Book 5, Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22

CHAPTER 19

Rostov goes with Denisov's letter to deliver to the Emperor. On his way, he stops at Boris' lodging where he and the Frenchman, Zhilinski, are entertaining other French soldiers. Rostov is taken aback at seeing the French mingling on Russian turf. He and Boris have some tension and he tells Boris about Denisov and the letter. Boris grudgingly agrees to help him hand the letter in through his connections.

Important Quotes

Rostov: "Rostov was therefore unpleasantly struck by the presence of French officers in Boris' lodging, dressed in uniforms he had been accustomed to see from quite a different point of view from the outposts of the flank."

CHAPTER 20

Rostov, uneasy with Boris, decides to hand the letter in himself. He walks to the Emperor's house and tries to meet with him on Denisov's behalf. However, he's not allowed in. A general takes the letter from him and hands it to the Emperor Alexander who says he can't do anything for Denisov because the law is above him.

Important Quotes

Emperor: "I cannot do it, General. I cannot, because the law is stronger than I," and he raised his foot to the stirrup."

CHAPTER 21

Rostov watches as Emperor Alexander and Emperor Napoleon (for now he is an emperor), meet and regard each other with respect. His view towards the French and Napoleon beings to change, seeing that his emperor does not hate Napoleon. He watches enviously as Napoleon chooses a Russian soldier, Lazarev, as the Russian's most honorable, giving him a badge. He later goes to eat and hears some men talking about how they hate the French. In an outburst, he defends the French and his emperor saying that they mustn't be so bad if Alexander and Napoleon get along.

Important Quotes

"It struck him as a surprise that Alexander treated Bonaparte as an equal and that the latter was quite at ease with the Tsar, as if such relations with an Emperor were an everyday matter to him."

"Next he thought of that self-satisfied Bonaparte, with his small white hand, who was now an Emperor, liked and respected by Alexander. Then why those severed arms and legs and those dead men?"

Nicholas:  "We are not diplomatic officials, we are soldiers and nothing more," he went on. "If we are ordered to die, we must die. If we're punished, it means that we have deserved it, it's not for us to judge. If the Emperor pleases to recognize Bonaparte as Emperor and to conclude an alliance with him, it means that that is the right thing to do. If once we begin judging and arguing about everything, nothing sacred will be left! That way we shall be saying there is no God—nothing!" shouted Nicholas"

CHAPTER 22

Napoleon and Alexander form an alliance against Russia's old ally, Austria.