Book 4, Chapters 1, 2, 3

CHAPTER 1

 (year 1806)

Rostov returns home, bringing Denisov with him. Everyone is excited to see him again and Natasha and he talk about Sonya, his old lover who is still in love with him. He too loves her but is not ready for commitment yet. He makes sure to talk to Sonya as if he had never stopped loving her, though. Both want to make it known that it's their choice to love each other, not commitment binding them. He asks Natasha about Boris and she says she no longer likes him at all. She wants to be a dancer instead.

Important Quotes

Natasha: "if you consider yourself bound by your promise—it will seem as if she had not meant it seriously. It makes it as if you were marrying her because you must, and that wouldn't do at all."

[Rostov]: "Why should he not love her now, and even marry her, Rostov thought, but just now there were so many other pleasures and interests before him! "Yes, they have taken a wise decision," he thought, "I must remain free."

CHAPTER 2

Count Ilya Rostov prepares a feast for Bagration and other Russian soldiers. At the feast, they talk of the war and make up excuses as to why the mighty Russian army lost the battles. Bagration is seen as a hero while Kutuzov and Andrew Bolkonski aren't mentioned much (Bolkonski is only mentioned because the others pity his family since he died so young).

Important Quotes

"Reasons were found for the incredible, unheard-of, and impossible event of a Russian defeat, everything became clear, and in all corners of Moscow the same things began to be said. These reasons were the treachery of the Austrians, a defective commissariat, the treachery of the Pole Przebyszewski and of the Frenchman Langeron, Kutuzov's incapacity, and (it was whispered) the youth and inexperience of the sovereign, who had trusted worthless and insignificant people."

CHAPTER 3

Bagration finally enters the house for the feast. Everybody is in awe of him and cheer him on, toast to him, and make him read aloud all the comments of praise everyone has written for him. Dinner is served and Bagration seems fatigued and out of place. It seems as though he doesn't want all this attention. (Pierre is also there mingling with the older crowd, despite his youth. He has been forced to grow up fast because of his new wealth and connections).