An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 759 words)
fter Prince Andrew, Borís came up to ask Natásha for a dance, and
then the aide-de-camp who had opened the ball, and several other young
men, so that, flushed and happy, and passing on her superfluous partners
to Sónya, she did not cease dancing all the evening. She noticed and
saw nothing of what occupied everyone else. Not only did she fail to
notice that the Emperor talked a long time with the French ambassador,
and how particularly gracious he was to a certain lady, or that Prince
So-and-so and So-and-so did and said this and that, and that Hélène
had great success and was honored by the special attention of So-and-so,
but she did not even see the Emperor, and only noticed that he had gone
because the ball became livelier after his departure. For one of the
merry cotillions before supper Prince Andrew was again her partner. He
reminded her of their first encounter in the Otrádnoe avenue, and how
she had been unable to sleep that moonlight night, and told her how he
had involuntarily overheard her. Natásha blushed at that recollection
and tried to excuse herself, as if there had been something to be
ashamed of in what Prince Andrew had overheard.
Like all men who have grown up in society, Prince Andrew liked meeting
someone there not of the conventional society stamp. And such was
Natásha, with her surprise, her delight, her shyness, and even her
mistakes in speaking French. With her he behaved with special care and
tenderness, sitting beside her and talking of the simplest and most
unimportant matters; he admired her shy grace. In the middle of the
cotillion, having completed one of the figures, Natásha, still out of
breath, was returning to her seat when another dancer chose her. She was
tired and panting and evidently thought of declining, but immediately
put her hand gaily on the man’s shoulder, smiling at Prince Andrew.
“I’d be glad to sit beside you and rest: I’m tired; but you see
how they keep asking me, and I’m glad of it, I’m happy and I love
everybody, and you and I understand it all,” and much, much more was
said in her smile. When her partner left her Natásha ran across the
room to choose two ladies for the figure.
“If she goes to her cousin first and then to another lady, she will be
my wife,” said Prince Andrew to himself quite to his own surprise, as
he watched her. She did go first to her cousin.
“What rubbish sometimes enters one’s head!” thought Prince Andrew,
“but what is certain is that that girl is so charming, so original,
that she won’t be dancing here a month before she will be married....
Such as she are rare here,” he thought, as Natásha, readjusting a
rose that was slipping on her bodice, settled herself beside him.
When the cotillion was over the old count in his blue coat came up to
the dancers. He invited Prince Andrew to come and see them, and asked
his daughter whether she was enjoying herself. Natásha did not answer
at once but only looked up with a smile that said reproachfully: “How
can you ask such a question?”
“I have never enjoyed myself so much before!” she said, and Prince
Andrew noticed how her thin arms rose quickly as if to embrace her
father and instantly dropped again. Natásha was happier than she had
ever been in her life. She was at that height of bliss when one becomes
completely kind and good and does not believe in the possibility of
evil, unhappiness, or sorrow.
At that ball Pierre for the first time felt humiliated by the position
his wife occupied in court circles. He was gloomy and absent-minded. A
deep furrow ran across his forehead, and standing by a window he stared
over his spectacles seeing no one.
On her way to supper Natásha passed him.
Pierre’s gloomy, unhappy look struck her. She stopped in front of him.
She wished to help him, to bestow on him the superabundance of her own
happiness.
“How delightful it is, Count!” said she. “Isn’t it?”
Pierre smiled absent-mindedly, evidently not grasping what she said.
“Yes, I am very glad,” he said.
“How can people be dissatisfied with anything?” thought Natásha.
“Especially such a capital fellow as Bezúkhov!” In Natásha’s
eyes all the people at the ball alike were good, kind, and splendid
people, loving one another; none of them capable of injuring
another—and so they ought all to be happy.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
Genuine emotion in one person forces others to confront the authenticity of their own emotional state.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between genuine joy and performed happiness in yourself and others.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's happiness makes you feel drawn in versus when it makes you feel irritated—your reaction reveals whether their emotion is authentic.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"She noticed and saw nothing of what occupied everyone else."
Context: Describing how Natasha was so absorbed in her joy that she missed all the court politics and social maneuvering
This shows how being fully present in a moment can make you immune to the anxiety and calculation that consumes others. Natasha's authentic happiness creates a protective bubble around her.
In Today's Words:
She was so caught up in having fun that she completely missed all the drama and power plays happening around her.
"Like all men who have grown up in society, Prince Andrew liked meeting someone there not of the conventional society stamp."
Context: Explaining why Prince Andrew is drawn to Natasha's authentic personality
This reveals how refreshing genuine people are in artificial environments. Even those comfortable in formal settings crave authenticity and real connection.
In Today's Words:
Like most people used to fake corporate politeness, he was attracted to someone who was actually being herself.
"With her surprise, her delight, her shyness, and even her mistakes in speaking French."
Context: Describing what Prince Andrew finds charming about Natasha
Her imperfections and genuine emotions are more attractive than polished perfection. This shows how vulnerability and authenticity create deeper connections than trying to be flawless.
In Today's Words:
He was charmed by how real she was - her excitement, her nervousness, even her little slip-ups.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Natasha's natural grace transcends her relatively modest background, captivating aristocrats through authenticity rather than breeding
Development
Evolved from earlier themes of social mobility - here showing how genuine character can overcome class barriers
In Your Life:
Your authentic self often matters more than your credentials or background in making real connections.
Identity
In This Chapter
Natasha remains completely herself despite the grand setting, while others perform their expected social roles
Development
Builds on previous explorations of authentic vs. performed identity
In Your Life:
The pressure to 'fit in' at new jobs or social situations can make you lose what makes you genuinely appealing.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Prince Andrew creates an arbitrary test for marriage based on a dance move, showing how we impose artificial frameworks on natural attraction
Development
Continues examining how social rules complicate genuine human connection
In Your Life:
You might be creating unnecessary tests or barriers that prevent you from recognizing good opportunities.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Natasha's joy comes from being fully present in the moment, while Pierre's misery stems from his inability to escape his circumstances
Development
Contrasts different approaches to navigating life's challenges
In Your Life:
Your capacity for happiness often depends more on your presence than your circumstances.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Natasha's attempt to share her joy with gloomy Pierre shows how genuine care tries to lift others up
Development
Demonstrates how authentic people naturally try to include and elevate others
In Your Life:
When you're genuinely happy, sharing it generously can strengthen relationships and create unexpected connections.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What makes Natasha's happiness at the ball different from how other people behave at social events?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Natasha's genuine joy have such a powerful effect on both Prince Andrew and Pierre?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen authentic happiness make others uncomfortable or defensive in your own life?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle being around someone whose genuine contentment makes you question your own choices?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between performing emotions and actually feeling them?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Joy Response
Think of three people in your life who seem genuinely happy or content. For each person, write down your honest reaction to their happiness. Do you feel inspired, annoyed, curious, or something else? Then consider what your reactions reveal about your own emotional state and what you might be seeking or avoiding in your life.
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between people who perform happiness for attention versus those who simply live contentedly
- •Pay attention to whether certain types of happiness trigger stronger reactions than others
- •Consider how your own mood affects your ability to appreciate others' authentic joy
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when your genuine happiness seemed to make someone else uncomfortable, or when someone else's contentment made you question your own life choices. What did you learn about the power of authentic emotions?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 124: When Heroes Disappoint
The morning after brings new perspectives and deeper conversations, as the magic of the ball gives way to the reality of what these new connections might mean for everyone involved.
