Book 1, Chapter 1, 2, 3

Character List:  http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/warandpeace/characters.html

CHAPTER 1

War and Peace opens up with the characters Anna Pavlovna and Prince Vasili talking about the state of Europe, Russia's inevitable intervening in war, and the "anarchist" Napoleon. As the conversation progresses, Anna Pavlovna brings up Prince Vasili's children, calling him unfit to be a father because he simply shows no paternal instincts or care for his children. She compliments all of his children, except Anatole, his son. The prince mentions how Anatole is costing him so much money, so Anna suggests that Anatole marry Prince Bolkonski's daughter, Mary. Vasili perks up and begs Anna to arrange this meeting between the two. Anna promises that she will talk to Lise, Bolkonski's daughter-in-law.

Important Quotes:

Anna: "The English have not understood and cannot understand the self-abnegation of our Emperor who wants nothing for himself, but only desires the good of mankind."

Anna: "I often think how unfairly sometimes the joys of life are distributed. Why has fate given you two such splendid children? I don't speak of Anatole, your youngest. I don't like him," she added in a tone admitting of no rejoinder and raising her eyebrows. "Two such charming children. And really you appreciate them less than anyone, and so you don't deserve to have them."

 Vasili: "that Anatole is costing me forty thousand rubles a year? And," he went on after a pause, "what will it be in five years, if he goes on like this?" Presently he added: "That's what we fathers have to put up with.... Is this princess of yours rich?"

CHAPTER 2

Guests begin to arrive at Anna's party. All of the elite are there, including Vasili's daughters, Helene, and the pregnant Princess Bolkonskaya. The Princess mentions that it is a pity that her husband must go to war--she fears she will lose him. Meanwhile, Anna Pavlovna continues to introduce her guests to her old, invalid aunt (who nobody seems to care about). Anna takes notice of how rude and uncaring her guests are towards her aunt. Finally, the young Pierre enters. He just arrived from studying abroad and seems unsure about how to act in this room full of elite. He ignores Anna's aunt when she introduces him to her and mentions to Anna how he doesn't believe in Abbe Morio's plan for eternal peace. Anna seems taken aback by Pierre's rudeness.

Important Quotes:

Princess Bolkonskaya: " my husband is deserting me? He is going to get himself killed. Tell me what this wretched war is for?"

Pierre:  "Yes, I have heard of his scheme for perpetual peace, and it is very interesting but hardly feasible." (in reference to Abbe Morio's plan).

[Pierre] "Seeing the self-confident and refined expression on the faces of those present he was always expecting to hear something very profound. At last he came up to Morio. Here the conversation seemed interesting and he stood waiting for an opportunity to express his own views, as young people are fond of doing."

CHAPTER 3

The party continues and Anna Pavlovna introduces the vicomte to the guests. It is described that she builds up the vicomte (deputy) and the abbe (clergy) to be more important than what they are. Anna asks the vicomte to retell the story of the murder of the Duc d'Enghien, whom he had known personally. She invites Helene to sit next to her and listen in on the story. Helene's beauty is described in much detail. She is the pretty face among the talk of war. Prince Hyppolyte (Helene's brother) also comes to listen in on the conversation. His features are described as being opposing and harsh, compared to Helene's lightness and radiance. The vicomte tells of how the duc had gone to visit a lady in Paris whom was also having an affair with Napoleon. Napoleon fainted in front of the duc and he spared his life, but when Napoleon awoke, he killed the duc. The abbe and Pierre discuss the war intensely to which Anna disapproves.

Important Quotes:

 [Anna] "As a clever maitre d'hotel serves up as a specially choice delicacy a piece of meat that no one who had seen it in the kitchen would have cared to eat, so Anna Pavlovna served up to her guests, first the vicomte and then the abbe, as peculiarly choice morsels."

"Helene was so lovely that not only did she not show any trace of coquetry, but on the contrary she even appeared shy of her unquestionable and all too victorious beauty. She seemed to wish, but to be unable, to diminish its effect."