Summary
Márya Dmítrievna discovers Natásha's failed elopement attempt and locks her in her room, furious but determined to protect the family's reputation. When she confronts Natásha, she finds a young woman destroyed not just by disappointment, but by crushing shame. Natásha lies motionless, eyes dry but body wracked with silent sobs, insisting she'd rather die than face the consequences. The older woman tries tough love, pointing out the scandal this would cause—her father might challenge Anatole to a duel, her brother would be dishonored, her former fiancé humiliated. But Natásha is beyond caring about social consequences; she's drowning in self-loathing. When Count Rostóv returns the next day, he finds his daughter hollow-eyed and withdrawn, claiming illness. Though he senses something terrible has happened, he chooses willful ignorance over painful truth, prioritizing his own peace of mind. This chapter reveals how shame operates differently than guilt—while guilt says 'I did something bad,' shame whispers 'I am bad.' Natásha isn't just upset about her failed escape; she's convinced she's fundamentally flawed. Meanwhile, we see two different protective responses: Márya Dmítrievna's fierce damage control and the Count's deliberate blindness. Both stem from love, but neither addresses Natásha's core wound. The chapter shows how families often conspire to maintain comfortable illusions rather than face difficult truths together.
Coming Up in Chapter 164
Count Rostóv's willful ignorance won't last long. Sometimes the truth has a way of forcing itself into the light, no matter how hard we try to keep it buried.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Márya Dmítrievna, having found Sónya weeping in the corridor, made her confess everything, and intercepting the note to Natásha she read it and went into Natásha’s room with it in her hand. “You shameless good-for-nothing!” said she. “I won’t hear a word.” Pushing back Natásha who looked at her with astonished but tearless eyes, she locked her in; and having given orders to the yard porter to admit the persons who would be coming that evening, but not to let them out again, and having told the footman to bring them up to her, she seated herself in the drawing room to await the abductors. When Gabriel came to inform her that the men who had come had run away again, she rose frowning, and clasping her hands behind her paced through the rooms a long time considering what she should do. Toward midnight she went to Natásha’s room fingering the key in her pocket. Sónya was sitting sobbing in the corridor. “Márya Dmítrievna, for God’s sake let me in to her!” she pleaded, but Márya Dmítrievna unlocked the door and went in without giving her an answer.... “Disgusting, abominable... In my house... horrid girl, hussy! I’m only sorry for her father!” thought she, trying to restrain her wrath. “Hard as it may be, I’ll tell them all to hold their tongues and will hide it from the count.” She entered the room with resolute steps. Natásha lying on the sofa, her head hidden in her hands, and she did not stir. She was in just the same position in which Márya Dmítrievna had left her. “A nice girl! Very nice!” said Márya Dmítrievna. “Arranging meetings with lovers in my house! It’s no use pretending: you listen when I speak to you!” And Márya Dmítrievna touched her arm. “Listen when I speak! You’ve disgraced yourself like the lowest of hussies. I’d treat you differently, but I’m sorry for your father, so I will conceal it.” Natásha did not change her position, but her whole body heaved with noiseless, convulsive sobs which choked her. Márya Dmítrievna glanced round at Sónya and seated herself on the sofa beside Natásha. “It’s lucky for him that he escaped me; but I’ll find him!” she said in her rough voice. “Do you hear what I am saying or not?” she added. She put her large hand under Natásha’s face and turned it toward her. Both Márya Dmítrievna and Sónya were amazed when they saw how Natásha looked. Her eyes were dry and glistening, her lips compressed, her cheeks sunken. “Let me be!... What is it to me?... I shall die!” she muttered, wrenching herself from Márya Dmítrievna’s hands with a vicious effort and sinking down again into her former position. “Natalie!” said Márya Dmítrievna. “I wish for your good. Lie still, stay like that then, I won’t touch you. But listen. I won’t tell you how guilty you are. You know that yourself. But when your father comes back tomorrow what am I to tell...
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 Protective Blindness
Families and groups choose comfortable avoidance over painful truth, inadvertently deepening the crisis they're trying to manage.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone has moved beyond 'I did something bad' (guilt) into 'I am bad' (shame)—a crucial distinction for knowing how to help.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's self-criticism shifts from specific actions to global self-condemnation, then respond to the person, not just the behavior.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Elopement
Running away to get married secretly, usually without parental permission. In 19th century Russia, this was scandalous because marriages were family arrangements involving property and social status. A failed elopement could ruin a young woman's reputation permanently.
Modern Usage:
We still see this when couples run off to Vegas or get married without telling their families, though the social consequences are much less severe today.
Family honor
The idea that one person's actions reflect on their entire family's reputation and social standing. In aristocratic society, a daughter's scandal could affect her siblings' marriage prospects and her father's business relationships. Honor was more valuable than money.
Modern Usage:
We see this in families where one person's mistakes affect everyone - like when a scandal hurts a family business or when parents worry about what the neighbors will think.
Dueling culture
The social expectation that gentlemen would fight duels to defend their honor or their family's reputation. Refusing a duel was considered cowardly, but participating could mean death. It was both a way to settle disputes and maintain social order.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in workplace conflicts, social media feuds, or any situation where people feel they must 'defend their reputation' publicly, even when it's risky.
Shame versus guilt
Guilt is feeling bad about something you did wrong - it's about actions. Shame is feeling like you ARE wrong - it's about your core identity. Shame is much more destructive because it attacks who you are, not just what you've done.
Modern Usage:
This shows up everywhere - from kids who think they're 'bad' instead of understanding they made a mistake, to adults who can't forgive themselves for past choices.
Protective denial
When people choose not to see or acknowledge painful truths because facing them would be too difficult. It's a defense mechanism that prioritizes emotional comfort over reality, often seen in families dealing with addiction, abuse, or scandal.
Modern Usage:
We see this when families ignore obvious problems like addiction, mental illness, or abuse because addressing them would be too painful or disruptive.
Chaperone system
The social requirement that unmarried women be supervised by older, married women to prevent improper behavior. Young women couldn't be alone with men or make independent social decisions. This system controlled female sexuality and maintained class boundaries.
Modern Usage:
We still see versions of this in some cultures and families, or in workplace policies about meetings behind closed doors, though it's much less rigid now.
Characters in This Chapter
Márya Dmítrievna
Protective authority figure
She discovers Natásha's failed elopement and immediately shifts into damage control mode. She's furious but focused on protecting the family's reputation and preventing worse consequences. Her anger comes from genuine care, but she uses tough love and practical solutions rather than emotional support.
Modern Equivalent:
The family matriarch who handles crises - thinks like a crisis manager mixed with a protective grandmother
Natásha
Fallen protagonist
She's completely destroyed by shame after her failed elopement attempt. More than just disappointed about the failed plan, she's convinced she's fundamentally flawed as a person. She's moved beyond caring about social consequences into pure self-loathing and wants to disappear entirely.
Modern Equivalent:
The young person who made a major mistake and now thinks their life is completely ruined
Sónya
Loyal friend/witness
She knows what happened and is desperately trying to help Natásha, but she's powerless against Márya Dmítrievna's authority. She represents the position of someone who cares but can't fix the situation, only witness the aftermath.
Modern Equivalent:
The best friend who knows all the drama but can't do anything except worry and try to be supportive
Count Rostóv
Willfully ignorant father
He returns to find his daughter obviously suffering but chooses not to investigate what's wrong. He senses something terrible has happened but prioritizes his own peace of mind over getting to the truth. His love manifests as avoidance rather than confrontation.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who suspects their kid is in trouble but doesn't ask questions because they don't want to deal with the answer
Gabriel
Messenger/servant
He reports that the men involved in the elopement attempt have fled, confirming that the plan has completely fallen apart. He represents how servants often know family secrets but must remain neutral observers.
Modern Equivalent:
The employee or family friend who knows what's happening but has to stay professional and not get involved
Key Quotes & Analysis
"You shameless good-for-nothing!"
Context: Her first words when confronting Natásha about the elopement attempt
This shows how quickly shame gets weaponized when people are angry and scared. Márya Dmítrievna isn't just angry about what Natásha did - she's attacking who Natásha is. This kind of language deepens shame rather than addressing the actual problem.
In Today's Words:
You're completely worthless and have no morals!
"I'm only sorry for her father!"
Context: Her thoughts while trying to control her anger about the situation
This reveals how scandals ripple through families. She's not just worried about Natásha - she's thinking about how this will hurt the Count, affect the family's reputation, and potentially lead to violence through dueling. One person's choices impact everyone.
In Today's Words:
I feel terrible for what this is going to do to her dad!
"Hard as it may be, I'll tell them all to hold their tongues and will hide it from the count."
Context: Her decision about how to handle the crisis
This shows the classic family response to scandal - cover it up rather than deal with it openly. She's choosing protection through secrecy, which often backfires because secrets create more problems than truth. Her intentions are good but her method may cause more harm.
In Today's Words:
I'll make sure everyone keeps quiet about this and we won't tell her father what really happened.
Thematic Threads
Shame
In This Chapter
Natásha believes she's fundamentally flawed, not just that she made a mistake
Development
Deepened from earlier social anxiety into core identity crisis
In Your Life:
Notice when you shift from 'I messed up' to 'I'm a mess-up'—that's shame talking.
Family Protection
In This Chapter
Count Rostóv chooses willful ignorance to avoid painful truth about his daughter
Development
Evolved from earlier loving indulgence into active denial
In Your Life:
Sometimes protecting family means facing hard truths together, not avoiding them.
Social Reputation
In This Chapter
Márya Dmítrievna focuses on damage control and preventing scandal
Development
Consistent thread of reputation management over individual wellbeing
In Your Life:
Ask yourself: are you solving the problem or just managing how it looks?
Emotional Isolation
In This Chapter
Natásha withdraws completely, unable to accept comfort or connection
Development
Progressed from social awkwardness to complete emotional shutdown
In Your Life:
When you're spiraling, isolation feels protective but actually makes everything worse.
Avoidance
In This Chapter
Everyone in the household conspires to maintain comfortable illusions
Development
Introduced here as family-wide coping mechanism
In Your Life:
Notice when your family or workplace has unspoken agreements to not discuss certain topics.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What are the three different ways people respond to Natasha's crisis, and what is each person trying to protect?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Count Rostov choose not to ask his daughter what's wrong, even though he can see she's suffering?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen families or groups choose comfortable lies over difficult truths? What were they avoiding?
application • medium - 4
If you were Natasha's friend, how would you break through the wall of silence and shame without making things worse?
application • deep - 5
What's the difference between protecting someone and enabling their isolation? How can you tell when your kindness is actually harmful?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Family's Silence Zones
Draw a simple family tree or friend group diagram. Mark the topics everyone avoids discussing with each person. Notice patterns: What subjects create the most elaborate avoidance? Who works hardest to maintain these silences? What would happen if someone broke the pattern and spoke honestly about one of these avoided topics?
Consider:
- •Some silences protect genuine privacy - focus on the ones that enable harm or prevent healing
- •The person working hardest to maintain silence often has the most to lose if truth comes out
- •Breaking silence requires choosing the right time, place, and approach - not just blurting things out
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's protective silence actually made a situation worse for you. What did you need instead of protection? How would you handle a similar situation now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 164: When the Truth Comes Out
Moving forward, we'll examine avoiding difficult situations often makes them worse, and understand delivering painful truths requires courage and compassion. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.