both centre around an awkward young man (Pierre Bezukhov and Troy Bolton) whose arc centres on questions of identity: who are they, whose advice should they follow and how should they live their life? Both also clash with an attractive and popular young woman (Helene Kuragina and Sharpay Evans) who seek them out in order to improve their own position. While Sharpay is more restrained than Helene, both are characterised chiefly by ambition, ruthlessness and a questionably incestuous dynamic with their brother – though I concede that there is little resemblance between Anatole Kuragin and Ryan Evans. Rather, Ryan is Nikolai Rostov – a young man easily influenced at the outset of the story, who develops his independence and finds a place for himself in a different social group. Furthermore it is clear that Kelsey Nixion, the shy songwriter of the High School Musical saga, is a foil for the dutiful Marya Bolkonsky – both committed to obeying the whims of another, until unexpected emancipation allows them to find fulfilment in the company of Ryan/Nikolai. In this essay I will