Summary
Nicholas waits at his hunting post, desperate for the wolf to come his way. His anxiety reveals something deeper than hunting—he's carrying the weight of past failures at Austerlitz and with Dolokhov, feeling like luck never goes his way. When the old wolf finally appears, Nicholas experiences that strange moment when something long-hoped-for actually happens. The hunt becomes a complex dance between predator and prey, with multiple hunters and dogs working together. The wolf nearly escapes several times, showing incredible cunning and survival instinct. Just when all seems lost, Daniel appears and captures the wolf alive with remarkable skill and courage. The chapter captures that universal experience of wanting something desperately, then discovering that achieving it requires not just luck but the coordinated effort of others. Nicholas learns that his 'bad luck' isn't really about cards or war—it's about being part of something larger than himself. The successful hunt becomes a metaphor for how individual desires often require collective action to fulfill. Tolstoy shows us that our deepest wants often reveal our deepest insecurities, and that true success comes not from solitary achievement but from finding our place in a larger effort.
Coming Up in Chapter 138
With the wolf captured and the hunt successful, the group gathers to celebrate their victory. But the real test may be what happens when the adrenaline fades and they return to the everyday world of social expectations and family obligations.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
icholas Rostóv meanwhile remained at his post, waiting for the wolf. By the way the hunt approached and receded, by the cries of the dogs whose notes were familiar to him, by the way the voices of the huntsmen approached, receded, and rose, he realized what was happening at the copse. He knew that young and old wolves were there, that the hounds had separated into two packs, that somewhere a wolf was being chased, and that something had gone wrong. He expected the wolf to come his way any moment. He made thousands of different conjectures as to where and from what side the beast would come and how he would set upon it. Hope alternated with despair. Several times he addressed a prayer to God that the wolf should come his way. He prayed with that passionate and shamefaced feeling with which men pray at moments of great excitement arising from trivial causes. “What would it be to Thee to do this for me?” he said to God. “I know Thou art great, and that it is a sin to ask this of Thee, but for God’s sake do let the old wolf come my way and let Karáy spring at it—in sight of ‘Uncle’ who is watching from over there—and seize it by the throat in a death grip!” A thousand times during that half-hour Rostóv cast eager and restless glances over the edge of the wood, with the two scraggy oaks rising above the aspen undergrowth and the gully with its water-worn side and “Uncle’s” cap just visible above the bush on his right. “No, I shan’t have such luck,” thought Rostóv, “yet what wouldn’t it be worth! It is not to be! Everywhere, at cards and in war, I am always unlucky.” Memories of Austerlitz and of Dólokhov flashed rapidly and clearly through his mind. “Only once in my life to get an old wolf, I want only that!” thought he, straining eyes and ears and looking to the left and then to the right and listening to the slightest variation of note in the cries of the dogs. Again he looked to the right and saw something running toward him across the deserted field. “No, it can’t be!” thought Rostóv, taking a deep breath, as a man does at the coming of something long hoped for. The height of happiness was reached—and so simply, without warning, or noise, or display, that Rostóv could not believe his eyes and remained in doubt for over a second. The wolf ran forward and jumped heavily over a gully that lay in her path. She was an old animal with a gray back and big reddish belly. She ran without hurry, evidently feeling sure that no one saw her. Rostóv, holding his breath, looked round at the borzois. They stood or lay not seeing the wolf or understanding the situation. Old Karáy had turned his head and was angrily searching for fleas, baring his yellow teeth and snapping...
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 Earned Victory
The belief that meaningful achievements should be individual efforts, leading to failure and self-blame when complex problems require collective solutions.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when success requires coordinated effort rather than individual excellence, and how to build the alliances that turn hopes into reality.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're struggling alone with something that might need team effort—at work, at home, in your community—and practice asking 'Who else has stakes in this outcome?' instead of 'Why can't I handle this myself?'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Russian Wolf Hunt
An elaborate social ritual where nobles would surround a forest area with hunters and dogs to drive wolves toward waiting participants. It was as much about social hierarchy and proving courage as actual hunting. The hunt required coordination between multiple parties and demonstrated one's place in society.
Modern Usage:
Like team-building corporate retreats or fantasy football leagues - events that seem to be about one thing but are really about proving yourself and fitting into the group.
Fatalism
The belief that events are predetermined and that luck or fate controls outcomes more than personal effort. Nicholas shows this thinking when he assumes he's just unlucky rather than examining his choices. It's a way of avoiding responsibility while feeling powerless.
Modern Usage:
When people say 'nothing ever goes my way' or 'some people have all the luck' instead of looking at what they can actually control.
Collective Action
The idea that big goals require multiple people working together, each playing their part. The wolf hunt succeeds because hunters, dogs, and beaters all coordinate their efforts. Individual desire meets group effort.
Modern Usage:
Like organizing a neighborhood watch, planning a wedding, or any project where everyone has to do their job for the whole thing to work.
Desperate Prayer
The kind of bargaining with God or fate that happens when we want something badly but feel powerless to get it. Nicholas prays for the wolf to come his way, knowing it's trivial but feeling the need anyway.
Modern Usage:
Praying for a parking spot, hoping your team wins, or wishing for good test results when you didn't study - asking for help with things that feel huge to you but small in the grand scheme.
Moment of Truth
That instant when something you've hoped for actually happens, and you realize wanting it was easier than dealing with it. Nicholas gets his wolf encounter but then must actually perform under pressure.
Modern Usage:
Finally getting called for a job interview after months of applications, or having your crush actually text you back - the moment when opportunity meets reality.
Social Proving Ground
A situation where your worth gets tested in front of others who matter to you. The hunt becomes Nicholas's chance to redeem himself after military and gambling failures, with 'Uncle' and others watching.
Modern Usage:
Like giving a presentation to the boss, meeting your partner's parents, or any situation where you feel like you're being judged and need to prove yourself.
Characters in This Chapter
Nicholas Rostóv
Anxious protagonist
Waits desperately at his hunting post, revealing deep insecurities about his past failures. His prayer for the wolf shows how badly he needs a win after Austerlitz and his gambling losses. The hunt becomes his chance for redemption.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who really needs this job interview to go well after a string of rejections
Daniel
Skilled huntsman
The experienced hunter who actually captures the wolf alive through skill and courage. He represents competence and bravery in action, contrasting with Nicholas's anxious hoping. Shows what real capability looks like.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who stays calm under pressure and actually gets things done while everyone else panics
Uncle
Observing elder
Watches the hunt unfold, representing the judgment Nicholas fears. His presence adds pressure to Nicholas's performance and reminds us that this is as much about social standing as hunting.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member whose approval you desperately want at the holiday gathering
Karáy
Hunting dog
Nicholas's dog who he hopes will help him succeed in the hunt. Represents the tools and allies we depend on to achieve our goals, but who can't do the work for us.
Modern Equivalent:
Your lucky interview outfit or the friend who promised to put in a good word for you
The Old Wolf
Cunning adversary
The experienced wolf who nearly escapes multiple times through intelligence and survival instinct. Represents the challenges that test our abilities and the goals that seem just out of reach.
Modern Equivalent:
That promotion or opportunity that keeps slipping away just when you think you've got it
Key Quotes & Analysis
"What would it be to Thee to do this for me? I know Thou art great, and that it is a sin to ask this of Thee, but for God's sake do let the old wolf come my way!"
Context: Nicholas prays desperately while waiting for the wolf to appear
This reveals how Nicholas feels powerless and relies on luck rather than skill. His shame about the prayer shows he knows it's trivial, but his desperation makes him do it anyway. It captures that very human tendency to bargain with fate when we feel out of control.
In Today's Words:
I know this is stupid to ask for, but please just let this one thing go my way for once.
"Hope alternated with despair."
Context: Describing Nicholas's emotional state while waiting
This simple phrase captures the exhausting cycle of anxiety when we're waiting for something important. It shows how our minds torture us by swinging between optimism and pessimism when we can't control the outcome.
In Today's Words:
One minute he thought it would work out, the next minute he was sure he was screwed.
"He made thousands of different conjectures as to where and from what side the beast would come and how he would set upon it."
Context: Nicholas imagining different scenarios while waiting
This shows how anxiety makes us overthink and try to control every possible outcome. Nicholas is mentally rehearsing scenarios instead of staying present and ready. It's the paralysis of too much planning when action is what's needed.
In Today's Words:
He kept running through every possible way this could go down, trying to have a plan for everything.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Nicholas defines himself through his hunting prowess and past failures, seeking redemption through individual achievement
Development
Evolved from his military service and gambling losses—he's been building an identity around personal inadequacy
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself defining your worth by tasks you handle alone rather than problems you help solve.
Class
In This Chapter
The hunt reveals class dynamics—Nicholas as master depends on Daniel's working-class expertise for actual success
Development
Continues Tolstoy's exploration of how aristocratic privilege often masks dependence on others' skills
In Your Life:
You might notice how your job title or position obscures how much you rely on others' knowledge and labor.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Nicholas learns that his 'bad luck' isn't personal failing but misunderstanding how success actually works
Development
Major development—he's moving from self-blame to systems thinking
In Your Life:
You might realize that your 'failures' are often about tackling team problems with individual strategies.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The successful hunt requires trust, coordination, and recognizing others' expertise—Daniel's crucial intervention saves the day
Development
Shows how meaningful relationships involve mutual dependence and shared achievement
In Your Life:
You might see how your best successes involved others stepping up when you needed them most.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Nicholas feels pressure to succeed as the master of the hunt, but real success comes from accepting help
Development
Challenges the aristocratic ideal of individual superiority and self-sufficiency
In Your Life:
You might recognize pressure to appear self-sufficient when asking for help would be more effective.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why is Nicholas so anxious about the wolf coming his way, and what does his desperation reveal about his past experiences?
analysis • surface - 2
How does the hunt demonstrate the difference between individual effort and collective achievement?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people in your life trying to solve problems alone that really require team effort?
application • medium - 4
Think of a time when you felt like 'luck never goes your way.' How might reframing it as needing the right support system change your approach?
application • deep - 5
What does Nicholas's experience teach us about the relationship between personal insecurity and our need to prove ourselves?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Support Ecosystem
Think of a current challenge you're facing alone. Draw or list the 'hunt' - who could be your Daniel, your experienced dogs, your other hunters? Map out everyone who might have skills, resources, or shared stakes in your success. Don't limit yourself to obvious choices.
Consider:
- •Consider people with different types of expertise, not just similar backgrounds
- •Think about who benefits if you succeed, even indirectly
- •Include people who've solved similar problems before, even in different contexts
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you exhausted yourself trying to handle something alone that later got solved through collaboration. What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 138: The Hunt and Hidden Rivalries
With the wolf captured and the hunt successful, the group gathers to celebrate their victory. But the real test may be what happens when the adrenaline fades and they return to the everyday world of social expectations and family obligations.
