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."