Summary
Pierre returns to Moscow in disgrace after his wild behavior in Petersburg, including the infamous incident of tying a policeman to a bear. His father's household treats him like a pariah—the princesses barely acknowledge him, and Prince Vasili warns him to stay away from the dying count. Isolated in his rooms, Pierre paces and fantasizes about being Napoleon, lost in grandiose daydreams about conquering England. When young Boris Drubetskoy visits, Pierre doesn't recognize the boy he once knew, now grown into a composed young officer. The conversation grows tense when Boris mentions the gossip about Pierre's inheritance prospects. Instead of dancing around the elephant in the room, Boris does something remarkable: he speaks directly. He tells Pierre that despite their poverty, neither he nor his mother would ever ask for money from Pierre's father, precisely because the man is rich. This honest declaration transforms an awkward moment into mutual respect. Pierre, initially flustered by such directness, comes to admire Boris's courage and integrity. Meanwhile, Boris's mother Princess Anna Mikhaylovna continues her vigil at the count's bedside, clearly hoping for some inheritance while claiming duty as her motive. The chapter reveals how different people handle uncomfortable truths—some through fantasy and avoidance like Pierre, others through calculated positioning like the princess, and still others through direct honesty like Boris. It shows that speaking truth, even when it makes others uncomfortable, often earns more respect than polite deception.
Coming Up in Chapter 17
As the count's condition worsens, the various parties position themselves around his deathbed. The question of inheritance looms larger, and Princess Anna Mikhaylovna prepares to make her most crucial move in what has become a high-stakes game of family politics.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Pierre, after all, had not managed to choose a career for himself in Petersburg, and had been expelled from there for riotous conduct and sent to Moscow. The story told about him at Count Rostóv’s was true. Pierre had taken part in tying a policeman to a bear. He had now been for some days in Moscow and was staying as usual at his father’s house. Though he expected that the story of his escapade would be already known in Moscow and that the ladies about his father—who were never favorably disposed toward him—would have used it to turn the count against him, he nevertheless on the day of his arrival went to his father’s part of the house. Entering the drawing room, where the princesses spent most of their time, he greeted the ladies, two of whom were sitting at embroidery frames while a third read aloud. It was the eldest who was reading—the one who had met Anna Mikháylovna. The two younger ones were embroidering: both were rosy and pretty and they differed only in that one had a little mole on her lip which made her much prettier. Pierre was received as if he were a corpse or a leper. The eldest princess paused in her reading and silently stared at him with frightened eyes; the second assumed precisely the same expression; while the youngest, the one with the mole, who was of a cheerful and lively disposition, bent over her frame to hide a smile probably evoked by the amusing scene she foresaw. She drew her wool down through the canvas and, scarcely able to refrain from laughing, stooped as if trying to make out the pattern. “How do you do, cousin?” said Pierre. “You don’t recognize me?” “I recognize you only too well, too well.” “How is the count? Can I see him?” asked Pierre, awkwardly as usual, but unabashed. “The count is suffering physically and mentally, and apparently you have done your best to increase his mental sufferings.” “Can I see the count?” Pierre again asked. “Hm.... If you wish to kill him, to kill him outright, you can see him... Olga, go and see whether Uncle’s beef tea is ready—it is almost time,” she added, giving Pierre to understand that they were busy, and busy making his father comfortable, while evidently he, Pierre, was only busy causing him annoyance. Olga went out. Pierre stood looking at the sisters; then he bowed and said: “Then I will go to my rooms. You will let me know when I can see him.” And he left the room, followed by the low but ringing laughter of the sister with the mole. Next day Prince Vasíli had arrived and settled in the count’s house. He sent for Pierre and said to him: “My dear fellow, if you are going to behave here as you did in Petersburg, you will end very badly; that is all I have to say to you. The count is very, very ill,...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Honest Disruption
Speaking uncomfortable truth directly often earns more respect than participating in polite deception or avoidance.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when everyone is performing politeness while avoiding obvious truths.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when conversations feel exhausting because everyone's dancing around something obvious—then consider whether naming it directly might actually help.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Social exile
When someone is deliberately excluded or shunned by their social group as punishment for breaking unwritten rules. The person isn't formally banned, but everyone treats them like they don't exist or are contaminated.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone gets 'canceled' on social media or frozen out at work after a scandal.
Inheritance vultures
Family members or acquaintances who hover around wealthy dying people, positioning themselves to benefit from the will. They often disguise their motives as love or duty while calculating their potential gains.
Modern Usage:
Still happens today when distant relatives suddenly show up when grandpa gets sick and rich.
Grandiose fantasy
Elaborate daydreams where someone imagines themselves as powerful, important, or heroic to escape feelings of inadequacy or failure. It's a way to avoid dealing with real problems by living in an imaginary world where you're the star.
Modern Usage:
Like scrolling social media imagining your perfect life or daydreaming about winning the lottery instead of paying bills.
Direct honesty
Speaking uncomfortable truths plainly instead of dancing around them with polite lies or hints. It requires courage because it makes others uncomfortable, but often earns more respect than deception.
Modern Usage:
Like telling your friend their relationship is toxic instead of just saying 'that's rough' when they complain.
Russian nobility
The aristocratic class in 19th century Russia who lived off inherited wealth and land worked by serfs. They spoke French, had elaborate social rules, and often had little purpose beyond maintaining their status.
Modern Usage:
Similar to today's wealthy elite who live off trust funds and family connections.
Coming of age transformation
The dramatic change that happens when someone grows from childhood into adulthood, often making them unrecognizable to people who knew them as children. It involves both physical changes and new social roles.
Modern Usage:
Like running into someone from high school and barely recognizing them because they've completely changed.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre
Disgraced protagonist
Returns home in shame after his wild behavior in Petersburg. He's treated like a pariah by his father's household and escapes into grandiose fantasies about being Napoleon rather than facing his problems.
Modern Equivalent:
The family disappointment who moves back home after screwing up
Boris Drubetskoy
Transformed youth
Has grown from the boy Pierre once knew into a composed young officer. He demonstrates remarkable maturity by speaking directly about the awkward topic of Pierre's inheritance instead of dancing around it.
Modern Equivalent:
The kid who grew up and became surprisingly mature and direct
Princess Anna Mikhaylovna
Calculating opportunist
Boris's mother who maintains a vigil at the dying count's bedside, claiming duty while clearly hoping for inheritance benefits. She represents those who disguise self-interest as virtue.
Modern Equivalent:
The relative who suddenly becomes very caring when money is involved
The princesses
Judgmental gatekeepers
The count's daughters who treat Pierre like he's diseased when he returns. They represent the social enforcement of shame and exclusion within families.
Modern Equivalent:
The family members who give you the cold shoulder after you embarrass them
Prince Vasili
Authority figure
Warns Pierre to stay away from his dying father, acting as the family's enforcer of Pierre's exile. He maintains the household's rejection of the disgraced son.
Modern Equivalent:
The family patriarch who lays down the law about who's welcome
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Pierre was received as if he were a corpse or a leper."
Context: When Pierre enters the drawing room where his father's daughters are sitting
This vivid comparison shows how completely the family has rejected Pierre. He's not just unwelcome - he's treated as something contaminated or dead. It reveals how social exile works through body language and atmosphere rather than words.
In Today's Words:
Everyone acted like he had the plague or was already dead to them.
"We are poor, but for my own sake I do not wish it and do not ask for anything."
Context: When Boris directly addresses the awkward topic of Pierre's potential inheritance
Boris cuts through all the polite pretense and speaks the uncomfortable truth directly. This honesty, rather than offending Pierre, actually earns his respect and transforms their relationship.
In Today's Words:
Look, we're broke, but I'm not here looking for a handout.
"He imagined himself as Napoleon and pictured the conquest of England."
Context: Pierre alone in his rooms, escaping reality through grandiose fantasies
Shows how Pierre deals with his shame and powerlessness by retreating into elaborate daydreams where he's the most powerful man in the world. It's escapism that prevents him from addressing his real problems.
In Today's Words:
He daydreamed about being the most powerful person alive and taking over countries.
Thematic Threads
Truth vs. Pretense
In This Chapter
Boris chooses direct honesty about money and inheritance while others maintain polite fictions
Development
Building on earlier themes of social performance, now showing the power of breaking those patterns
In Your Life:
You might face this when everyone's pretending a workplace problem doesn't exist but you're tempted to name it directly.
Class Anxiety
In This Chapter
Pierre's inheritance prospects create awkward dynamics with visitors who want money but can't ask directly
Development
Continuing exploration of how money and class position affect relationships
In Your Life:
You might experience this when financial differences make friendships or family relationships complicated.
Escapism
In This Chapter
Pierre retreats into Napoleon fantasies rather than dealing with his real situation and relationships
Development
Introduced here as Pierre's coping mechanism for social pressure and isolation
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in your own tendency to lose yourself in social media, TV, or daydreams when real life feels overwhelming.
Respect Through Integrity
In This Chapter
Boris earns Pierre's admiration by refusing to compromise his principles even when poor
Development
New theme showing how moral consistency can command respect across class lines
In Your Life:
You might find that standing by your values, even when it's financially costly, actually increases how others view you.
Recognition and Growth
In This Chapter
Pierre doesn't initially recognize the grown Boris, symbolizing how people can transform beyond our expectations
Development
Introduced here, exploring how we must update our perceptions as people change
In Your Life:
You might need to recognize when someone in your life has grown beyond the role you've always assigned them.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What different strategies do the characters use to deal with the awkward situation around Pierre's potential inheritance?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Boris's direct approach initially make Pierre uncomfortable, but ultimately earn his respect?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone cut through polite pretense by naming what everyone knows but won't say? How did people react?
application • medium - 4
When is it worth risking awkwardness to speak truth directly, and when is it better to maintain polite fiction?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about why we often respect people who make us uncomfortable with their honesty more than those who tell us what we want to hear?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Practice the Uncomfortable Truth
Think of a situation in your life where everyone is dancing around an obvious truth - at work, in your family, or with friends. Write down what that truth is, then practice how you would state it directly but kindly. Consider the difference between being honest and being cruel.
Consider:
- •Focus on stating facts, not making judgments about people's character
- •Think about timing - when would this conversation be most productive
- •Consider what outcome you actually want from speaking this truth
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's direct honesty with you felt uncomfortable but ultimately helped you. What made their approach effective rather than just harsh?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 17: The Weight of Money and Friendship
The coming pages reveal financial stress affects relationships and behavior, and teach us the dynamics of asking for and giving money between friends. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.