Summary
Thirteen-year-old Natasha hides in the conservatory and becomes an invisible witness to adult drama. She watches her cousin Sonya cry over Nicholas, then sees him comfort and kiss her, declaring his love. This scene of adult romance captivates Natasha completely. Inspired by what she's witnessed, she immediately seeks out Boris and recreates the scenario, leading him to the same spot and asking him to kiss her. Their childhood 'engagement' follows the adult template she just observed—Boris promises to marry her in four years when she's older. Tolstoy reveals how children absorb and mirror the emotional patterns of adults around them, often without fully understanding the weight of what they're copying. Natasha's behavior shows the natural human tendency to want what we see others having, and how powerful the role of observer can be. The conservatory becomes a stage where childhood innocence meets the first stirrings of romantic awareness. This chapter captures that pivotal moment when children begin experimenting with adult emotions and relationships, using the scripts they've witnessed. It's both sweet and slightly unsettling, showing how quickly children can move from watching to participating, often with a seriousness that mirrors but doesn't quite match adult understanding.
Coming Up in Chapter 14
The consequences of childhood promises begin to unfold as the adult world intrudes on these innocent games. The weight of expectations and social obligations starts to press down on even the youngest members of the household.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
hen Natásha ran out of the drawing room she only went as far as the conservatory. There she paused and stood listening to the conversation in the drawing room, waiting for Borís to come out. She was already growing impatient, and stamped her foot, ready to cry at his not coming at once, when she heard the young man’s discreet steps approaching neither quickly nor slowly. At this Natásha dashed swiftly among the flower tubs and hid there. Borís paused in the middle of the room, looked round, brushed a little dust from the sleeve of his uniform, and going up to a mirror examined his handsome face. Natásha, very still, peered out from her ambush, waiting to see what he would do. He stood a little while before the glass, smiled, and walked toward the other door. Natásha was about to call him but changed her mind. “Let him look for me,” thought she. Hardly had Borís gone than Sónya, flushed, in tears, and muttering angrily, came in at the other door. Natásha checked her first impulse to run out to her, and remained in her hiding place, watching—as under an invisible cap—to see what went on in the world. She was experiencing a new and peculiar pleasure. Sónya, muttering to herself, kept looking round toward the drawing room door. It opened and Nicholas came in. “Sónya, what is the matter with you? How can you?” said he, running up to her. “It’s nothing, nothing; leave me alone!” sobbed Sónya. “Ah, I know what it is.” “Well, if you do, so much the better, and you can go back to her!” “Só-o-onya! Look here! How can you torture me and yourself like that, for a mere fancy?” said Nicholas taking her hand. Sónya did not pull it away, and left off crying. Natásha, not stirring and scarcely breathing, watched from her ambush with sparkling eyes. “What will happen now?” thought she. “Sónya! What is anyone in the world to me? You alone are everything!” said Nicholas. “And I will prove it to you.” “I don’t like you to talk like that.” “Well, then, I won’t; only forgive me, Sónya!” He drew her to him and kissed her. “Oh, how nice,” thought Natásha; and when Sónya and Nicholas had gone out of the conservatory she followed and called Borís to her. “Borís, come here,” said she with a sly and significant look. “I have something to tell you. Here, here!” and she led him into the conservatory to the place among the tubs where she had been hiding. Borís followed her, smiling. “What is the something?” asked he. She grew confused, glanced round, and, seeing the doll she had thrown down on one of the tubs, picked it up. “Kiss the doll,” said she. Borís looked attentively and kindly at her eager face, but did not reply. “Don’t you want to? Well, then, come here,” said she, and went further in among the plants and threw down the doll. “Closer,...
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 Borrowed Scripts
People unconsciously copy the emotional and social behaviors they observe, often without understanding the deeper meaning or consequences behind those actions.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between genuine feelings and borrowed emotional scripts that people copy from others.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's reaction seems too perfectly scripted—are they feeling it, or performing what they think the situation requires?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Conservatory
A glass-enclosed room where wealthy families kept plants and flowers. In grand homes, it served as a semi-private space between formal rooms and gardens. These spaces often became settings for intimate conversations or secret meetings.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in sunrooms, enclosed patios, or even quiet corners of coffee shops where people have private conversations they don't want overheard.
Coming of age
The transition from childhood to adulthood, marked by first experiences with adult emotions and behaviors. Tolstoy shows how children learn by watching and imitating adults, often without fully understanding what they're copying.
Modern Usage:
We see this when kids mimic relationship drama they see on TV or copy their parents' arguments, trying on adult behaviors before they're ready.
Observer effect
The way watching others changes how we see ourselves and what we want. Natasha becomes fascinated by adult romance after secretly witnessing it. Her hidden position gives her power and knowledge she didn't have before.
Modern Usage:
This happens when we scroll through social media and suddenly want relationships or lifestyles we see others having, or when we eavesdrop and learn things that change our perspective.
Childhood engagement
In aristocratic families, children were often 'engaged' as a form of play or family arrangement, not legally binding but taken seriously by the children involved. These mock engagements taught social roles and expectations.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in playground marriages, kids declaring they'll marry their best friend, or teenage relationships where they plan their whole future together.
Emotional mimicry
The way people, especially children, copy the emotional patterns and behaviors they observe in others. Natasha recreates the exact romantic scene she just witnessed, following it like a script.
Modern Usage:
This shows up when kids copy their parents' fighting styles, or when we unconsciously mirror the communication patterns we see in movies or our friend groups.
Social scripting
The unwritten rules about how to behave in romantic or social situations, learned by watching others. Children absorb these scripts before they understand their meaning or consequences.
Modern Usage:
We follow social scripts for dating apps, job interviews, or family gatherings - learned behaviors we picked up by watching others navigate these situations.
Characters in This Chapter
Natasha
Curious observer and protagonist
At thirteen, she hides and watches adult romantic drama unfold, then immediately tries to recreate it with Boris. Her actions show how children learn by imitation and how powerful the desire to experience what we observe can be.
Modern Equivalent:
The younger sibling who watches teen dramas and tries to have 'mature' relationships
Boris
Young romantic interest
He's drawn into Natasha's recreation of the romantic scene she witnessed. He plays along with her childhood engagement, showing how young people can be swept up in emotional moments without fully understanding their implications.
Modern Equivalent:
The high school boyfriend who goes along with his girlfriend's relationship fantasies
Sonya
Emotional catalyst
Her tears and distress over Nicholas provide the adult romantic drama that Natasha secretly observes. Her genuine emotional pain becomes the template that Natasha copies, not understanding its real weight.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend whose relationship drama everyone watches and unconsciously learns from
Nicholas
Romantic comforter
He comforts Sonya and declares his love, creating the romantic scene that captivates Natasha. His genuine adult emotions become a script for childhood play, showing how adult behavior influences young people.
Modern Equivalent:
The older cousin whose relationships younger family members watch and try to copy
Key Quotes & Analysis
"She was experiencing a new and peculiar pleasure."
Context: When Natasha realizes she can watch the adult drama unfold without being seen
This captures the intoxicating power of being an unseen observer. Natasha discovers she can learn about adult emotions and relationships by watching secretly, giving her knowledge and a sense of control she's never had before.
In Today's Words:
She was getting a rush from being able to spy on the grown-ups.
"Let him look for me."
Context: When she decides not to call out to Boris but to stay hidden instead
This shows Natasha's first taste of romantic strategy and power. She's learning that withholding attention can be as powerful as giving it, a lesson she's absorbed from watching adult relationships.
In Today's Words:
I'm going to make him work for it.
"Kiss me as you kissed Sonya."
Context: When she leads Boris to recreate the romantic scene she witnessed
Natasha directly copies what she observed, showing how children learn relationship behaviors by imitation. She wants the same emotional experience she saw Sonya have, not understanding the deeper context or consequences.
In Today's Words:
I want what she had - do the same thing with me.
Thematic Threads
Identity Formation
In This Chapter
Natasha experiments with adult romantic identity by copying observed behaviors
Development
Building on earlier themes of children navigating adult expectations
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself adopting behaviors or attitudes that aren't truly yours but seem to work for others.
Power Dynamics
In This Chapter
Natasha discovers that certain behaviors can secure promises and attention from others
Development
Continues exploration of how different characters navigate social hierarchies
In Your Life:
You might recognize when you're using emotional manipulation or when others are using it on you.
Social Performance
In This Chapter
Both children perform adult roles without genuine understanding of their meaning
Development
Extends the theme of characters playing expected social parts
In Your Life:
You might notice when you're going through motions in relationships or work without authentic engagement.
Observation and Learning
In This Chapter
Natasha learns by watching and immediately applies what she observes
Development
Introduced here as a key mechanism for character development
In Your Life:
You might become more conscious of what behaviors you're modeling for others or copying from them.
Innocence and Experience
In This Chapter
The gap between childish imitation and adult emotional reality becomes apparent
Development
Building on earlier contrasts between youthful idealism and complex reality
In Your Life:
You might recognize areas where you're still operating from outdated or immature emotional patterns.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Natasha do immediately after watching Nicholas and Sonya together, and why do you think she chooses Boris for this?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Natasha copy the exact sequence she witnessed - the tears, the comfort, the kiss, the promise - rather than creating her own approach?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today copying behaviors they've observed without understanding the deeper meaning behind them?
application • medium - 4
How can you tell the difference between genuine feelings and performed emotions in yourself or others?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how we learn to navigate relationships and power dynamics?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Script Detective: Identify Your Borrowed Behaviors
Think of a situation where you acted in a way that felt 'not quite you' - maybe at work, in a relationship, or with family. Write down what you did, then trace it back: whose behavior were you copying? What did you think that behavior would get you? Now imagine how you might handle the same situation using your authentic voice instead of a borrowed script.
Consider:
- •Consider whether the behavior actually achieved what you hoped it would
- •Think about whether the person you copied was genuinely successful or just appeared to be
- •Notice if you felt satisfied or empty after using the borrowed behavior
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone copied your behavior or communication style. How did it feel to see your patterns reflected back at you? What did this teach you about the behaviors you model for others?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14: Family Dynamics and Social Maneuvering
The consequences of childhood promises begin to unfold as the adult world intrudes on these innocent games. The weight of expectations and social obligations starts to press down on even the youngest members of the household.
