CHAPTER 1
year 1812
In this chapter, the events of future wars are described. The free will of leaders like Napoleon and Alexander are also mentioned. How much of history is a person's free will and how much of it is predetermined?
Important Quotes
"Each man lives for himself, using his freedom to attain his personal aims,
and feels with his whole being that he can now do or abstain from doing
this or that action; but as soon as he has done it, that action performed
at a certain moment in time becomes irrevocable and belongs to history, in
which it has not a free but a predestined significance."
"There are two sides to the life of every man, his individual life, which
is the more free the more abstract its interests, and his elemental hive
life in which he inevitably obeys laws laid down for him."
"Every act of theirs, which appears to them an act of their own will, is in
an historical sense involuntary and is related to the whole course of
history and predestined from eternity."
CHAPTER 2
Napoleon is tired of having so much attention from all his admirers. He thinks it is distracting and wants to be left alone to plan out his next moves in the war. All the men around him try and impress him, but he pays no mind.
Important Quotes
"Those whom (God) wishes to destroy he drives mad."
CHAPTER 3
Boris, Helene, and Alexander all attend a ball where the emperor finds out that the French have crossed on to Russian territory. He is very upset and writes to Napoleon telling him to leave his turf or else another war will break out.
Alexander: "It still depends on Your Majesty [Napoleon] to preserve humanity
from the calamity of another war."
CHAPTER 4
Balashev, Emperor Alexander's general, rides to where the French reside with the letter from Alexander telling them to retreat. On the way to see Napoleon, he encounters hostility from the French. He meets with Murat (who is now called "King of Naples") who insists that Napoleon isn't trying to start a war and that Alexander is the violent one for threatening to begin one is they don't move. Balashev and Murat clearly disagree on who is about to begin the next war and part their separate ways. Balashev is escorted to the French Marshal Davout.
CHAPTER 5
Balashev meets with Davout who is very stern and mean to him. He tells Balashev that he will give Alexander's letter to Napoleon himself, sending Balashev to wait at Vilna to see Napoleon.
CHAPTER 6
Balashev meets with Napoleon who is in a bad mood and threatens to wipe out Russia and its allies if war is declared. He keeps on saying that Alexander had much potential to be a great ruler, but he allied himself with his enemies and, therefore, was not great. Balashev doesn't even have a moment to speak because Napoleon keeps talking over him.
Important Quotes
[Napoleon]: "Evidently only what took place within his own mind interested him. Nothing
outside himself had any significance for him, because everything in the
world, it seemed to him, depended entirely on his will."
CHAPTER 7
Napoleon invites Balashev to dine with him. He treats Balashev like one of his admirers, not thinking that Balashev would disagree with his point of views. Napoleon keeps on talking badly of Alexander and, when Balashev returns home with news of his meetings, Alexander declares war.
Important Quotes
"It was evident that [Napoleon]
had long been convinced that it was impossible for him to make a mistake,
and that in his perception whatever he did was right, not because it
harmonized with any idea of right and wrong, but because he did it."
"Napoleon did not notice this expression; he treated
Balashev not as an envoy from his enemy, but as a man now fully devoted to
him and who must rejoice at his former master's humiliation."
CHAPTER 8
After some time of trying to find Anatole and challenge his to a duel, Andrew returns to Bald Hills where he notices a divide in the old house. His father is still having an affair with Madame Bourienne and they have both turned against Mary. Mary begs Andrew to stay longer, but he feels that he must go because he can't bear his father and the Frenchwoman and not even his son brings him joy. Mary tells Andrew not to blame men for his misfortunes and that everything is in God's hands, but Andrew still looks forward to finding and killing Anatole.
Important Quotes
"It was as if that lofty,
infinite canopy of heaven that had once towered above him had suddenly
turned into a low, solid vault that weighed him down, in which all was
clear, but nothing eternal or mysterious."
Andrew: "If I were a woman I would do so, Mary. That is a woman's virtue. But a
man should not and cannot forgive and forget," he replied"
Mary: "Good-bye, Andrew! Remember that misfortunes come from God, and men are
never to blame," were the last words he heard from his sister when he took
leave of her."
CHAPTER 9
Andrew decides to rejoin the army under Barclay where he notices some divisions forming. There are nine divisions, people for or against the war or people for or against certain generals. However, the biggest group is that which is self-centered and only out to better themselves, not caring about the war itself.
Important Quotes
"his eighth and largest party of those
preoccupied with personal interests imparted great confusion and obscurity
to the common task. Whatever question arose, a swarm of these drones,
without having finished their buzzing on a previous theme, flew over to
the new one and by their hum drowned and obscured the voices of those who
were disputing honestly."
CHAPTER 10
Barclay tells Andrew that Alexander wishes to meet with him. On arriving at Alexander's house, he is greeted by Chernyshev, the aide-de-camp, as they wait for Alexander to return. He sees the German, Pfuel, who he concludes is self-confident in his ability to theorize using science. Andrew proceeds to categorize men from different countries, saying how each one derives their confidence from different things.
Important Quotes
"A Russian is self-assured
just because he knows nothing and does not want to know anything, since he
does not believe that anything can be known. The German's self-assurance
is worst of all, stronger and more repulsive than any other, because he
imagines that he knows the truth—science—which he himself has
invented but which is for him the absolute truth."
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sunday, May 29, 2016
RECAP of Book 8
Highlights:
Natasha's engagement with Andrew:
Natasha is finding it difficult to stay in love with Andrew at the end of the year. She falls for Anatole who sweet-talks her into thinking they're in love. The engagement with Andrew is broken off after Natasha and Anatole try to elope, leaving everyone confused, angry, and astonished.
Pierre: Upset at Anatole and his wife for leading Natasha astray. (Also in love with Natasha, though).
Natasha: Confused about who she loves and goes mad, poisoning herself, after she hears that Anatole was already married.
Sonya: Astonished that her friend would leave Andrew like that.
Count Rostov: Unaware of the full truth--just knows that Natasha hastily broke off her engagement.
Marya: Upset at Natasha for acting so lowly (keeps the truth from the count, Andrew, and Nicholas for fear that they'd try and fight Anatole).
Andrew: Seems unaffected by Natasha's choice, but grows more bitter anyway, not willing to forgive her.
Mary: Happy that the engagement is over since she didn't get along with Natasha anyway.
Anatole: Not caring. He leaves Moscow after Pierre threatens him.
Natasha's engagement with Andrew:
Natasha is finding it difficult to stay in love with Andrew at the end of the year. She falls for Anatole who sweet-talks her into thinking they're in love. The engagement with Andrew is broken off after Natasha and Anatole try to elope, leaving everyone confused, angry, and astonished.
Pierre: Upset at Anatole and his wife for leading Natasha astray. (Also in love with Natasha, though).
Natasha: Confused about who she loves and goes mad, poisoning herself, after she hears that Anatole was already married.
Sonya: Astonished that her friend would leave Andrew like that.
Count Rostov: Unaware of the full truth--just knows that Natasha hastily broke off her engagement.
Marya: Upset at Natasha for acting so lowly (keeps the truth from the count, Andrew, and Nicholas for fear that they'd try and fight Anatole).
Andrew: Seems unaffected by Natasha's choice, but grows more bitter anyway, not willing to forgive her.
Mary: Happy that the engagement is over since she didn't get along with Natasha anyway.
Anatole: Not caring. He leaves Moscow after Pierre threatens him.
Book 8, Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
CHAPTER 12
Natasha can't help but think about Anatole and Mary and the old count each time she now thinks of Andrew. She feels as though she has betrayed him. Countess Bezukhova invites Natasha to her house at the request of her brother, Anatole. She tells Natasha that Anatole is in love with her and she must attend. Natasha assumes that since the countess is so nice and generous, it would be okay for her to go, even though she's engaged.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "So she knows I am engaged, and she and her husband Pierre—that good Pierre—have talked and laughed about this. So it's all right." And again, under Hélène's influence, what had seemed terrible now seemed simple and natural"
CHAPTER 13
The Rostovs attend Countess Bezukhova's party. Antaole follows Natasha around all night, telling her how beautiful she is and how he loves her. She is intrigued by the attention, but scared that she's betraying Andrew. At the end of the night, Anatole kisses Natasha on the lips and she knows she's in love with him. She is torn between him and Andrew.
Important Quotes
"As soon as she saw him she was seized by the same feeling she had had at the opera—gratified vanity at his admiration of her and fear at the absence of a moral barrier between them."
CHAPTER 14
Natasha is still tormented over her love for Andrew and Anatole. She receives a letter from Mary telling her that she is sorry if she misunderstood and thinks that she doesn't like her. However, Natasha isn't willing to mend bridges with Mary because she thinks of breaking off the engagement with Andrew all together. She gets a letter from Anatole that his friend, Dolokhov, composed reciting his love for her. She knows she loves Anatole more that Andrew in that moment.
Important Quotes
"With trembling hands Natásha held that passionate love letter which Dólokhov had composed for Anatole, and as she read it she found in it an echo of all that she herself imagined she was feeling."
CHAPTER 15
Sonya finds and read the letter that Anatole sent to Natasha and is horrified to find out that Natasha's feelings are the same. She begs Natasha not to forget Andrew, but Natasha writes to Mary telling her that she refuses to marry her brother. Sonya watches her every move. She notices Natasha is acting strange and realizes that she means to elope with Anatole.
Important Quotes
Natasha (about Anatole): "As soon as I saw him I felt he was my master and I his slave, and that I could not help loving him. Yes, his slave! Whatever he orders I shall do. You don't understand that. What can I do? What can I do, Sónya?" cried Natásha with a happy yet frightened expression."
Sonya: "But why this secrecy? Why doesn't he come to the house?" asked Sónya. "Why doesn't he openly ask for your hand? You know Prince Andrew gave you complete freedom—if it is really so; but I don't believe it! Natásha, have you considered what these secret reasons can be?"
CHAPTER 16
Anatole prepares to elope with Natasha. His best friend, Dolokhov, is helping him as well as his two other friends and followers, Makarin and Khvostikov. Dookhov warns against the secret marriage, saying that it will be found out and that he is already married, but Anatole refuses to listen. Their driver, Balaga, a peasant who enjoys partying with them, arrives, ready to take Anatole to get Natasha.
Important Quotes
Dolokhov: "I helped you, but all the same I must tell you the truth; it is a dangerous business, and if you think about it—a stupid business. Well, you'll carry her off—all right! Will they let it stop at that? It will come out that you're already married. Why, they'll have you in the criminal court...."
Anatole: "It's the very devil! What? Feel how it beats!" He took Dólokhov's hand and put it on his heart."
CHAPTER 17
Anatole and his companions set off to fetch Natasha. Dolokhov shows him the manner in which he should get her, wrapping his fur coat around a gypsy girl as an example. When Anatole arrives, a servant greets him and leads him around back where he realizes he's been betrayed and the footman knows of his arrival and his plan. He runs back to the carriage where Dolokhov is.
Dolokhov: "I have heard what elopements are like," continued Dólokhov with a wink. "Why, she'll rush out more dead than alive just in the things she is wearing; if you delay at all there'll be tears and 'Papa' and 'Mamma,' and she's frozen in a minute and must go back—but you wrap the fur cloak round her first thing and carry her to the sleigh."
CHAPTER 18
Marya found out about Natasha's plan to elope and had locked her in the room, giving order to let the boys in and not let them out. When Anatole and Dolokhov ran away, she went to talk to Natasha with Sonya. She tells her how unfaithful and horrid she is for trying to bring her lover into her own house. She tells Natasha not to tell her father so as not to trouble him. The Count arrives from selling his Moscow estate the next day and nobody tells him of the elope. He merely thinks that Natasha is ill since she won't talk or move.
Important Quotes
Marya: "Why carry you off as if you were some gypsy singing girl?... Well, if he had carried you off... do you think they wouldn't have found him? Your father, or brother, or your betrothed? And he's a scoundrel, a wretch—that's a fact!"
Natasha: "He is better than any of you!" exclaimed Natásha getting up. "If you hadn't interfered... Oh, my God! What is it all? What is it? Sónya, why?... Go away!"
CHAPTER 19
Pierre goes to visit Natasha. Secretly, he hopes that she'll marry Andrew already because he is trying to suppress his feelings for her. In the house, Natasha is quite changed and Marya explains everything to Pierre whom she makes swear he won't tell anyone else. Pierre also tells Natasha that Anatole was married, distressing her even more. Pierre realizes that it was his wife's lifestyle that drove Natasha mad.
Important Quotes
Pierre (about Anatole): "Yes, indeed, that's a true sage," thought Pierre. "He sees nothing beyond the pleasure of the moment, nothing troubles him and so he is always cheerful, satisfied, and serene. What wouldn't I give to be like him!" he thought enviously."
CHAPTER 20
Pierre decides to confront Anatole. He is furious with him, telling him that he was a scoundrel for having deceived a child. He tells Anatole to give him any letters from Natasha, to not speak a word of the event, and to leave Moscow.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "After all, you must understand that besides your pleasure there is such a thing as other people's happiness and peace, and that you are ruining a whole life for the sake of amusing yourself! Amuse yourself with women like my wife—with them you are within your rights, for they know what you want of them. They are armed against you by the same experience of debauchery; but to promise a maid to marry her... to deceive, to kidnap.... Don't you understand that it is as mean as beating an old man or a child?..."
CHAPTER 21
Andrew arrives back in Moscow and finds out about Natasha and the broken off engagement and the elope. He takes the news well and tells Pierre that he wishes Natasha well but doesn't forgive her. Andrew has become more like his angry father and seems cold towards everyone. Meanwhile, Natasha is very sick after trying to poison herself when she heard that Anatole was already married.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "Yes," returned Prince Andrew hastily. "I said that a fallen woman should be forgiven, but I didn't say I could forgive her. I can't."
CHAPTER 22
Pierre goes to see the sick Natasha. She tells him to tell Andrew that she wants to be forgiven. Pierre asks her if she truly loved Anatole, but she doesn't know. Pierre tells Natasha that, if circumstances were different, he'd ask her to marry him. They both cry tears of gratitude and joy. As Pierre leaves the house, he sees a comet soaring in the sky which brings him joy.
Important Quotes
"the enormous and brilliant comet of 1812—the comet which was said to portend all kinds of woes and the end of the world. In Pierre, however, that comet with its long luminous tail aroused no feeling of fear. On the contrary he gazed joyfully, his eyes moist with tears."
Natasha can't help but think about Anatole and Mary and the old count each time she now thinks of Andrew. She feels as though she has betrayed him. Countess Bezukhova invites Natasha to her house at the request of her brother, Anatole. She tells Natasha that Anatole is in love with her and she must attend. Natasha assumes that since the countess is so nice and generous, it would be okay for her to go, even though she's engaged.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "So she knows I am engaged, and she and her husband Pierre—that good Pierre—have talked and laughed about this. So it's all right." And again, under Hélène's influence, what had seemed terrible now seemed simple and natural"
CHAPTER 13
The Rostovs attend Countess Bezukhova's party. Antaole follows Natasha around all night, telling her how beautiful she is and how he loves her. She is intrigued by the attention, but scared that she's betraying Andrew. At the end of the night, Anatole kisses Natasha on the lips and she knows she's in love with him. She is torn between him and Andrew.
Important Quotes
"As soon as she saw him she was seized by the same feeling she had had at the opera—gratified vanity at his admiration of her and fear at the absence of a moral barrier between them."
CHAPTER 14
Natasha is still tormented over her love for Andrew and Anatole. She receives a letter from Mary telling her that she is sorry if she misunderstood and thinks that she doesn't like her. However, Natasha isn't willing to mend bridges with Mary because she thinks of breaking off the engagement with Andrew all together. She gets a letter from Anatole that his friend, Dolokhov, composed reciting his love for her. She knows she loves Anatole more that Andrew in that moment.
Important Quotes
"With trembling hands Natásha held that passionate love letter which Dólokhov had composed for Anatole, and as she read it she found in it an echo of all that she herself imagined she was feeling."
CHAPTER 15
Sonya finds and read the letter that Anatole sent to Natasha and is horrified to find out that Natasha's feelings are the same. She begs Natasha not to forget Andrew, but Natasha writes to Mary telling her that she refuses to marry her brother. Sonya watches her every move. She notices Natasha is acting strange and realizes that she means to elope with Anatole.
Important Quotes
Natasha (about Anatole): "As soon as I saw him I felt he was my master and I his slave, and that I could not help loving him. Yes, his slave! Whatever he orders I shall do. You don't understand that. What can I do? What can I do, Sónya?" cried Natásha with a happy yet frightened expression."
Sonya: "But why this secrecy? Why doesn't he come to the house?" asked Sónya. "Why doesn't he openly ask for your hand? You know Prince Andrew gave you complete freedom—if it is really so; but I don't believe it! Natásha, have you considered what these secret reasons can be?"
CHAPTER 16
Anatole prepares to elope with Natasha. His best friend, Dolokhov, is helping him as well as his two other friends and followers, Makarin and Khvostikov. Dookhov warns against the secret marriage, saying that it will be found out and that he is already married, but Anatole refuses to listen. Their driver, Balaga, a peasant who enjoys partying with them, arrives, ready to take Anatole to get Natasha.
Important Quotes
Dolokhov: "I helped you, but all the same I must tell you the truth; it is a dangerous business, and if you think about it—a stupid business. Well, you'll carry her off—all right! Will they let it stop at that? It will come out that you're already married. Why, they'll have you in the criminal court...."
Anatole: "It's the very devil! What? Feel how it beats!" He took Dólokhov's hand and put it on his heart."
CHAPTER 17
Anatole and his companions set off to fetch Natasha. Dolokhov shows him the manner in which he should get her, wrapping his fur coat around a gypsy girl as an example. When Anatole arrives, a servant greets him and leads him around back where he realizes he's been betrayed and the footman knows of his arrival and his plan. He runs back to the carriage where Dolokhov is.
Dolokhov: "I have heard what elopements are like," continued Dólokhov with a wink. "Why, she'll rush out more dead than alive just in the things she is wearing; if you delay at all there'll be tears and 'Papa' and 'Mamma,' and she's frozen in a minute and must go back—but you wrap the fur cloak round her first thing and carry her to the sleigh."
CHAPTER 18
Marya found out about Natasha's plan to elope and had locked her in the room, giving order to let the boys in and not let them out. When Anatole and Dolokhov ran away, she went to talk to Natasha with Sonya. She tells her how unfaithful and horrid she is for trying to bring her lover into her own house. She tells Natasha not to tell her father so as not to trouble him. The Count arrives from selling his Moscow estate the next day and nobody tells him of the elope. He merely thinks that Natasha is ill since she won't talk or move.
Important Quotes
Marya: "Why carry you off as if you were some gypsy singing girl?... Well, if he had carried you off... do you think they wouldn't have found him? Your father, or brother, or your betrothed? And he's a scoundrel, a wretch—that's a fact!"
Natasha: "He is better than any of you!" exclaimed Natásha getting up. "If you hadn't interfered... Oh, my God! What is it all? What is it? Sónya, why?... Go away!"
CHAPTER 19
Pierre goes to visit Natasha. Secretly, he hopes that she'll marry Andrew already because he is trying to suppress his feelings for her. In the house, Natasha is quite changed and Marya explains everything to Pierre whom she makes swear he won't tell anyone else. Pierre also tells Natasha that Anatole was married, distressing her even more. Pierre realizes that it was his wife's lifestyle that drove Natasha mad.
Important Quotes
Pierre (about Anatole): "Yes, indeed, that's a true sage," thought Pierre. "He sees nothing beyond the pleasure of the moment, nothing troubles him and so he is always cheerful, satisfied, and serene. What wouldn't I give to be like him!" he thought enviously."
CHAPTER 20
Pierre decides to confront Anatole. He is furious with him, telling him that he was a scoundrel for having deceived a child. He tells Anatole to give him any letters from Natasha, to not speak a word of the event, and to leave Moscow.
Important Quotes
Pierre: "After all, you must understand that besides your pleasure there is such a thing as other people's happiness and peace, and that you are ruining a whole life for the sake of amusing yourself! Amuse yourself with women like my wife—with them you are within your rights, for they know what you want of them. They are armed against you by the same experience of debauchery; but to promise a maid to marry her... to deceive, to kidnap.... Don't you understand that it is as mean as beating an old man or a child?..."
CHAPTER 21
Andrew arrives back in Moscow and finds out about Natasha and the broken off engagement and the elope. He takes the news well and tells Pierre that he wishes Natasha well but doesn't forgive her. Andrew has become more like his angry father and seems cold towards everyone. Meanwhile, Natasha is very sick after trying to poison herself when she heard that Anatole was already married.
Important Quotes
Andrew: "Yes," returned Prince Andrew hastily. "I said that a fallen woman should be forgiven, but I didn't say I could forgive her. I can't."
CHAPTER 22
Pierre goes to see the sick Natasha. She tells him to tell Andrew that she wants to be forgiven. Pierre asks her if she truly loved Anatole, but she doesn't know. Pierre tells Natasha that, if circumstances were different, he'd ask her to marry him. They both cry tears of gratitude and joy. As Pierre leaves the house, he sees a comet soaring in the sky which brings him joy.
Important Quotes
"the enormous and brilliant comet of 1812—the comet which was said to portend all kinds of woes and the end of the world. In Pierre, however, that comet with its long luminous tail aroused no feeling of fear. On the contrary he gazed joyfully, his eyes moist with tears."
Friday, May 27, 2016
Book 8, Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11
CHAPTER 8
Natasha, Sonya, the count, and Marya all go to see an opera. There, Natasha thinks of Andrew and pays no mid to all the people who are looking at her, admiring her beauty. She sees Boris and his new fiance, Julie, and presumes they are talking about her. She also sees Helene and remarks at her beauty, saying that she is so beautiful that it must be easy to love her.
*Natasha is becoming very superficial, only caring about looks.*
Important Quotes
Natasha (about Boris and Julie): "They are talking about us, about me and him!" thought Natásha. "And he no doubt is calming her jealousy of me. They needn't trouble themselves! If only they knew how little I am concerned about any of them."
Natasha (about Helene): "Wonderful!" answered Natásha. "She's a woman one could easily fall in love with."
CHAPTER 9
Natasha watches the opera, remarking how artificial it seems. However, everyone around her seems to enjoy it, so she resolves that the artificiality of it is normal. She sees Anatole Kuragin walk down the aisle and notices that he is looking at her a lot. She enjoys the attention her gives her. Helene claims that she wants to get to know the girls better and asks Natasha to sit by her for the rest of the opera.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "She knew what it was all meant to represent, but it was so pretentiously false and unnatural that she first felt ashamed for the actors and then amused at them. She looked at the faces of the audience, seeking in them the same sense of ridicule and perplexity she herself experienced, but they all seemed attentive to what was happening on the stage, and expressed delight which to Natásha seemed feigned. "I suppose it has to be like this!"
CHAPTER 10
Anatole comes to Natasha and talks to her. He is quite the ladies' man and sweet-talks Natasha, gazing into her eyes. She feels as though they have known each other for a while and feels enraptured by his gaze. Anatole invites her to a costume party. She forgets everything about Andrew and Mary when she is talking to Anatole. Later on, she fears that her love for Andrew is fading as she thinks of Anatole.
Important Quotes
Natasha (about Anatole): "But looking into his eyes she was frightened, realizing that there was not that barrier of modesty she had always felt between herself and other men. She did not know how it was that within five minutes she had come to feel herself terribly near to this man. When she turned away she feared he might seize her from behind by her bare arm and kiss her on the neck."
CHAPTER 11
Anatole's intentions are to have sex with Natasha and nothing more. Apparently, he is a married man but is playing it off as though he is not in order to attract women in Moscow.
Important Quotes
"[Anatole] was convinced that, as a duck is so made that it must live in water, so God had made him such that he must spend thirty thousand rubles a year and always occupy a prominent position in society. He believed this so firmly that others, looking at him, were persuaded of it too and did not refuse him either a leading place in society or money, which he borrowed from anyone and everyone and evidently would not repay."
Natasha, Sonya, the count, and Marya all go to see an opera. There, Natasha thinks of Andrew and pays no mid to all the people who are looking at her, admiring her beauty. She sees Boris and his new fiance, Julie, and presumes they are talking about her. She also sees Helene and remarks at her beauty, saying that she is so beautiful that it must be easy to love her.
*Natasha is becoming very superficial, only caring about looks.*
Important Quotes
Natasha (about Boris and Julie): "They are talking about us, about me and him!" thought Natásha. "And he no doubt is calming her jealousy of me. They needn't trouble themselves! If only they knew how little I am concerned about any of them."
Natasha (about Helene): "Wonderful!" answered Natásha. "She's a woman one could easily fall in love with."
CHAPTER 9
Natasha watches the opera, remarking how artificial it seems. However, everyone around her seems to enjoy it, so she resolves that the artificiality of it is normal. She sees Anatole Kuragin walk down the aisle and notices that he is looking at her a lot. She enjoys the attention her gives her. Helene claims that she wants to get to know the girls better and asks Natasha to sit by her for the rest of the opera.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "She knew what it was all meant to represent, but it was so pretentiously false and unnatural that she first felt ashamed for the actors and then amused at them. She looked at the faces of the audience, seeking in them the same sense of ridicule and perplexity she herself experienced, but they all seemed attentive to what was happening on the stage, and expressed delight which to Natásha seemed feigned. "I suppose it has to be like this!"
CHAPTER 10
Anatole comes to Natasha and talks to her. He is quite the ladies' man and sweet-talks Natasha, gazing into her eyes. She feels as though they have known each other for a while and feels enraptured by his gaze. Anatole invites her to a costume party. She forgets everything about Andrew and Mary when she is talking to Anatole. Later on, she fears that her love for Andrew is fading as she thinks of Anatole.
Important Quotes
Natasha (about Anatole): "But looking into his eyes she was frightened, realizing that there was not that barrier of modesty she had always felt between herself and other men. She did not know how it was that within five minutes she had come to feel herself terribly near to this man. When she turned away she feared he might seize her from behind by her bare arm and kiss her on the neck."
CHAPTER 11
Anatole's intentions are to have sex with Natasha and nothing more. Apparently, he is a married man but is playing it off as though he is not in order to attract women in Moscow.
Important Quotes
"[Anatole] was convinced that, as a duck is so made that it must live in water, so God had made him such that he must spend thirty thousand rubles a year and always occupy a prominent position in society. He believed this so firmly that others, looking at him, were persuaded of it too and did not refuse him either a leading place in society or money, which he borrowed from anyone and everyone and evidently would not repay."
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Book 8, Chapters 5, 6, 7
CHAPTER 5
Boris is in Moscow searching for a bride-- either Julie or Mary. Although something about Mary attracts him more, he feels awkward courting her. So, he courts Julie. She is very depressed after losing her two brothers and her melancholy intrigues him. However, he is turned off by her desperate eagerness to get married to him. Anatole Kuragin is sent up to Moscow to court Julie, too and Anna Milkhaylovna (Boris' mom) demands him to propose already before Anatole does. Boris proposes with regret.
Important Quotes
"some secret feeling of repulsion for her, for her passionate desire to get married, for her artificiality, and a feeling of horror at renouncing the possibility of real love still restrained Borís."
"Julie saw Borís' indecision, and sometimes the thought occurred to her that she was repulsive to him, but her feminine self-deception immediately supplied her with consolation, and she told herself that he was only shy from love."
Boris: "he began speaking irritably of feminine inconstancy, of how easily women can turn from sadness to joy, and how their moods depend solely on who happens to be paying court to them."
CHAPTER 6
The Rostovs are to stay with the old Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova while in Moscow. There, Marya looks after Sonya and Natasha. She gives Natasha advice on Andrew and the marriage and tells her that she should get close to the old count and Mary in order to fit in with the family. She arranges for Natasha to meet her future sister in law, Mary.
CHAPTER 7
Mary and Natasha meet, Natasha (at first) sure that the Bolkonski's will like her. However, there is a secret jealousy Mary has against Natasha and the two of them find nothing to speak about. This silence and awkwardness grows as does their hatred for each other.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "They can't help liking me," she thought. "Everybody always has liked me, and I am so willing to do anything they wish, so ready to be fond of him—for being his father—and of her—for being his sister—that there is no reason for them not to like me..."
Mary: "She did not at all realize that before having seen her future sister-in-law she was prejudiced against her by involuntary envy of her beauty, youth, and happiness, as well as by jealousy of her brother's love for her."
Boris is in Moscow searching for a bride-- either Julie or Mary. Although something about Mary attracts him more, he feels awkward courting her. So, he courts Julie. She is very depressed after losing her two brothers and her melancholy intrigues him. However, he is turned off by her desperate eagerness to get married to him. Anatole Kuragin is sent up to Moscow to court Julie, too and Anna Milkhaylovna (Boris' mom) demands him to propose already before Anatole does. Boris proposes with regret.
Important Quotes
"some secret feeling of repulsion for her, for her passionate desire to get married, for her artificiality, and a feeling of horror at renouncing the possibility of real love still restrained Borís."
"Julie saw Borís' indecision, and sometimes the thought occurred to her that she was repulsive to him, but her feminine self-deception immediately supplied her with consolation, and she told herself that he was only shy from love."
Boris: "he began speaking irritably of feminine inconstancy, of how easily women can turn from sadness to joy, and how their moods depend solely on who happens to be paying court to them."
CHAPTER 6
The Rostovs are to stay with the old Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova while in Moscow. There, Marya looks after Sonya and Natasha. She gives Natasha advice on Andrew and the marriage and tells her that she should get close to the old count and Mary in order to fit in with the family. She arranges for Natasha to meet her future sister in law, Mary.
CHAPTER 7
Mary and Natasha meet, Natasha (at first) sure that the Bolkonski's will like her. However, there is a secret jealousy Mary has against Natasha and the two of them find nothing to speak about. This silence and awkwardness grows as does their hatred for each other.
Important Quotes
Natasha: "They can't help liking me," she thought. "Everybody always has liked me, and I am so willing to do anything they wish, so ready to be fond of him—for being his father—and of her—for being his sister—that there is no reason for them not to like me..."
Mary: "She did not at all realize that before having seen her future sister-in-law she was prejudiced against her by involuntary envy of her beauty, youth, and happiness, as well as by jealousy of her brother's love for her."
Book 8, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
CHAPTER 1
years 1811-12
Pierre has become more and more depressed after Natasha and Andrew's engagement. He moves back to Moscow and starts drinking and partying again. He keeps asking himself what his purpose is and what the world is coming to. He had wanted to save the world and become his own Napoleon, but he still hadn't done anything grand, except freeing the serfs. Each day, he ponders the meaning of life.
Important Quotes
"Sometimes he consoled himself with the thought that he was only living this life temporarily; but then he was shocked by the thought of how many, like himself, had entered that life and that club temporarily, with all their teeth and hair, and had only left it when not a single tooth or hair remained"
"To Pierre all men seemed like those soldiers, seeking refuge from life: some in ambition, some in cards, some in framing laws, some in women, some in toys, some in horses, some in politics, some in sport, some in wine, and some in governmental affairs. "Nothing is trivial, and nothing is important, it's all the same—only to save oneself from it as best one can," thought Pierre. "Only not to see it, that dreadful it!"
CHAPTER 2
Prince Nicholas Bolkonski and Mary also move to Moscow. There, Mary becomes even more isolated, knowing that she'll never marry and even her friend Julie who used to correspond with her, doesn't pay much attention to her. Mary feels herself becoming bitter like her father and hates herself for that. She also despises the fact that her father and the Frenchwoman, Madame Bourienne are having an affair. Her father seems to favor the Frenchwoman over his own daughter.
Important Quotes
Mary: "Having put him in the corner she would herself begin to cry over her cruel, evil nature, and little Nicholas, following her example, would sob, and without permission would leave his corner, come to her, pull her wet hands from her face, and comfort her."
Mary (about her father): "He is old and feeble, and I dare to condemn him!" she thought at such moments, with a feeling of revulsion against herself."
CHAPTER 3
The chapter opens with Prince Nicholas banishing the French doctor, Metivier, from his house, claiming that he's a French spy. He blames Mary for letting him in. Later on at dinner, he discusses all the events between the Russians and the French with some men, including Boris and Rostopchin. All the men agree that the French are taking over and must be stopped.
CHAPTER 4
Pierre approaches Mary after dinner and tells her that she should marry Boris since he is looking for a wife (currently he is courting Julie, her friend). Mary says that she'd marry anyone at that point to get away from her father. They also talk about Andrew and Natasha and Mary tells Pierre her plan of getting close with Natasha so that her father might grow to like her faster.
Important Quotes
Mary: "Oh, my God, Count, there are moments when I would marry anybody!" she cried suddenly to her own surprise and with tears in her voice. "Ah, how bitter it is to love someone near to you and to feel that..." she went on in a trembling voice, "that you can do nothing for him but grieve him, and to know that you cannot alter this. Then there is only one thing left—to go away, but where could I go?"
years 1811-12
Pierre has become more and more depressed after Natasha and Andrew's engagement. He moves back to Moscow and starts drinking and partying again. He keeps asking himself what his purpose is and what the world is coming to. He had wanted to save the world and become his own Napoleon, but he still hadn't done anything grand, except freeing the serfs. Each day, he ponders the meaning of life.
Important Quotes
"Sometimes he consoled himself with the thought that he was only living this life temporarily; but then he was shocked by the thought of how many, like himself, had entered that life and that club temporarily, with all their teeth and hair, and had only left it when not a single tooth or hair remained"
"To Pierre all men seemed like those soldiers, seeking refuge from life: some in ambition, some in cards, some in framing laws, some in women, some in toys, some in horses, some in politics, some in sport, some in wine, and some in governmental affairs. "Nothing is trivial, and nothing is important, it's all the same—only to save oneself from it as best one can," thought Pierre. "Only not to see it, that dreadful it!"
CHAPTER 2
Prince Nicholas Bolkonski and Mary also move to Moscow. There, Mary becomes even more isolated, knowing that she'll never marry and even her friend Julie who used to correspond with her, doesn't pay much attention to her. Mary feels herself becoming bitter like her father and hates herself for that. She also despises the fact that her father and the Frenchwoman, Madame Bourienne are having an affair. Her father seems to favor the Frenchwoman over his own daughter.
Important Quotes
Mary: "Having put him in the corner she would herself begin to cry over her cruel, evil nature, and little Nicholas, following her example, would sob, and without permission would leave his corner, come to her, pull her wet hands from her face, and comfort her."
Mary (about her father): "He is old and feeble, and I dare to condemn him!" she thought at such moments, with a feeling of revulsion against herself."
CHAPTER 3
The chapter opens with Prince Nicholas banishing the French doctor, Metivier, from his house, claiming that he's a French spy. He blames Mary for letting him in. Later on at dinner, he discusses all the events between the Russians and the French with some men, including Boris and Rostopchin. All the men agree that the French are taking over and must be stopped.
CHAPTER 4
Pierre approaches Mary after dinner and tells her that she should marry Boris since he is looking for a wife (currently he is courting Julie, her friend). Mary says that she'd marry anyone at that point to get away from her father. They also talk about Andrew and Natasha and Mary tells Pierre her plan of getting close with Natasha so that her father might grow to like her faster.
Important Quotes
Mary: "Oh, my God, Count, there are moments when I would marry anybody!" she cried suddenly to her own surprise and with tears in her voice. "Ah, how bitter it is to love someone near to you and to feel that..." she went on in a trembling voice, "that you can do nothing for him but grieve him, and to know that you cannot alter this. Then there is only one thing left—to go away, but where could I go?"
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Book 7 RECAP
Highlights:
-Loss of Childhood: Natasha has not kept in mind what Andrew had told her about finding herself while he is gone. While he is finding himself, she grows more and more dependent on him and his love that she actually begins to lose her happy self.
-Childhood love: Nicholas realizes that he does love Sonya after all this time after they all play dress up. A childlike activity brought out love in both of them-- both are still young and seek spontaneity (unlike what Natasha is becoming).
- The hunt for the wolf (Nicholas)
- Natasha's love for Andrew
- Nicholas' proposal to Sonya
-Loss of Childhood: Natasha has not kept in mind what Andrew had told her about finding herself while he is gone. While he is finding himself, she grows more and more dependent on him and his love that she actually begins to lose her happy self.
-Childhood love: Nicholas realizes that he does love Sonya after all this time after they all play dress up. A childlike activity brought out love in both of them-- both are still young and seek spontaneity (unlike what Natasha is becoming).
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