CHAPTER 6
The matchmaking between Rostov and Mary begins. Madame Bourienne is surprised at how well Mary handles herself with this man. Mary is transformed into a happier person with him, yet Rostov can't picture her as a wife although he cannot stop thinking about her.
Important Quotes
"From the time Rostóv entered, her
face became suddenly transformed. It was as if a light had been kindled in
a carved and painted lantern and the intricate, skillful, artistic work on
its sides, that previously seemed dark, coarse, and meaningless, was
suddenly shown up in unexpected and striking beauty.... All her inward labor, her dissatisfaction with
herself, her sufferings, her strivings after goodness, her meekness, love,
and self-sacrifice—all this now shone in those radiant eyes, in her
delicate smile, and in every trait of her gentle face."
CHAPTER 7
Mary and Rostov hear of the battle of Borodino and Mary laments her brother, Andrew's, possible death. Rostov tells her that maybe he might just be missing and to not lose hope. He finds her spirituality very attractive and compares her solemness and faith to Sonya's lack thereof. He prays to God to release him from this predicament of choosing between two women. Sonya writes to him releasing him of his promise to marry her which relieves him. He receives news of Andrews' injury and tells Mary. He rejoins the war.
Important Quotes
"In men Rostóv could not bear to see
the expression of a higher spiritual life (that was why he did not like
Prince Andrew) and he referred to it contemptuously as philosophy and
dreaminess, but in Princess Mary that very sorrow which revealed the depth
of a whole spiritual world foreign to him was an irresistible attraction. "
"[Rostov] had long ago pictured to himself a future with
Sónya, and that was all clear and simple just because it had all been
thought out and he knew all there was in Sónya, but it was impossible to
picture a future with Princess Mary, because he did not understand her but
simply loved her."
CHAPTER 8
Countess Rostova implores Sonya to write the letter to Nicholas, breaking off the promise they'd made to each other. Sonya grows angry and jealous of Natasha who seems to get all she wants. When they go see Andrew, he is feeling better and Sonya asks Natasha is she remembers the prediction she had had of Andrew many years ago while looking into the mirror. Although she hadn't seen anything, she makes herself and Natasha believe that she really saw the future. After this, she writes the letter to Nicholas, thinking that Natasha and Andrew will get back together since he's better.
Important Quotes
Sonya: "But now they
wanted her to sacrifice the very thing that constituted the whole reward
for her self-sacrifice and the whole meaning of her life. And for the
first time she felt bitterness against those who had been her benefactors
only to torture her the more painfully; she felt jealous of Natásha who
had never experienced anything of this sort, had never needed to sacrifice
herself, but made others sacrifice themselves for her and yet was beloved
by everybody."
"Sónya was softened, excited, and touched by all that had occurred that
day, especially by the mysterious fulfillment she had just seen of her
vision. Now that she knew that the renewal of Natásha's relations with
Prince Andrew would prevent Nicholas from marrying Princess Mary, she was
joyfully conscious of a return of that self-sacrificing spirit in which
she was accustomed to live and loved to live."
CHAPTER 9
Pierre is imprisoned with some other Russians. The French interrogate him and the others, making it seem as though they were responsible for the fires in Moscow.
Important Quotes
"It was evident that any answer would lead to
conviction. "
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Book 12, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
CHAPTER 1
year 1812
Anna Pavlovna has another gathering at her house where Prince Vasili is to read a letter from the Bishop to the Emperor. There, people talk about how Countess Bezukhova has fallen ill after trying to choose between her two suitors.
CHAPTER 2
The Russian people celebrate the French loss, not knowing that the Russian army is in just as much trouble. There is much talk of Helene's death too.
CHAPTER 3
The Frenchman, Michaud, goes to see Alexander to tell him the news of Kutuzov and the abandonment of Moscow. Alexander is taken aback by the news and asks if the Russians put up a fight to which Michaud gives him Kutuzov's letter telling him that it was impossible not to retreat. Michaud tells the emperor that Moscow is up in flames, but reassures his that is it because the Russian army refuses to give up.
Important Quotes
Michaud: "they are only afraid lest Your Majesty, in the goodness of your heart, should allow yourself to be persuaded to make peace. They are burning for the combat," declared this representative of the Russian nation, "and to prove to Your Majesty by the sacrifice of their lives how devoted they are...."
Alexander: "Napoleon or I," said the Emperor, touching his breast. "We can no longer both reign together. I have learned to know him, and he will not deceive me any more...."
CHAPTER 4
Tolstoy begins by saying that those who aren't aware of their efforts towards a greater cause (such as war) are the ones who actually make an impact. Nicholas Rostov is brought up. He is traveling to Voronezch where he attends a ball where he feels very happy away from the camp and flirts with a married woman.
Important Quotes
"Those who tried to understand the general course of events and to take part in it by self-sacrifice and heroism were the most useless members of society, they saw everything upside down, and all they did for the common good turned out to be useless and foolish... Only unconscious action bears fruit, and he who plays a part in an historic event never understands its significance."
CHAPTER 5
As Nicholas is flirting with the married woman, his aunt comes to tell him that Princess Mary's aunt wants to see him. He confides in his aunt that he feels that he and Mary were destined for each other but that he had already promised Sonya to get married. His aunt reminds him that Mary would be the better match overall and promises to arrange for them to properly meet.
Important Quotes
"My dear boy, what a way to look at it! You know Sónya has nothing and you yourself say your Papa's affairs are in a very bad way. And what about your mother? It would kill her, that's one thing. And what sort of life would it be for Sónya—if she's a girl with a heart? Your mother in despair, and you all ruined.... No, my dear, you and Sónya ought to understand that."
year 1812
Anna Pavlovna has another gathering at her house where Prince Vasili is to read a letter from the Bishop to the Emperor. There, people talk about how Countess Bezukhova has fallen ill after trying to choose between her two suitors.
CHAPTER 2
The Russian people celebrate the French loss, not knowing that the Russian army is in just as much trouble. There is much talk of Helene's death too.
CHAPTER 3
The Frenchman, Michaud, goes to see Alexander to tell him the news of Kutuzov and the abandonment of Moscow. Alexander is taken aback by the news and asks if the Russians put up a fight to which Michaud gives him Kutuzov's letter telling him that it was impossible not to retreat. Michaud tells the emperor that Moscow is up in flames, but reassures his that is it because the Russian army refuses to give up.
Important Quotes
Michaud: "they are only afraid lest Your Majesty, in the goodness of your heart, should allow yourself to be persuaded to make peace. They are burning for the combat," declared this representative of the Russian nation, "and to prove to Your Majesty by the sacrifice of their lives how devoted they are...."
Alexander: "Napoleon or I," said the Emperor, touching his breast. "We can no longer both reign together. I have learned to know him, and he will not deceive me any more...."
CHAPTER 4
Tolstoy begins by saying that those who aren't aware of their efforts towards a greater cause (such as war) are the ones who actually make an impact. Nicholas Rostov is brought up. He is traveling to Voronezch where he attends a ball where he feels very happy away from the camp and flirts with a married woman.
Important Quotes
"Those who tried to understand the general course of events and to take part in it by self-sacrifice and heroism were the most useless members of society, they saw everything upside down, and all they did for the common good turned out to be useless and foolish... Only unconscious action bears fruit, and he who plays a part in an historic event never understands its significance."
CHAPTER 5
As Nicholas is flirting with the married woman, his aunt comes to tell him that Princess Mary's aunt wants to see him. He confides in his aunt that he feels that he and Mary were destined for each other but that he had already promised Sonya to get married. His aunt reminds him that Mary would be the better match overall and promises to arrange for them to properly meet.
Important Quotes
"My dear boy, what a way to look at it! You know Sónya has nothing and you yourself say your Papa's affairs are in a very bad way. And what about your mother? It would kill her, that's one thing. And what sort of life would it be for Sónya—if she's a girl with a heart? Your mother in despair, and you all ruined.... No, my dear, you and Sónya ought to understand that."
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Book 11 RECAP
The war between the French and the Russians escalates. Moscow has been overtaken and abandoned and is now in flames.
Pierre: he is trying to kill Napoleon to prove his own bravery to himself. (longing to fight his enemies and be a hero)
Andrew: Almost dies in battle, but is rescued and recovering from his wounds. He wishes to meet Natasha again and forgive her, which he does (longing to forgive his enemies)
Pierre and Andrew have changed roles since the beginning of the story. Now, Pierre is more aggressive and Andrew is more in tune with his feelings.
Pierre: he is trying to kill Napoleon to prove his own bravery to himself. (longing to fight his enemies and be a hero)
Andrew: Almost dies in battle, but is rescued and recovering from his wounds. He wishes to meet Natasha again and forgive her, which he does (longing to forgive his enemies)
Pierre and Andrew have changed roles since the beginning of the story. Now, Pierre is more aggressive and Andrew is more in tune with his feelings.
Book 11, Chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
CHAPTER 30
The Rostovs make their way out of Moscow slowly due to all the injured soldiers they bring along. Their servants watch Moscow go up in flames from afar.
CHAPTER 31
Sonya tells Natasha that Andrew is traveling with them among the wounded. This makes Natasha want to see him and she isn't at peace until she does. Each night, they hear a wounded man crying out in pain and Natasha knows it's him. She sneaks out to see him and they seem to greet each other happily.
CHAPTER 32
Andrew recalls how he was wounded and how he got where he is. He is consumed by one thought--loving ones enemy. He remembers Natasha and wishes to see her and, as he thinks this, she appears. She asks forgiveness and he tells her that he loves her more than before. She nurses him the whole time.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "His mind was not in a normal state. A healthy man usually thinks of, feels, and remembers innumerable things simultaneously, but has the power and will to select one sequence of thoughts or events on which to fix his whole attention"
"Yes—love," [Andrew] thought again quite clearly. "But not love which loves for something, for some quality, for some purpose, or for some reason, but the love which I—while dying—first experienced when I saw my enemy and yet loved him. I experienced that feeling of love which is the very essence of the soul and does not require an object. Now again I feel that bliss. To love one's neighbors, to love one's enemies, to love everything, to love God in all His manifestations. It is possible to love someone dear to you with human love, but an enemy can only be loved by divine love.
" Though with the intimacy now established between the wounded man and Natásha the thought occurred that should he recover their former engagement would be renewed, no one—least of all Natásha and Prince Andrew—spoke of this: the unsettled question of life and death, which hung not only over Bolkónski but over all Russia, shut out all other considerations."
CHAPTER 33
Pierre is disgusted with himself for talking so much with the French soldier, Ramballe. He wants to continue to carry out him plan to kill Napoleon to prove to himself that he's a man of his word. On his way to kill him, he sees a family who has forgotten their child in the fire. He goes to help them save her, which gives him a sense of pride and youthfulness. Upon finding the child, though, he is repulsed and forces himself to not leave her behind.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "But as his chief aim consisted not in carrying out his design, but in proving to himself that he would not abandon his intention and was doing all he could to achieve it, Pierre hastily took the blunt jagged dagger in a green sheath which he had bought at the Sukharev market with the pistol, and hid it under his waistcoat."
Pierre: "But Pierre did not know this; he was entirely absorbed in what lay before him, and was tortured—as those are who obstinately undertake a task that is impossible for them not because of its difficulty but because of its incompatibility with their natures—by the fear of weakening at the decisive moment and so losing his self-esteem."
CHAPTER 34
Pierre brings the little girl to safety and leaves her with some other peasants. As he sees French soldiers stealing from a Russian couple, he goes to fight them. As a result, he's taken prisoner.
The Rostovs make their way out of Moscow slowly due to all the injured soldiers they bring along. Their servants watch Moscow go up in flames from afar.
CHAPTER 31
Sonya tells Natasha that Andrew is traveling with them among the wounded. This makes Natasha want to see him and she isn't at peace until she does. Each night, they hear a wounded man crying out in pain and Natasha knows it's him. She sneaks out to see him and they seem to greet each other happily.
CHAPTER 32
Andrew recalls how he was wounded and how he got where he is. He is consumed by one thought--loving ones enemy. He remembers Natasha and wishes to see her and, as he thinks this, she appears. She asks forgiveness and he tells her that he loves her more than before. She nurses him the whole time.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "His mind was not in a normal state. A healthy man usually thinks of, feels, and remembers innumerable things simultaneously, but has the power and will to select one sequence of thoughts or events on which to fix his whole attention"
"Yes—love," [Andrew] thought again quite clearly. "But not love which loves for something, for some quality, for some purpose, or for some reason, but the love which I—while dying—first experienced when I saw my enemy and yet loved him. I experienced that feeling of love which is the very essence of the soul and does not require an object. Now again I feel that bliss. To love one's neighbors, to love one's enemies, to love everything, to love God in all His manifestations. It is possible to love someone dear to you with human love, but an enemy can only be loved by divine love.
" Though with the intimacy now established between the wounded man and Natásha the thought occurred that should he recover their former engagement would be renewed, no one—least of all Natásha and Prince Andrew—spoke of this: the unsettled question of life and death, which hung not only over Bolkónski but over all Russia, shut out all other considerations."
CHAPTER 33
Pierre is disgusted with himself for talking so much with the French soldier, Ramballe. He wants to continue to carry out him plan to kill Napoleon to prove to himself that he's a man of his word. On his way to kill him, he sees a family who has forgotten their child in the fire. He goes to help them save her, which gives him a sense of pride and youthfulness. Upon finding the child, though, he is repulsed and forces himself to not leave her behind.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "But as his chief aim consisted not in carrying out his design, but in proving to himself that he would not abandon his intention and was doing all he could to achieve it, Pierre hastily took the blunt jagged dagger in a green sheath which he had bought at the Sukharev market with the pistol, and hid it under his waistcoat."
Pierre: "But Pierre did not know this; he was entirely absorbed in what lay before him, and was tortured—as those are who obstinately undertake a task that is impossible for them not because of its difficulty but because of its incompatibility with their natures—by the fear of weakening at the decisive moment and so losing his self-esteem."
CHAPTER 34
Pierre brings the little girl to safety and leaves her with some other peasants. As he sees French soldiers stealing from a Russian couple, he goes to fight them. As a result, he's taken prisoner.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Book 11, Chapters 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
CHAPTER 23
A fight breaks out among the working class. They wait for news of the war.
Important Quotes
"There now, the gentry and merchants have gone away and left us to perish. Do they think we're dogs?" voices in the crowd were heard saying more and more frequently."
CHAPTER 24
Rostopchin is mortified when he gets Kutuzov's letter proclaiming another battle. He had tried to protect Moscow and preserve its peace, but now everyone has fled leaving him hopeless. In a rage, he orders the lunatics from the insane asylum to be freed as well as to hang Vereshchagin.
Important Quotes
"Why were thousands of inhabitants deceived into believing that Moscow would not be given up—and thereby ruined?" "To preserve the tranquillity of the city," explains Count Rostopchin."
Rostopchin: "My commands? Let them go away, that's all.... And let the lunatics out into the town. When lunatics command our armies God evidently means these other madmen to be free."
CHAPTER 25
Rostopchin orders the people of Moscow to kill the merchant, Vereshchagin. Terrified, the merchant implores and mentions that there's only one God. Finally, he is murdered and Rostopchin feels guilty. He leaves in his carriage, trying to justify his actions, telling himself he did it for Moscow and to keep his image as a good commander. On the way to meet with Kutuzov, he runs into a freed lunatic who speaks of God and how he was killed three times and will return. When Rostopchin hears this, he's even more scared and guilty. Kutuzov, meanwhile, does not want to give up Moscow without battle and refuses to listen to Rostopchin.
Important Quotes
Rostopchin: "Beat him!... Let the traitor perish and not disgrace the Russian name!" shouted Rostopchin. "Cut him down. I command it."
Hearing not so much the words as the angry tone of Rostopchin's voice, the crowd moaned and heaved forward, but again paused.
"Count!" exclaimed the timid yet theatrical voice of Vereshchagin in the midst of the momentary silence that ensued, "Count! One God is above us both...."
"Only when the victim ceased to struggle and his cries changed to a long-drawn, measured death rattle did the crowd around his prostrate, bleeding corpse begin rapidly to change places. Each one came up, glanced at what had been done, and with horror, reproach, and astonishment pushed back again."
Rostopchin: "The people had to be appeased. Many other victims have perished and are perishing for the public good"—and he began thinking of his social duties to his family and to the city entrusted to him, and of himself—not himself as Theodore Vasilyevich Rostopchin (he fancied that Theodore Vasilyevich Rostopchin was sacrificing himself for the public good) but himself as governor, the representative of authority and of the Tsar. "Had I been simply Theodore Vasilyevich my course of action would have been quite different, but it was my duty to safeguard my life and dignity as commander-in-chief."
lunatic: "Thrice have they slain me, thrice have I risen from the dead. They stoned me, crucified me... I shall rise... shall rise... shall rise. They have torn my body. The kingdom of God will be overthrown... Thrice will I overthrow it and thrice re-establish it!"
CHAPTER 26
The French troops enter Moscow and a battle begins. Commoners also join in, attacking the French. The French troops become scattered because the men go off on their own to loot and find food. The army is a mess. Moscow begins to burn down and everyone starts to blame one another for it. The French say it's due to Rostopchin's passion for Russia and the Russians say it's the French troops' fault.
Important Quotes
"Like a monkey which puts its paw into the narrow neck of a jug, and having seized a handful of nuts will not open its fist for fear of losing what it holds, and therefore perishes, the French when they left Moscow had inevitably to perish because they carried their loot with them"
"Moscow when occupied by the enemy did not remain intact like Berlin, Vienna, and other towns, simply because its inhabitants abandoned it and did not welcome the French with bread and salt, nor bring them the keys of the city."
CHAPTER 27
Pierre is driving himself crazy as he thinks about how to stop the French and what his own life means. He chooses to fight, dressing as a peasant in order to appear to be fighting for the common good. Only thoughts of saving the common good and of breaking free from the insignificant higher life drives him on. He plots to kill Napoleon himself.
Important Quotes
"'It is not I but the hand of Providence that punishes thee,' I shall say," thought he, imagining what he would say when killing Napoleon. "
CHAPTER 28
The French enter Pierre's lodging and ask to spend the night. Makar Alexeevich is drunk and shoots at the Frenchmen. Pierre takes the gun from Makar, saving the Frenchmen. The French soldier asks Pierre if he's French and insists that he is even when Pierre tells him that he's Russian.
*The Frenchman believes Pierre is French because when people take sides, they think their side is the only good one, therefore attributing all good acts to their people*
Important Quotes
"You have saved my life! You are French. You ask his pardon? I grant it you. Lead that man away!" said he quickly and energetically, and taking the arm of Pierre whom he had promoted to be a Frenchman for saving his life, he went with him into the room. "
CHAPTER 29
Pierre and the Frenchman, Captain Ramballe, speak for a long time about the war and especially about love. As Pierre speaks to this man, he realizes his own weakness--he sees the good in the Frenchman and resolves that he can't kill Napoleon. Speaking of love reminds him of Natasha and he tells Ramballe his story.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "He was tormented by the consciousness of his own weakness."
A fight breaks out among the working class. They wait for news of the war.
Important Quotes
"There now, the gentry and merchants have gone away and left us to perish. Do they think we're dogs?" voices in the crowd were heard saying more and more frequently."
CHAPTER 24
Rostopchin is mortified when he gets Kutuzov's letter proclaiming another battle. He had tried to protect Moscow and preserve its peace, but now everyone has fled leaving him hopeless. In a rage, he orders the lunatics from the insane asylum to be freed as well as to hang Vereshchagin.
Important Quotes
"Why were thousands of inhabitants deceived into believing that Moscow would not be given up—and thereby ruined?" "To preserve the tranquillity of the city," explains Count Rostopchin."
Rostopchin: "My commands? Let them go away, that's all.... And let the lunatics out into the town. When lunatics command our armies God evidently means these other madmen to be free."
CHAPTER 25
Rostopchin orders the people of Moscow to kill the merchant, Vereshchagin. Terrified, the merchant implores and mentions that there's only one God. Finally, he is murdered and Rostopchin feels guilty. He leaves in his carriage, trying to justify his actions, telling himself he did it for Moscow and to keep his image as a good commander. On the way to meet with Kutuzov, he runs into a freed lunatic who speaks of God and how he was killed three times and will return. When Rostopchin hears this, he's even more scared and guilty. Kutuzov, meanwhile, does not want to give up Moscow without battle and refuses to listen to Rostopchin.
Important Quotes
Rostopchin: "Beat him!... Let the traitor perish and not disgrace the Russian name!" shouted Rostopchin. "Cut him down. I command it."
Hearing not so much the words as the angry tone of Rostopchin's voice, the crowd moaned and heaved forward, but again paused.
"Count!" exclaimed the timid yet theatrical voice of Vereshchagin in the midst of the momentary silence that ensued, "Count! One God is above us both...."
"Only when the victim ceased to struggle and his cries changed to a long-drawn, measured death rattle did the crowd around his prostrate, bleeding corpse begin rapidly to change places. Each one came up, glanced at what had been done, and with horror, reproach, and astonishment pushed back again."
Rostopchin: "The people had to be appeased. Many other victims have perished and are perishing for the public good"—and he began thinking of his social duties to his family and to the city entrusted to him, and of himself—not himself as Theodore Vasilyevich Rostopchin (he fancied that Theodore Vasilyevich Rostopchin was sacrificing himself for the public good) but himself as governor, the representative of authority and of the Tsar. "Had I been simply Theodore Vasilyevich my course of action would have been quite different, but it was my duty to safeguard my life and dignity as commander-in-chief."
lunatic: "Thrice have they slain me, thrice have I risen from the dead. They stoned me, crucified me... I shall rise... shall rise... shall rise. They have torn my body. The kingdom of God will be overthrown... Thrice will I overthrow it and thrice re-establish it!"
CHAPTER 26
The French troops enter Moscow and a battle begins. Commoners also join in, attacking the French. The French troops become scattered because the men go off on their own to loot and find food. The army is a mess. Moscow begins to burn down and everyone starts to blame one another for it. The French say it's due to Rostopchin's passion for Russia and the Russians say it's the French troops' fault.
Important Quotes
"Like a monkey which puts its paw into the narrow neck of a jug, and having seized a handful of nuts will not open its fist for fear of losing what it holds, and therefore perishes, the French when they left Moscow had inevitably to perish because they carried their loot with them"
"Moscow when occupied by the enemy did not remain intact like Berlin, Vienna, and other towns, simply because its inhabitants abandoned it and did not welcome the French with bread and salt, nor bring them the keys of the city."
CHAPTER 27
Pierre is driving himself crazy as he thinks about how to stop the French and what his own life means. He chooses to fight, dressing as a peasant in order to appear to be fighting for the common good. Only thoughts of saving the common good and of breaking free from the insignificant higher life drives him on. He plots to kill Napoleon himself.
Important Quotes
"'It is not I but the hand of Providence that punishes thee,' I shall say," thought he, imagining what he would say when killing Napoleon. "
CHAPTER 28
The French enter Pierre's lodging and ask to spend the night. Makar Alexeevich is drunk and shoots at the Frenchmen. Pierre takes the gun from Makar, saving the Frenchmen. The French soldier asks Pierre if he's French and insists that he is even when Pierre tells him that he's Russian.
*The Frenchman believes Pierre is French because when people take sides, they think their side is the only good one, therefore attributing all good acts to their people*
Important Quotes
"You have saved my life! You are French. You ask his pardon? I grant it you. Lead that man away!" said he quickly and energetically, and taking the arm of Pierre whom he had promoted to be a Frenchman for saving his life, he went with him into the room. "
CHAPTER 29
Pierre and the Frenchman, Captain Ramballe, speak for a long time about the war and especially about love. As Pierre speaks to this man, he realizes his own weakness--he sees the good in the Frenchman and resolves that he can't kill Napoleon. Speaking of love reminds him of Natasha and he tells Ramballe his story.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "He was tormented by the consciousness of his own weakness."
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Book 11, Chapters 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
CHAPTER 18
Pierre had ended up in Moscow after the battle and went to his old benefactor's house to stay. There, he met Gerasim, an old man, who supplied him with peasants clothing and a rifle. Pierre also received a letter from Helene informing him about everything.
*Is Pierre dressing as a peasant to get out of fighting the battle at Three Hills?*
Important Quotes
Pierre: "He felt that everything was now at an end, all was in confusion and crumbling to pieces, that nobody was right or wrong, the future held nothing, and there was no escape from this position."
CHAPTER 19
Napoleon reached Moscow and is in awe of how beautiful and full of life it is. Little does he know that everyone has abandoned the city and all that's left are drunks on the streets. He contemplates overtaking Moscow, but out of respect for Alexander and his own image, doesn't.
Important Quotes
"The view of the strange city with its peculiar architecture, such as [Napoleon] had never seen before, filled Napoleon with the rather envious and uneasy curiosity men feel when they see an alien form of life that has no knowledge of them. "
"Every Russian looking at Moscow feels her to be a mother; every foreigner who sees her, even if ignorant of her significance as the mother city, must feel her feminine character, and Napoleon felt it."
Napoleon: "One word from me, one movement of my hand, and that ancient capital of the Tsars would perish. But my clemency is always ready to descend upon the vanquished. I must be magnanimous and truly great. But no, it can't be true that I am in Moscow," he suddenly thought. "Yet here she is lying at my feet, with her golden domes and crosses scintillating and twinkling in the sunshine. But I shall spare her."
CHAPTER 20
Moscow is compared to an abandoned bee hive. Napoleon is informed of its abandonment.
Important Quotes
"In a queenless hive no life is left though to a superficial glance it seems as much alive as other hives."
CHAPTER 21
The soldiers keep on looting stores on the way to Moscow. A shop-owner runs out to implore the guards to make their soldiers stop robbing, but they continue to do so.
CHAPTER 22
A young officer apparently related to the Rostovs goes to their old house to see if his uncle is still there. The Rostovs have already left, but their housekeeper, Mavra Kuzminichna, greets him and gives him some money.
Pierre had ended up in Moscow after the battle and went to his old benefactor's house to stay. There, he met Gerasim, an old man, who supplied him with peasants clothing and a rifle. Pierre also received a letter from Helene informing him about everything.
*Is Pierre dressing as a peasant to get out of fighting the battle at Three Hills?*
Important Quotes
Pierre: "He felt that everything was now at an end, all was in confusion and crumbling to pieces, that nobody was right or wrong, the future held nothing, and there was no escape from this position."
CHAPTER 19
Napoleon reached Moscow and is in awe of how beautiful and full of life it is. Little does he know that everyone has abandoned the city and all that's left are drunks on the streets. He contemplates overtaking Moscow, but out of respect for Alexander and his own image, doesn't.
Important Quotes
"The view of the strange city with its peculiar architecture, such as [Napoleon] had never seen before, filled Napoleon with the rather envious and uneasy curiosity men feel when they see an alien form of life that has no knowledge of them. "
"Every Russian looking at Moscow feels her to be a mother; every foreigner who sees her, even if ignorant of her significance as the mother city, must feel her feminine character, and Napoleon felt it."
Napoleon: "One word from me, one movement of my hand, and that ancient capital of the Tsars would perish. But my clemency is always ready to descend upon the vanquished. I must be magnanimous and truly great. But no, it can't be true that I am in Moscow," he suddenly thought. "Yet here she is lying at my feet, with her golden domes and crosses scintillating and twinkling in the sunshine. But I shall spare her."
CHAPTER 20
Moscow is compared to an abandoned bee hive. Napoleon is informed of its abandonment.
Important Quotes
"In a queenless hive no life is left though to a superficial glance it seems as much alive as other hives."
CHAPTER 21
The soldiers keep on looting stores on the way to Moscow. A shop-owner runs out to implore the guards to make their soldiers stop robbing, but they continue to do so.
CHAPTER 22
A young officer apparently related to the Rostovs goes to their old house to see if his uncle is still there. The Rostovs have already left, but their housekeeper, Mavra Kuzminichna, greets him and gives him some money.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Book 11, Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
CHAPTER 13
Natasha watches everybody around her packing to leave Moscow. She runs into some wounded soldiers are begs her parents to let them stay the night at their house to which they agree. Petya is excited about news of battle at Three Hills and the Countess is so frightened for him that she asks to be taken away.
Important Quotes
"The countess looked with timid horror at her son's eager, excited face as he said this. She realized that if she said a word about his not going to the battle (she knew he enjoyed the thought of the impending engagement) he would say something about men, honor, and the fatherland—something senseless, masculine, and obstinate"
CHAPTER 14
The Rostovs keep packing. A wounded man is brought to their door and it happens to be Andrew.
CHAPTER 15
Count Rostov contemplates giving the house to those who are wounded but his wife objects, saying that he should sell it and make money from it.
Important Quotes
Countess: "She assumed her dolefully submissive manner and said to her husband: "Listen to me, Count, you have managed matters so that we are getting nothing for the house, and now you wish to throw away all our—all the children's property! You said yourself that we have a hundred thousand rubles' worth of things in the house. I don't consent, my dear, I don't! Do as you please! It's the government's business to look after the wounded; they know that."
CHAPTER 16
Berg comes to inquire about buying a dresser for his wife, Vera (the Count's daughter). The count waves him away as Natasha begs her parents to let them take the wounded with them instead of leaving them behind. She begs her mother who had previously said no, and finally the countess agrees. The Rostov's belongings are once again sorted through to make room for the wounded and their carts.
Important Quotes
Boris: "'Russia is not in Moscow, she lives in the hearts of her sons!' Isn't it so, Papa?" said he.
Natasha: "Why, the wounded! It's impossible, Mamma. It's monstrous!... No, Mamma darling, it's not the thing. Please forgive me, darling.... Mamma, what does it matter what we take away? Only look what is going on in the yard... Mamma!... It's impossible!"
Countess: "My dear, you order what is right.... You know I don't understand about it," said she, dropping her eyes shamefacedly."
CHAPTER 17
Natasha is not aware that Andrew is traveling with them, but Sonya and the Countess know. On the road, they see Pierre wandering aimlessly. Natasha remarks that he's not himself.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "But what is the matter with you, Count? You are not like yourself...."
Pierre: "Oh, don't ask me, don't ask me! I don't know myself. Tomorrow... But no! Good-bye, good-by!" he muttered. "It's an awful time!"
Natasha watches everybody around her packing to leave Moscow. She runs into some wounded soldiers are begs her parents to let them stay the night at their house to which they agree. Petya is excited about news of battle at Three Hills and the Countess is so frightened for him that she asks to be taken away.
Important Quotes
"The countess looked with timid horror at her son's eager, excited face as he said this. She realized that if she said a word about his not going to the battle (she knew he enjoyed the thought of the impending engagement) he would say something about men, honor, and the fatherland—something senseless, masculine, and obstinate"
CHAPTER 14
The Rostovs keep packing. A wounded man is brought to their door and it happens to be Andrew.
CHAPTER 15
Count Rostov contemplates giving the house to those who are wounded but his wife objects, saying that he should sell it and make money from it.
Important Quotes
Countess: "She assumed her dolefully submissive manner and said to her husband: "Listen to me, Count, you have managed matters so that we are getting nothing for the house, and now you wish to throw away all our—all the children's property! You said yourself that we have a hundred thousand rubles' worth of things in the house. I don't consent, my dear, I don't! Do as you please! It's the government's business to look after the wounded; they know that."
CHAPTER 16
Berg comes to inquire about buying a dresser for his wife, Vera (the Count's daughter). The count waves him away as Natasha begs her parents to let them take the wounded with them instead of leaving them behind. She begs her mother who had previously said no, and finally the countess agrees. The Rostov's belongings are once again sorted through to make room for the wounded and their carts.
Important Quotes
Boris: "'Russia is not in Moscow, she lives in the hearts of her sons!' Isn't it so, Papa?" said he.
Natasha: "Why, the wounded! It's impossible, Mamma. It's monstrous!... No, Mamma darling, it's not the thing. Please forgive me, darling.... Mamma, what does it matter what we take away? Only look what is going on in the yard... Mamma!... It's impossible!"
Countess: "My dear, you order what is right.... You know I don't understand about it," said she, dropping her eyes shamefacedly."
CHAPTER 17
Natasha is not aware that Andrew is traveling with them, but Sonya and the Countess know. On the road, they see Pierre wandering aimlessly. Natasha remarks that he's not himself.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "But what is the matter with you, Count? You are not like yourself...."
Pierre: "Oh, don't ask me, don't ask me! I don't know myself. Tomorrow... But no! Good-bye, good-by!" he muttered. "It's an awful time!"
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Book 11, Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
CHAPTER 6
Helene has cheated on her husband with a foreign, young prince who seeks her hand in marriage. In order to divorce her first husband, she turns to religion to help her. She becomes absolved of her sins by the Catholic church and insists that divorce shouldn't be an issue since she was married according to a religion that she didn't care about now.
Important Quotes
"But Hélène, like a really great man who can do whatever he pleases, at once assumed her own position to be correct, as she sincerely believed it to be, and that everyone else was to blame."
Helene: "That's just like a man—selfish and cruel! I expected nothing else. A woman sacrifices herself for you, she suffers, and this is her reward! What right have you, monseigneur, to demand an account of my attachments and friendships?"
"In [Helene's] view the aim of every religion was merely to preserve certain proprieties while affording satisfaction to human desires."
Helene: "But I think that having espoused the true religion I cannot be bound by what a false religion laid upon me."
CHAPTER 7
Helene, wanting to make the divorce from Pierre the new hot topic in Russia as well as trying to make herself look good in the public eye, makes the old magnate fall in love with her and propose. She does this so that gossip will be more focused on who she'll choose--the old magnate or the young prince--rather than if the divorce is morally right. Her friend, Bilibin, advises her to marry the magnate so that when he dies, she can still marry the young prince.
Important Quotes
"She provoked the jealousy of the elderly magnate and told him what she had told her other suitor; that is, she put the matter so that the only way for him to obtain a right over her was to marry her."
" There were, it is true, some rigid individuals unable to rise to the height of such a question, who saw in the project a desecration of the sacrament of marriage, but there were not many such and they remained silent, while the majority were interested in Hélène's good fortune and in the question which match would be the more advantageous."
CHAPTER 8
Pierre is still on the battlefield, imagining bullets coming towards him. There, he meets three other soldiers who give him food and drop him off at the inn at Mozhaysk.
CHAPTER 9
Pierre has a dream about what being brave and what being a soldier means. In the dream, he remembers his duel with Dolokhov and sees people like him, Anatole, and Denisov. In the dream, a voice tells him that to be brave, one must have nothing and fear nothing. When he wakes up, he repeatedly asks himself "how can I harness myself?" in order to feel no suffering. He soon gets the news of Andrew and Anatole's deaths.
Important Quotes
"To be a soldier, just a soldier!" thought Pierre as he fell asleep, "to enter communal life completely, to be imbued by what makes them what they are. But how cast off all the superfluous, devilish burden of my outer man?"
(Pierre in the dream): "To endure war is the most difficult subordination of man's freedom to the law of God," the voice had said. "Simplicity is submission to the will of God; you cannot escape from Him. And they are simple. They do not talk, but act. The spoken word is silver but the unspoken is golden. Man can be master of nothing while he fears death, but he who does not fear it possesses all"
CHAPTER 10
Pierre goes to Moscow to speak with Count Rostopchin who shows him a letter of battle plans in the war on the French. The letter was apparently written by a half-educated tradesman, Vereshchagin. Pierre is still unaware of what his wife, Helene, is doing with the other two men.
CHAPTER 11
A man comes in to inform Rostopchin that some men in the army were Masons. Pierre says that he himself is one and this man warns Rostopchin about trusting the masons. Pierre leaves and reads the letter from Helene and leaves Moscow without telling anyone.
CHAPTER 12
Countess Rostova begins to get worried about her two sons at war: Petya and Nicholas. Nicholas shows no sign of returning home, but she gets Petya to come back. She makes herself think that Petya is her favorite child out of her worry for the boys. Meanwhile, Sonya is upset that Nicholas isn't coming home and that he ran into Princess Mary and liked her. Natasha is happy again since Petya, wanting to distance himself from his overly-worried mother, has clung to her and gives her much attention.
Important Quotes
Countess: "As long as Nicholas alone was in danger the countess imagined that she loved her first-born more than all her other children and even reproached herself for it; but when her youngest: the scapegrace who had been bad at lessons, was always breaking things in the house and making himself a nuisance to everybody, that snub-nosed Pétya with his merry black eyes and fresh rosy cheeks where soft down was just beginning to show—when he was thrown amid those big, dreadful, cruel men who were fighting somewhere about something and apparently finding pleasure in it—then his mother thought she loved him more, much more, than all her other children."
"Though [the countess] concealed from him her intention of keeping him under her wing, Pétya guessed her designs, and instinctively fearing that he might give way to emotion when with her—might "become womanish" as he termed it to himself—he treated her coldly, avoided her"
Helene has cheated on her husband with a foreign, young prince who seeks her hand in marriage. In order to divorce her first husband, she turns to religion to help her. She becomes absolved of her sins by the Catholic church and insists that divorce shouldn't be an issue since she was married according to a religion that she didn't care about now.
Important Quotes
"But Hélène, like a really great man who can do whatever he pleases, at once assumed her own position to be correct, as she sincerely believed it to be, and that everyone else was to blame."
Helene: "That's just like a man—selfish and cruel! I expected nothing else. A woman sacrifices herself for you, she suffers, and this is her reward! What right have you, monseigneur, to demand an account of my attachments and friendships?"
"In [Helene's] view the aim of every religion was merely to preserve certain proprieties while affording satisfaction to human desires."
Helene: "But I think that having espoused the true religion I cannot be bound by what a false religion laid upon me."
CHAPTER 7
Helene, wanting to make the divorce from Pierre the new hot topic in Russia as well as trying to make herself look good in the public eye, makes the old magnate fall in love with her and propose. She does this so that gossip will be more focused on who she'll choose--the old magnate or the young prince--rather than if the divorce is morally right. Her friend, Bilibin, advises her to marry the magnate so that when he dies, she can still marry the young prince.
Important Quotes
"She provoked the jealousy of the elderly magnate and told him what she had told her other suitor; that is, she put the matter so that the only way for him to obtain a right over her was to marry her."
" There were, it is true, some rigid individuals unable to rise to the height of such a question, who saw in the project a desecration of the sacrament of marriage, but there were not many such and they remained silent, while the majority were interested in Hélène's good fortune and in the question which match would be the more advantageous."
CHAPTER 8
Pierre is still on the battlefield, imagining bullets coming towards him. There, he meets three other soldiers who give him food and drop him off at the inn at Mozhaysk.
CHAPTER 9
Pierre has a dream about what being brave and what being a soldier means. In the dream, he remembers his duel with Dolokhov and sees people like him, Anatole, and Denisov. In the dream, a voice tells him that to be brave, one must have nothing and fear nothing. When he wakes up, he repeatedly asks himself "how can I harness myself?" in order to feel no suffering. He soon gets the news of Andrew and Anatole's deaths.
Important Quotes
"To be a soldier, just a soldier!" thought Pierre as he fell asleep, "to enter communal life completely, to be imbued by what makes them what they are. But how cast off all the superfluous, devilish burden of my outer man?"
(Pierre in the dream): "To endure war is the most difficult subordination of man's freedom to the law of God," the voice had said. "Simplicity is submission to the will of God; you cannot escape from Him. And they are simple. They do not talk, but act. The spoken word is silver but the unspoken is golden. Man can be master of nothing while he fears death, but he who does not fear it possesses all"
CHAPTER 10
Pierre goes to Moscow to speak with Count Rostopchin who shows him a letter of battle plans in the war on the French. The letter was apparently written by a half-educated tradesman, Vereshchagin. Pierre is still unaware of what his wife, Helene, is doing with the other two men.
CHAPTER 11
A man comes in to inform Rostopchin that some men in the army were Masons. Pierre says that he himself is one and this man warns Rostopchin about trusting the masons. Pierre leaves and reads the letter from Helene and leaves Moscow without telling anyone.
CHAPTER 12
Countess Rostova begins to get worried about her two sons at war: Petya and Nicholas. Nicholas shows no sign of returning home, but she gets Petya to come back. She makes herself think that Petya is her favorite child out of her worry for the boys. Meanwhile, Sonya is upset that Nicholas isn't coming home and that he ran into Princess Mary and liked her. Natasha is happy again since Petya, wanting to distance himself from his overly-worried mother, has clung to her and gives her much attention.
Important Quotes
Countess: "As long as Nicholas alone was in danger the countess imagined that she loved her first-born more than all her other children and even reproached herself for it; but when her youngest: the scapegrace who had been bad at lessons, was always breaking things in the house and making himself a nuisance to everybody, that snub-nosed Pétya with his merry black eyes and fresh rosy cheeks where soft down was just beginning to show—when he was thrown amid those big, dreadful, cruel men who were fighting somewhere about something and apparently finding pleasure in it—then his mother thought she loved him more, much more, than all her other children."
"Though [the countess] concealed from him her intention of keeping him under her wing, Pétya guessed her designs, and instinctively fearing that he might give way to emotion when with her—might "become womanish" as he termed it to himself—he treated her coldly, avoided her"
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Book 11, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
CHAPTER 1
year 1812
Tolstoy describe how man perceives motion and relativity in the world. He uses the example of a watch and a clock and how each time his watch reaches a certain time, the clock rings so are the two related? This is much like war. Is it up to one leader to start a war, or is everyone responsible?
Important Quotes
" In seeking the laws of historical movement just the same thing happens. The movement of humanity, arising as it does from innumerable arbitrary human wills, is continuous."
" human reason replies: every time conquerors appear there have been wars, but this does not prove that the conquerors caused the wars and that it is possible to find the laws of a war in the personal activity of a single man."
CHAPTER 2
The Russian army thinks they can take the French at Borodino, but their army has been reduced by half. They end up retreating and the weak French enter Moscow regardless. Tolstoy then explains how the events of war are not only attributed to the commanders and generals, but to all.
Important Quotes
"A commander-in-chief's business, it would seem, is simply to choose one of these projects. But even that he cannot do. "
CHAPTER 3
Kutuzov thinks the Russian army is strong enough to fight the French and prevent them from entering Moscow. However, everyone else advises against it. As he realizes that they're all right, he feels out of control since retreating is the ultimate defeat for him.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: " Have I really allowed Napoleon to reach Moscow, and when did I do so? When was it decided? Can it have been yesterday when I ordered Platov to retreat, or was it the evening before, when I had a nap and told Bennigsen to issue orders? Or was it earlier still?..."
Kutuzov: "he was convinced that he was destined to save Russia and that that was why, against the Emperor's wish and by the will of the people, he had been chosen commander-in-chief. He was convinced that he alone could maintain command of the army in these difficult circumstances"
CHAPTER 4
Kutuzov and Bennigsen argue over what should be done in battle. Bennigsen wants to fight while Kutuzov wants to retreat.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: "The question I have asked these gentlemen to meet to discuss is a military one. The question is that of saving Russia. Is it better to give up Moscow without a battle, or by accepting battle to risk losing the army as well as Moscow?"
Kutuzov: "When, when did the abandonment of Moscow become inevitable? When was that done which settled the matter? And who was to blame for it?"
CHAPTER 5
People start to leave Moscow. The rich leave with their slave and leave the peasants behind. The peasants destroy what's left of the city. Count Rostopchin, who had one thought it absurd to leave Moscow, now claims he'd burn his house down since he's ashamed at how Moscow has fallen.
Important Quotes
Rostopchin: "this man did not understand the meaning of what was happening but merely wanted to do something himself that would astonish people, to perform some patriotically heroic feat; and like a child he made sport of the momentous, and unavoidable event—the abandonment and burning of Moscow—and tried with his puny hand now to speed and now to stay the enormous, popular tide that bore him along with it."
year 1812
Tolstoy describe how man perceives motion and relativity in the world. He uses the example of a watch and a clock and how each time his watch reaches a certain time, the clock rings so are the two related? This is much like war. Is it up to one leader to start a war, or is everyone responsible?
Important Quotes
" In seeking the laws of historical movement just the same thing happens. The movement of humanity, arising as it does from innumerable arbitrary human wills, is continuous."
" human reason replies: every time conquerors appear there have been wars, but this does not prove that the conquerors caused the wars and that it is possible to find the laws of a war in the personal activity of a single man."
CHAPTER 2
The Russian army thinks they can take the French at Borodino, but their army has been reduced by half. They end up retreating and the weak French enter Moscow regardless. Tolstoy then explains how the events of war are not only attributed to the commanders and generals, but to all.
Important Quotes
"A commander-in-chief's business, it would seem, is simply to choose one of these projects. But even that he cannot do. "
CHAPTER 3
Kutuzov thinks the Russian army is strong enough to fight the French and prevent them from entering Moscow. However, everyone else advises against it. As he realizes that they're all right, he feels out of control since retreating is the ultimate defeat for him.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: " Have I really allowed Napoleon to reach Moscow, and when did I do so? When was it decided? Can it have been yesterday when I ordered Platov to retreat, or was it the evening before, when I had a nap and told Bennigsen to issue orders? Or was it earlier still?..."
Kutuzov: "he was convinced that he was destined to save Russia and that that was why, against the Emperor's wish and by the will of the people, he had been chosen commander-in-chief. He was convinced that he alone could maintain command of the army in these difficult circumstances"
CHAPTER 4
Kutuzov and Bennigsen argue over what should be done in battle. Bennigsen wants to fight while Kutuzov wants to retreat.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: "The question I have asked these gentlemen to meet to discuss is a military one. The question is that of saving Russia. Is it better to give up Moscow without a battle, or by accepting battle to risk losing the army as well as Moscow?"
Kutuzov: "When, when did the abandonment of Moscow become inevitable? When was that done which settled the matter? And who was to blame for it?"
CHAPTER 5
People start to leave Moscow. The rich leave with their slave and leave the peasants behind. The peasants destroy what's left of the city. Count Rostopchin, who had one thought it absurd to leave Moscow, now claims he'd burn his house down since he's ashamed at how Moscow has fallen.
Important Quotes
Rostopchin: "this man did not understand the meaning of what was happening but merely wanted to do something himself that would astonish people, to perform some patriotically heroic feat; and like a child he made sport of the momentous, and unavoidable event—the abandonment and burning of Moscow—and tried with his puny hand now to speed and now to stay the enormous, popular tide that bore him along with it."
Book 10 RECAP
The war against Russia and France begins.
Important Theme: Blame
The French loss is blamed on Napoleon's cold- everyone has an impact on the way an event unfolds. Are things pre-destined or do we forge our own paths? Our actions surely have consequences and lead to the next path we will take.
- Napoleon: Thinks he's invincible, but when his army fails for the first time, he understands the severity and sadness of battle
- Andrew: Thoughts of death plague him and he is shot at battle
- Pierre: He decides to join the army without knowing a thing about war. He doesn't understand how men fight without fearing death constantly
Important Theme: Blame
The French loss is blamed on Napoleon's cold- everyone has an impact on the way an event unfolds. Are things pre-destined or do we forge our own paths? Our actions surely have consequences and lead to the next path we will take.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Book 10, Chapters 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39
CHAPTER 31
Pierre finds himself in the middle of the battle. At first, all the soldiers around him seem annoyed by his presence since he doesn't know what he'd doing. Later on, they seem to not mind his presence. He notices how they all act unaffected by the gunfire and get merrier as the danger approaches. He stumbles around and is shocked by the grapeshot that's fired. He passes out on the ground.
Important Quotes
"the projectiles that flew over [Pierre], did not see the enemy on the other side of the river, and for a long time did not notice the killed and wounded, though many fell near him. He looked about him with a smile which did not leave his face."
CHAPTER 32
Pierre doesn't know in which direction to run to. He runs into a French soldier and they both fight each other for a bit, now knowing if the other will take them prisoner. The French approach and Pierre realizes that all the soldiers he'd been sitting with before are now dead.
Important Quotes
"[Pierre and the Frenchman] gazed with frightened eyes at one another's unfamiliar faces and both were perplexed at what they had done and what they were to do next. "Am I taken prisoner or have I taken him prisoner?" each was thinking."
Pierre: "Now they will stop it, now they will be horrified at what they have done!" he thought, aimlessly going toward a crowd of stretcher bearers moving from the battlefield.
But behind the veil of smoke the sun was still high"
CHAPTER 33
Napoleon watches the battle of Borodino from his perch. However, he can't make out what is going on very well due to the distance and the smoke. The French and Russians keep on clashing, each making small advances and then falling behind. Eventually, the French rush into Russian forces, trying to save their lives, but ultimately setting the French troops as a whole back.
Important Quotes
"They did not fear getting into trouble for not fulfilling orders or for acting on their own initiative, for in battle what is at stake is what is dearest to man—his own life—and it sometimes seems that safety lies in running back, sometimes in running forward; and these men who were right in the heat of the battle acted according to the mood of the moment."
CHAPTER 34
All the generals ask Napoleon for reinforcements, but at first he sees no need. He thinks his army is invincible. But, soon, he realizes that they are being overtaken and stands in disbelief. He feels a great sense of failure, destruction and mortality.
Important Quotes
"In former battles [Napoleon] had only considered the possibilities of success, but now innumerable unlucky chances presented themselves, and he expected them all."
CHAPTER 35
Kutuzov is pleased with the outcome of the battle. He knows that it takes the men's spirit to win a war, not a commander. Later on, Wolzogen comes to speak with him with Barclay de Tolly's words, saying that he thinks the Russians should retreat. Kutuzov becomes furious since he knows the Russians have a good shot at winning. He tells Wolzogen to tell Barclay that they will attack the following day.
Important Quotes
"By long years of military experience [Kutuzov] knew, and with the wisdom of age understood, that it is impossible for one man to direct hundreds of thousands of others struggling with death, and he knew that the result of a battle is decided not by the orders of a commander-in-chief, nor the place where the troops are stationed, nor by the number of cannon or of slaughtered men, but by that intangible force called the spirit of the army"
CHAPTER 36
The Russian troops sit restless, ignoring the other men falling around them. They only focus on the seemingly unimportant things around them to distract them from thought of dying. Andrew focuses on a small patch of flowers in some wormwood and suddenly realizes that he loves his life and doesn't want to die. Just then, he is shot in the stomach and peasants bring a stretcher out for him. In the dressing station, many men are dying and someone talks of the victory the Russians have acquired, but Andrew thinks that this victory doesn't mean anything since he is going to die anyway.
Important Quotes
"When men were killed or wounded, when rows of stretchers went past, when some troops retreated, and when great masses of the enemy came into view through the smoke, no one paid any attention to these things. But when our artillery or cavalry advanced or some of our infantry were seen to move forward, words of approval were heard on all sides."
Andrew: "But isn't it all the same now?" thought he. "And what will be there, and what has there been here? Why was I so reluctant to part with life? There was something in this life I did not and do not understand."
CHAPTER 37
The doctors begin to work on Andrew's wounds. Next to him he sees another man who is getting his leg amputated. He recognizes him as Anatole. Suddenly, his heart fills with love for Anatole as he remembers why they are connected--through Natasha. He realizes that compassion for all is the best feeling, which is what Mary was always trying to tell him.
Important Quotes
"Hearing those moans Prince Andrew wanted to weep. Whether because he was dying without glory, or because he was sorry to part with life, or because of those memories of a childhood that could not return, or because he was suffering and others were suffering and that man near him was groaning so piteously—he felt like weeping childlike, kindly, and almost happy tears."
Andrew: "Compassion, love of our brothers, for those who love us and for those who hate us, love of our enemies; yes, that love which God preached on earth and which Princess Mary taught me and I did not understand—that is what made me sorry to part with life, that is what remained for me had I lived. But now it is too late. I know it!"
CHAPTER 38
Napoleon is distraught as he looks upon the battlefield. He only finds comfort in the fact that, for every dead French soldier, there were five dead Russians. Napoleon blames the war on himself, seeing himself as such an influential figure who could start and end a war.
Important Quotes
"the news that some twenty generals he knew personally had been killed or wounded, and the consciousness of the impotence of his once mighty arm, produced an unexpected impression on Napoleon who usually liked to look at the killed and wounded, thereby, he considered, testing his strength of mind."
Napoleon: "Never to the end of his life could he understand goodness, beauty, or truth, or the significance of his actions which were too contrary to goodness and truth, too remote from everything human, for him ever to be able to grasp their meaning."
CHAPTER 39
The soldiers continue to fight, against their will. The Russians lost half of their army and the French were too proud to use any other their guards against them. Both sides were in terrible condition, but the Russian spirit did not let the French overtake Moscow.
Important Quotes
"the question arose in every soul: "For what, for whom, must I kill and be killed?... You may go and kill whom you please, but I don't want to do so anymore!"
Pierre finds himself in the middle of the battle. At first, all the soldiers around him seem annoyed by his presence since he doesn't know what he'd doing. Later on, they seem to not mind his presence. He notices how they all act unaffected by the gunfire and get merrier as the danger approaches. He stumbles around and is shocked by the grapeshot that's fired. He passes out on the ground.
Important Quotes
"the projectiles that flew over [Pierre], did not see the enemy on the other side of the river, and for a long time did not notice the killed and wounded, though many fell near him. He looked about him with a smile which did not leave his face."
CHAPTER 32
Pierre doesn't know in which direction to run to. He runs into a French soldier and they both fight each other for a bit, now knowing if the other will take them prisoner. The French approach and Pierre realizes that all the soldiers he'd been sitting with before are now dead.
Important Quotes
"[Pierre and the Frenchman] gazed with frightened eyes at one another's unfamiliar faces and both were perplexed at what they had done and what they were to do next. "Am I taken prisoner or have I taken him prisoner?" each was thinking."
Pierre: "Now they will stop it, now they will be horrified at what they have done!" he thought, aimlessly going toward a crowd of stretcher bearers moving from the battlefield.
But behind the veil of smoke the sun was still high"
CHAPTER 33
Napoleon watches the battle of Borodino from his perch. However, he can't make out what is going on very well due to the distance and the smoke. The French and Russians keep on clashing, each making small advances and then falling behind. Eventually, the French rush into Russian forces, trying to save their lives, but ultimately setting the French troops as a whole back.
Important Quotes
"They did not fear getting into trouble for not fulfilling orders or for acting on their own initiative, for in battle what is at stake is what is dearest to man—his own life—and it sometimes seems that safety lies in running back, sometimes in running forward; and these men who were right in the heat of the battle acted according to the mood of the moment."
CHAPTER 34
All the generals ask Napoleon for reinforcements, but at first he sees no need. He thinks his army is invincible. But, soon, he realizes that they are being overtaken and stands in disbelief. He feels a great sense of failure, destruction and mortality.
Important Quotes
"In former battles [Napoleon] had only considered the possibilities of success, but now innumerable unlucky chances presented themselves, and he expected them all."
CHAPTER 35
Kutuzov is pleased with the outcome of the battle. He knows that it takes the men's spirit to win a war, not a commander. Later on, Wolzogen comes to speak with him with Barclay de Tolly's words, saying that he thinks the Russians should retreat. Kutuzov becomes furious since he knows the Russians have a good shot at winning. He tells Wolzogen to tell Barclay that they will attack the following day.
Important Quotes
"By long years of military experience [Kutuzov] knew, and with the wisdom of age understood, that it is impossible for one man to direct hundreds of thousands of others struggling with death, and he knew that the result of a battle is decided not by the orders of a commander-in-chief, nor the place where the troops are stationed, nor by the number of cannon or of slaughtered men, but by that intangible force called the spirit of the army"
CHAPTER 36
The Russian troops sit restless, ignoring the other men falling around them. They only focus on the seemingly unimportant things around them to distract them from thought of dying. Andrew focuses on a small patch of flowers in some wormwood and suddenly realizes that he loves his life and doesn't want to die. Just then, he is shot in the stomach and peasants bring a stretcher out for him. In the dressing station, many men are dying and someone talks of the victory the Russians have acquired, but Andrew thinks that this victory doesn't mean anything since he is going to die anyway.
Important Quotes
"When men were killed or wounded, when rows of stretchers went past, when some troops retreated, and when great masses of the enemy came into view through the smoke, no one paid any attention to these things. But when our artillery or cavalry advanced or some of our infantry were seen to move forward, words of approval were heard on all sides."
Andrew: "But isn't it all the same now?" thought he. "And what will be there, and what has there been here? Why was I so reluctant to part with life? There was something in this life I did not and do not understand."
CHAPTER 37
The doctors begin to work on Andrew's wounds. Next to him he sees another man who is getting his leg amputated. He recognizes him as Anatole. Suddenly, his heart fills with love for Anatole as he remembers why they are connected--through Natasha. He realizes that compassion for all is the best feeling, which is what Mary was always trying to tell him.
Important Quotes
"Hearing those moans Prince Andrew wanted to weep. Whether because he was dying without glory, or because he was sorry to part with life, or because of those memories of a childhood that could not return, or because he was suffering and others were suffering and that man near him was groaning so piteously—he felt like weeping childlike, kindly, and almost happy tears."
Andrew: "Compassion, love of our brothers, for those who love us and for those who hate us, love of our enemies; yes, that love which God preached on earth and which Princess Mary taught me and I did not understand—that is what made me sorry to part with life, that is what remained for me had I lived. But now it is too late. I know it!"
CHAPTER 38
Napoleon is distraught as he looks upon the battlefield. He only finds comfort in the fact that, for every dead French soldier, there were five dead Russians. Napoleon blames the war on himself, seeing himself as such an influential figure who could start and end a war.
Important Quotes
"the news that some twenty generals he knew personally had been killed or wounded, and the consciousness of the impotence of his once mighty arm, produced an unexpected impression on Napoleon who usually liked to look at the killed and wounded, thereby, he considered, testing his strength of mind."
Napoleon: "Never to the end of his life could he understand goodness, beauty, or truth, or the significance of his actions which were too contrary to goodness and truth, too remote from everything human, for him ever to be able to grasp their meaning."
CHAPTER 39
The soldiers continue to fight, against their will. The Russians lost half of their army and the French were too proud to use any other their guards against them. Both sides were in terrible condition, but the Russian spirit did not let the French overtake Moscow.
Important Quotes
"the question arose in every soul: "For what, for whom, must I kill and be killed?... You may go and kill whom you please, but I don't want to do so anymore!"
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Book 10, Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
CHAPTER 24
Andrew reflects on the upcoming war. He thinks of his own death and of all the things he loved: women, his dead father, and the fatherland. He thinks that he is sure to die in battle the next day.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "for the first time in his life the possibility of death presented itself to him—not in relation to any worldly matter or with reference to its effect on others, but simply in relation to himself, to his own soul—vividly, plainly, terribly, and almost as a certainty."
Andrew: "To die... to be killed tomorrow... That I should not exist... That all this should still be, but no me...."
CHAPTER 25
Andrew talks to Pierre and some others about the war. Later, he keeps telling Pierre that he hates the French and that none of them should be taken captive--they should all be killed. He thinks of Natasha before bedtime and remembers the story of how she got lost in the forest. He feels that he is unlovable, but claims that that is his fate. Pierre feels that this will be the last time he sees Andrew.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "Success never depends, and never will depend, on position, or equipment, or even on numbers, and least of all on position."
Pierre: "But on what then?"
Andrew: "On the feeling that is in me and in him," he pointed to Timokhin, "and in each soldier."
Andrew: "The French have destroyed my home and are on their way to destroy Moscow, they have outraged and are outraging me every moment. They are my enemies. In my opinion they are all criminals. And so thinks Timokhin and the whole army. They should be executed!"
Andrew: "I not only understood her, but it was just that inner, spiritual force, that sincerity, that frankness of soul—that very soul of hers which seemed to be fettered by her body—it was that soul I loved in her... loved so strongly and happily..." and suddenly he remembered how his love had ended. "He did not need anything of that kind."
CHAPTER 26
The men prepare Napoleon for battle. They bring him a surprise, a portrait of his son, "the King of Rome." Napoleon gets ready to take over Moscow.
Important Quotes
Napoleon: "No prisoners!" said he, repeating the aide-de-camp's words. "They are forcing us to exterminate them. So much the worse for the Russian army"
CHAPTER 27
Napoleon sends each general orders on how to proceed in the war. However, none of his plans are able to come to fruition and Napoleon is too far away from the war scene to give new orders.
CHAPTER 28
The French loss at Borodino was not blamed on Napoleon, but on all the minute details that may have hindered him in any way. For example, some historians attribute the loss to the cold he had that day, which they said hindered the war effort. Everything is interrelated and people act on their own free will, according to certain people.
Important Quotes
"Many historians say that the French did not win the battle of Borodino because Napoleon had a cold, and that if he had not had a cold the orders he gave before and during the battle would have been still more full of genius and Russia would have been lost and the face of the world have been changed."
"To the question of what causes historic events another answer presents itself, namely, that the course of human events is predetermined from on high—depends on the coincidence of the wills of all who take part in the events, and that a Napoleon's influence on the course of these events is purely external and fictitious."
"At the battle of Borodino Napoleon shot at no one and killed no one. That was all done by the soldiers. Therefore it was not he who killed people. The French soldiers went to kill and be killed at the battle of Borodino not because of Napoleon's orders but by their own volition."
CHAPTER 29
Napoleon continues to prepare for the war. He has a cold and mentions that the human body is merely a machine for living.
Important Quotes
Napoleon: " Yes, our body is just a machine for living, that is all."
CHAPTER 30
Pierre watches the beginnings of battle unfold. He follows the general down to the crossing on horseback, not really knowing what to do or how to ride.
Andrew reflects on the upcoming war. He thinks of his own death and of all the things he loved: women, his dead father, and the fatherland. He thinks that he is sure to die in battle the next day.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "for the first time in his life the possibility of death presented itself to him—not in relation to any worldly matter or with reference to its effect on others, but simply in relation to himself, to his own soul—vividly, plainly, terribly, and almost as a certainty."
Andrew: "To die... to be killed tomorrow... That I should not exist... That all this should still be, but no me...."
CHAPTER 25
Andrew talks to Pierre and some others about the war. Later, he keeps telling Pierre that he hates the French and that none of them should be taken captive--they should all be killed. He thinks of Natasha before bedtime and remembers the story of how she got lost in the forest. He feels that he is unlovable, but claims that that is his fate. Pierre feels that this will be the last time he sees Andrew.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "Success never depends, and never will depend, on position, or equipment, or even on numbers, and least of all on position."
Pierre: "But on what then?"
Andrew: "On the feeling that is in me and in him," he pointed to Timokhin, "and in each soldier."
Andrew: "The French have destroyed my home and are on their way to destroy Moscow, they have outraged and are outraging me every moment. They are my enemies. In my opinion they are all criminals. And so thinks Timokhin and the whole army. They should be executed!"
Andrew: "I not only understood her, but it was just that inner, spiritual force, that sincerity, that frankness of soul—that very soul of hers which seemed to be fettered by her body—it was that soul I loved in her... loved so strongly and happily..." and suddenly he remembered how his love had ended. "He did not need anything of that kind."
CHAPTER 26
The men prepare Napoleon for battle. They bring him a surprise, a portrait of his son, "the King of Rome." Napoleon gets ready to take over Moscow.
Important Quotes
Napoleon: "No prisoners!" said he, repeating the aide-de-camp's words. "They are forcing us to exterminate them. So much the worse for the Russian army"
CHAPTER 27
Napoleon sends each general orders on how to proceed in the war. However, none of his plans are able to come to fruition and Napoleon is too far away from the war scene to give new orders.
CHAPTER 28
The French loss at Borodino was not blamed on Napoleon, but on all the minute details that may have hindered him in any way. For example, some historians attribute the loss to the cold he had that day, which they said hindered the war effort. Everything is interrelated and people act on their own free will, according to certain people.
Important Quotes
"Many historians say that the French did not win the battle of Borodino because Napoleon had a cold, and that if he had not had a cold the orders he gave before and during the battle would have been still more full of genius and Russia would have been lost and the face of the world have been changed."
"To the question of what causes historic events another answer presents itself, namely, that the course of human events is predetermined from on high—depends on the coincidence of the wills of all who take part in the events, and that a Napoleon's influence on the course of these events is purely external and fictitious."
"At the battle of Borodino Napoleon shot at no one and killed no one. That was all done by the soldiers. Therefore it was not he who killed people. The French soldiers went to kill and be killed at the battle of Borodino not because of Napoleon's orders but by their own volition."
CHAPTER 29
Napoleon continues to prepare for the war. He has a cold and mentions that the human body is merely a machine for living.
Important Quotes
Napoleon: " Yes, our body is just a machine for living, that is all."
CHAPTER 30
Pierre watches the beginnings of battle unfold. He follows the general down to the crossing on horseback, not really knowing what to do or how to ride.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Book 10, Chapters 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
CHAPTER 17
Although Moscow is in great danger, the people there seem to ignore it. Julie Drubetskaya holds a party where Pierre and others talk about the recent events of society. They talk of how the young Rostov saved Mary from the rioting peasants and how there is another romance cooking.
Important Quotes
"two voices that speak with equal power in the human soul: one very reasonably tells a man to consider the nature of the danger and the means of escaping it; the other, still more reasonably, says that it is too depressing and painful to think of the danger, since it is not in man's power to foresee everything and avert the general course of events, and it is therefore better to disregard what is painful till it comes, and to think about what is pleasant. In solitude a man generally listens to the first voice, but in society to the second."
CHAPTER 18
Pierre contemplates joining the war, but continuously talks himself out of it. Things in Moscow worsen and he witnesses a Frenchman being flogged by a group of Russians. After that, he decides to join the army and leaves Moscow in a rush. He feels fulfilled by sacrificing everything to become a war hero.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "he felt such particular delight in sacrificing everything. He was not occupied with the question of what to sacrifice for; the fact of sacrificing in itself afforded him a new and joyous sensation."
CHAPTER 19
The battles of Borodino and Shevardino Redoubt between the French and the Russians are described. Both sides are ill-equipped and the Russian general, Kutuzov, is too prideful to choose a better position for the war than the one he had already chosen before.
CHAPTER 20
Pierre rides out to inquire about joining the army. One his way, he sees many soldiers who are wounded and lying on carts. They all sing and seem happy, despite their wounds. When Pierre talks to the doctor he meets there, the doctor tells him how many men typically die in battle. Pierre is baffled by the number and doesn't understand how the soldiers could think of anything except death itself.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "They may die tomorrow; why are they thinking of anything but death?"
CHAPTER 21
Pierre goes to a lookout point to see the progress of the war and where the Russian army is. There, he sees some more soldiers carrying an icon of the Smolensk Mother of God. All of them are praying, chanting and singing to it. He sees Kutuzov bow to the icon and kiss it as well.
CHAPTER 22
Pierre runs into Boris who tells him to talk to Kutuzov if he wants to fight. Kutuzov seems unimpressed and not interested in Pierre's request to join the army, but tells him to tag along. Pierre also runs into Dolokhov who asks his forgiveness (after the duel they had years prior).
Dolokhov: "I beg you to forgive me." Pierre looked at Dólokhov with a smile, not knowing what to say to him. With tears in his eyes Dólokhov embraced Pierre and kissed him."
CHAPTER 23
Pierre follows along next to the commander Bennigsen who is quite condescending towards him since Pierre knows little to nothing about battle. Bennigsen orders an ambush troop to move forward into defense, which was not supposed to happen. Pierre knowing nothing of war, goes along with the plan.
Although Moscow is in great danger, the people there seem to ignore it. Julie Drubetskaya holds a party where Pierre and others talk about the recent events of society. They talk of how the young Rostov saved Mary from the rioting peasants and how there is another romance cooking.
Important Quotes
"two voices that speak with equal power in the human soul: one very reasonably tells a man to consider the nature of the danger and the means of escaping it; the other, still more reasonably, says that it is too depressing and painful to think of the danger, since it is not in man's power to foresee everything and avert the general course of events, and it is therefore better to disregard what is painful till it comes, and to think about what is pleasant. In solitude a man generally listens to the first voice, but in society to the second."
CHAPTER 18
Pierre contemplates joining the war, but continuously talks himself out of it. Things in Moscow worsen and he witnesses a Frenchman being flogged by a group of Russians. After that, he decides to join the army and leaves Moscow in a rush. He feels fulfilled by sacrificing everything to become a war hero.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "he felt such particular delight in sacrificing everything. He was not occupied with the question of what to sacrifice for; the fact of sacrificing in itself afforded him a new and joyous sensation."
CHAPTER 19
The battles of Borodino and Shevardino Redoubt between the French and the Russians are described. Both sides are ill-equipped and the Russian general, Kutuzov, is too prideful to choose a better position for the war than the one he had already chosen before.
CHAPTER 20
Pierre rides out to inquire about joining the army. One his way, he sees many soldiers who are wounded and lying on carts. They all sing and seem happy, despite their wounds. When Pierre talks to the doctor he meets there, the doctor tells him how many men typically die in battle. Pierre is baffled by the number and doesn't understand how the soldiers could think of anything except death itself.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "They may die tomorrow; why are they thinking of anything but death?"
CHAPTER 21
Pierre goes to a lookout point to see the progress of the war and where the Russian army is. There, he sees some more soldiers carrying an icon of the Smolensk Mother of God. All of them are praying, chanting and singing to it. He sees Kutuzov bow to the icon and kiss it as well.
CHAPTER 22
Pierre runs into Boris who tells him to talk to Kutuzov if he wants to fight. Kutuzov seems unimpressed and not interested in Pierre's request to join the army, but tells him to tag along. Pierre also runs into Dolokhov who asks his forgiveness (after the duel they had years prior).
Dolokhov: "I beg you to forgive me." Pierre looked at Dólokhov with a smile, not knowing what to say to him. With tears in his eyes Dólokhov embraced Pierre and kissed him."
CHAPTER 23
Pierre follows along next to the commander Bennigsen who is quite condescending towards him since Pierre knows little to nothing about battle. Bennigsen orders an ambush troop to move forward into defense, which was not supposed to happen. Pierre knowing nothing of war, goes along with the plan.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Book 10, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
CHAPTER 11
Mary's servant girl comes to tell her that all the peasants are outside waiting for her, but not to go to them. Mary still goes out and offers them all the family's grain and shelter to which they refuse. She wonders why they'd refuse her generous offer. They only keep repeating that "we don't agree."
Important Quotes
Mary: "Ours is a common misfortune and we will share it together. All that is mine is yours," she concluded, scanning the faces before her."
CHAPTER 12
Mary thinks about her father's death and wonders what other things he would have had to say. She remembers how he called her "dearest" and begins to cry.
Important Quotes
"not the face she had known ever since she could remember and had always seen at a distance, but the timid, feeble face she had seen for the first time quite closely, with all its wrinkles and details, when she stooped near to his mouth to catch what he said.
"Dear-est!" she repeated again."
CHAPTER 13
Rostov, Alpatych, Ilyin, and Lavrushka ride into Bogucharovo where they meet drunk and rioting peasants. There, Rostov meets Mary who is very distressed and he comforts her, taking this moment to prove his manliness.
Important Quotes
"This meeting immediately struck Rostóv as a romantic event. "A helpless girl overwhelmed with grief, left to the mercy of coarse, rioting peasants! And what a strange fate sent me here! What gentleness and nobility there are in [Mary's] features and expression!"
CHAPTER 14
Nicholas Rostov does all he can to ensure Mary's safety and passage out of Bogucharovo. She begins to fall in love with him and he with her, knowing that she'd be the perfect match for him since she is not only beautiful and kind to him, but also rich. He gets angry with himself, though, for forgetting Sonya.
Important Quotes
Mary: "Ashamed as she was of acknowledging to herself that she had fallen in love with a man who would perhaps never love her, she comforted herself with the thought that no one would ever know it and that she would not be to blame if, without ever speaking of it to anyone, she continued to the end of her life to love the man with whom she had fallen in love for the first and last time in her life. "
CHAPTER 15
Andrew meets Denisov for the first time as they go to discuss war matters with Kutuzov. Both are reminded of Natasha in each others' company. Denisov tells Kutuzov of his military plan to attack the line of communication, but Kutuzov seems bored with the matter.
CHAPTER 16
Kutuzov and Andrew speak of Andrew's fathers' death and of the war. Kutuzov tells Andrew that he will not declare battle unless everyone wants it. Andrew trusts Kutuzov because he's Russian and because he seems like the kind of man who will not act for himself, but for everyone's good.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: "Everything comes in time to him who knows how to wait."
Kutuzov: "When in doubt, my dear fellow, do nothing."
Mary's servant girl comes to tell her that all the peasants are outside waiting for her, but not to go to them. Mary still goes out and offers them all the family's grain and shelter to which they refuse. She wonders why they'd refuse her generous offer. They only keep repeating that "we don't agree."
Important Quotes
Mary: "Ours is a common misfortune and we will share it together. All that is mine is yours," she concluded, scanning the faces before her."
CHAPTER 12
Mary thinks about her father's death and wonders what other things he would have had to say. She remembers how he called her "dearest" and begins to cry.
Important Quotes
"not the face she had known ever since she could remember and had always seen at a distance, but the timid, feeble face she had seen for the first time quite closely, with all its wrinkles and details, when she stooped near to his mouth to catch what he said.
"Dear-est!" she repeated again."
CHAPTER 13
Rostov, Alpatych, Ilyin, and Lavrushka ride into Bogucharovo where they meet drunk and rioting peasants. There, Rostov meets Mary who is very distressed and he comforts her, taking this moment to prove his manliness.
Important Quotes
"This meeting immediately struck Rostóv as a romantic event. "A helpless girl overwhelmed with grief, left to the mercy of coarse, rioting peasants! And what a strange fate sent me here! What gentleness and nobility there are in [Mary's] features and expression!"
CHAPTER 14
Nicholas Rostov does all he can to ensure Mary's safety and passage out of Bogucharovo. She begins to fall in love with him and he with her, knowing that she'd be the perfect match for him since she is not only beautiful and kind to him, but also rich. He gets angry with himself, though, for forgetting Sonya.
Important Quotes
Mary: "Ashamed as she was of acknowledging to herself that she had fallen in love with a man who would perhaps never love her, she comforted herself with the thought that no one would ever know it and that she would not be to blame if, without ever speaking of it to anyone, she continued to the end of her life to love the man with whom she had fallen in love for the first and last time in her life. "
CHAPTER 15
Andrew meets Denisov for the first time as they go to discuss war matters with Kutuzov. Both are reminded of Natasha in each others' company. Denisov tells Kutuzov of his military plan to attack the line of communication, but Kutuzov seems bored with the matter.
CHAPTER 16
Kutuzov and Andrew speak of Andrew's fathers' death and of the war. Kutuzov tells Andrew that he will not declare battle unless everyone wants it. Andrew trusts Kutuzov because he's Russian and because he seems like the kind of man who will not act for himself, but for everyone's good.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: "Everything comes in time to him who knows how to wait."
Kutuzov: "When in doubt, my dear fellow, do nothing."
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Book 10, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
CHAPTER 1
Year 1812
The progress of the war is explained. Those working under Emperor Alexander are divided because Barclay and Bagration, two leading figures in the war, do not want to work together. Napoleon enters Russia, unaware of the harsh winter which leads to the beginning of his fall.
CHAPTER 2
The Old Prince Nicholas reprimands Mary about having told Andrew about him and Madame Bourienne. He blames her for driving him away. Later on, they get a letter from Andrew explaining that they are not safe in Bald Hills anymore because the French army is approaching. The Old Prince doesn't want to hear this and insists that they are safe.
Important Quotes
"Of the war Princess Mary thought as women do think about wars. She feared for her brother who was in it, was horrified by and amazed at the strange cruelty that impels men to kill one another, but she did not understand the significance of this war, which seemed to her like all previous wars."
"The chief reason Princess Mary did not realize the full significance of this war was that the old prince never spoke of it"
CHAPTER 3
The Old Prince works on his will. He thinks of the old times when he was in the army, wishing to live in the past again instead of the present.
Important Quotes
Prince Nicholas: "Oh, quicker, quicker! To get back to that time and have done with all the present! Quicker, quicker—and that they should leave me in peace!"
CHAPTER 4
Dessalles, Andrew's sons' tutor, after reading the letter from Andrew tells Mary to send their servant, Alpatych to Smolensk to inquire about Bald Hill's safety. Alpatych goes and notices that everyone there seems to not be moving, despite the far off cannons and gunshots. Everyone seems to be in denial that the war is upon them. He speaks to the governor who hands him a letter saying that everything is under control however, soon after, soldiers invade Smolensk. Alpatych runs into Andrew as he is trying to leave town and Andrew warns that they must leave Bald Hills.
Important Quotes
"All the interests of his life for more than thirty years had been bounded by the will of the prince, and he never went beyond that limit. Everything not connected with the execution of the prince's orders did not interest and did not even exist for Alpatych."
"Why are they leaving the town?" asked Alpatych.
"That's what I say. Folks are foolish! Always afraid of the French."
"Women's fuss, women's fuss!" said Alpatych."
CHAPTER 5
Andrew goes to Bald Hills to reminisce after his father, son, and sister retreat to Moscow. There are soldiers bathing in his pond and he is disgusted by their white flesh. He notices little girls stealing plums from his trees and he lets them, aware of the other side of the war-- the civilians. A letter is written by Bagration warning Arakcheev to not trust the Minister Barclay de Tolly, whom he despises. He says that Barclay is a coward for having the Russian troops retreat from Smolensk so fast.
Important Quotes
"A new sensation of comfort and relief came over him when, seeing these girls, he realized the existence of other human interests entirely aloof from his own and just as legitimate as those that occupied him. Evidently these girls passionately desired one thing—to carry away and eat those green plums without being caught—and Prince Andrew shared their wish for the success of their enterprise."
Andrew: "Flesh, bodies, cannon fodder!" he thought, and he looked at his own naked body and shuddered, not from cold but from a sense of disgust and horror he did not himself understand, aroused by the sight of that immense number of bodies splashing about in the dirty pond."
Bagration (about Barclay): "the whole army feels great suspicion of the Imperial aide-de-camp Wolzogen. He is said to be more Napoleon's man than ours, and he is always advising the Minister. I am not merely civil to him but obey him like a corporal, though I am his senior. This is painful, but, loving my benefactor and sovereign, I submit."
CHAPTER 6
There are two main circles of gossip about the war: Helene's circle and Anna Pavlovna's. Both have disagreeing views and Prince Vasili is in the middle of these views, changing his opinion to please either side (his daughter and his friend). At first, Vasili speaks badly of Kutuzov who is rumored to take over Barclay's position in the war. However, once he is appointed as Prince, Vasili changed his mind and speaks well of him.
Important Quotes
"In Hélène's circle the war in general was regarded as a series of formal demonstrations which would very soon end in peace"
Vasili: "I don't speak of [Kutuzov's] capacity as a general, but at a time like this how they appoint a decrepit, blind old man, positively blind? A fine idea to have a blind general! He can't see anything. To play blindman's bluff? He can't see at all!"
Vasili: "Prince Vasíli repeated the words supposed to have been spoken by Kutúzov to the Emperor. "I can neither punish him if he does wrong nor reward him if he does right."
"Oh, a very wise man is Prince Kutúzov! I have known him a long time!"
CHAPTER 7
Napoleon continues his campaign after Smolensk, heading towards Vyazma. There, he meets Rostov's servant, the half-drunk Lavrushka, who does not really have ties to either side of the war and therefore speaks freely to Napoleon and answers all his questions.
Important Quotes
"A good chessplayer having lost a game is sincerely convinced that his loss resulted from a mistake he made and looks for that mistake in the opening, but forgets that at each stage of the game there were similar mistakes and that none of his moves were perfect. He only notices the mistake to which he pays attention, because his opponent took advantage of it. How much more complex than this is the game of war"
Lavrushka: "He knew very well that this was Napoleon, but Napoleon's presence could no more intimidate him than Rostóv's, or a sergeant major's with the rods, would have done, for he had nothing that either the sergeant major or Napoleon could deprive him of."
"Napoleon rode on, dreaming of the Moscow that so appealed to his imagination, and "the bird restored to its native fields" galloped to our outposts, inventing on the way all that had not taken place but that he meant to relate to his comrades."
CHAPTER 8
Mary and the old prince have refused to leave Bald Hills, despite what Andrew thinks. They have remained there where the prince then has a stroke. Mary wishes for his death so that she can be free. Soon after, the old prince calls Mary into the room and tells her that he is sorry for everything and calls her his "dearest"---kind words which he's never said to her before. Mary instantly regrets wishing for him to die and cries. However, the prince soon passes away after having a second stroke.
Important Quotes
"He declared that he did not wish to remember her existence and warned her not to dare to let him see her. The fact that he did not, as she had feared, order her to be carried away by force but only told her not to let him see her cheered Princess Mary. She knew it was a proof that in the depth of his soul he was glad she was remaining at home and had not gone away."
Mary: "Thoughts that had not entered her mind for years—thoughts of a life free from the fear of her father, and even the possibility of love and of family happiness—floated continually in her imagination like temptations of the devil."
Prince Nicholas: "Thank you... daughter dear!... for all, for all... forgive!... thank you!... forgive!... thank you!..." and tears began to flow from his eyes. "Call Andrew!" he said suddenly, and a childish, timid expression of doubt showed itself on his face as he spoke."
CHAPTER 9
The peasants in Bogucharovo are uprising. Everything is falling into chaos and not even Andrew's previous attempts to free them make them happy. Alpatych speaks to the leader of the serfs, Dron, who is a respected, strong man. Even he doesn't know what to do and cries that the serfs have lost control. Alpatych says he'll speak to the police about this.
Important Quotes
"Alpatych did not insist further. He had managed people for a long time and knew that the chief way to make them obey is to show no suspicion that they can possibly disobey."
CHAPTER 10
Everyone warns Mary to leave Bogucharovo after Prince Nicholas's death. At first, she refuses, but soon realizes the danger she's in. She calls for Dron and asks him where the horses are for her to go. He tells her that they have all died and that everybody is starving. She tells him to give the serfs all their grains. Dron keeps on asking her to discharge her from her service, which she doesn't understand why.
Important Quotes
"To Princess Mary it was strange that now, at a moment when such sorrow was filling her soul, there could be rich people and poor, and the rich could refrain from helping the poor."
Year 1812
The progress of the war is explained. Those working under Emperor Alexander are divided because Barclay and Bagration, two leading figures in the war, do not want to work together. Napoleon enters Russia, unaware of the harsh winter which leads to the beginning of his fall.
CHAPTER 2
The Old Prince Nicholas reprimands Mary about having told Andrew about him and Madame Bourienne. He blames her for driving him away. Later on, they get a letter from Andrew explaining that they are not safe in Bald Hills anymore because the French army is approaching. The Old Prince doesn't want to hear this and insists that they are safe.
Important Quotes
"Of the war Princess Mary thought as women do think about wars. She feared for her brother who was in it, was horrified by and amazed at the strange cruelty that impels men to kill one another, but she did not understand the significance of this war, which seemed to her like all previous wars."
"The chief reason Princess Mary did not realize the full significance of this war was that the old prince never spoke of it"
CHAPTER 3
The Old Prince works on his will. He thinks of the old times when he was in the army, wishing to live in the past again instead of the present.
Important Quotes
Prince Nicholas: "Oh, quicker, quicker! To get back to that time and have done with all the present! Quicker, quicker—and that they should leave me in peace!"
CHAPTER 4
Dessalles, Andrew's sons' tutor, after reading the letter from Andrew tells Mary to send their servant, Alpatych to Smolensk to inquire about Bald Hill's safety. Alpatych goes and notices that everyone there seems to not be moving, despite the far off cannons and gunshots. Everyone seems to be in denial that the war is upon them. He speaks to the governor who hands him a letter saying that everything is under control however, soon after, soldiers invade Smolensk. Alpatych runs into Andrew as he is trying to leave town and Andrew warns that they must leave Bald Hills.
Important Quotes
"All the interests of his life for more than thirty years had been bounded by the will of the prince, and he never went beyond that limit. Everything not connected with the execution of the prince's orders did not interest and did not even exist for Alpatych."
"Why are they leaving the town?" asked Alpatych.
"That's what I say. Folks are foolish! Always afraid of the French."
"Women's fuss, women's fuss!" said Alpatych."
CHAPTER 5
Andrew goes to Bald Hills to reminisce after his father, son, and sister retreat to Moscow. There are soldiers bathing in his pond and he is disgusted by their white flesh. He notices little girls stealing plums from his trees and he lets them, aware of the other side of the war-- the civilians. A letter is written by Bagration warning Arakcheev to not trust the Minister Barclay de Tolly, whom he despises. He says that Barclay is a coward for having the Russian troops retreat from Smolensk so fast.
Important Quotes
"A new sensation of comfort and relief came over him when, seeing these girls, he realized the existence of other human interests entirely aloof from his own and just as legitimate as those that occupied him. Evidently these girls passionately desired one thing—to carry away and eat those green plums without being caught—and Prince Andrew shared their wish for the success of their enterprise."
Andrew: "Flesh, bodies, cannon fodder!" he thought, and he looked at his own naked body and shuddered, not from cold but from a sense of disgust and horror he did not himself understand, aroused by the sight of that immense number of bodies splashing about in the dirty pond."
Bagration (about Barclay): "the whole army feels great suspicion of the Imperial aide-de-camp Wolzogen. He is said to be more Napoleon's man than ours, and he is always advising the Minister. I am not merely civil to him but obey him like a corporal, though I am his senior. This is painful, but, loving my benefactor and sovereign, I submit."
CHAPTER 6
There are two main circles of gossip about the war: Helene's circle and Anna Pavlovna's. Both have disagreeing views and Prince Vasili is in the middle of these views, changing his opinion to please either side (his daughter and his friend). At first, Vasili speaks badly of Kutuzov who is rumored to take over Barclay's position in the war. However, once he is appointed as Prince, Vasili changed his mind and speaks well of him.
Important Quotes
"In Hélène's circle the war in general was regarded as a series of formal demonstrations which would very soon end in peace"
Vasili: "I don't speak of [Kutuzov's] capacity as a general, but at a time like this how they appoint a decrepit, blind old man, positively blind? A fine idea to have a blind general! He can't see anything. To play blindman's bluff? He can't see at all!"
Vasili: "Prince Vasíli repeated the words supposed to have been spoken by Kutúzov to the Emperor. "I can neither punish him if he does wrong nor reward him if he does right."
"Oh, a very wise man is Prince Kutúzov! I have known him a long time!"
CHAPTER 7
Napoleon continues his campaign after Smolensk, heading towards Vyazma. There, he meets Rostov's servant, the half-drunk Lavrushka, who does not really have ties to either side of the war and therefore speaks freely to Napoleon and answers all his questions.
Important Quotes
"A good chessplayer having lost a game is sincerely convinced that his loss resulted from a mistake he made and looks for that mistake in the opening, but forgets that at each stage of the game there were similar mistakes and that none of his moves were perfect. He only notices the mistake to which he pays attention, because his opponent took advantage of it. How much more complex than this is the game of war"
Lavrushka: "He knew very well that this was Napoleon, but Napoleon's presence could no more intimidate him than Rostóv's, or a sergeant major's with the rods, would have done, for he had nothing that either the sergeant major or Napoleon could deprive him of."
"Napoleon rode on, dreaming of the Moscow that so appealed to his imagination, and "the bird restored to its native fields" galloped to our outposts, inventing on the way all that had not taken place but that he meant to relate to his comrades."
CHAPTER 8
Mary and the old prince have refused to leave Bald Hills, despite what Andrew thinks. They have remained there where the prince then has a stroke. Mary wishes for his death so that she can be free. Soon after, the old prince calls Mary into the room and tells her that he is sorry for everything and calls her his "dearest"---kind words which he's never said to her before. Mary instantly regrets wishing for him to die and cries. However, the prince soon passes away after having a second stroke.
Important Quotes
"He declared that he did not wish to remember her existence and warned her not to dare to let him see her. The fact that he did not, as she had feared, order her to be carried away by force but only told her not to let him see her cheered Princess Mary. She knew it was a proof that in the depth of his soul he was glad she was remaining at home and had not gone away."
Mary: "Thoughts that had not entered her mind for years—thoughts of a life free from the fear of her father, and even the possibility of love and of family happiness—floated continually in her imagination like temptations of the devil."
Prince Nicholas: "Thank you... daughter dear!... for all, for all... forgive!... thank you!... forgive!... thank you!..." and tears began to flow from his eyes. "Call Andrew!" he said suddenly, and a childish, timid expression of doubt showed itself on his face as he spoke."
CHAPTER 9
The peasants in Bogucharovo are uprising. Everything is falling into chaos and not even Andrew's previous attempts to free them make them happy. Alpatych speaks to the leader of the serfs, Dron, who is a respected, strong man. Even he doesn't know what to do and cries that the serfs have lost control. Alpatych says he'll speak to the police about this.
Important Quotes
"Alpatych did not insist further. He had managed people for a long time and knew that the chief way to make them obey is to show no suspicion that they can possibly disobey."
CHAPTER 10
Everyone warns Mary to leave Bogucharovo after Prince Nicholas's death. At first, she refuses, but soon realizes the danger she's in. She calls for Dron and asks him where the horses are for her to go. He tells her that they have all died and that everybody is starving. She tells him to give the serfs all their grains. Dron keeps on asking her to discharge her from her service, which she doesn't understand why.
Important Quotes
"To Princess Mary it was strange that now, at a moment when such sorrow was filling her soul, there could be rich people and poor, and the rich could refrain from helping the poor."
Friday, June 3, 2016
RECAP of Book 9
Highlights:
- War is about to break out again between Russia and France
- Natasha is recovering after the whole Andrew/Anatole situation
- Pierre loves Natasha
- Petya is about to become a soldier
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Book 9, Chapters 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
CHAPTER 17
Natasha is quite changed from how she used to be as a girl. She is constantly depressed and thinks of her past as a bittersweet memory. Pierre takes care of her often and she enjoys his company. One day, she decides to fast and go to church. She enjoys listening to God's word and likes losing herself in the mysteries of the Bible. She continually asks God to forgive her of her sins and gradually starts getting better (which the doctors think is their doing).
Important Quotes
"When [Natasha] did not understand, it was sweeter still to think that the wish to understand everything is pride, that it is impossible to understand all, that it is only necessary to believe and to commit oneself to God, whom she felt guiding her soul at those moments."
CHAPTER 18
Natasha goes to church once again where she prays for all those she knows. She prays for her enemies although she doesn't have many. She prays especially for Anatole and can't bring herself to condemn him at all.
Important Quotes
"I'm pretty, I'm young, and I know that now I am good. I used to be bad, but now I know I am good," she thought, "but yet my best years are slipping by and are no good to anyone."
"Only at prayer did she feel able to think clearly and calmly of Prince Andrew and Anatole, as men for whom her feelings were as nothing compared with her awe and devotion to God."
"But she could not pray that her enemies might be trampled under foot when but a few minutes before she had been wishing she had more of them that she might pray for them."
CHAPTER 19
Pierre's love for Natasha dwindles as she gets better. He beings looking for signs that a catastrophe is coming after seeing the comet and to distract him from Natasha. He spells out his own name and somehow calculates that it adds up to 666, therefore making him the antichrist. He considers joining the army to help ward off Napoleon, but doesn't dare to because of his ties to the Freemasons and his hunch that he's the antichrist.
Important Quotes
"Natásha's health began to improve and she no longer aroused in him the former feeling of careful pity, an ever-increasing restlessness, which he could not explain, took possession of him. He felt that the condition he was in could not continue long, that a catastrophe was coming which would change his whole life"
CHAPTER 20
Pierre goes to visit the Rostovs where he hears Natasha singing after a long time of being silent. He is madly in love with her but can't let her know since he's married. Petya talks to him of joining the hussars, but his parents disapprove, saying he's too young. After dinner, Sonya reads the Emperor's manifesto, which Pierre has brought along, to everyone. As Pierre rises to leave, he promises never to go to the Rostovs again because his feelings for Natasha are too strong.
CHAPTER 21
Petya goes to see the Emperor in the square. He gets trampled on his pursuit to ask the Emperor if he could serve in the army. When he sees what a big crowd there is, he decides that it would be improper to ask the Emperor directly if he could serve. For the first time, he realizes the magnitude of this man. Later on, he and others wait below the balcony where the Emperor is dining and have biscuits thrown at them from the Emperor himself. Petya charges an old lady to get a biscuit. His father finally gives in to letting him join the army.
Important Quotes
"the old woman did not consider herself defeated though she was lying on the ground—she grabbed at some biscuits but her hand did not reach them. Pétya pushed her hand away with his knee, seized a biscuit, and as if fearing to be too late, again shouted "Hurrah!"
CHAPTER 22
Pierre and many of the senators and high-class Russian citizens are gathered to discuss the Emperor's plans for the war. The others don't dare question anything the Emperor does, but Pierre wants to know the status and size of the army so that everyone would know how much needs to be done. This starts a controversy and all the men ignore Pierre's statement and begin to quarrel.
Important Quotes
"Pierre wished to say that he was ready to sacrifice his money, his serfs, or himself, only one ought to know the state of affairs in order to be able to improve it, but he was unable to speak. Many voices shouted and talked at the same time"
Pierre: "I only said that it would be more to the purpose to make sacrifices when we know what is needed!" said he, trying to be heard above the other voices."
CHAPTER 23
The Emperor comes out and thanks all the men for doing all they can for the Fatherland. Pierre notices two men begging the Emperor to let them do anything in order to help Russia's cause. After hearing this, he feels bad for speaking out and questioning Alexander. He too wants to do anything he can for the Fatherland.
Important Quotes
"Tears filled the thin man's eyes, and the fat otkupshchik sobbed outright like a child and kept repeating: "Our lives and property—take them, Your Majesty!" Pierre's one feeling at the moment was a desire to show that he was ready to go all lengths and was prepared to sacrifice everything."
Natasha is quite changed from how she used to be as a girl. She is constantly depressed and thinks of her past as a bittersweet memory. Pierre takes care of her often and she enjoys his company. One day, she decides to fast and go to church. She enjoys listening to God's word and likes losing herself in the mysteries of the Bible. She continually asks God to forgive her of her sins and gradually starts getting better (which the doctors think is their doing).
Important Quotes
"When [Natasha] did not understand, it was sweeter still to think that the wish to understand everything is pride, that it is impossible to understand all, that it is only necessary to believe and to commit oneself to God, whom she felt guiding her soul at those moments."
CHAPTER 18
Natasha goes to church once again where she prays for all those she knows. She prays for her enemies although she doesn't have many. She prays especially for Anatole and can't bring herself to condemn him at all.
Important Quotes
"I'm pretty, I'm young, and I know that now I am good. I used to be bad, but now I know I am good," she thought, "but yet my best years are slipping by and are no good to anyone."
"Only at prayer did she feel able to think clearly and calmly of Prince Andrew and Anatole, as men for whom her feelings were as nothing compared with her awe and devotion to God."
"But she could not pray that her enemies might be trampled under foot when but a few minutes before she had been wishing she had more of them that she might pray for them."
CHAPTER 19
Pierre's love for Natasha dwindles as she gets better. He beings looking for signs that a catastrophe is coming after seeing the comet and to distract him from Natasha. He spells out his own name and somehow calculates that it adds up to 666, therefore making him the antichrist. He considers joining the army to help ward off Napoleon, but doesn't dare to because of his ties to the Freemasons and his hunch that he's the antichrist.
Important Quotes
"Natásha's health began to improve and she no longer aroused in him the former feeling of careful pity, an ever-increasing restlessness, which he could not explain, took possession of him. He felt that the condition he was in could not continue long, that a catastrophe was coming which would change his whole life"
CHAPTER 20
Pierre goes to visit the Rostovs where he hears Natasha singing after a long time of being silent. He is madly in love with her but can't let her know since he's married. Petya talks to him of joining the hussars, but his parents disapprove, saying he's too young. After dinner, Sonya reads the Emperor's manifesto, which Pierre has brought along, to everyone. As Pierre rises to leave, he promises never to go to the Rostovs again because his feelings for Natasha are too strong.
CHAPTER 21
Petya goes to see the Emperor in the square. He gets trampled on his pursuit to ask the Emperor if he could serve in the army. When he sees what a big crowd there is, he decides that it would be improper to ask the Emperor directly if he could serve. For the first time, he realizes the magnitude of this man. Later on, he and others wait below the balcony where the Emperor is dining and have biscuits thrown at them from the Emperor himself. Petya charges an old lady to get a biscuit. His father finally gives in to letting him join the army.
Important Quotes
"the old woman did not consider herself defeated though she was lying on the ground—she grabbed at some biscuits but her hand did not reach them. Pétya pushed her hand away with his knee, seized a biscuit, and as if fearing to be too late, again shouted "Hurrah!"
CHAPTER 22
Pierre and many of the senators and high-class Russian citizens are gathered to discuss the Emperor's plans for the war. The others don't dare question anything the Emperor does, but Pierre wants to know the status and size of the army so that everyone would know how much needs to be done. This starts a controversy and all the men ignore Pierre's statement and begin to quarrel.
Important Quotes
"Pierre wished to say that he was ready to sacrifice his money, his serfs, or himself, only one ought to know the state of affairs in order to be able to improve it, but he was unable to speak. Many voices shouted and talked at the same time"
Pierre: "I only said that it would be more to the purpose to make sacrifices when we know what is needed!" said he, trying to be heard above the other voices."
CHAPTER 23
The Emperor comes out and thanks all the men for doing all they can for the Fatherland. Pierre notices two men begging the Emperor to let them do anything in order to help Russia's cause. After hearing this, he feels bad for speaking out and questioning Alexander. He too wants to do anything he can for the Fatherland.
Important Quotes
"Tears filled the thin man's eyes, and the fat otkupshchik sobbed outright like a child and kept repeating: "Our lives and property—take them, Your Majesty!" Pierre's one feeling at the moment was a desire to show that he was ready to go all lengths and was prepared to sacrifice everything."
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Book 9, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
CHAPTER 11
Andrew goes to a meeting regarding the plans for the upcoming war. He listens to what all the generals have to say, pitying Pfuel because no one listens to him. He admires Pfuel because he's the only one that care about the general outcome of the war plan, not just himself. Andrew asks the Emperor to serve in the army at the end.
Important Quotes
"Of all those present, evidently [Pfuel] alone was not seeking anything for himself, nursed no hatred against anyone, and only desired that the plan, formed on a theory arrived at by years of toil, should be carried out."
" Not only does a good army commander not need any special qualities, on the contrary he needs the absence of the highest and best human attributes—love, poetry, tenderness, and philosophic inquiring doubt."
CHAPTER 12
Nicholas' parents write to him, telling him to come home after Natasha's illness. However, he decides to stay with the hussars, especially since he was promoted to captain. He now has Ilyin, a young soldier, who looks up to him. As he and Ilyin ride in the rain to find shelter, they come across Zdrzhinski who elaborates some story of a battle he witnessed. Rostov knows he's exaggerating and remembers how he used to do the same years ago.
Important Quotes
"Rostóv knew by experience that men always lie when describing military exploits, as he himself had done when recounting them; besides that, he had experience enough to know that nothing happens in war at all as we can imagine or relate it."
CHAPTER 13
Ilyin and Rostov make their way to where the other soldiers are. Inside, they see their sleeping doctor as well as his wife, Mary Hendrikhovna. All the men are taken by Mary and flirt with her, including Rostov.
CHAPTER 14
Rostov and Ilyin ride out to battle the next day. Rostov has changed much, not scared of war, but ready and excited to fight with ease. Ilyin, he can tell, is nervous for fear of dying. In the distance, gunshots are heard which excites Rostov.
Important Quotes
"Formerly, when going into action, Rostóv had felt afraid; now he had not the least feeling of fear. He was fearless, not because he had grown used to being under fire (one cannot grow used to danger), but because he had learned how to manage his thoughts when in danger."
CHAPTER 15
Nicholas decides to charge into battle without asking anyone. His troops follow and he charges into the sea of French soldiers. There, he rides after one of the Frenchmen, cutting his arm and scaring him. The man surrenders, but Rostov doesn't understand why he had been so aggressive since there was no need for it. For days, he asks himself why bravery must be being unnecessarily aggressive and regrets how he charged the French soldier.
Important Quotes
Rostov: "He acted as he did when hunting, without reflecting or considering."
CHAPTER 16
Back home, Natasha is still ill. Everyone tries to find some cure for her and several doctors are called. However, her illness is more mental than anything else, after all that happened with Anatole and Andrew, and the doctors are only there to make everyone else feel as if they are doing something to help.
Important Quotes
"they were useful, necessary, and indispensable because they satisfied a mental need of the invalid and of those who loved her—and that is why there are, and always will be, pseudo-healers, wise women, homeopaths, and allopaths. They satisfied that eternal human need for hope of relief, for sympathy, and that something should be done"
Andrew goes to a meeting regarding the plans for the upcoming war. He listens to what all the generals have to say, pitying Pfuel because no one listens to him. He admires Pfuel because he's the only one that care about the general outcome of the war plan, not just himself. Andrew asks the Emperor to serve in the army at the end.
Important Quotes
"Of all those present, evidently [Pfuel] alone was not seeking anything for himself, nursed no hatred against anyone, and only desired that the plan, formed on a theory arrived at by years of toil, should be carried out."
" Not only does a good army commander not need any special qualities, on the contrary he needs the absence of the highest and best human attributes—love, poetry, tenderness, and philosophic inquiring doubt."
CHAPTER 12
Nicholas' parents write to him, telling him to come home after Natasha's illness. However, he decides to stay with the hussars, especially since he was promoted to captain. He now has Ilyin, a young soldier, who looks up to him. As he and Ilyin ride in the rain to find shelter, they come across Zdrzhinski who elaborates some story of a battle he witnessed. Rostov knows he's exaggerating and remembers how he used to do the same years ago.
Important Quotes
"Rostóv knew by experience that men always lie when describing military exploits, as he himself had done when recounting them; besides that, he had experience enough to know that nothing happens in war at all as we can imagine or relate it."
CHAPTER 13
Ilyin and Rostov make their way to where the other soldiers are. Inside, they see their sleeping doctor as well as his wife, Mary Hendrikhovna. All the men are taken by Mary and flirt with her, including Rostov.
CHAPTER 14
Rostov and Ilyin ride out to battle the next day. Rostov has changed much, not scared of war, but ready and excited to fight with ease. Ilyin, he can tell, is nervous for fear of dying. In the distance, gunshots are heard which excites Rostov.
Important Quotes
"Formerly, when going into action, Rostóv had felt afraid; now he had not the least feeling of fear. He was fearless, not because he had grown used to being under fire (one cannot grow used to danger), but because he had learned how to manage his thoughts when in danger."
CHAPTER 15
Nicholas decides to charge into battle without asking anyone. His troops follow and he charges into the sea of French soldiers. There, he rides after one of the Frenchmen, cutting his arm and scaring him. The man surrenders, but Rostov doesn't understand why he had been so aggressive since there was no need for it. For days, he asks himself why bravery must be being unnecessarily aggressive and regrets how he charged the French soldier.
Important Quotes
Rostov: "He acted as he did when hunting, without reflecting or considering."
CHAPTER 16
Back home, Natasha is still ill. Everyone tries to find some cure for her and several doctors are called. However, her illness is more mental than anything else, after all that happened with Anatole and Andrew, and the doctors are only there to make everyone else feel as if they are doing something to help.
Important Quotes
"they were useful, necessary, and indispensable because they satisfied a mental need of the invalid and of those who loved her—and that is why there are, and always will be, pseudo-healers, wise women, homeopaths, and allopaths. They satisfied that eternal human need for hope of relief, for sympathy, and that something should be done"
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