Book 6, Chapters 7, 8, 9

CHAPTER 7

 Pierre grows dissatisfied with the brotherhood which he now holds a leading position in. He classifies the men as follows: those intrigued by the mystical science of the order, those who were still lost but trying to find truth in the order (like himself), those who did it for the structure and ceremonies, and those who did it for social standing and networking. Pierre suggests that the brotherhood needs to take action to improve and re-find its true beliefs and meanings, but the brothers think his point of views have Illuminati undertones.

Important Quotes

"When he had joined the Freemasons he had experienced the feeling of one who confidently steps onto the smooth surface of a bog. When he put his foot down it sank in. To make quite sure of the firmness of the ground, he put his other foot down and sank deeper still, became stuck in it, and involuntarily waded knee-deep in the bog."

 Pierre: "it is not sufficient to observe our mysteries in the seclusion of our lodge—we must act—act! We are drowsing, but we must act." Pierre raised his notebook and began to read."

CHAPTER 8

Pierre goes to pay Joseph Alexeevich (who is suffering from a painful illness) a visit. Joseph tells him that he must forgive his wife and also lead the brotherhood to a state of self-knowledge and self-perfection. He reminds Pierre of the virtues of the brotherhood. Pierre gets a letter from Helene and his mother-in-law asking him to return to them, which he does at the end. He returns to his wife, he says, out of a spiritual and moral place, not because he wants to.

Important Quotes

Alexeevich: "it is only in the midst of worldly cares that we can attain our three chief aims: (1) Self-knowledge—for man can only know himself by comparison, (2) Self-perfecting, which can only be attained by conflict, and (3) The attainment of the chief virtue—love of death."

Pierre: "But if I forgive her for the sake of doing right, then let union with her have only a spiritual aim." [about Helene]

CHAPTER 9

When Pierre returns to Helene, he notices that she has taken a high place in society and is regarded as an intellectual. He also doubts her motifs with Boris who always seems to be over. He can't help but think that she might be cheating on him again.

Important Quotes

"Young men read books before attending Helene's evenings, to have something to say in her salon, and secretaries of the embassy, and even ambassadors, confided diplomatic secrets to her, so that in a way Helene was a power."

"she [Helene] could say the emptiest and stupidest things and everybody would go into raptures over every word of hers and look for a profound meaning in it of which she herself had no conception."