Summary
Rostóv arrives in Tilsit at the worst possible moment to petition for Denísov's pardon. It's the day the Russian and French emperors are signing peace treaties and exchanging honors—everyone's focused on diplomacy, not individual cases. Feeling awkward around Borís, who can't help him anyway, Rostóv wanders the decorated streets in civilian clothes, watching preparations for the grand dinner between enemy battalions. His idealism kicks in hard. Seeing the Emperor's residence, he convinces himself that if he could just speak directly to Alexander, justice would prevail. 'He understands everything,' Rostóv thinks, imagining the Emperor lifting him up and thanking him for exposing injustice. Reality hits fast. When Rostóv tries to deliver Denísov's letter personally, he's shuffled to a lower-level official who dismisses him coldly. The man in fancy braces treats him like an annoying interruption, calling his approach 'audacious.' Humiliated and realizing how inappropriate his civilian dress and unauthorized presence are, Rostóv tries to leave. A cavalry general who knows him intervenes kindly, taking the letter and promising to help. Then the Emperor himself appears, magnificent in his Preobrazhénsk uniform. Rostóv watches, star-struck, as the general speaks to Alexander. But the Emperor's public response crushes all hope: 'I cannot do it, General. I cannot, because the law is stronger than I.' Even emperors have limits. The chapter shows how good intentions without understanding proper procedures often backfire, and how timing and context matter as much as the righteousness of your cause.
Coming Up in Chapter 105
With his mission failed and Denísov's fate seemingly sealed, Rostóv must face the consequences of his impulsive attempt to bypass the system. The Emperor's words about law being stronger than personal will echo as the story shifts focus to other characters navigating their own struggles with authority and justice.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Rostóv had come to Tilsit the day least suitable for a petition on Denísov’s behalf. He could not himself go to the general in attendance as he was in mufti and had come to Tilsit without permission to do so, and Borís, even had he wished to, could not have done so on the following day. On that day, June 27, the preliminaries of peace were signed. The Emperors exchanged decorations: Alexander received the Cross of the Legion of Honor and Napoleon the Order of St. Andrew of the First Degree, and a dinner had been arranged for the evening, given by a battalion of the French Guards to the Preobrazhénsk battalion. The Emperors were to be present at that banquet. Rostóv felt so ill at ease and uncomfortable with Borís that, when the latter looked in after supper, he pretended to be asleep, and early next morning went away, avoiding Borís. In his civilian clothes and a round hat, he wandered about the town, staring at the French and their uniforms and at the streets and houses where the Russian and French Emperors were staying. In a square he saw tables being set up and preparations made for the dinner; he saw the Russian and French colors draped from side to side of the streets, with huge monograms A and N. In the windows of the houses also flags and bunting were displayed. “Borís doesn’t want to help me and I don’t want to ask him. That’s settled,” thought Nicholas. “All is over between us, but I won’t leave here without having done all I can for Denísov and certainly not without getting his letter to the Emperor. The Emperor!... He is here!” thought Rostóv, who had unconsciously returned to the house where Alexander lodged. Saddled horses were standing before the house and the suite were assembling, evidently preparing for the Emperor to come out. “I may see him at any moment,” thought Rostóv. “If only I were to hand the letter direct to him and tell him all... could they really arrest me for my civilian clothes? Surely not! He would understand on whose side justice lies. He understands everything, knows everything. Who can be more just, more magnanimous than he? And even if they did arrest me for being here, what would it matter?” thought he, looking at an officer who was entering the house the Emperor occupied. “After all, people do go in.... It’s all nonsense! I’ll go in and hand the letter to the Emperor myself so much the worse for Drubetskóy who drives me to it!” And suddenly with a determination he himself did not expect, Rostóv felt for the letter in his pocket and went straight to the house. “No, I won’t miss my opportunity now, as I did after Austerlitz,” he thought, expecting every moment to meet the monarch, and conscious of the blood that rushed to his heart at the thought. “I will fall at his feet and beseech him. He...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Good Intentions Without Process
Believing that good intentions and just causes automatically override established processes and hierarchies.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize the difference between moral authority and institutional authority, and why good causes still need proper channels.
Practice This Today
Next time you feel outraged about unfairness at work or in your community, pause to map who actually has decision-making power and what the proper process is before acting on your anger.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Tilsit
A town where Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I met in 1807 to negotiate peace after Russia's defeat. This historic meeting changed the balance of power in Europe.
Modern Usage:
Like when world leaders meet at Camp David or G7 summits - high-stakes diplomatic meetings where personal relationships can shift global politics.
Mufti
Civilian clothes worn by military officers when off duty. Rostóv is out of uniform, which makes him look unofficial and undermines his authority.
Modern Usage:
Like showing up to a business meeting in jeans and a t-shirt - technically allowed but sends the wrong message about how seriously you take the situation.
Petition
A formal request to someone in authority, usually asking for mercy or a favor. Rostóv wants to ask the Emperor to pardon his friend Denísov.
Modern Usage:
Like asking your boss's boss to overturn a disciplinary action against your coworker - it can work, but timing and approach are everything.
Preliminaries of peace
The initial agreements that end active fighting before the final peace treaty is signed. It's like a ceasefire with conditions attached.
Modern Usage:
Like when labor unions and management reach a tentative agreement before the final contract is signed - everyone's cautiously optimistic but nothing's final yet.
Chain of command
The military hierarchy that determines who reports to whom and who has authority to make decisions. Rostóv tries to bypass this system.
Modern Usage:
Like going straight to the CEO instead of talking to your supervisor first - it might get attention, but it usually backfires.
Diplomatic immunity
The idea that during peace negotiations, everyone focuses on the big picture and avoids smaller controversies that might derail talks.
Modern Usage:
Like how during merger negotiations, companies don't fire people for minor infractions - they don't want to create unnecessary drama.
Characters in This Chapter
Rostóv
Idealistic protagonist
He arrives at the worst possible time to petition for his friend, wearing civilian clothes and having no official permission. His naive belief that good intentions and direct appeals will work gets crushed by bureaucratic reality.
Modern Equivalent:
The well-meaning friend who shows up uninvited to help fix your problems and makes everything worse
Borís
Reluctant ally
He's in a position to potentially help Rostóv but is constrained by the political situation. Their friendship becomes awkward when Rostóv needs something Borís can't deliver.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who knows people in HR but can't help you because it would put their own job at risk
Denísov
Absent friend in need
Though not present, his legal troubles drive the entire chapter. His case represents how individual justice gets overshadowed by larger political events.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend whose court case gets delayed because the courthouse is dealing with a high-profile trial
The official with braces
Bureaucratic gatekeeper
He dismisses Rostóv coldly, calling his direct approach 'audacious.' He represents how the system protects itself from people who don't follow proper procedures.
Modern Equivalent:
The receptionist who won't let you see the manager without an appointment, no matter how urgent your problem seems
Emperor Alexander
Sympathetic authority figure
Even he admits he cannot override the law, showing that even absolute rulers have constraints. His response crushes Rostóv's idealistic expectations.
Modern Equivalent:
The company president who genuinely wants to help but is bound by legal policies and can't make exceptions
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I cannot do it, General. I cannot, because the law is stronger than I."
Context: When the general presents Denísov's case to the Emperor at the formal dinner
This moment shatters Rostóv's naive belief that good rulers can simply override injustice with personal judgment. Even emperors must work within legal frameworks, showing the limits of individual power against institutional systems.
In Today's Words:
I'd love to help, but my hands are tied by the rules - I can't just make exceptions, even when I want to.
"He understands everything, knows everything, what can one do if not tell him?"
Context: When he's trying to convince himself that approaching the Emperor directly will work
This shows Rostóv's dangerous idealism - he believes that good leaders automatically fix problems once they know about them. It's the fantasy that there's always someone higher up who will make everything right.
In Today's Words:
If I could just explain the situation to someone who actually gets it, they'd obviously fix this mess.
"That's settled! I'll give the letter to the Emperor myself."
Context: When he decides to bypass all official channels and approach the Emperor directly
This impulsive decision shows how frustration with bureaucracy can lead to poor judgment. Rostóv's determination blinds him to why proper procedures exist in the first place.
In Today's Words:
Forget all this red tape - I'm going straight to the top!
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Rostóv's civilian clothes mark him as out of place in military/diplomatic circles, making his petition seem inappropriate
Development
Continuing theme of how class markers determine access and treatment
In Your Life:
Your appearance and credentials affect how seriously people take your requests, regardless of merit
Idealism
In This Chapter
Rostóv believes direct appeal to the Emperor will solve everything through pure justice
Development
His romantic notions about power and fairness clash with institutional reality
In Your Life:
You might expect bosses or authorities to care as much about fairness as you do
Timing
In This Chapter
Arriving during peace negotiations makes personal petitions seem trivial and inappropriate
Development
Introduced here as crucial factor in success or failure
In Your Life:
Bringing up personal issues during company crises or family emergencies rarely works well
Protocol
In This Chapter
Rostóv's ignorance of proper channels leads to humiliation and dismissal
Development
Shows how social systems protect themselves through established procedures
In Your Life:
Not knowing the right way to make requests can kill your chances before you start
Limits of Power
In This Chapter
Even the Emperor admits 'the law is stronger than I' when faced with individual appeals
Development
Reveals that absolute power is constrained by systems and precedent
In Your Life:
Even people in authority often can't help you the way you think they can
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Rostóv's attempt to help Denísov backfire so badly?
analysis • surface - 2
What does the Emperor mean when he says 'the law is stronger than I'? How does this challenge Rostóv's expectations?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a time when you or someone you know tried to bypass normal procedures for a good cause. What happened and why?
application • medium - 4
How might Rostóv have achieved better results for Denísov? What would you have done differently?
application • deep - 5
Why do we sometimes believe that having a righteous cause gives us permission to ignore established processes? What does this reveal about human nature?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Power Structure
Think of a situation in your life where you need something changed - at work, school, in your community, or with a service provider. Draw or write out the actual chain of command and decision-making process. Who really has the power to make changes? What are the official procedures? What relationships and timing matter most?
Consider:
- •Consider both formal authority (job titles, official roles) and informal influence (who actually gets listened to)
- •Think about timing - when are decision-makers most and least receptive to requests
- •Identify allies who already understand the system and could guide your approach
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you felt frustrated by 'the system' or bureaucracy. Looking back, what did you misunderstand about how power actually worked in that situation? How might you approach a similar challenge differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 105: When Leaders Meet: Power and Doubt
In the next chapter, you'll discover witnessing power dynamics can shake your worldview, and learn questioning authority creates internal conflict. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.