Summary
Anna Mikháylovna and her son Borís arrive at the dying Count Bezúkhov's mansion, where Anna desperately seeks an audience with the wealthy count who is Borís's godfather. The scene unfolds like a high-stakes social chess game. Anna must navigate past suspicious servants, then encounters Prince Vasíli, who clearly sees through her motives but can't easily dismiss her. She employs every tool in her arsenal: invoking family connections, playing on Christian duty, and using her feminine charm to position herself as indispensable during the count's final hours. Meanwhile, Borís watches his mother's performance with a mixture of embarrassment and resignation, understanding that their family's future depends on these uncomfortable social maneuvers. The chapter reveals the brutal realities of aristocratic society, where even death becomes an opportunity for financial positioning. Anna's desperation is palpable as she fights for her son's inheritance rights, while Prince Vasíli recognizes her as a potential rival for the count's fortune. The interaction demonstrates how people without power must use charm, persistence, and social obligation to survive in a world controlled by the wealthy. Tolstoy shows us that beneath the polite veneer of aristocratic society lies a ruthless competition for resources, where mothers will endure any humiliation to secure their children's futures.
Coming Up in Chapter 16
Borís is sent to meet Pierre, the count's illegitimate son, setting up a crucial encounter between two young men whose fates are intertwined with the dying count's fortune. Meanwhile, Anna Mikháylovna prepares for her most important performance yet.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
M“y dear Borís,” said Princess Anna Mikháylovna to her son as Countess Rostóva’s carriage in which they were seated drove over the straw covered street and turned into the wide courtyard of Count Cyril Vladímirovich Bezúkhov’s house. “My dear Borís,” said the mother, drawing her hand from beneath her old mantle and laying it timidly and tenderly on her son’s arm, “be affectionate and attentive to him. Count Cyril Vladímirovich is your godfather after all, and your future depends on him. Remember that, my dear, and be nice to him, as you so well know how to be.” “If only I knew that anything besides humiliation would come of it...” answered her son coldly. “But I have promised and will do it for your sake.” Although the hall porter saw someone’s carriage standing at the entrance, after scrutinizing the mother and son (who without asking to be announced had passed straight through the glass porch between the rows of statues in niches) and looking significantly at the lady’s old cloak, he asked whether they wanted the count or the princesses, and, hearing that they wished to see the count, said his excellency was worse today, and that his excellency was not receiving anyone. “We may as well go back,” said the son in French. “My dear!” exclaimed his mother imploringly, again laying her hand on his arm as if that touch might soothe or rouse him. Borís said no more, but looked inquiringly at his mother without taking off his cloak. “My friend,” said Anna Mikháylovna in gentle tones, addressing the hall porter, “I know Count Cyril Vladímirovich is very ill... that’s why I have come... I am a relation. I shall not disturb him, my friend... I only need see Prince Vasíli Sergéevich: he is staying here, is he not? Please announce me.” The hall porter sullenly pulled a bell that rang upstairs, and turned away. “Princess Drubetskáya to see Prince Vasíli Sergéevich,” he called to a footman dressed in knee breeches, shoes, and a swallow-tail coat, who ran downstairs and looked over from the halfway landing. The mother smoothed the folds of her dyed silk dress before a large Venetian mirror in the wall, and in her trodden-down shoes briskly ascended the carpeted stairs. “My dear,” she said to her son, once more stimulating him by a touch, “you promised me!” The son, lowering his eyes, followed her quietly. They entered the large hall, from which one of the doors led to the apartments assigned to Prince Vasíli. Just as the mother and son, having reached the middle of the hall, were about to ask their way of an elderly footman who had sprung up as they entered, the bronze handle of one of the doors turned and Prince Vasíli came out—wearing a velvet coat with a single star on his breast, as was his custom when at home—taking leave of a good-looking, dark-haired man. This was the celebrated Petersburg doctor, Lorrain. “Then it is certain?” said the...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Strategic Desperation - When Survival Demands Performance
When people lack structural power, they must become skilled performers who adapt their presentation to survive and advance within systems that favor the privileged.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone holds leverage over you and adjust your approach accordingly without losing your essential self.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you need something from someone in a position of power—watch how they signal their status and what kind of interaction they seem to want from you.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Godfather (in aristocratic society)
In Russian nobility, a godfather wasn't just a spiritual guide but often a powerful patron who could provide financial support, career opportunities, and social connections. The relationship created lifelong obligations on both sides.
Modern Usage:
Like having a wealthy mentor or family friend in high places who can open doors for jobs, recommendations, or financial help when needed.
Social positioning
The careful maneuvering people do to maintain or improve their status and access to resources. Anna Mikhaylovna must present herself as worthy of the count's attention while not appearing too desperate or calculating.
Modern Usage:
Think networking events, LinkedIn connections, or how people present themselves on social media to maintain professional relationships.
Deathbed politics
The intense competition that happens around wealthy or powerful people when they're dying, as relatives and associates position themselves to inherit money, property, or influence. Death becomes a business opportunity.
Modern Usage:
Family drama around wills, people suddenly becoming 'caring' when a rich relative gets sick, or workplace politics when a boss is retiring.
Hall porter
A servant whose job was to control access to the house and determine who was worthy of seeing the master. They wielded significant power as gatekeepers and could make or break someone's visit.
Modern Usage:
Like receptionists, security guards, or assistants who control access to important people and can help or hurt your chances of getting through.
Noblesse oblige
The idea that people with wealth, power, or high social position have a moral obligation to help those beneath them. Anna appeals to this concept to gain access to the count.
Modern Usage:
When people expect those with privilege to give back to the community or help others who are struggling.
Inheritance anxiety
The fear and uncertainty around whether you'll receive money or property when someone dies, especially when you desperately need it for survival. It drives people to uncomfortable behaviors.
Modern Usage:
Worrying about whether you'll inherit the family home, or if your parents' medical bills will eat up everything you were counting on.
Characters in This Chapter
Anna Mikhaylovna
Desperate social climber
A widowed princess with no money who must use charm and manipulation to secure her son's future. She's willing to endure humiliation and rejection because her family's survival depends on maintaining connections with wealthy people.
Modern Equivalent:
The single mom working multiple jobs who still networks at every opportunity to create chances for her kids
Boris
Reluctant participant
Anna's son who understands the necessity of these social games but feels embarrassed by his mother's desperate maneuvering. He's caught between pride and practical need.
Modern Equivalent:
The college student who's uncomfortable when their parent name-drops connections to get them internships
Count Cyril Vladimirovich Bezukhov
Dying patriarch
The wealthy count whose approaching death has turned his household into a battlefield of competing interests. Though barely present, his money and potential inheritance drive everyone's behavior.
Modern Equivalent:
The wealthy family patriarch in the hospital while relatives circle like vultures
The hall porter
Gatekeeper
A servant who judges Anna and Boris by their appearance and decides they're not important enough to see the count. His power to grant or deny access makes him a crucial obstacle.
Modern Equivalent:
The receptionist who can make your day easier or harder depending on how they feel about you
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Be affectionate and attentive to him. Count Cyril Vladimirovich is your godfather after all, and your future depends on him."
Context: Anna coaches Boris on how to behave as they arrive at the count's house
This reveals the transactional nature of relationships in their world. Anna isn't asking Boris to be genuine - she's giving him a performance script because their survival depends on pleasing the right people.
In Today's Words:
Smile, be nice, and remember this person controls whether you have a future or not.
"If only I knew that anything besides humiliation would come of it..."
Context: Boris responds to his mother's coaching with resignation
Boris understands that begging for favors is degrading, but he also knows they have no choice. This captures the psychological cost of financial desperation - you lose dignity to survive.
In Today's Words:
I hate having to kiss up to people, but what else can we do?
"His excellency was worse today, and his excellency was not receiving anyone."
Context: The porter tries to turn Anna and Boris away at the door
The porter's formal language masks his real message: you people aren't important enough. He's protecting his employer from what he sees as social parasites, but also exercising the small power he has.
In Today's Words:
He's not seeing visitors today, especially not people like you.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Anna must perform elaborate social theater because she lacks the financial security that would make such performance unnecessary
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you have to act differently at work than you do at home because your job security depends on fitting their expectations.
Desperation
In This Chapter
Anna's willingness to endure humiliation and manipulation shows how far people will go when their family's survival is at stake
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might see this when you find yourself tolerating disrespect or uncomfortable situations because you need the paycheck or the opportunity.
Social Performance
In This Chapter
Anna becomes whatever each moment requires—devoted friend, Christian woman, charming companion—shifting her presentation strategically
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you code-switch between different versions of yourself depending on who you're talking to and what you need from them.
Power Dynamics
In This Chapter
Prince Vasíli holds all the cards while Anna must use charm and obligation as her only weapons in an unequal contest
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might experience this when dealing with landlords, bosses, or bureaucrats who have authority over your life but no personal investment in your wellbeing.
Maternal Sacrifice
In This Chapter
Anna endures personal humiliation and compromises her dignity because securing Boris's future matters more than her own comfort
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in any situation where you swallow your pride or do things you'd rather not do because your family's needs come first.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific tactics does Anna Mikháylovna use to get past the servants and convince Prince Vasíli to let her see the dying count?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Anna transform her approach when talking to different people—the servants versus Prince Vasíli? What does this reveal about her understanding of power?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'strategic performance' in modern workplaces, healthcare, or family situations? When have you had to adapt your approach based on who held the power?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Anna's position—needing something important from someone more powerful—what would be your strategy? How would you balance dignity with necessity?
application • deep - 5
What does Anna's willingness to endure this humiliation for her son reveal about the lengths people will go to secure their family's future? Is this admirable or troubling?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Power Dynamics
Think of a recent situation where you needed something from someone with more power than you—a boss, doctor, teacher, landlord, or government office. Write down what you needed, what they valued, and how you adapted your approach. Then identify what worked and what didn't.
Consider:
- •Notice how you naturally changed your tone, word choice, or behavior
- •Consider what the powerful person gained from helping (or not helping) you
- •Reflect on whether your strategy felt authentic or forced
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to 'perform' to get something you needed. How did it feel, and what did you learn about navigating unequal power relationships?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 16: The Art of Speaking Your Truth
As the story unfolds, you'll explore to address uncomfortable truths directly without being cruel, while uncovering clear boundaries protect relationships rather than damage them. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.