Summary
Pierre searches frantically through Moscow for Anatole, the man who tried to elope with young Natasha. At his club, Pierre hears gossip about the scandal but pretends nothing happened. When he finally finds Anatole at his own home, visiting Pierre's wife Hélène, Pierre forces a private confrontation. In his study, Pierre demands answers: Did Anatole promise to marry Natasha? Does he have her letters? Anatole tries to dodge responsibility, claiming he never made real promises. Pierre's anger builds as he realizes how casually Anatole has played with an innocent girl's life. He explains that there's a difference between seducing experienced women like Hélène and deceiving a young, trusting girl. When Anatole tries to turn the confrontation into a matter of honor, demanding Pierre take back his harsh words, Pierre surprisingly backs down and even offers money for Anatole's departure. The next day, Anatole leaves for Petersburg. This chapter shows Pierre learning to channel his protective instincts into action, even when it means confronting powerful people in his own social circle. It reveals how the wealthy and privileged often remain oblivious to the real consequences of their selfish actions on others' lives.
Coming Up in Chapter 166
With Anatole gone, the immediate crisis seems resolved, but the emotional aftermath for those involved is just beginning. Pierre must now face the deeper questions about his own life and relationships that this confrontation has stirred up.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Pierre did not stay for dinner, but left the room and went away at once. He drove through the town seeking Anatole Kurágin, at the thought of whom now the blood rushed to his heart and he felt a difficulty in breathing. He was not at the ice hills, nor at the gypsies’, nor at Komoneno’s. Pierre drove to the Club. In the Club all was going on as usual. The members who were assembling for dinner were sitting about in groups; they greeted Pierre and spoke of the town news. The footman having greeted him, knowing his habits and his acquaintances, told him there was a place left for him in the small dining room and that Prince Michael Zakhárych was in the library, but Paul Timoféevich had not yet arrived. One of Pierre’s acquaintances, while they were talking about the weather, asked if he had heard of Kurágin’s abduction of Rostóva which was talked of in the town, and was it true? Pierre laughed and said it was nonsense for he had just come from the Rostóvs’. He asked everyone about Anatole. One man told him he had not come yet, and another that he was coming to dinner. Pierre felt it strange to see this calm, indifferent crowd of people unaware of what was going on in his soul. He paced through the ballroom, waited till everyone had come, and as Anatole had not turned up did not stay for dinner but drove home. Anatole, for whom Pierre was looking, dined that day with Dólokhov, consulting him as to how to remedy this unfortunate affair. It seemed to him essential to see Natásha. In the evening he drove to his sister’s to discuss with her how to arrange a meeting. When Pierre returned home after vainly hunting all over Moscow, his valet informed him that Prince Anatole was with the countess. The countess’ drawing room was full of guests. Pierre without greeting his wife whom he had not seen since his return—at that moment she was more repulsive to him than ever—entered the drawing room and seeing Anatole went up to him. “Ah, Pierre,” said the countess going up to her husband. “You don’t know what a plight our Anatole...” She stopped, seeing in the forward thrust of her husband’s head, in his glowing eyes and his resolute gait, the terrible indications of that rage and strength which she knew and had herself experienced after his duel with Dólokhov. “Where you are, there is vice and evil!” said Pierre to his wife. “Anatole, come with me! I must speak to you,” he added in French. Anatole glanced round at his sister and rose submissively, ready to follow Pierre. Pierre, taking him by the arm, pulled him toward himself and was leading him from the room. “If you allow yourself in my drawing room...” whispered Hélène, but Pierre did not reply and went out of the room. Anatole followed him with his usual jaunty step but his face...
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 Accountability
The internal struggle between maintaining comfortable relationships and holding people accountable for harm they've caused to others.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how manipulative people avoid accountability by minimizing harm, blaming others, or turning confrontation back on the confronter.
Practice This Today
Next time someone deflects responsibility with 'I never promised anything' or 'You're overreacting,' notice the pattern and stay focused on the actual harm caused.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Abduction
In 19th-century Russia, this meant running away to marry without parental consent, often involving deception or coercion. It was a serious social scandal that could ruin a young woman's reputation forever.
Modern Usage:
Today we see similar patterns when someone manipulates a vulnerable person into risky decisions, like romance scams or predatory relationships.
Honor
A man's public reputation and social standing, especially regarding his word and conduct. Questioning someone's honor could lead to duels or social exile.
Modern Usage:
We still see this in how people protect their reputation on social media or in professional settings when called out for bad behavior.
The Club
An exclusive gentleman's social club where wealthy men gathered to dine, gamble, and conduct informal business. These were centers of gossip and social power.
Modern Usage:
Think country clubs, exclusive networking events, or even high-end bars where business deals happen over drinks.
Letters
Personal correspondence that could serve as evidence of romantic promises or compromising situations. Possessing a woman's letters gave a man power over her reputation.
Modern Usage:
Today this would be like having someone's private texts, photos, or social media messages that could embarrass or damage them.
Social circle
The interconnected network of wealthy families who controlled society through marriages, business, and influence. Everyone knew everyone's business.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how drama spreads through tight-knit communities, workplaces, or social media networks where everyone knows each other.
Confrontation
A direct challenge between men of the same social class, often involving accusations that threatened reputation and could escalate to violence.
Modern Usage:
We see this when someone finally calls out a person's bad behavior directly, whether in person, at work, or publicly online.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre
Protagonist seeking justice
Pierre transforms from passive observer to active protector, hunting down Anatole and demanding accountability. His confrontation shows him learning to use his social position for good rather than just drifting through life.
Modern Equivalent:
The usually quiet person who finally stands up to a bully
Anatole Kurágin
Antagonist and manipulator
Anatole represents the careless privilege of the wealthy elite. He tries to dodge responsibility for nearly ruining Natasha, treating the whole affair as a game rather than recognizing the real harm he caused.
Modern Equivalent:
The charming player who ghosts people and acts like it's no big deal
Hélène
Enabling accomplice
Pierre's wife who hosts Anatole in their home, showing how she enables his destructive behavior. Her presence highlights the corrupt social network that protects men like Anatole.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who covers for someone's bad behavior
Club members
Gossiping bystanders
They spread rumors about the scandal while remaining completely detached from the human cost. They represent how society turns real pain into entertainment.
Modern Equivalent:
People who share drama on social media without caring about the real people involved
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Pierre felt it strange to see this calm, indifferent crowd of people unaware of what was going on in his soul."
Context: Pierre observes the club members casually gossiping about Natasha's scandal
This shows how isolated we feel when experiencing intense emotions while everyone else goes about their normal lives. It highlights the disconnect between public gossip and private anguish.
In Today's Words:
It was weird how everyone was just chatting normally when he felt like his world was falling apart.
"You have promised to marry her and... you have abducted her, and yet you seem to think you have no duties toward her?"
Context: Pierre confronts Anatole about his treatment of Natasha
Pierre demands accountability from someone who sees no connection between his actions and their consequences. This represents the moment when someone finally calls out destructive behavior.
In Today's Words:
You led her on and messed with her life, and you think you don't owe her anything?
"I don't understand what you are driving at."
Context: Anatole's response when Pierre demands he take responsibility
This shows how people who cause harm often genuinely don't understand why others are upset. Anatole's confusion reveals his complete lack of empathy or awareness of consequences.
In Today's Words:
I have no idea what your problem is.
Thematic Threads
Class Privilege
In This Chapter
Anatole's casual dismissal of consequences shows how wealth insulates people from accountability
Development
Builds on earlier themes of aristocratic detachment from real-world consequences
In Your Life:
You might see this when wealthy people in your community face different consequences than working-class people for similar actions.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Pierre learns to channel protective instincts into direct action, even imperfectly
Development
Continues Pierre's evolution from passive observer to someone who takes stands
In Your Life:
You experience this when you finally speak up about something wrong, even when your execution isn't perfect.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The club gossip and Pierre's pretense show how social circles police behavior through reputation
Development
Deepens exploration of how society enforces norms through social pressure
In Your Life:
You see this in how workplace gossip or community talk can pressure people to conform or hide problems.
Deflection
In This Chapter
Anatole minimizes his promises to Natasha and tries to turn confrontation into a matter of honor
Development
Introduced here as a pattern of avoiding accountability
In Your Life:
You encounter this when someone responds to criticism by attacking your right to criticize rather than addressing the issue.
Compromise
In This Chapter
Pierre offers money instead of demanding real accountability, showing how difficult sustained confrontation becomes
Development
Introduced here as the gap between moral clarity and practical action
In Your Life:
You experience this when you settle for partial solutions because full accountability feels too costly or difficult to maintain.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Pierre discover about Anatole's relationship with Natasha, and how does Anatole respond when confronted?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Pierre's anger fade into compromise when Anatole tries to make it about 'honor'? What does this reveal about social pressure?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or family - where have you seen someone deflect responsibility by turning the conversation back on their accuser?
application • medium - 4
If you were Pierre, knowing that giving money might just enable Anatole's future bad behavior, what would you do differently?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter teach us about the difference between keeping peace and actually protecting people from harm?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Accountability Moment
Think of a situation where someone in your circle has hurt or wronged another person. Write down the deflection tactics they used (minimizing, blaming others, making you the problem). Then map out what a firm but fair confrontation might have looked like, focusing on specific behaviors rather than character attacks.
Consider:
- •Notice how deflection tactics make you question your own perceptions
- •Consider what outcome would actually protect the person who was harmed
- •Think about which relationships are worth preserving versus which enable ongoing harm
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose keeping peace over protecting someone. What would you do differently now, and what specific words would you use to address the situation directly?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 166: The Cold Aftermath of Betrayal
As the story unfolds, you'll explore people cope with betrayal by throwing themselves into unrelated arguments, while uncovering some people find it easier to forgive strangers than loved ones. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.