Summary
Prince Andrew makes an unusual choice about his engagement to Natasha—he refuses a formal announcement and insists she has complete freedom to leave him after six months if she changes her mind. This isn't rejection; it's respect. He takes full responsibility for the delay their families demanded, but won't trap her in a promise she might regret. What follows is a beautiful portrait of how real love works. Instead of the artificial courtship dance they performed before, Andrew and Natasha discover who they actually are together. The whole Rostov family initially feels intimidated by Andrew—he seems like he's from another world—but Natasha proudly helps them see he's just like them underneath. Soon he's discussing farming with her father and fashion with her mother, fitting naturally into their lives. The couple experiences that special quiet that settles over households when two people are genuinely falling in love. They rarely talk about their future, but they don't need to—Natasha has developed an almost psychic ability to understand Andrew's thoughts and feelings. She worries sometimes about what he's looking for when he studies her face, wondering if she has what he needs. When Andrew brings Pierre to say goodbye, he does something significant: he tells Natasha that if anything happens while he's away, she should turn to Pierre for help. This isn't just practical advice—it's Andrew recognizing that love means building a support network around the person you care about. When Andrew finally leaves, Natasha's reaction surprises everyone, including herself. She doesn't cry or collapse dramatically. Instead, she goes through her days mechanically, asking only 'Why did he go away?' But two weeks later, she emerges from this fog completely transformed—still herself, but with something fundamentally changed in her expression, like a child recovering from illness with new wisdom in their eyes.
Coming Up in Chapter 131
As Natasha begins her new life as an engaged woman, the broader world continues its dangerous dance toward war. Meanwhile, other characters face their own moments of transformation and decision.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
No betrothal ceremony took place and Natásha’s engagement to Bolkónski was not announced; Prince Andrew insisted on that. He said that as he was responsible for the delay he ought to bear the whole burden of it; that he had given his word and bound himself forever, but that he did not wish to bind Natásha and gave her perfect freedom. If after six months she felt that she did not love him she would have full right to reject him. Naturally neither Natásha nor her parents wished to hear of this, but Prince Andrew was firm. He came every day to the Rostóvs’, but did not behave to Natásha as an affianced lover: he did not use the familiar thou, but said you to her, and kissed only her hand. After their engagement, quite different, intimate, and natural relations sprang up between them. It was as if they had not known each other till now. Both liked to recall how they had regarded each other when as yet they were nothing to one another; they felt themselves now quite different beings: then they were artificial, now natural and sincere. At first the family felt some constraint in intercourse with Prince Andrew; he seemed a man from another world, and for a long time Natásha trained the family to get used to him, proudly assuring them all that he only appeared to be different, but was really just like all of them, and that she was not afraid of him and no one else ought to be. After a few days they grew accustomed to him, and without restraint in his presence pursued their usual way of life, in which he took his part. He could talk about rural economy with the count, fashions with the countess and Natásha, and about albums and fancywork with Sónya. Sometimes the household both among themselves and in his presence expressed their wonder at how it had all happened, and at the evident omens there had been of it: Prince Andrew’s coming to Otrádnoe and their coming to Petersburg, and the likeness between Natásha and Prince Andrew which her nurse had noticed on his first visit, and Andrew’s encounter with Nicholas in 1805, and many other incidents betokening that it had to be. In the house that poetic dullness and quiet reigned which always accompanies the presence of a betrothed couple. Often when all sitting together everyone kept silent. Sometimes the others would get up and go away and the couple, left alone, still remained silent. They rarely spoke of their future life. Prince Andrew was afraid and ashamed to speak of it. Natásha shared this as she did all his feelings, which she constantly divined. Once she began questioning him about his son. Prince Andrew blushed, as he often did now—Natásha particularly liked it in him—and said that his son would not live with them. “Why not?” asked Natásha in a frightened tone. “I cannot take him away from his grandfather, and besides...”...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Freedom Test - When Real Love Refuses to Trap
Real love and respect create space for genuine choice rather than demanding guaranteed commitment.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between relationships built on genuine care versus those based on control and insecurity.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gives you real choices versus when they use guilt or pressure to get compliance—the difference reveals their true intentions.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Betrothal
A formal engagement to marry, often involving families and public announcements. In 19th century Russia, this was nearly as binding as marriage itself and breaking it brought serious social consequences. Prince Andrew's refusal to formalize their engagement was shocking for the time.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in couples who live together or make long-term commitments without getting formally engaged, keeping their options open.
Affianced lover
Someone who is formally engaged to be married. The term comes with specific social expectations about how the couple should behave - more intimate than courting, but still proper. Andrew deliberately avoids acting this way with Natasha.
Modern Usage:
Like when couples announce they're 'official' on social media but one person still acts single - the label doesn't always match the behavior.
Familiar thou
In Russian, there are formal and informal ways to say 'you.' Using the informal 'thou' with someone shows intimacy and closeness. Andrew's choice to keep saying the formal 'you' maintains emotional distance even in their engagement.
Modern Usage:
Similar to the difference between calling someone by their first name versus 'Mr./Ms.' - it signals the level of relationship you want.
Social constraint
The awkward tension that happens when someone from a different social class enters your family circle. The Rostovs feel intimidated by Andrew's aristocratic background and aren't sure how to act around him naturally.
Modern Usage:
Like when your partner's family has way more money than yours and you're nervous about saying the wrong thing at dinner.
Psychic intimacy
The ability couples develop to read each other's thoughts and feelings without words. Natasha becomes so attuned to Andrew that she can sense his moods and needs almost telepathically.
Modern Usage:
When you've been with someone long enough that you can tell they're upset just by how they close the car door.
Mechanical existence
Going through daily motions without real feeling or engagement, like being on autopilot. Natasha functions normally after Andrew leaves but isn't truly present in her own life.
Modern Usage:
How people act after a major loss - they go to work, eat meals, but they're just going through the motions.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Conflicted romantic lead
Takes an unusual approach to engagement by refusing to trap Natasha in promises and giving her complete freedom to change her mind. He integrates naturally into her family despite class differences, showing his genuine character beneath aristocratic appearances.
Modern Equivalent:
The partner who won't pressure you to move in together because they want you to choose them freely
Natásha Rostóva
Young woman discovering mature love
Develops deep intuitive connection with Andrew and helps her family accept him by showing them his true nature. After he leaves, she experiences grief in an unexpectedly mature way that transforms her fundamentally.
Modern Equivalent:
The girlfriend who becomes the bridge between her partner and her family, helping everyone see past first impressions
Pierre Bezúkhov
Trusted friend and safety net
Andrew specifically tells Natasha to turn to Pierre if she needs help while he's away. This shows Andrew's wisdom in building a support network around someone he loves.
Modern Equivalent:
The mutual friend your partner specifically asks to look out for you when they're traveling for work
The Rostóv family
Welcoming but intimidated hosts
Initially feel awkward around Andrew due to class differences, but gradually accept him as Natasha helps them see his genuine nature. They represent the challenge of bridging different social worlds in relationships.
Modern Equivalent:
The working-class family trying to make their daughter's wealthy boyfriend feel comfortable at Sunday dinner
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He had given his word and bound himself forever, but he did not wish to bind Natásha and gave her perfect freedom."
Context: Explaining Andrew's refusal to formalize their engagement
This reveals Andrew's mature understanding that real commitment can't be forced or trapped into existence. He's willing to take all the risk himself rather than make Natasha feel obligated. It's a radical act of respect for her autonomy.
In Today's Words:
I'm all in, but I won't guilt trip you into staying if you change your mind.
"It was as if they had not known each other till now."
Context: Describing how their relationship changed after engagement
Shows how dropping pretenses allows people to discover who they really are together. Their formal courtship was performance; their engagement becomes authentic connection. This is the difference between dating and actually knowing someone.
In Today's Words:
We were putting on an act before, but now we can finally be ourselves with each other.
"She was not afraid of him and was not ashamed of him."
Context: Natasha's attitude toward introducing Andrew to her family
Natasha's confidence in Andrew shows she sees his true character, not just his intimidating social status. Her pride in him helps her family overcome their initial nervousness and accept him as one of them.
In Today's Words:
She knew who he really was underneath all the fancy stuff, and she wasn't embarrassed to bring him home.
Thematic Threads
Trust
In This Chapter
Andrew trusts Natasha enough to give her complete freedom to leave, demonstrating that real trust means accepting uncertainty
Development
Evolved from earlier themes about social obligations—now showing trust as an active choice rather than naive assumption
In Your Life:
You might test this when you want to control outcomes in relationships rather than trusting the process.
Class
In This Chapter
The Rostovs initially feel intimidated by Andrew's aristocratic background, but Natasha helps them see past social differences
Development
Continuing exploration of how class barriers dissolve when people connect authentically
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you assume someone is 'out of your league' professionally or socially.
Identity
In This Chapter
Natasha transforms after Andrew leaves—still herself but fundamentally changed, like gaining new wisdom
Development
Building on earlier themes about how relationships shape who we become
In Your Life:
You might notice this in how significant relationships leave you changed even when they end.
Support Networks
In This Chapter
Andrew tells Natasha to turn to Pierre if she needs help, showing how love means building safety nets around those we care about
Development
Introduced here as a new dimension of how caring people protect each other
In Your Life:
You might apply this by helping loved ones build connections beyond just your relationship.
Emotional Growth
In This Chapter
Natasha's reaction to Andrew's departure surprises everyone—she doesn't collapse dramatically but processes the loss quietly and emerges stronger
Development
Continuing her evolution from impulsive girl to emotionally mature woman
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in how you've learned to handle loss differently as you've grown older.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Prince Andrew give Natasha complete freedom to break their engagement instead of making it official?
analysis • surface - 2
How does their relationship change once the formal courtship pressure is removed?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today - someone trying to control a relationship versus giving genuine freedom?
application • medium - 4
Think about a time when you felt pressured versus truly chosen. How did each situation affect your behavior and feelings?
application • deep - 5
What does Natasha's transformation after Andrew leaves reveal about how real connection changes us?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Control vs. Freedom Patterns
Think of three important relationships in your life - family, work, friendship, or romantic. For each one, identify whether you tend to create connection through control (rules, guilt, pressure) or through freedom (choice, trust, space). Write down specific examples of how you behave in each relationship and how the other person typically responds.
Consider:
- •Notice which approach actually gets you the connection you want
- •Consider how your own upbringing might influence your control vs. freedom style
- •Think about times when someone gave you genuine choice - how did it affect your loyalty to them?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a relationship where you've been trying to create security through control. What would it look like to give that person genuine freedom while still expressing your needs clearly?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 131: Letters from the Heart
As the story unfolds, you'll explore to maintain compassion for difficult people who hurt us, while uncovering finding meaning in loss can transform grief into wisdom. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.