Summary
The Rostovs arrive at the Melyukovs' house for a traditional Russian mumming party, where everyone dresses in costumes and disguises. Pelagéya Danílovna, the warm hostess, delights in the chaos as costumed guests—including Nicholas dressed as a hussar and Natasha in disguise—dance and play games. The evening becomes magical when the boundaries between servants and gentry dissolve, and everyone joins together in folk dances and fortune-telling games. But the real transformation happens to Nicholas, who suddenly sees Sónya with completely new eyes. Watching her animated and joyful under her cork mustache disguise, he realizes he's been blind to her true nature. When Sónya volunteers to go alone to the barn for a fortune-telling ritual (a brave act that involves listening for supernatural signs), Nicholas follows her outside. In the moonlit winter night, away from the social constraints of the house, they share their first real kiss. The irony is perfect: wearing disguises and playing roles, they discover their most authentic selves. This chapter shows how sometimes we need to step outside our usual identities to see what's been right in front of us all along. The costume party becomes a metaphor for the masks we all wear in daily life, and how dropping our guard can lead to genuine connection. Nicholas's sudden recognition of Sónya suggests that love often requires this kind of awakening—seeing someone not as they fit into your world, but as they truly are.
Coming Up in Chapter 144
The magical night continues, but fortune-telling games can reveal more than young hearts are prepared to handle. What Sónya discovers in the barn may change everything.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Pelagéya Danílovna Melyukóva, a broadly built, energetic woman wearing spectacles, sat in the drawing room in a loose dress, surrounded by her daughters whom she was trying to keep from feeling dull. They were quietly dropping melted wax into snow and looking at the shadows the wax figures would throw on the wall, when they heard the steps and voices of new arrivals in the vestibule. Hussars, ladies, witches, clowns, and bears, after clearing their throats and wiping the hoarfrost from their faces in the vestibule, came into the ballroom where candles were hurriedly lighted. The clown—Dimmler—and the lady—Nicholas—started a dance. Surrounded by the screaming children the mummers, covering their faces and disguising their voices, bowed to their hostess and arranged themselves about the room. “Dear me! there’s no recognizing them! And Natásha! See whom she looks like! She really reminds me of somebody. But Herr Dimmler—isn’t he good! I didn’t know him! And how he dances. Dear me, there’s a Circassian. Really, how becoming it is to dear Sónya. And who is that? Well, you have cheered us up! Nikíta and Vanya—clear away the tables! And we were sitting so quietly. Ha, ha, ha!... The hussar, the hussar! Just like a boy! And the legs!... I can’t look at him...” different voices were saying. Natásha, the young Melyukóvs’ favorite, disappeared with them into the back rooms where a cork and various dressing gowns and male garments were called for and received from the footman by bare girlish arms from behind the door. Ten minutes later, all the young Melyukóvs joined the mummers. Pelagéya Danílovna, having given orders to clear the rooms for the visitors and arranged about refreshments for the gentry and the serfs, went about among the mummers without removing her spectacles, peering into their faces with a suppressed smile and failing to recognize any of them. It was not merely Dimmler and the Rostóvs she failed to recognize, she did not even recognize her own daughters, or her late husband’s, dressing gowns and uniforms, which they had put on. “And who is this?” she asked her governess, peering into the face of her own daughter dressed up as a Kazán-Tartar. “I suppose it is one of the Rostóvs! Well, Mr. Hussar, and what regiment do you serve in?” she asked Natásha. “Here, hand some fruit jelly to the Turk!” she ordered the butler who was handing things round. “That’s not forbidden by his law.” Sometimes, as she looked at the strange but amusing capers cut by the dancers, who—having decided once for all that being disguised, no one would recognize them—were not at all shy, Pelagéya Danílovna hid her face in her handkerchief, and her whole stout body shook with irrepressible, kindly, elderly laughter. “My little Sásha! Look at Sásha!” she said. After Russian country dances and chorus dances, Pelagéya Danílovna made the serfs and gentry join in one large circle: a ring, a string, and a silver ruble were fetched and they all played games together....
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Recognition
We often need to step outside our usual roles and identities to see others—and ourselves—clearly.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how we often fail to see people's full humanity when we're locked into familiar social roles and contexts.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you interact with someone in a different setting than usual—a coworker at lunch, a neighbor at the store, a family member during an unexpected conversation—and pay attention to what new aspects of them you discover.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Mumming
A traditional winter celebration where people dress in elaborate disguises and visit neighbors' homes to perform dances, songs, and games. The disguises were meant to confuse evil spirits and bring good luck for the new year. It was one of the few times social rules relaxed and servants could mingle freely with their masters.
Modern Usage:
Like Halloween parties or masquerade balls where costumes let people act differently than usual.
Circassian costume
A popular fancy dress outfit based on the traditional clothing of the Circassian people from the Caucasus region. These costumes were fashionable at Russian parties because they were considered exotic and romantic. The mention shows how the wealthy entertained themselves with 'foreign' cultures.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how people wear 'cultural' costumes at themed parties today, often without understanding the real culture.
Fortune-telling ritual
Traditional Russian New Year games where young people would try to predict their romantic futures through various supernatural methods. Going alone to a barn or bathhouse to listen for signs was considered especially brave and meaningful. These rituals were both entertainment and genuine belief.
Modern Usage:
Like reading horoscopes, tarot cards, or those 'Does he like me?' quizzes - we half-believe but mostly enjoy the possibility.
Social masquerade
The idea that people wear invisible 'masks' in daily social interactions, hiding their true selves to fit expectations. Tolstoy uses literal costumes to explore how we all perform roles rather than being authentic. The irony is that wearing actual masks can reveal who we really are.
Modern Usage:
The different versions of ourselves we show on social media, at work, versus with close friends.
Class boundaries dissolving
During special celebrations like mumming, the strict social hierarchy of Russian society temporarily relaxed. Servants could dance with masters, and everyone participated as equals. These moments were rare and precious in a highly stratified society.
Modern Usage:
Like office holiday parties where the CEO mingles with entry-level workers, or community events where everyone's just neighbors.
Romantic awakening
The moment when someone suddenly sees a familiar person in a completely new light, often triggered by seeing them in an unusual context. It's not gradual attraction but a sudden shift in perception that reveals what was always there.
Modern Usage:
That moment when your longtime friend does something that makes you think 'Wait, are they actually really attractive?'
Characters in This Chapter
Pelagéya Danílovna Melyukóva
Warm hostess
The energetic mother who welcomes the costumed guests with genuine delight and creates an atmosphere where everyone can let loose. Her enthusiasm and warmth make the magical evening possible.
Modern Equivalent:
The mom who throws the best neighborhood parties and makes everyone feel welcome
Nicholas
Young man experiencing revelation
Dressed as a lady in the costume games, he experiences a sudden shift in how he sees Sónya. The disguise and playful atmosphere allow him to drop his usual social persona and recognize his true feelings.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who finally realizes his best friend is actually perfect for him
Natásha
Spirited young woman
Throws herself into the costume party with characteristic enthusiasm, becoming unrecognizable in her disguise. Her energy and joy help create the magical atmosphere where authentic connections can happen.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who's always the life of the party and gets everyone else to join in
Sónya
Object of newfound love
Through her costume and brave participation in the fortune-telling ritual, she reveals aspects of herself that Nicholas has never noticed. Her courage and authenticity in this playful context awakens his romantic feelings.
Modern Equivalent:
The quiet friend who surprises everyone when she steps out of her comfort zone
Dimmler
Entertainment facilitator
Dressed as a clown, he helps start the dancing and keeps the party atmosphere lively. His willingness to be silly and entertaining helps everyone else relax and enjoy themselves.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who's always game to be the DJ or karaoke host at parties
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Dear me! there's no recognizing them! And Natásha! See whom she looks like!"
Context: When the costumed guests first arrive and she's delighting in how transformed everyone looks
This captures the magic of transformation that costumes create. The hostess's joy shows how these moments of disguise reveal new aspects of familiar people. It sets up the theme that masks can actually help us see more clearly.
In Today's Words:
Oh my God, I can't even tell who's who! Natasha, you look completely different!
"The hussar, the hussar! Just like a boy! And the legs!... I can't look at him..."
Context: The guests' reaction to Nicholas dressed as a hussar, commenting on how convincing and amusing his costume is
The playful gender-bending of the costume party creates a space where normal social rules don't apply. The guests' laughter shows how liberating it can be when everyone agrees to step outside their usual roles.
In Today's Words:
Look at him in that uniform! He actually looks like a soldier! Those legs! I'm dying!
"Natásha, the young Melyukóvs' favorite, disappeared with them into the back rooms"
Context: Describing how Natasha joins the family's private preparations and costume changes
This shows how the evening breaks down social barriers - Natasha is welcomed into the intimate family space, showing the genuine affection and equality that the party creates among all participants.
In Today's Words:
Natasha, who everyone loved, went with them to get ready in the back rooms
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Characters literally wear disguises but discover their authentic selves underneath
Development
Builds on earlier themes of social roles constraining true nature
In Your Life:
You might notice how you act differently in different settings and wonder which version is the 'real' you
Class
In This Chapter
The party temporarily dissolves boundaries between servants and gentry through costume and dance
Development
Continues Tolstoy's exploration of how social hierarchies can be artificial and changeable
In Your Life:
You might feel more comfortable connecting with people when work titles and social status aren't front and center
Recognition
In This Chapter
Nicholas suddenly sees Sónya's true nature after years of knowing her in a limited role
Development
New theme introduced here that will likely connect to other relationship revelations
In Your Life:
You might realize you've been seeing someone important to you through a narrow lens based on their role in your life
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The mumming tradition allows behavior that would be inappropriate in normal social settings
Development
Continues the theme of how social rules can both protect and constrain authentic connection
In Your Life:
You might notice how certain social settings make you feel freer to be yourself while others make you more guarded
Transformation
In This Chapter
The costume party becomes a catalyst for genuine emotional breakthrough between Nicholas and Sónya
Development
Builds on earlier moments where external changes spark internal growth
In Your Life:
You might find that changing your environment or routine helps you see familiar situations with fresh eyes
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Nicholas suddenly see Sónya differently at the costume party, after knowing her for years?
analysis • surface - 2
How does the mumming party break down the usual social barriers between servants and gentry, and why does this matter for Nicholas and Sónya's connection?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace, family, or social groups. Where do you see people locked into roles that might prevent you from seeing who they really are?
application • medium - 4
If you wanted to create a 'costume party moment' to see someone in your life more clearly, how would you change the usual setting or context?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about why authentic connections often happen in unexpected moments rather than formal settings?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Own Role Disruption
Think of someone in your life you interact with regularly but only in one specific context (coworker, neighbor, family member, etc.). Map out the usual 'roles' you both play in that relationship. Then design a simple way to change the setting or context that might let you see each other differently—like Nicholas seeing Sónya at the costume party instead of just as his cousin at home.
Consider:
- •What assumptions do you make about this person based on their usual role?
- •What would a completely different setting reveal about both of you?
- •How might changing the physical space, activity, or social context shift the dynamic?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you discovered something surprising about someone you thought you knew well. What changed the context that let you see them differently?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 144: Love Confessions and Mirror Magic
Moving forward, we'll examine shared joy strengthens family bonds, and understand the difference between peer pressure and genuine support. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.