Summary
Nicholas and his family continue their hunt when a territorial dispute erupts over a fox. Their huntsman fights with men from a neighboring estate owned by Ilágin, a man the Rostóvs consider their enemy due to ongoing legal battles over hunting rights. Nicholas rides to confront Ilágin, expecting a fight, but instead finds a courteous gentleman who apologizes for his servant's behavior and invites the Rostóvs to hunt on his land. What follows is a masterclass in competitive psychology disguised as polite conversation. Both men praise each other's hunting dogs while secretly sizing up the competition, each hoping to prove their borzoi superior. When a hare is spotted, the tension explodes into action. Three dogs give chase - Ilágin's prized Erzá, Nicholas's beloved Mílka, and Uncle's scrappy Rugáy. In a thrilling pursuit across muddy fields, Uncle's supposedly inferior dog triumphs, catching the hare while the expensive, pedigreed borzois fail. Uncle's victory speech is both celebration and rebuke to those who value breeding over performance. The chapter reveals how competition strips away social pretenses, showing people's true priorities and values. It also demonstrates how shared passions can temporarily bridge even deep conflicts, though underlying tensions remain just beneath the surface of civility.
Coming Up in Chapter 139
The hunt continues, but the day's events have shifted the dynamics between the families. New alliances and old grudges will shape what comes next as the hunting party moves forward.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The old count went home, and Natásha and Pétya promised to return very soon, but as it was still early the hunt went farther. At midday they put the hounds into a ravine thickly overgrown with young trees. Nicholas standing in a fallow field could see all his whips. Facing him lay a field of winter rye, there his own huntsman stood alone in a hollow behind a hazel bush. The hounds had scarcely been loosed before Nicholas heard one he knew, Voltórn, giving tongue at intervals; other hounds joined in, now pausing and now again giving tongue. A moment later he heard a cry from the wooded ravine that a fox had been found, and the whole pack, joining together, rushed along the ravine toward the ryefield and away from Nicholas. He saw the whips in their red caps galloping along the edge of the ravine, he even saw the hounds, and was expecting a fox to show itself at any moment on the ryefield opposite. The huntsman standing in the hollow moved and loosed his borzois, and Nicholas saw a queer, short-legged red fox with a fine brush going hard across the field. The borzois bore down on it.... Now they drew close to the fox which began to dodge between the field in sharper and sharper curves, trailing its brush, when suddenly a strange white borzoi dashed in followed by a black one, and everything was in confusion; the borzois formed a star-shaped figure, scarcely swaying their bodies and with tails turned away from the center of the group. Two huntsmen galloped up to the dogs; one in a red cap, the other, a stranger, in a green coat. “What’s this?” thought Nicholas. “Where’s that huntsman from? He is not ‘Uncle’s’ man.” The huntsmen got the fox, but stayed there a long time without strapping it to the saddle. Their horses, bridled and with high saddles, stood near them and there too the dogs were lying. The huntsmen waved their arms and did something to the fox. Then from that spot came the sound of a horn, with the signal agreed on in case of a fight. “That’s Ilágin’s huntsman having a row with our Iván,” said Nicholas’ groom. Nicholas sent the man to call Natásha and Pétya to him, and rode at a footpace to the place where the whips were getting the hounds together. Several of the field galloped to the spot where the fight was going on. Nicholas dismounted, and with Natásha and Pétya, who had ridden up, stopped near the hounds, waiting to see how the matter would end. Out of the bushes came the huntsman who had been fighting and rode toward his young master, with the fox tied to his crupper. While still at a distance he took off his cap and tried to speak respectfully, but he was pale and breathless and his face was angry. One of his eyes was black, but he probably was not even aware of...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Performative Superiority
When people feel threatened by competition, they compensate with elaborate displays of their advantages while secretly doubting themselves.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when people's elaborate displays of superiority mask deep insecurity about their actual competence.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone over-explains their credentials or name-drops achievements during normal conversation—they're probably feeling threatened and need reassurance, not more competition.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Borzoi
Russian hunting dogs bred for speed and grace, used to chase wolves and foxes. These were status symbols for the wealthy - owning fine borzois showed your class and breeding.
Modern Usage:
Like owning a luxury car or designer handbag - it's about displaying wealth and taste to others.
Whips
Huntsmen on horseback who control the pack of hounds during a hunt. They wear distinctive red caps and guide the dogs using whips and calls.
Modern Usage:
Like team managers or coordinators who keep everyone focused and moving in the right direction during group projects.
Competitive courtesy
The social ritual of being polite to rivals while secretly trying to prove you're better. Both men praise each other while positioning for advantage.
Modern Usage:
Like when coworkers compliment each other's presentations while hoping theirs gets chosen, or parents at youth sports being 'supportive' of other kids while rooting for their own.
Pedigree versus performance
The conflict between what looks impressive on paper versus what actually works in real life. Expensive, well-bred dogs lose to a scrappy mutt.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone with fancy credentials gets outperformed by someone with street smarts and experience.
Territory dispute
Conflicts over who has the right to hunt where, often involving complex legal battles and family feuds spanning generations.
Modern Usage:
Like neighborhood disputes over property lines, or workplace conflicts over who controls which projects or departments.
Social mask-dropping
How competition reveals people's true priorities and character when the polite facade falls away during intense moments.
Modern Usage:
Like how people's real personalities come out during competitive games, job interviews, or high-stress situations.
Characters in This Chapter
Nicholas
Young nobleman protagonist
Rides to confront what he thinks will be a fight but finds himself in a complex social dance. Shows how young people often expect drama but find adult situations more nuanced.
Modern Equivalent:
The young manager who storms into a meeting ready for conflict but has to navigate office politics instead
Ilágin
Rival landowner
Transforms from enemy to gracious host, showing how shared interests can bridge conflicts. His politeness masks competitive calculation about proving his dogs superior.
Modern Equivalent:
The business competitor who's all smiles at industry events while secretly trying to poach your clients
Uncle
Unconventional mentor figure
His scrappy dog Rugáy defeats the fancy pedigreed borzois, proving that practical experience beats expensive breeding. Represents authentic values over social pretension.
Modern Equivalent:
The blue-collar worker whose practical solution outperforms the consultants' expensive recommendations
Rugáy
Underdog hero
Uncle's supposedly inferior dog who catches the hare while the expensive borzois fail. Represents the triumph of determination over privilege.
Modern Equivalent:
The community college graduate who gets promoted over Ivy League MBAs
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I know what counts with me. I don't hunt for the sake of rules, but for the wolf. That's what I understand!"
Context: After his dog wins, defending his practical approach to hunting
Uncle cuts through all the social posturing to focus on results. He values effectiveness over following proper form or using expensive equipment.
In Today's Words:
I don't care about doing things the fancy way - I care about getting the job done right.
"A good run, wasn't it? Your Erzá is swift, but my Rugáy was swifter!"
Context: Celebrating his victory while acknowledging the competition
Shows gracious winning - he gives credit where due but doesn't hide his pride in succeeding against the odds.
In Today's Words:
Your team played well, but mine played better today!
"Well, you have crushed us! Your dog was swifter. Congratulations!"
Context: Acknowledging defeat after his prized dog loses
Demonstrates how a true competitor handles losing - with grace and recognition of superior performance, even when it hurts his pride.
In Today's Words:
You got me this time - your way worked better than mine. Good job.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Nicholas and Ilágin use their expensive, pedigreed dogs as symbols of social status and breeding
Development
Continues the book's exploration of how aristocrats define themselves through possessions and bloodlines
In Your Life:
You might see this when people emphasize their credentials or expensive purchases to establish social position
Competition
In This Chapter
A simple hunt becomes a psychological battle where both men desperately need to prove superiority
Development
Introduced here as a driving force that reveals true character under pressure
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when friendly activities become intense competitions that reveal deeper insecurities
Performance vs Reality
In This Chapter
Uncle's scrappy dog succeeds where the expensive, pedigreed borzois fail
Development
Introduced here as a contrast between appearance and actual capability
In Your Life:
You might see this when the person with the best resume isn't the best worker, or when simple solutions outperform complex ones
Social Masks
In This Chapter
Nicholas expects conflict but finds elaborate courtesy that barely conceals competitive tension
Development
Builds on earlier chapters showing how aristocrats maintain civility while harboring deeper conflicts
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in workplace politeness that masks serious rivalry or family gatherings where old tensions simmer beneath pleasantries
Identity
In This Chapter
Both hunters stake their personal worth on their dogs' performance in front of others
Development
Continues exploring how characters tie their self-worth to external validation
In Your Life:
You might see this when you feel personally attacked if someone criticizes something you own or created
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Nicholas expect a fight with Ilágin, but instead find himself invited to hunt together?
analysis • surface - 2
What's really happening when Nicholas and Ilágin spend so much time praising each other's dogs?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people perform their credentials or achievements when they feel threatened or challenged?
application • medium - 4
When you feel the urge to prove yourself through possessions, achievements, or status, what would be a more effective approach?
application • deep - 5
What does Uncle's victory with his scrappy dog reveal about the difference between performance and actual competence?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Performance
Think of a recent situation where someone seemed to be 'performing superiority'—maybe name-dropping credentials, showing off possessions, or over-explaining their expertise. Write down what they were actually trying to prove and what threat they might have been responding to. Then consider: what would confident competence have looked like instead?
Consider:
- •The more elaborate the performance, the deeper the insecurity usually runs
- •People perform superiority when they feel their identity or competence is being questioned
- •True confidence focuses on doing the work well rather than proving worthiness
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself performing your achievements or status when you felt challenged. What were you really afraid of losing or not being seen as? How might you handle that insecurity differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 139: Uncle's Musical Evening
Moving forward, we'll examine authentic hospitality creates deeper connections than formal entertaining, and understand embracing your cultural roots can unlock hidden parts of yourself. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.