Summary
In the Rostov drawing room, teenage emotions run high as Nicholas prepares to join the army. Sonya, his cousin, watches him with barely concealed adoration that everyone can see through her polite smile. When Julie Karagina flirts with Nicholas, Sonya's heart breaks visibly - she blushes, forces an artificial smile, then flees the room. Nicholas immediately follows her, abandoning his conversation. The adults observe this drama with knowing smiles, discussing how transparent young people are with their feelings. Count Rostov explains that Nicholas is joining the hussars partly out of friendship with Boris, though Nicholas insists it's his true calling. The conversation shifts to the younger Natasha, who's already showing signs of being in love with Boris. The Countess reveals her parenting philosophy - she believes in being her children's confidante rather than being strict, thinking this prevents them from keeping secrets. Vera, the eldest daughter, makes appropriate but somehow off-putting comments that make everyone uncomfortable. The chapter reveals the complex web of family relationships, romantic tensions, and generational perspectives on love and duty. It shows how families navigate the dangerous territory of young love while dealing with the larger pressures of war and social expectations.
Coming Up in Chapter 13
With the guests departed and emotions still raw from the drawing room drama, the family must face the reality of Nicholas's departure. The private conversations that follow will reveal deeper truths about duty, love, and the sacrifices war demands.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The only young people remaining in the drawing room, not counting the young lady visitor and the countess’ eldest daughter (who was four years older than her sister and behaved already like a grown-up person), were Nicholas and Sónya, the niece. Sónya was a slender little brunette with a tender look in her eyes which were veiled by long lashes, thick black plaits coiling twice round her head, and a tawny tint in her complexion and especially in the color of her slender but graceful and muscular arms and neck. By the grace of her movements, by the softness and flexibility of her small limbs, and by a certain coyness and reserve of manner, she reminded one of a pretty, half-grown kitten which promises to become a beautiful little cat. She evidently considered it proper to show an interest in the general conversation by smiling, but in spite of herself her eyes under their thick long lashes watched her cousin who was going to join the army, with such passionate girlish adoration that her smile could not for a single instant impose upon anyone, and it was clear that the kitten had settled down only to spring up with more energy and again play with her cousin as soon as they too could, like Natásha and Borís, escape from the drawing room. “Ah yes, my dear,” said the count, addressing the visitor and pointing to Nicholas, “his friend Borís has become an officer, and so for friendship’s sake he is leaving the university and me, his old father, and entering the military service, my dear. And there was a place and everything waiting for him in the Archives Department! Isn’t that friendship?” remarked the count in an inquiring tone. “But they say that war has been declared,” replied the visitor. “They’ve been saying so a long while,” said the count, “and they’ll say so again and again, and that will be the end of it. My dear, there’s friendship for you,” he repeated. “He’s joining the hussars.” The visitor, not knowing what to say, shook her head. “It’s not at all from friendship,” declared Nicholas, flaring up and turning away as if from a shameful aspersion. “It is not from friendship at all; I simply feel that the army is my vocation.” He glanced at his cousin and the young lady visitor; and they were both regarding him with a smile of approbation. “Schubert, the colonel of the Pávlograd Hussars, is dining with us today. He has been here on leave and is taking Nicholas back with him. It can’t be helped!” said the count, shrugging his shoulders and speaking playfully of a matter that evidently distressed him. “I have already told you, Papa,” said his son, “that if you don’t wish to let me go, I’ll stay. But I know I am no use anywhere except in the army; I am not a diplomat or a government clerk.—I don’t know how to hide what I feel.” As he spoke...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Transparency Trap - When Hearts Show What Minds Try to Hide
The harder we try to hide what matters most to us, the more obvious our true feelings become to everyone watching.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how people's strongest feelings show through their attempts to hide them.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone claims they're 'fine' but their body language suggests otherwise—the real conversation often lies in what they're not saying directly.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Drawing room
The formal living room where wealthy families received guests and conducted social business. This was where important conversations happened and young people were observed by adults. It represented the public face of family life.
Modern Usage:
Like the main living room where families gather for holidays and parents can keep an eye on teenage interactions.
Hussars
Elite cavalry officers known for their flashy uniforms and daring reputation. Joining the hussars was considered glamorous and heroic, especially for young men from good families. It was both military service and social status.
Modern Usage:
Like joining the Marines or becoming a pilot - prestigious military roles that attract young people seeking adventure and respect.
Arranged courtship
The formal process where families orchestrated romantic relationships between suitable young people. Parents would invite eligible partners to social gatherings and closely monitor interactions. Marriage was as much about family alliances as personal feelings.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how some families still try to set up their kids with 'nice' people from good families, or modern matchmaking services.
Social transparency
The idea that young people's emotions are completely obvious to observing adults, no matter how hard they try to hide them. Experienced adults can read romantic feelings and social dynamics easily.
Modern Usage:
Like when parents can tell their teenager has a crush even when the kid thinks they're being subtle.
Family confidante philosophy
A parenting approach where mothers try to be their children's best friend and confidante rather than a strict authority figure. The goal is to prevent secrets by creating an atmosphere of openness.
Modern Usage:
Like 'cool parents' today who want to be their kids' friends and know everything about their lives.
Propriety
The social rules about how young people, especially women, should behave in public. This included showing polite interest in conversations while hiding strong personal feelings. Breaking these rules could damage one's reputation.
Modern Usage:
Like workplace professionalism or family dinner manners - knowing how to act appropriate even when you're feeling something else.
Characters in This Chapter
Sonya
Lovestruck cousin
Nicholas's cousin who is desperately in love with him but must hide her feelings behind polite social behavior. Her transparent emotions and flight from the room when Julie flirts with Nicholas reveal the pain of unspoken love and social constraints.
Modern Equivalent:
The family friend who's been in love with her best friend's brother for years
Nicholas
Young romantic lead
The charming young man preparing to join the army who seems oblivious to the romantic drama swirling around him. His immediate pursuit of Sonya when she flees shows he cares more about her feelings than social conversation.
Modern Equivalent:
The popular guy who doesn't realize how much power he has over people's feelings
Julie Karagina
Romantic rival
The visiting young lady who flirts with Nicholas, unknowingly breaking Sonya's heart. She represents the kind of socially appropriate match that families would encourage, making Sonya's position even more precarious.
Modern Equivalent:
The new girl who gets attention from the guy you've liked forever
Count Rostov
Observant father
The family patriarch who watches the romantic drama with amusement and understanding. He explains Nicholas's military ambitions while clearly seeing through all the young people's emotional games.
Modern Equivalent:
The dad who remembers being young and finds his kids' drama both entertaining and touching
Countess Rostov
Permissive mother
The mother who believes in being her children's confidante rather than their strict authority. She thinks this approach prevents secrets, though the chapter suggests she might be naive about what her children actually share.
Modern Equivalent:
The mom who wants to be her teenager's best friend and know all their business
Key Quotes & Analysis
"She evidently considered it proper to show an interest in the general conversation by smiling, but in spite of herself her eyes under their thick long lashes watched her cousin who was going to join the army, with such passionate girlish adoration that her smile could not for a single instant impose upon anyone."
Context: Describing Sonya's attempt to hide her feelings for Nicholas while he's in the drawing room
This reveals how social expectations force young people to perform emotions they don't feel while failing to hide what they actually feel. Sonya's struggle between propriety and passion shows the impossible position of young women in love.
In Today's Words:
She tried to act normal and interested in the conversation, but everyone could tell she was completely obsessed with watching her cousin.
"I always was mother and confessor to my children, and I am proud of it."
Context: Explaining her parenting philosophy to the other adults
This shows the Countess's belief that friendship-style parenting prevents children from keeping secrets. However, the dramatic irony is that her children are clearly hiding plenty from her, suggesting her approach may be less effective than she thinks.
In Today's Words:
I've always been my kids' best friend, and I think that's why they tell me everything.
"The kitten had settled down only to spring up with more energy and again play with her cousin as soon as they too could escape from the drawing room."
Context: Describing Sonya's barely contained energy and desire to be alone with Nicholas
The kitten metaphor captures both Sonya's youth and her predatory focus on Nicholas. It suggests that beneath her proper behavior lies intense, almost animal passion that's waiting to be unleashed when social constraints are removed.
In Today's Words:
She was just waiting for the chance to get him alone so she could drop the act and be herself with him.
Thematic Threads
Emotional Transparency
In This Chapter
Sonya's obvious love for Nicholas despite her attempts to hide it behind forced smiles
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you're trying to act casual about something that actually means everything to you.
Generational Wisdom
In This Chapter
Adults watching young people's romantic drama with knowing smiles and understanding
Development
Builds on earlier scenes of older characters observing younger ones
In Your Life:
You see this when you watch younger colleagues or family members repeat patterns you've already lived through.
Social Performance
In This Chapter
Everyone playing roles - Sonya the composed cousin, Nicholas the decisive soldier, Julie the charming guest
Development
Continues from salon scenes, showing how performance extends to family settings
In Your Life:
You perform this when you put on your 'everything's fine' face at family gatherings or work meetings.
Family Dynamics
In This Chapter
The Countess's philosophy of being a confidante rather than strict parent, Vera's uncomfortable but appropriate comments
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You navigate this in deciding how much to share with your own family or how to parent your children.
Duty vs. Desire
In This Chapter
Nicholas joining the army while romantic entanglements complicate his departure
Development
Builds on earlier themes of social obligation
In Your Life:
You face this when career demands conflict with personal relationships or family needs.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What signals did Sonya give away that revealed her true feelings for Nicholas, even though she was trying to hide them?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think the adults in the room found Sonya's attempts to hide her emotions amusing rather than concerning?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this same pattern - someone trying to hide strong feelings but actually making them more obvious - in your workplace, family, or social circles?
application • medium - 4
If you were Nicholas in this situation, how would you handle knowing that everyone can see Sonya's feelings while she thinks she's hiding them?
application • deep - 5
What does this scene teach us about the difference between what we think we're communicating and what others actually receive from us?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Read the Room: Decode the Hidden Messages
Think of a recent situation where someone claimed they were 'fine' or 'didn't care' about something, but their behavior suggested otherwise. Write down three specific actions or reactions that revealed their true feelings. Then consider: what were they actually trying to communicate, and why might they have felt the need to hide it?
Consider:
- •Look for physical tells - changes in posture, voice, or facial expressions
- •Notice what they pay attention to or avoid, not just what they say
- •Consider what social pressures might make them feel they need to hide their true feelings
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you tried to hide strong feelings but suspect others could see right through you. What were you protecting by hiding those feelings, and what might have happened if you'd been more direct?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 13: First Kiss in the Conservatory
What lies ahead teaches us children learn about love by observing and imitating adults, and shows us the power dynamics that emerge even in innocent childhood relationships. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.