The boys are all excited for battle. Andrew wants to prove his valor and Rostov wants to prove himself worthy to his beloved Emperor. However, none of them are ready for the horrors that the war brings. Andrew is badly hurt and is questioning what is important in life. Rostov feels like a coward to himself as he cannot prove himself to the Emperor in times of need. (Loss of innocence/ youth).
Back home, Anna Pavlovna and Vasili are setting Vasili's daughter up with Pierre. Everyone now respects Pierre after he gained the inheritance. (Greed).
Showing posts with label Book 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book 3. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Book 3, Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19
CHAPTER 16
Andrew and Kutuzov walk along when, suddenly, the French attack them. Kutuzov is injured and none of the soldiers know what to do. Kutuzov keeps telling them to charge after the French who shot him, but none move. Finally, Andrew charges, realizing that this is his moment to prove his valor. Andrew falls on the field, looking up to the sky.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "And how happy I am to have found it at last! Yes! All is vanity, all falsehood, except that infinite sky. There is nothing, nothing, but that. But even it does not exist, there is nothing but quiet and peace. Thank God!..."
CHAPTER 17
Rostov is sent to deliver a message to the Emperor as Bagration stalls to enter into battle. On the way there, he sees a battle that has broken out. Boris is happy that he finally was able to be first in line to shoot while Berg, wounded, brags about how bravely he fought. Rostov notices other people firing, almost run down by the cavalry (which he considers fighting with for a second). Finally, word spreads that the allies, the Austrians and Russians, were firing at each other.
Important Quotes
"Rostov hesitated whether to gallop after them or to go where he was sent. This was the brilliant charge of the Horse Guards that amazed the French themselves. Rostov was horrified to hear later that of all that mass of huge and handsome men, of all those brilliant, rich youths, officers and cadets, who had galloped past him on their thousand-ruble horses, only eighteen were left after the charge."
CHAPTER 18
News reaches Rostov that the emperor has been badly wounded. He sees the emperor lying in a ditch and prepares to deliver the message from Bagration to him, but can't. He is too consumed by admiration and fear for the emperor's life that he rides away. From the distance, he sees another soldier who has stopped to help Alexander and Rostov feels intense regret and self-hatred for not being in that soldier's place and helping the emperor. Meanwhile, the Russian army is not doing well and Dolokhov and only ten others make it out alive. The French continue to bomb them and the only way out is to cross a frozen pond. The pond holds for those on foot, but soon gives way as those on horseback try crossing. The French continue to fire. Some try to cross the cracked pond while others flee back into the French fire.
*Rostov, still young, thinks of the emperor as untouchable and perfect. To see such a man in pain is unthinkable and shocking to him since he regards him as a god*
Important Quotes
"Rostov considered, and then went in the direction where they said he would be killed."
"[Rostov] put his horse to a trot to avoid seeing all these suffering men, and he felt afraid—afraid not for his life, but for the courage he needed and which he knew would not stand the sight of these unfortunates."
"...besides, what can I say to him now, when my heart fails me and my mouth feels dry at the mere sight of him?" Not one of the innumerable speeches addressed to the Emperor that he had composed in his imagination could he now recall. Those speeches were intended for quite other conditions, they were for the most part to be spoken at a moment of victory and triumph, generally when he was dying of wounds and the sovereign had thanked him for heroic deeds, and while dying he expressed the love his actions had proved."
CHAPTER 19
Andrew is picked up from the field by Napoleon's men as he is bleeding out. He realizes that everything is insignificant, even Napoleon, compared to the moments before death. He is taken to where the other wounded are, contemplating the significance of life. He wishes things could be as simple as the crucifix that his sister, Mary, gave him before he left for war.
Important Quotes
"That's a fine death!" said Napoleon as he gazed at Bolkonski.
Prince Andrew understood that this was said of him and that it was Napoleon who said it."
"He knew it was Napoleon—his hero—but at that moment Napoleon seemed to him such a small, insignificant creature compared with what was passing now between himself and that lofty infinite sky with the clouds flying over it. At that moment it meant nothing to him who might be standing over him, or what was said of him; he was only glad that people were standing near him and only wished that they would help him and bring him back to life, which seemed to him so beautiful now that he had today learned to understand it so differently."
"Looking into Napoleon's eyes Prince Andrew thought of the insignificance of greatness, the unimportance of life which no one could understand, and the still greater unimportance of death, the meaning of which no one alive could understand or explain."
Andrew: "it would be good if everything were as clear and simple as it seems to Mary. How good it would be to know where to seek for help in this life, and what to expect after it beyond the grave!"
Andrew and Kutuzov walk along when, suddenly, the French attack them. Kutuzov is injured and none of the soldiers know what to do. Kutuzov keeps telling them to charge after the French who shot him, but none move. Finally, Andrew charges, realizing that this is his moment to prove his valor. Andrew falls on the field, looking up to the sky.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "And how happy I am to have found it at last! Yes! All is vanity, all falsehood, except that infinite sky. There is nothing, nothing, but that. But even it does not exist, there is nothing but quiet and peace. Thank God!..."
CHAPTER 17
Rostov is sent to deliver a message to the Emperor as Bagration stalls to enter into battle. On the way there, he sees a battle that has broken out. Boris is happy that he finally was able to be first in line to shoot while Berg, wounded, brags about how bravely he fought. Rostov notices other people firing, almost run down by the cavalry (which he considers fighting with for a second). Finally, word spreads that the allies, the Austrians and Russians, were firing at each other.
Important Quotes
"Rostov hesitated whether to gallop after them or to go where he was sent. This was the brilliant charge of the Horse Guards that amazed the French themselves. Rostov was horrified to hear later that of all that mass of huge and handsome men, of all those brilliant, rich youths, officers and cadets, who had galloped past him on their thousand-ruble horses, only eighteen were left after the charge."
CHAPTER 18
News reaches Rostov that the emperor has been badly wounded. He sees the emperor lying in a ditch and prepares to deliver the message from Bagration to him, but can't. He is too consumed by admiration and fear for the emperor's life that he rides away. From the distance, he sees another soldier who has stopped to help Alexander and Rostov feels intense regret and self-hatred for not being in that soldier's place and helping the emperor. Meanwhile, the Russian army is not doing well and Dolokhov and only ten others make it out alive. The French continue to bomb them and the only way out is to cross a frozen pond. The pond holds for those on foot, but soon gives way as those on horseback try crossing. The French continue to fire. Some try to cross the cracked pond while others flee back into the French fire.
*Rostov, still young, thinks of the emperor as untouchable and perfect. To see such a man in pain is unthinkable and shocking to him since he regards him as a god*
Important Quotes
"Rostov considered, and then went in the direction where they said he would be killed."
"[Rostov] put his horse to a trot to avoid seeing all these suffering men, and he felt afraid—afraid not for his life, but for the courage he needed and which he knew would not stand the sight of these unfortunates."
"...besides, what can I say to him now, when my heart fails me and my mouth feels dry at the mere sight of him?" Not one of the innumerable speeches addressed to the Emperor that he had composed in his imagination could he now recall. Those speeches were intended for quite other conditions, they were for the most part to be spoken at a moment of victory and triumph, generally when he was dying of wounds and the sovereign had thanked him for heroic deeds, and while dying he expressed the love his actions had proved."
CHAPTER 19
Andrew is picked up from the field by Napoleon's men as he is bleeding out. He realizes that everything is insignificant, even Napoleon, compared to the moments before death. He is taken to where the other wounded are, contemplating the significance of life. He wishes things could be as simple as the crucifix that his sister, Mary, gave him before he left for war.
Important Quotes
"That's a fine death!" said Napoleon as he gazed at Bolkonski.
Prince Andrew understood that this was said of him and that it was Napoleon who said it."
"He knew it was Napoleon—his hero—but at that moment Napoleon seemed to him such a small, insignificant creature compared with what was passing now between himself and that lofty infinite sky with the clouds flying over it. At that moment it meant nothing to him who might be standing over him, or what was said of him; he was only glad that people were standing near him and only wished that they would help him and bring him back to life, which seemed to him so beautiful now that he had today learned to understand it so differently."
"Looking into Napoleon's eyes Prince Andrew thought of the insignificance of greatness, the unimportance of life which no one could understand, and the still greater unimportance of death, the meaning of which no one alive could understand or explain."
Andrew: "it would be good if everything were as clear and simple as it seems to Mary. How good it would be to know where to seek for help in this life, and what to expect after it beyond the grave!"
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Book 3, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
CHAPTER 11
The Russian army is on the eve of battle and a French soldier comes with a message of a truce. Andrew asks Dolgorukov what Napoleon is like and Dolgorukov replies that he is fearless, but like any other man. Kutuzov thinks that this upcoming battle will be hopeless, even though the French have just retreated.
Important Quotes
Dolgorukov about Napoleon: "He is a man in a gray overcoat, very anxious that I should call him 'Your Majesty,' but who, to his chagrin, got no title from me! That's the sort of man he is, and nothing more," replied Dolgorukov, looking round at Bilibin with a smile."
CHAPTER 12
The generals all gather to map out the plans of the upcoming battle. Kutuzov falls asleep during the meeting while Andrew thinks about the impending doom. When the meeting is over, Andrew thinks about how it is likely that he'll die in battle soon. He wants glory above all else.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "Yes, it is very likely that I shall be killed tomorrow," he thought. And suddenly, at this thought of death, a whole series of most distant, most intimate, memories rose in his imagination: he remembered his last parting from his father and his wife; he remembered the days when he first loved her. He thought of her pregnancy and felt sorry for her and for himself"
Andrew: "I fear nothing. And precious and dear as many persons are to me—father, sister, wife—those dearest to me—yet dreadful and unnatural as it seems, I would give them all at once for a moment of glory, of triumph over men, of love from men I don't know and never shall know, for the love of these men here"
CHAPTER 13
Rostov sees small lights in the distance, assuming they are enemy fires. He, Dolgorukov, and Bagration ride out to see if the French have retreated or if those are their campfires. They hear shouting which the other men tell Rostov are the French pretending to make noise when, really they retreated. Rostov feels important riding with these men and asks if he can be dispatched with the first squadron the next day for battle. Bagration agrees. At the end of the chapter, a letter from Napoleon is read with his battle plans. The men Rostov heard shouting were shouting for Napoleon's declaration of battle.
Important Quotes
Rostov: "Bagration called to him from the hill not to go beyond the stream, but Rostov pretended not to hear him and did not stop but rode on and on, continually mistaking bushes for trees and gullies for men and continually discovering his mistakes."
CHAPTER 14
Rostov and the Russian, Austrian, and German forces leave for battle. The fog is thick and nobody can see anything clearly. Their troops are attacked by the French in the fog and, taken by surprise, no one knows what to do. The commanders and adjuncts can't even find their own troops. Napoleon gazes from a hilltop, pleased to see that the Russians are doing as he predicted.
Important Quotes
[Napoleon]: "He sat motionless, looking at the heights visible above the mist, and his cold face wore that special look of confident, self-complacent happiness that one sees on the face of a boy happily in love."
CHAPTER 15
The emperor Alexander comes to check in on the troops which have not yet been dispatched. He asks Kutuzov why they are waiting and he responds that not all the troops are ready. Alexander is thinner after being sick, but eager to get on with the battle.
The Russian army is on the eve of battle and a French soldier comes with a message of a truce. Andrew asks Dolgorukov what Napoleon is like and Dolgorukov replies that he is fearless, but like any other man. Kutuzov thinks that this upcoming battle will be hopeless, even though the French have just retreated.
Important Quotes
Dolgorukov about Napoleon: "He is a man in a gray overcoat, very anxious that I should call him 'Your Majesty,' but who, to his chagrin, got no title from me! That's the sort of man he is, and nothing more," replied Dolgorukov, looking round at Bilibin with a smile."
CHAPTER 12
The generals all gather to map out the plans of the upcoming battle. Kutuzov falls asleep during the meeting while Andrew thinks about the impending doom. When the meeting is over, Andrew thinks about how it is likely that he'll die in battle soon. He wants glory above all else.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "Yes, it is very likely that I shall be killed tomorrow," he thought. And suddenly, at this thought of death, a whole series of most distant, most intimate, memories rose in his imagination: he remembered his last parting from his father and his wife; he remembered the days when he first loved her. He thought of her pregnancy and felt sorry for her and for himself"
Andrew: "I fear nothing. And precious and dear as many persons are to me—father, sister, wife—those dearest to me—yet dreadful and unnatural as it seems, I would give them all at once for a moment of glory, of triumph over men, of love from men I don't know and never shall know, for the love of these men here"
CHAPTER 13
Rostov sees small lights in the distance, assuming they are enemy fires. He, Dolgorukov, and Bagration ride out to see if the French have retreated or if those are their campfires. They hear shouting which the other men tell Rostov are the French pretending to make noise when, really they retreated. Rostov feels important riding with these men and asks if he can be dispatched with the first squadron the next day for battle. Bagration agrees. At the end of the chapter, a letter from Napoleon is read with his battle plans. The men Rostov heard shouting were shouting for Napoleon's declaration of battle.
Important Quotes
Rostov: "Bagration called to him from the hill not to go beyond the stream, but Rostov pretended not to hear him and did not stop but rode on and on, continually mistaking bushes for trees and gullies for men and continually discovering his mistakes."
CHAPTER 14
Rostov and the Russian, Austrian, and German forces leave for battle. The fog is thick and nobody can see anything clearly. Their troops are attacked by the French in the fog and, taken by surprise, no one knows what to do. The commanders and adjuncts can't even find their own troops. Napoleon gazes from a hilltop, pleased to see that the Russians are doing as he predicted.
Important Quotes
[Napoleon]: "He sat motionless, looking at the heights visible above the mist, and his cold face wore that special look of confident, self-complacent happiness that one sees on the face of a boy happily in love."
CHAPTER 15
The emperor Alexander comes to check in on the troops which have not yet been dispatched. He asks Kutuzov why they are waiting and he responds that not all the troops are ready. Alexander is thinner after being sick, but eager to get on with the battle.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Book 3, Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10
CHAPTER 7
Nicholas Rostov goes to visit his long-time friend Boris at his camp. There he tells the story of how he was injured in battle, embellishing it, of course. Andrew Bolkonski walks in and he and Rostov have tension between them. Rostov thinks that Bolkonski is a privileged soldier who does nothing to deserve his recognition. Rostov snaps at Bolkonski, but Bolkonski simply replies to forget the matter.
Important Quotes
"If he had told the truth to his hearers—who like himself had often heard stories of attacks and had formed a definite idea of what an attack was and were expecting to hear just such a story—they would either not have believed him or, still worse, would have thought that Rostov was himself to blame since what generally happens to the narrators of cavalry attacks had not happened to him."
"Bolkonski noticed the hussar's state of mind, and it amused him. With a slightly contemptuous smile, he said: "Yes, there are many stories now told about that affair!"
Rostov: "Yes, stories!" repeated Rostov loudly, looking with eyes suddenly grown furious, now at Boris, now at Bolkonski. "Yes, many stories! But our stories are the stories of men who have been under the enemy's fire! Our stories have some weight, not like the stories of those fellows on the staff who get rewards without doing anything!"
[Rostov about Andrew]: "He thought angrily of the pleasure he would have at seeing the fright of that small and frail but proud man when covered by his pistol, and then he felt with surprise that of all the men he knew there was none he would so much like to have for a friend as that very adjutant whom he so hated."
CHAPTER 8
The two allied emperors of Austria and Russia come to review the troops. All the young Russian soldiers are star-stuck by the Russian emperor, having never been so close to him before. Rostov sees Bolkonski and remembers their quarrel from the day before but quickly forgets him as the emperor approaches him. All the men feel invincible.
Important Quotes
"Rostov recalled their quarrel of yesterday and the question presented itself whether he ought or ought not to challenge Bolkonski. "Of course not!" he now thought. "Is it worth thinking or speaking of it at such a moment? At a time of such love, such rapture, and such self-sacrifice, what do any of our quarrels and affronts matter? I love and forgive everybody now."
"They all had but one wish: to advance as soon as possible against the enemy under the Emperor's command. Commanded by the Emperor himself they could not fail to vanquish anyone, be it whom it might: so thought Rostov and most of the officers after the review."
CHAPTER 9
Boris is seeking to become an adjunct and raise his position in the army. As he looks around, he wishes to be a part of the riches that surround him. Bolkonski tries to help Boris raise his position by bringing him to adjunct general, Prince Dolgorukov. Dolgorukov just comes out of a meeting where battle has been declared on Napoleon's army again. He is so happy about this that he dismisses Andrew and Boris and carries on with his business. He tells them how they wrote back to Napoleon about the war, addressing him as lowly as they could--as general instead of emperor.
Important Quotes
Dolgorukov: "we could not think how to address the reply! If not as 'Consul' and of course not as 'Emperor,' it seemed to me it should be to 'General Bonaparte.'"
CHAPTER 10
Rostov is upset that he was off duty when the Russians won a victory over the French, taking several soldiers captive. Rostov buys the horse off of one of the captive French soldiers. He sees the emperor approaching and forgets about his sadness, consumed with love and admiration for the emperor Alexander. Denisov teases him about being in love with Alexander.
Important Quotes
"Instantly his regret at not having been in action and his dejected mood amid people of whom he was weary had gone, instantly every thought of himself had vanished. He was filled with happiness at his nearness to the Emperor."
Denisov: "As there's no one to fall in love with on campaign, he's fallen in love with the Tsar," he said."
"And Rostov got up and went wandering among the campfires, dreaming of what happiness it would be to die—not in saving the Emperor's life (he did not even dare to dream of that), but simply to die before his eyes. He really was in love with the Tsar and the glory of the Russian arms and the hope of future triumph."
Nicholas Rostov goes to visit his long-time friend Boris at his camp. There he tells the story of how he was injured in battle, embellishing it, of course. Andrew Bolkonski walks in and he and Rostov have tension between them. Rostov thinks that Bolkonski is a privileged soldier who does nothing to deserve his recognition. Rostov snaps at Bolkonski, but Bolkonski simply replies to forget the matter.
Important Quotes
"If he had told the truth to his hearers—who like himself had often heard stories of attacks and had formed a definite idea of what an attack was and were expecting to hear just such a story—they would either not have believed him or, still worse, would have thought that Rostov was himself to blame since what generally happens to the narrators of cavalry attacks had not happened to him."
"Bolkonski noticed the hussar's state of mind, and it amused him. With a slightly contemptuous smile, he said: "Yes, there are many stories now told about that affair!"
Rostov: "Yes, stories!" repeated Rostov loudly, looking with eyes suddenly grown furious, now at Boris, now at Bolkonski. "Yes, many stories! But our stories are the stories of men who have been under the enemy's fire! Our stories have some weight, not like the stories of those fellows on the staff who get rewards without doing anything!"
[Rostov about Andrew]: "He thought angrily of the pleasure he would have at seeing the fright of that small and frail but proud man when covered by his pistol, and then he felt with surprise that of all the men he knew there was none he would so much like to have for a friend as that very adjutant whom he so hated."
CHAPTER 8
The two allied emperors of Austria and Russia come to review the troops. All the young Russian soldiers are star-stuck by the Russian emperor, having never been so close to him before. Rostov sees Bolkonski and remembers their quarrel from the day before but quickly forgets him as the emperor approaches him. All the men feel invincible.
Important Quotes
"Rostov recalled their quarrel of yesterday and the question presented itself whether he ought or ought not to challenge Bolkonski. "Of course not!" he now thought. "Is it worth thinking or speaking of it at such a moment? At a time of such love, such rapture, and such self-sacrifice, what do any of our quarrels and affronts matter? I love and forgive everybody now."
"They all had but one wish: to advance as soon as possible against the enemy under the Emperor's command. Commanded by the Emperor himself they could not fail to vanquish anyone, be it whom it might: so thought Rostov and most of the officers after the review."
CHAPTER 9
Boris is seeking to become an adjunct and raise his position in the army. As he looks around, he wishes to be a part of the riches that surround him. Bolkonski tries to help Boris raise his position by bringing him to adjunct general, Prince Dolgorukov. Dolgorukov just comes out of a meeting where battle has been declared on Napoleon's army again. He is so happy about this that he dismisses Andrew and Boris and carries on with his business. He tells them how they wrote back to Napoleon about the war, addressing him as lowly as they could--as general instead of emperor.
Important Quotes
Dolgorukov: "we could not think how to address the reply! If not as 'Consul' and of course not as 'Emperor,' it seemed to me it should be to 'General Bonaparte.'"
CHAPTER 10
Rostov is upset that he was off duty when the Russians won a victory over the French, taking several soldiers captive. Rostov buys the horse off of one of the captive French soldiers. He sees the emperor approaching and forgets about his sadness, consumed with love and admiration for the emperor Alexander. Denisov teases him about being in love with Alexander.
Important Quotes
"Instantly his regret at not having been in action and his dejected mood amid people of whom he was weary had gone, instantly every thought of himself had vanished. He was filled with happiness at his nearness to the Emperor."
Denisov: "As there's no one to fall in love with on campaign, he's fallen in love with the Tsar," he said."
"And Rostov got up and went wandering among the campfires, dreaming of what happiness it would be to die—not in saving the Emperor's life (he did not even dare to dream of that), but simply to die before his eyes. He really was in love with the Tsar and the glory of the Russian arms and the hope of future triumph."
Book 3, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
CHAPTER 1
We are still in the year 1805, flashing to where the new Count, Pierre is. Vasili seems to want his daughter, Helene to marry Pierre (to make the connection between himself and this rich count stronger). Anna Pavlovna and others who used to not care for Pierre much have changed their attitudes and now adore him. Pierre's life is consumed with balls and dinners and is under careful watch and instruction of Vasili. This day, he goes to Anna's house where Helene also is and the older people try to push her onto him. He is conflicted by his feelings towards her because he thinks her beauty is undeniable and can see her as his wife, but also knows she is stupid and worthless.
Important Quotes
[Vasili]: "He did not, for instance, say to himself: "This man now has influence, I must gain his confidence and friendship and through him obtain a special grant." Nor did he say to himself: "Pierre is a rich man, I must entice him to marry my daughter and lend me the forty thousand rubles I need." But when he came across a man of position his instinct immediately told him that this man could be useful, and without any premeditation Prince Vasili took the first opportunity to gain his confidence, flatter him, become intimate with him, and finally make his request"
Pierre: "But she's stupid. I have myself said she is stupid," he thought. "There is something nasty, something wrong, in the feeling she excites in me. I have been told that her brother Anatole was in love with her and she with him, that there was quite a scandal and that that's why he was sent away. Hippolyte is her brother... Prince Vasili is her father... It's bad...." he reflected..."
CHAPTER 2
It is Princess Helene's name day and Pierre and she are seated at the head of the table. Everyone seems to know that they are supposed to end up together, except Pierre doesn't want to believe it. At the end of the dinner, Pierre and Helene sit together in the drawing room. Vasili is impatient as he waits for Pierre to propose and so he comes into the room and insists on the proposal himself. Right then and there, Pierre knows that the marriage is inevitable and that he must not question it.
Important Quotes
"Pierre, despite that decision, had not left Prince Vasili's and felt with terror that in people's eyes he was every day more and more connected with her, that it was impossible for him to return to his former conception of her, that he could not break away from her, and that though it would be a terrible thing he would have to unite his fate with hers."
Pierre: "I love you," he said, remembering what has to be said at such moments: but his words sounded so weak that he felt ashamed of himself.
CHAPTER 3
Vasili orders a meeting with Prince Nicholas Bolkonski over arranging their children, Mary and Anatole. Vasili picks up Anatole and they go see the frightened little princess. Andrew Bolonski's wife (Lise, who seems more run-down than when we last saw her) and the maid try to prepare Mary for the meeting which will seal her fate. They try on different dresses on her, trying to make her look pretty, but everything fails and Mary still remains ugly in her own eyes. Mary tries to ignore the feelings of excitement over meeting this man, but cannot ignore her impulses.
Important Quotes
"And why not marry her if she really has so much money? That never does any harm," thought Anatole. "
[Mary]: "The more she tried to hide this feeling from others and even from herself, the stronger it grew. "O God," she said, "how am I to stifle in my heart these temptations of the devil? How am I to renounce forever these vile fancies, so as peacefully to fulfill Thy will?"
CHAPTER 4
Anatole finds Mary repulsive, but is taken by their house guest, the French Mademoiselle Bourienne. The Frenchwoman and Anatole flirt openly, but Mary seems blind to it, falling fast for Anatole. Prince Bolkonski is aware of how dumb Anatole is and insists to get to know him better before complying to Vasili's request of marrying him with Mary. Anatole and the Frenchwomen play footsie as Mary plays the clavichord for him.
Important Quotes
"Besides this, in his behavior to women Anatole had a manner which particularly inspires in them curiosity, awe, and even love—a supercilious consciousness of his own superiority. It was as if he said to them: "I know you, I know you, but why should I bother about you?"
"The question was whether he could ever bring himself to part from his daughter and give her to a husband. The prince never directly asked himself that question, knowing beforehand that he would have to answer it justly, and justice clashed not only with his feelings but with the very possibility of life. Life without Princess Mary, little as he seemed to value her, was unthinkable to him."
Bolkonski: "And who would marry Marie for love? Plain and awkward! They'll take her for her connections and wealth."
Bolkonski: "Ah! That's a good thing. So, my dear boy, you wish to serve the Tsar and the country? It is wartime. Such a fine fellow must serve. Well, are you off to the front?"
Anatole: "No, Prince, our regiment has gone to the front, but I am attached... what is it I am attached to, Papa?" said Anatole, turning to his father with a laugh.
"He would carry her away and then sa pauvre mere would appear and he would marry her. So her future shaped itself in Mademoiselle Bourienne's head at the very time she was talking to Anatole about Paris."
"Mary felt his look with a painfully joyous emotion. Her favorite sonata bore her into a most intimately poetic world and the look she felt upon her made that world still more poetic. But Anatole's expression, though his eyes were fixed on her, referred not to her but to the movements of Mademoiselle Bourienne's little foot, which he was then touching with his own under the clavichord. Mademoiselle Bourienne was also looking at Princess Mary, and in her lovely eyes there was a look of fearful joy and hope that was also new to the princess."
CHAPTER 5
Prince Bolkonski gives Mary the right to choose if she wants to marry Anatole. He doesn't like Vasili or his son and knows they are just using Mary. He is aware that the Frenchwoman and Anatole like each other. At first, Mary thinks that she will marry Anatole, but Anatole and the Frenchwoman, Amelie, had sneaked out to see each other and Mary overhears their whispers. She sees them embracing and quickly goes to Vasili and tells him she will not marry Anatole. Amelie thinks Mary now hates her, but Mary has plans of getting Anatole and Amelie together, providing them with the riches they need. She clearly has a kind, Christian heart and thinks of all but herself.
Important Quotes
"The old prince felt as though he had been insulted through his daughter. The insult was the more pointed because it concerned not himself but another, his daughter, whom he loved more than himself."
Bolkonski: "And don't I see that that idiot had eyes only for Bourienne—I shall have to get rid of her. And how is it she has not pride enough to see it?"
Bolkonski: "That's admirable!" he shouted. "He will take you with your dowry and take Mademoiselle Bourienne into the bargain. She'll be the wife, while you..."
The prince stopped. He saw the effect these words had produced on his daughter. She lowered her head and was ready to burst into tears.
"Now then, now then, I'm only joking!" he said. "Remember this, Princess, I hold to the principle that a maiden has a full right to choose. I give you freedom. Only remember that your life's happiness depends on your decision. Never mind me!"
Mary: "But I do not know, Father!"
Mary: "My vocation is to be happy with another kind of happiness, the happiness of love and self-sacrifice. And cost what it may, I will arrange poor Amelie's happiness, she loves him so passionately, and so passionately repents. I will do all I can to arrange the match between them."
CHAPTER 6
Anna Mikhaylovna, who is still staying at the Rostov's, picks up a letter from their son, Nicholas. The letter states that he has been wounded, but promoted to officer. Little Natasha gets the news of her brother and tells Sonya who begins to cry at the thought of her love being wounded. She reminisces on how much she loves Nicholas while Natasha claims that she has forgotten about Boris, her old love.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "It's not that I don't remember—I know what he is like, but not as I remember Nikolenka. Him—I just shut my eyes and remember, but Boris... No!" (She shut her eyes.) "No! there's nothing at all."
We are still in the year 1805, flashing to where the new Count, Pierre is. Vasili seems to want his daughter, Helene to marry Pierre (to make the connection between himself and this rich count stronger). Anna Pavlovna and others who used to not care for Pierre much have changed their attitudes and now adore him. Pierre's life is consumed with balls and dinners and is under careful watch and instruction of Vasili. This day, he goes to Anna's house where Helene also is and the older people try to push her onto him. He is conflicted by his feelings towards her because he thinks her beauty is undeniable and can see her as his wife, but also knows she is stupid and worthless.
Important Quotes
[Vasili]: "He did not, for instance, say to himself: "This man now has influence, I must gain his confidence and friendship and through him obtain a special grant." Nor did he say to himself: "Pierre is a rich man, I must entice him to marry my daughter and lend me the forty thousand rubles I need." But when he came across a man of position his instinct immediately told him that this man could be useful, and without any premeditation Prince Vasili took the first opportunity to gain his confidence, flatter him, become intimate with him, and finally make his request"
Pierre: "But she's stupid. I have myself said she is stupid," he thought. "There is something nasty, something wrong, in the feeling she excites in me. I have been told that her brother Anatole was in love with her and she with him, that there was quite a scandal and that that's why he was sent away. Hippolyte is her brother... Prince Vasili is her father... It's bad...." he reflected..."
CHAPTER 2
It is Princess Helene's name day and Pierre and she are seated at the head of the table. Everyone seems to know that they are supposed to end up together, except Pierre doesn't want to believe it. At the end of the dinner, Pierre and Helene sit together in the drawing room. Vasili is impatient as he waits for Pierre to propose and so he comes into the room and insists on the proposal himself. Right then and there, Pierre knows that the marriage is inevitable and that he must not question it.
Important Quotes
"Pierre, despite that decision, had not left Prince Vasili's and felt with terror that in people's eyes he was every day more and more connected with her, that it was impossible for him to return to his former conception of her, that he could not break away from her, and that though it would be a terrible thing he would have to unite his fate with hers."
Pierre: "I love you," he said, remembering what has to be said at such moments: but his words sounded so weak that he felt ashamed of himself.
CHAPTER 3
Vasili orders a meeting with Prince Nicholas Bolkonski over arranging their children, Mary and Anatole. Vasili picks up Anatole and they go see the frightened little princess. Andrew Bolonski's wife (Lise, who seems more run-down than when we last saw her) and the maid try to prepare Mary for the meeting which will seal her fate. They try on different dresses on her, trying to make her look pretty, but everything fails and Mary still remains ugly in her own eyes. Mary tries to ignore the feelings of excitement over meeting this man, but cannot ignore her impulses.
Important Quotes
"And why not marry her if she really has so much money? That never does any harm," thought Anatole. "
[Mary]: "The more she tried to hide this feeling from others and even from herself, the stronger it grew. "O God," she said, "how am I to stifle in my heart these temptations of the devil? How am I to renounce forever these vile fancies, so as peacefully to fulfill Thy will?"
CHAPTER 4
Anatole finds Mary repulsive, but is taken by their house guest, the French Mademoiselle Bourienne. The Frenchwoman and Anatole flirt openly, but Mary seems blind to it, falling fast for Anatole. Prince Bolkonski is aware of how dumb Anatole is and insists to get to know him better before complying to Vasili's request of marrying him with Mary. Anatole and the Frenchwomen play footsie as Mary plays the clavichord for him.
Important Quotes
"Besides this, in his behavior to women Anatole had a manner which particularly inspires in them curiosity, awe, and even love—a supercilious consciousness of his own superiority. It was as if he said to them: "I know you, I know you, but why should I bother about you?"
"The question was whether he could ever bring himself to part from his daughter and give her to a husband. The prince never directly asked himself that question, knowing beforehand that he would have to answer it justly, and justice clashed not only with his feelings but with the very possibility of life. Life without Princess Mary, little as he seemed to value her, was unthinkable to him."
Bolkonski: "And who would marry Marie for love? Plain and awkward! They'll take her for her connections and wealth."
Bolkonski: "Ah! That's a good thing. So, my dear boy, you wish to serve the Tsar and the country? It is wartime. Such a fine fellow must serve. Well, are you off to the front?"
Anatole: "No, Prince, our regiment has gone to the front, but I am attached... what is it I am attached to, Papa?" said Anatole, turning to his father with a laugh.
"He would carry her away and then sa pauvre mere would appear and he would marry her. So her future shaped itself in Mademoiselle Bourienne's head at the very time she was talking to Anatole about Paris."
"Mary felt his look with a painfully joyous emotion. Her favorite sonata bore her into a most intimately poetic world and the look she felt upon her made that world still more poetic. But Anatole's expression, though his eyes were fixed on her, referred not to her but to the movements of Mademoiselle Bourienne's little foot, which he was then touching with his own under the clavichord. Mademoiselle Bourienne was also looking at Princess Mary, and in her lovely eyes there was a look of fearful joy and hope that was also new to the princess."
CHAPTER 5
Prince Bolkonski gives Mary the right to choose if she wants to marry Anatole. He doesn't like Vasili or his son and knows they are just using Mary. He is aware that the Frenchwoman and Anatole like each other. At first, Mary thinks that she will marry Anatole, but Anatole and the Frenchwoman, Amelie, had sneaked out to see each other and Mary overhears their whispers. She sees them embracing and quickly goes to Vasili and tells him she will not marry Anatole. Amelie thinks Mary now hates her, but Mary has plans of getting Anatole and Amelie together, providing them with the riches they need. She clearly has a kind, Christian heart and thinks of all but herself.
Important Quotes
"The old prince felt as though he had been insulted through his daughter. The insult was the more pointed because it concerned not himself but another, his daughter, whom he loved more than himself."
Bolkonski: "And don't I see that that idiot had eyes only for Bourienne—I shall have to get rid of her. And how is it she has not pride enough to see it?"
Bolkonski: "That's admirable!" he shouted. "He will take you with your dowry and take Mademoiselle Bourienne into the bargain. She'll be the wife, while you..."
The prince stopped. He saw the effect these words had produced on his daughter. She lowered her head and was ready to burst into tears.
"Now then, now then, I'm only joking!" he said. "Remember this, Princess, I hold to the principle that a maiden has a full right to choose. I give you freedom. Only remember that your life's happiness depends on your decision. Never mind me!"
Mary: "But I do not know, Father!"
Mary: "My vocation is to be happy with another kind of happiness, the happiness of love and self-sacrifice. And cost what it may, I will arrange poor Amelie's happiness, she loves him so passionately, and so passionately repents. I will do all I can to arrange the match between them."
CHAPTER 6
Anna Mikhaylovna, who is still staying at the Rostov's, picks up a letter from their son, Nicholas. The letter states that he has been wounded, but promoted to officer. Little Natasha gets the news of her brother and tells Sonya who begins to cry at the thought of her love being wounded. She reminisces on how much she loves Nicholas while Natasha claims that she has forgotten about Boris, her old love.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "It's not that I don't remember—I know what he is like, but not as I remember Nikolenka. Him—I just shut my eyes and remember, but Boris... No!" (She shut her eyes.) "No! there's nothing at all."
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