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"