Final answer:
Tolstoy crafted his characters, including the older brother, to behave foolishly to question societal norms and to emphasize that wisdom does not correlate strictly with age. His stories promote the idea that every individual contributes to history and society, challenging the traditional reverence for age and social hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leo Tolstoy composed stories that often depicted characters, such as an older brother, behaving foolishly to challenge societal norms and perceptions.
Through such depictions, Tolstoy might have sought to dispel the notion that younger people should show unquestioning deference to their elders. Instead, by presenting every character, regardless of age or social standing, as flawed and capable of folly, he underscores the idea that everyone is an essential actor in the human experience and contributes to history, not just the so-called 'great men.' These diverse portrayals encourage readers to consider the validity and impact of all individuals in society. By doing so, Tolstoy aligns with the broader Romantic and realist literary movements that emphasized ordinary people's experiences and contributions to history.
As for the educational aspect, Tolstoy's storytelling has the potential to be particularly exemplary and instructional to readers, by showing that wisdom does not correlate strictly with age, and emphasizing the importance of one's actions and moral compass over one's social position or years.