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."
No comments:
Post a Comment