Summary
Prince Andrew arrives at Count Rostov's estate on business, feeling depressed and going through the motions of life. But a glimpse of a laughing girl in a yellow dress—Natasha—stops him cold. He can't understand why her obvious happiness disturbs him so much. What is she thinking about that makes her so joyful? During his overnight stay, he finds himself repeatedly watching her, puzzled by her carefree spirit. That night, unable to sleep, he opens his window and overhears Natasha talking to her cousin Sonya about the beautiful moonlit night. Natasha is so moved by the beauty around her that she wants to fly away with joy, while Andrew listens from below, invisible to her. Her passionate response to life's simple pleasures awakens something in him he thought was dead—youthful hope and possibility. For the first time in years, he feels a 'turmoil of youthful thoughts' that contradicts his cynical worldview. This chance encounter with pure joy begins to crack open his emotional armor. Tolstoy shows us how witnessing someone else's authentic happiness can force us to confront our own numbness and ask hard questions about how we're living.
Coming Up in Chapter 109
Andrew's unexpected emotional awakening will have consequences he can't yet imagine. Meanwhile, the Rostov household continues its lively routine, unaware of the profound impact one of their own has had on their brooding guest.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Prince Andrew had to see the Marshal of the Nobility for the district in connection with the affairs of the Ryazán estate of which he was trustee. This Marshal was Count Ilyá Rostóv, and in the middle of May Prince Andrew went to visit him. It was now hot spring weather. The whole forest was already clothed in green. It was dusty and so hot that on passing near water one longed to bathe. Prince Andrew, depressed and preoccupied with the business about which he had to speak to the Marshal, was driving up the avenue in the grounds of the Rostóvs’ house at Otrádnoe. He heard merry girlish cries behind some trees on the right and saw a group of girls running to cross the path of his calèche. Ahead of the rest and nearer to him ran a dark-haired, remarkably slim, pretty girl in a yellow chintz dress, with a white handkerchief on her head from under which loose locks of hair escaped. The girl was shouting something but, seeing that he was a stranger, ran back laughing without looking at him. Suddenly, he did not know why, he felt a pang. The day was so beautiful, the sun so bright, everything around so gay, but that slim pretty girl did not know, or wish to know, of his existence and was contented and cheerful in her own separate—probably foolish—but bright and happy life. “What is she so glad about? What is she thinking of? Not of the military regulations or of the arrangement of the Ryazán serfs’ quitrents. Of what is she thinking? Why is she so happy?” Prince Andrew asked himself with instinctive curiosity. In 1809 Count Ilyá Rostóv was living at Otrádnoe just as he had done in former years, that is, entertaining almost the whole province with hunts, theatricals, dinners, and music. He was glad to see Prince Andrew, as he was to see any new visitor, and insisted on his staying the night. During the dull day, in the course of which he was entertained by his elderly hosts and by the more important of the visitors (the old count’s house was crowded on account of an approaching name day), Prince Andrew repeatedly glanced at Natásha, gay and laughing among the younger members of the company, and asked himself each time, “What is she thinking about? Why is she so glad?” That night, alone in new surroundings, he was long unable to sleep. He read awhile and then put out his candle, but relit it. It was hot in the room, the inside shutters of which were closed. He was cross with the stupid old man (as he called Rostóv), who had made him stay by assuring him that some necessary documents had not yet arrived from town, and he was vexed with himself for having stayed. He got up and went to the window to open it. As soon as he opened the shutters the moonlight, as if it had long been...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Emotional Resurrection
Witnessing someone else's authentic happiness forces us to confront our own emotional numbness and can trigger unexpected awakening.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches us to use other people's authentic joy as a diagnostic tool for identifying where we've gone emotionally dead.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone else's happiness irritates or confuses you—then ask what that reaction reveals about what you've shut down in yourself.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Marshal of the Nobility
An elected position in Russian provinces, representing the local aristocratic landowners in government matters. These men handled legal disputes, managed estates, and served as intermediaries between the nobility and the state.
Modern Usage:
Like a county commissioner or regional representative who handles local business interests and property disputes.
Trustee
Someone legally appointed to manage another person's property or financial affairs, often when the owner is absent, incapacitated, or deceased. Prince Andrew manages the Ryazan estate for someone else.
Modern Usage:
Today we see trustees managing everything from family trusts to bankruptcy cases to estates after someone dies.
Calèche
A light, four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a folding top, used by the wealthy for travel. It was considered fashionable transportation for the upper classes.
Modern Usage:
Basically the luxury convertible of its time - expensive, stylish transportation that showed your social status.
Chintz
A colorful cotton fabric, often with floral patterns, that was popular for women's dresses. It was considered cheerful and youthful, perfect for spring and summer wear.
Modern Usage:
Think of bright, patterned sundresses or floral cotton clothing - casual, pretty, and young-looking.
Emotional awakening
The psychological process where someone who has shut down emotionally begins to feel again, often triggered by witnessing authentic joy or beauty. It can be uncomfortable because it forces you to confront your own numbness.
Modern Usage:
When someone going through depression or grief suddenly feels a spark of hope again, often from seeing others living fully.
Separate worlds
Tolstoy's concept that people live in their own bubbles of experience, often unaware of others' inner lives. Prince Andrew realizes Natasha exists in a world of joy he can't access.
Modern Usage:
Like scrolling through social media and wondering why everyone else seems so happy while you're struggling - we all live in our own reality bubbles.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Andrew
Protagonist experiencing emotional awakening
He arrives at the estate feeling depressed and going through the motions of life. Seeing Natasha's spontaneous joy forces him to question his cynical worldview and awakens dormant feelings of hope and possibility.
Modern Equivalent:
The burned-out executive who's lost passion for life
Natasha Rostova
Catalyst for change
Though she doesn't know Andrew is watching, her authentic happiness and passionate response to life's beauty serves as a mirror, showing him what genuine living looks like. Her joy is so pure it disturbs his emotional numbness.
Modern Equivalent:
The naturally optimistic person whose energy makes you realize how jaded you've become
Count Ilya Rostov
Minor character facilitating the encounter
As the Marshal of the Nobility, he provides the business reason for Andrew's visit, setting up the chance encounter that will change Andrew's life. He represents the social connections that create unexpected opportunities.
Modern Equivalent:
The business contact whose invitation puts you in the right place at the right time
Sonya
Natasha's confidante
Natasha's cousin who listens to her rhapsodize about the beautiful night. She serves as the audience for Natasha's passionate outburst that Andrew overhears, making the moment feel more authentic and unguarded.
Modern Equivalent:
The best friend who lets you gush about whatever's making you happy
Key Quotes & Analysis
"What is she so glad about? What is she thinking of?"
Context: After seeing Natasha run past laughing in her yellow dress
This question reveals Andrew's disconnection from joy and his inability to understand spontaneous happiness. He's so removed from natural emotion that genuine joy puzzles him, forcing him to confront his own emotional deadness.
In Today's Words:
What does she have to be so happy about that I don't?
"Oh, how lovely this moon is! Come here, Sonya. Come here, darling, do you see? If one could only sit on one's heels, embrace one's knees like this, strain tight, as tight as possible, and fly away!"
Context: Speaking to her cousin while looking out at the moonlit night
This captures Natasha's passionate response to beauty and her desire to somehow merge with the joy she feels. Her physical language shows how deeply beauty affects her - she wants to contain and express overwhelming happiness.
In Today's Words:
This is so beautiful I could just burst! I want to hold onto this feeling and fly away with it!
"No, she doesn't know I exist and she is contented and happy in her own separate - probably foolish - but bright and happy life."
Context: Andrew reflecting on Natasha after their brief encounter
Andrew recognizes that Natasha lives in a completely different emotional world from his own. He dismisses her happiness as 'probably foolish' because he can't access it himself, revealing his defensive cynicism.
In Today's Words:
She has no idea I exist, and she's perfectly happy in her own little bubble - probably over nothing important, but still happy.
Thematic Threads
Emotional Numbness
In This Chapter
Andrew goes through life's motions feeling nothing until Natasha's joy disturbs his equilibrium
Development
Deepened from his earlier disillusionment with society and loss
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in how you've stopped feeling excited about things that once mattered to you
Authentic Joy
In This Chapter
Natasha's pure delight in moonlight and desire to fly represents unguarded happiness
Development
Introduced here as a catalyst for change
In Your Life:
You might see this in someone whose genuine enthusiasm makes you remember what passion feels like
Class Barriers
In This Chapter
Andrew observes Natasha from his window, literally above her but emotionally below her capacity for joy
Development
Continues the theme of social position versus inner life
In Your Life:
You might notice how social or professional roles can create distance from authentic connection
Awakening
In This Chapter
Andrew feels 'turmoil of youthful thoughts' that contradict his cynical worldview
Development
First crack in the armor he's built since earlier disappointments
In Your Life:
You might experience this when something unexpected makes you feel hope you thought was gone
Hidden Observation
In This Chapter
Andrew watches and listens to Natasha without her knowledge, drawn to her authenticity
Development
Introduced here as a way of connecting without vulnerability
In Your Life:
You might find yourself drawn to observe people who seem more alive than you feel
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Natasha's happiness disturb Prince Andrew so much when he first sees her?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Andrew's reaction to overhearing Natasha's joy about the moonlit night reveal about his emotional state?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you encountered someone whose genuine enthusiasm or joy made you realize you'd become numb to something in your own life?
application • medium - 4
How might Andrew use this awakening of 'youthful thoughts' to rebuild his connection to life without losing the wisdom his experiences have taught him?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about how we can help each other rediscover joy without forcing it?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Joy Audit: When Others' Happiness Reveals Your Numbness
Think of someone whose enthusiasm or joy has recently irritated, confused, or surprised you. Write down what they were excited about and your exact reaction. Then dig deeper: what might your reaction reveal about areas where you've gone emotionally numb? What did you once care about that you've stopped noticing?
Consider:
- •Your irritation at others' joy often points to your own unmet needs or abandoned dreams
- •Numbness isn't failure—it's often a protective response to disappointment or overwhelm
- •You don't have to match their energy level, just notice what your reaction teaches you about yourself
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone else's authentic happiness forced you to confront how you'd been sleepwalking through part of your life. What did you do with that realization?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 109: The Oak Tree's Second Chance
Moving forward, we'll examine nature can mirror our inner transformation and renewal, and understand isolation after trauma can become a prison of our own making. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.