Summary
Rostóv witnesses a historic meeting between Emperor Alexander and Napoleon, watching as the two most powerful men in Europe exchange pleasantries and honors like old friends. Napoleon awards a medal to a Russian soldier named Lázarev in a carefully choreographed ceremony, while French and Russian officers celebrate together afterward. But Rostóv finds himself deeply disturbed by what he sees. The casual friendliness between the emperors—men whose armies have been killing each other—doesn't match his understanding of honor and loyalty. As he watches the pageantry, his mind keeps returning to the wounded soldiers he's seen, the hospital wards full of amputated limbs, and friends like Denísov who've been punished for doing what they thought was right. The contrast between the glittering ceremony and the brutal reality of war creates a crisis of faith. When fellow officers criticize the peace treaty, Rostóv explodes in an emotional outburst, defending the Emperor's right to make alliances even with former enemies. His reaction reveals his desperate need to believe that authority figures know what they're doing, because questioning them would mean questioning everything he's built his identity around. This chapter captures the moment when someone realizes that the world is more complicated and morally ambiguous than they were taught to believe—a painful but necessary step toward maturity.
Coming Up in Chapter 106
The story moves forward to 1808 and another imperial meeting at Erfurt, where the grand theater of diplomacy continues to play out while ordinary people grapple with its consequences.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The Emperor rode to the square where, facing one another, a battalion of the Preobrazhénsk regiment stood on the right and a battalion of the French Guards in their bearskin caps on the left. As the Tsar rode up to one flank of the battalions, which presented arms, another group of horsemen galloped up to the opposite flank, and at the head of them Rostóv recognized Napoleon. It could be no one else. He came at a gallop, wearing a small hat, a blue uniform open over a white vest, and the St. Andrew ribbon over his shoulder. He was riding a very fine thoroughbred gray Arab horse with a crimson gold-embroidered saddlecloth. On approaching Alexander he raised his hat, and as he did so, Rostóv, with his cavalryman’s eye, could not help noticing that Napoleon did not sit well or firmly in the saddle. The battalions shouted “Hurrah!” and “Vive l’Empereur!” Napoleon said something to Alexander, and both Emperors dismounted and took each other’s hands. Napoleon’s face wore an unpleasant and artificial smile. Alexander was saying something affable to him. In spite of the trampling of the French gendarmes’ horses, which were pushing back the crowd, Rostóv kept his eyes on every movement of Alexander and Bonaparte. It struck him as a surprise that Alexander treated Bonaparte as an equal and that the latter was quite at ease with the Tsar, as if such relations with an Emperor were an everyday matter to him. Alexander and Napoleon, with the long train of their suites, approached the right flank of the Preobrazhénsk battalion and came straight up to the crowd standing there. The crowd unexpectedly found itself so close to the Emperors that Rostóv, standing in the front row, was afraid he might be recognized. “Sire, I ask your permission to present the Legion of Honor to the bravest of your soldiers,” said a sharp, precise voice, articulating every letter. This was said by the undersized Napoleon, looking up straight into Alexander’s eyes. Alexander listened attentively to what was said to him and, bending his head, smiled pleasantly. “To him who has borne himself most bravely in this last war,” added Napoleon, accentuating each syllable, as with a composure and assurance exasperating to Rostóv, he ran his eyes over the Russian ranks drawn up before him, who all presented arms with their eyes fixed on their Emperor. “Will Your Majesty allow me to consult the colonel?” said Alexander and took a few hasty steps toward Prince Kozlóvski, the commander of the battalion. Bonaparte meanwhile began taking the glove off his small white hand, tore it in doing so, and threw it away. An aide-de-camp behind him rushed forward and picked it up. “To whom shall it be given?” the Emperor Alexander asked Kozlóvski, in Russian in a low voice. “To whomever Your Majesty commands.” The Emperor knit his brows with dissatisfaction and, glancing back, remarked: “But we must give him an answer.” Kozlóvski scanned the ranks resolutely and included Rostóv...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Cognitive Dissonance - When Reality Crashes Into Belief
When new information contradicts core beliefs, we often attack the messenger rather than examine the message, protecting our worldview at the cost of truth.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when your emotional reactions are protecting beliefs rather than seeking truth.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you get angry at someone for pointing out problems you secretly already see—that's your mind protecting a belief that reality is threatening.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Diplomatic ceremony
Formal public events where political leaders meet to show unity or make agreements. These are carefully staged performances designed to send messages to both armies and citizens. Every gesture, uniform, and word is planned.
Modern Usage:
Like when world leaders shake hands at summits while their countries are still technically in conflict, or corporate executives appearing friendly at conferences while their companies compete ruthlessly.
Cognitive dissonance
The mental discomfort you feel when reality doesn't match what you believed to be true. It's that unsettling feeling when you see your heroes acting in ways that contradict everything they taught you.
Modern Usage:
When you discover your respected boss treats employees badly, or when politicians you support make decisions that go against their campaign promises.
Military pageantry
The ceremonial display of military power through parades, uniforms, and rituals. It's meant to inspire loyalty and show strength, but often masks the brutal reality of what war actually involves.
Modern Usage:
Like halftime shows at football games honoring veterans, or corporate team-building events that emphasize company loyalty while ignoring workplace problems.
Blind loyalty
Supporting authority figures or institutions without question, even when their actions seem wrong. People often cling to this loyalty because questioning it means questioning their entire worldview.
Modern Usage:
Defending your workplace or political party even when you privately know they're making mistakes, because admitting problems feels like betraying your identity.
Imperial politics
The complex game of alliances and betrayals between powerful nations or leaders. Yesterday's enemy can become today's ally based purely on strategic advantage, regardless of past conflicts.
Modern Usage:
Like how corporations that were fierce competitors suddenly merge, or how political parties form unexpected coalitions when it serves their interests.
Moral awakening
The painful moment when someone realizes that the world is more morally complex than they thought. It often involves seeing that respected authorities make decisions based on politics rather than pure right and wrong.
Modern Usage:
When you realize your company's 'family values' don't apply to layoffs, or when you see how healthcare decisions are made based on profit rather than patient care.
Characters in This Chapter
Rostóv
Conflicted observer
A young cavalry officer watching his first major diplomatic meeting between emperors. He becomes deeply disturbed by the casual friendliness between leaders whose armies have been killing each other, leading to an emotional crisis about loyalty and authority.
Modern Equivalent:
The dedicated employee who discovers their CEO making deals with companies they've been taught to see as enemies
Napoleon
Former enemy turned diplomatic partner
The French Emperor who appears relaxed and confident while meeting with his former opponent. His casual demeanor with Alexander surprises Rostóv, who expected more tension between such powerful enemies.
Modern Equivalent:
The rival company CEO who acts like old friends with your boss at industry events
Alexander
Russian Emperor making difficult alliances
The Russian Tsar who treats Napoleon as an equal and shows public friendship despite their recent warfare. His diplomatic behavior challenges Rostóv's simple understanding of loyalty and enmity.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who suddenly partners with competitors while employees are still dealing with the aftermath of previous conflicts
Lázarev
Symbolic soldier
A Russian soldier who receives a medal from Napoleon in the ceremony. He represents the ordinary people caught up in the political games of their leaders, honored by the very enemy who was trying to kill him.
Modern Equivalent:
The frontline worker getting recognition from management while still dealing with the consequences of corporate decisions
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It struck him as a surprise that Alexander treated Bonaparte as an equal and that the latter was quite at ease with the Tsar, as if such relations with an Emperor were an everyday matter to him."
Context: Rostóv observing the casual interaction between the two emperors
This moment captures Rostóv's shock at seeing political realities up close. He expected drama and tension between mortal enemies, but instead sees practiced diplomacy. It's his first glimpse into how power really works at the highest levels.
In Today's Words:
He couldn't believe how normal they acted together, like they hadn't been trying to destroy each other just months ago.
"Napoleon did not sit well or firmly in the saddle."
Context: Rostóv's cavalryman eye noticing Napoleon's poor horsemanship
This small detail humanizes the legendary Napoleon and shows how myths don't always match reality. It also demonstrates how professional expertise lets you see through public images to underlying truth.
In Today's Words:
Even the great Napoleon wasn't perfect at everything - he looked awkward on a horse.
"But what do we, what does Denísov, get for it? Disgrace! And this is called justice!"
Context: His emotional outburst about the unfairness of military justice
Rostóv's anger reveals his struggle with a system that punishes good soldiers like Denísov while rewarding political maneuvering. He's discovering that fairness and institutional justice don't always align.
In Today's Words:
We do the right thing and get punished for it - how is that fair?
Thematic Threads
Authority
In This Chapter
Rostóv desperately defends the Emperor's decision to make peace with Napoleon, despite witnessing the moral contradictions firsthand
Development
Evolved from earlier blind faith in military hierarchy to this crisis moment where authority's fallibility becomes undeniable
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you find yourself defending a boss, doctor, or leader even when you've seen them make questionable decisions
Identity
In This Chapter
Rostóv's entire sense of self is built on being a loyal soldier who serves noble causes, making this moral ambiguity an identity crisis
Development
Developed from his romantic notions of military glory to this harsh confrontation with war's political realities
In Your Life:
This appears when your job title, role as parent, or other core identity gets challenged by circumstances beyond your control
Disillusionment
In This Chapter
The pageantry of the peace ceremony contrasts sharply with Rostóv's memories of wounded soldiers and punished friends
Development
Built gradually through his exposure to war's brutalities, now crystallizing into a fundamental questioning of everything he believed
In Your Life:
You experience this when institutions you trusted - healthcare, education, religion - reveal themselves to be more flawed than you realized
Class
In This Chapter
The emperors and officers celebrate while common soldiers bear the physical and emotional costs of their political decisions
Development
Consistent theme showing how those with power make decisions that others must live with
In Your Life:
This plays out when executives make layoff decisions from boardrooms while workers lose their livelihoods and benefits
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specifically disturbs Rostóv about watching Napoleon and Alexander interact as friends?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Rostóv explode at his fellow officers when they criticize the peace treaty, even though he shares their doubts?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen someone defend a leader or system they privately have doubts about? What was really at stake for them?
application • medium - 4
How do you handle moments when what you're seeing contradicts what you've been taught to believe?
application • deep - 5
What does Rostóv's crisis reveal about the difference between loyalty and blind faith?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Cognitive Dissonance
Think of a situation where you've defended something or someone despite having private doubts. Draw three columns: 'What I Saw,' 'What I Wanted to Believe,' and 'What I Was Really Protecting.' Fill in each column honestly. This isn't about judging yourself - it's about understanding how your mind works under pressure.
Consider:
- •Consider what you had invested in the original belief (time, money, identity, relationships)
- •Notice whether your defensive reaction was proportional to the actual criticism
- •Think about what it would have cost you to admit the doubts were valid
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you changed your mind about something important despite it being uncomfortable. What helped you push through the discomfort? How did it feel afterward?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 106: Real Life Goes On
As the story unfolds, you'll explore personal life continues despite political upheaval, while uncovering the difference between public drama and private reality. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.