Summary Idleness (writes Tolstoy) — the absence of work — was a condition of man’s first blessedness before the Fall. Now we are cursed by guilt feelings when we are not working, and rarely can we feel we do our duty and be idle at the same time. Tolstoy observes […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book VIISummary and Analysis Book VI: Chapters 11–26
Summary Despite having mortgaged the three estates that were to be his daughters’ dowries, the financial troubles of Count Ilya Rostov increase. Yet when Berg becomes engaged to Vera, the eldest daughter, Count Rostov promises 100,000 rubles to his future son-in-law for settlement. Boris Drubetskoy now becomes attracted by Natasha […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book VI: Chapters 11–26Summary and Analysis Book VI: Chapters 1–10
Summary By 1809 the two emperors are so much in accord that Alexander sends troops when Napoleon declares war on Austria. There is talk of a match between one of the tsar’s sisters and Bonaparte. Despite political friendship or enmity, international scheming or wars, Tolstoy says, life, meanwhile — real […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book VI: Chapters 1–10Summary and Analysis Book V: Chapters 15–22
Summary Nikolay returns to his regiment with a great sense of peace. He feels it is as”unchangeably dear and precious” to him as his parental home. As before, Rostov and Denisov share quarters but now their common affection for Natasha draws them closer together. Their regiment, encamped near an utterly […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book V: Chapters 15–22Summary and Analysis Book V: Chapters 1–14
Summary At a way station where he awaits fresh horses to take him the rest of the journey to Petersburg, Pierre sits in meditation on what life is for, what one must love or hate, and what is right and wrong. The old man who joins him and recognizes him […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book V: Chapters 1–14Summary and Analysis Book IV: Chapters 10–16
Summary Count Rostov has managed to hush up the scandal of the duel, and Nikolay, in the meantime, has become friends with Dolohov. In one of their talks, Dolohov states his intense nature: I would give my life to those I love, he says, and crush those who get in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book IV: Chapters 10–16Summary and Analysis Book IV: Chapters 7–9
Summary At Bleak Hills, Liza is expected to deliver her child within days. Marya and the old prince conceal the news from her that Andrey is missing in action, although they both fear he is dead. The”little princess” is frightened and tense when her pains begin and relays of servants […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book IV: Chapters 7–9Summary and Analysis Book IV: Chapters 1–6
Summary Early in 1806 Nikolay returns home with Denisov, and the Rostov household is lively and gay. Although Sonya is very pretty, Nikolay neglects his sweetheart in order to amuse himself as young men of his station do. Count Ilya Rostov, a generous, good-natured father, has mortgaged all his estates […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book IV: Chapters 1–6Summary and Analysis Book III: Chapters 9–19
Summary Prince Andrey keeps a general waiting while he has an interview with Boris Drubetskoy, who seeks a better position in the army. Boris learns a lesson from this which helps him pursue his opportunism: Besides the existing protocol within the hierarchy there operates another and more actual system of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book III: Chapters 9–19Summary and Analysis Book III: Chapters 6–8
Summary The Rostovs are greatly excited with Nikolay’s letter telling them of the battle and his injury. They ask Boris to deliver some money and mail to their son. Boris and Nikolay discuss their military experiences with Berg, the young German engaged to Vera Rostov. When Nikolay gets to talk […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book III: Chapters 6–8