Summary
Pierre experiences a profound transformation through his love for Natasha. The existential questions that once tormented him—'Why?' and 'What's the point?'—simply vanish. Her image becomes his answer to everything. When he witnesses corruption or human folly, instead of despairing about life's meaninglessness, he thinks of Natasha's smile and feels peace. This isn't because she solved his philosophical problems, but because love transported him to a different realm where such questions don't matter. Pierre continues his dissolute lifestyle, but now feels an growing restlessness and sense that catastrophic change is coming. A fellow Freemason shares a prophecy about Napoleon being the biblical 'beast' whose number is 666, with his power ending after 42 months. Pierre becomes obsessed with numerology, manipulating letters and numbers until he discovers that 'L'russe Besuhof' (himself in French) also equals 666. This convinces him he's destined to play a role in Napoleon's downfall. He connects everything—his love for Natasha, the comet, the invasion, the prophecy—into one grand destiny. Pierre wants to join the army but hesitates, partly due to his Freemason oath of peace, partly from shame at the patriotic posturing he sees, but mainly because he believes he must wait for his prophesied role to unfold. Meanwhile, he delivers military dispatches to the Rostovs, including news of Nicholas's decoration and Prince Andrew's promotion, as Moscow buzzes with rumors of Napoleon's approach and the Tsar's expected arrival.
Coming Up in Chapter 187
Pierre arrives at the Rostovs with military news and official proclamations, but the family's reaction to the updates from the front will reveal how differently each person processes the approaching crisis.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
rom the day when Pierre, after leaving the Rostóvs’ with Natásha’s grateful look fresh in his mind, had gazed at the comet that seemed to be fixed in the sky and felt that something new was appearing on his own horizon—from that day the problem of the vanity and uselessness of all earthly things, that had incessantly tormented him, no longer presented itself. That terrible question “Why?” “Wherefore?” which had come to him amid every occupation, was now replaced, not by another question or by a reply to the former question, but by her image. When he listened to, or himself took part in, trivial conversations, when he read or heard of human baseness or folly, he was not horrified as formerly, and did not ask himself why men struggled so about these things when all is so transient and incomprehensible—but he remembered her as he had last seen her, and all his doubts vanished—not because she had answered the questions that had haunted him, but because his conception of her transferred him instantly to another, a brighter, realm of spiritual activity in which no one could be justified or guilty—a realm of beauty and love which it was worth living for. Whatever worldly baseness presented itself to him, he said to himself: “Well, supposing N. N. has swindled the country and the Tsar, and the country and the Tsar confer honors upon him, what does that matter? She smiled at me yesterday and asked me to come again, and I love her, and no one will ever know it.” And his soul felt calm and peaceful. Pierre still went into society, drank as much and led the same idle and dissipated life, because besides the hours he spent at the Rostóvs’ there were other hours he had to spend somehow, and the habits and acquaintances he had made in Moscow formed a current that bore him along irresistibly. But latterly, when more and more disquieting reports came from the seat of war and Natásha’s health began to improve and she no longer aroused in him the former feeling of careful pity, an ever-increasing restlessness, which he could not explain, took possession of him. He felt that the condition he was in could not continue long, that a catastrophe was coming which would change his whole life, and he impatiently sought everywhere for signs of that approaching catastrophe. One of his brother Masons had revealed to Pierre the following prophecy concerning Napoleon, drawn from the Revelation of St. John. In chapter 13, verse 18, of the Apocalypse, it is said: Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. And in the fifth verse of the same chapter: And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. The French alphabet, written out...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Meaning Through Love
When we find deep love, existential questions vanish not because they're answered, but because love transports us to a realm where such questions become irrelevant.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when love creates genuine peace versus when we twist coincidences into proof we're specially chosen.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you find 'patterns' or 'signs' in your relationships—ask yourself: is this grounding me in reality or helping me avoid difficult truths about what I actually need to do?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Existential crisis
The deep questioning of life's meaning and purpose that can paralyze someone with doubt. Pierre has been tormented by constant 'Why?' and 'What's the point?' questions about everything he does. It's that overwhelming feeling that nothing matters.
Modern Usage:
We see this in midlife crises, depression, or when major life changes make us question everything we thought we knew.
Romantic idealization
When love for someone transforms them into a perfect, almost divine figure who seems to solve all problems. Pierre doesn't love the real Natasha - he loves what she represents to him. Her image becomes his escape from difficult questions.
Modern Usage:
This happens in new relationships when we put someone on a pedestal and think they'll fix everything wrong in our lives.
Numerology
The belief that numbers have mystical meaning and can predict the future. Pierre becomes obsessed with calculating letter values to find hidden messages about Napoleon and himself. It's a way to feel like random events have secret purpose.
Modern Usage:
We see this in horoscopes, conspiracy theories, or when people read meaning into coincidences during stressful times.
Prophecy fulfillment
The belief that you're destined to play a specific role in major events. Pierre convinces himself he's meant to defeat Napoleon based on number calculations. It gives ordinary people a sense of cosmic importance.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in people who think they're chosen for special missions, from religious callings to conspiracy theory believers.
Cognitive dissonance
Holding contradictory beliefs simultaneously. Pierre is a Freemason sworn to peace but wants to fight Napoleon. He despises patriotic posturing but wants to be a war hero. His mind creates elaborate justifications.
Modern Usage:
We do this when we know smoking is bad but keep smoking, or claim to value honesty while telling white lies.
Freemasonry
A secretive fraternal organization that Pierre belongs to, with rituals and oaths including commitments to peace. In Tolstoy's time, Freemasons were seen as progressive intellectuals who discussed philosophy and social reform.
Modern Usage:
Similar to modern professional networks or spiritual communities that have special rituals and claim to make members better people.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre
protagonist
Pierre undergoes a complete psychological transformation through his love for Natasha. His existential torment disappears, replaced by romantic obsession. He becomes convinced through numerology that he's destined to defeat Napoleon, showing how love and crisis can make people create elaborate fantasies about their importance.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who thinks finding his soulmate will solve all his problems, then gets obsessed with conspiracy theories
Natasha
love interest
Though barely present in this chapter, Natasha's image completely dominates Pierre's thoughts. She becomes his answer to life's meaninglessness - not through anything she actually does, but through what he projects onto her. Her smile and request that he visit become cosmic significance.
Modern Equivalent:
The crush who doesn't know they've become someone's entire reason for living
Napoleon
distant antagonist
Napoleon appears only in Pierre's obsessive calculations and prophecies, yet drives the entire chapter. Pierre's numerological discovery that both he and Napoleon equal 666 convinces him they're linked by destiny. Napoleon represents the great historical force Pierre wants to oppose.
Modern Equivalent:
The powerful figure you've never met but become obsessed with defeating or exposing
Key Quotes & Analysis
"That terrible question 'Why?' 'Wherefore?' which had come to him amid every occupation, was now replaced, not by another question or by a reply to the former question, but by her image."
Context: Describing how Pierre's existential crisis disappeared when he fell in love with Natasha
This shows how romantic love can temporarily silence our deepest questions about life's meaning. Pierre doesn't get answers - he just stops asking the questions. It reveals both love's power and its potential to become an escape from reality.
In Today's Words:
Instead of constantly asking 'What's the point of anything?' he just thought about her and felt better.
"Well, supposing N. N. has swindled the country and the Tsar, and the country and the Tsar confer honors upon him, what does that matter? She smiled at me yesterday and asked me to come again tomorrow."
Context: Pierre's response to witnessing corruption and injustice
This reveals how romantic obsession can make someone indifferent to real-world problems. Pierre used to be tormented by human corruption, but now he dismisses it because he has Natasha's smile. It shows both the peace love can bring and its potential to create moral blindness.
In Today's Words:
So what if politicians are corrupt and getting away with it? My crush smiled at me, so nothing else matters.
"L'russe Besuhof - that makes 666. L'empereur Napoleon - that was 666. So that prophecy was fulfilled!"
Context: Pierre calculating that his own name in French equals the same mystical number as Napoleon's
This moment shows Pierre's desperate need to feel significant in historical events. By manipulating numbers until they fit his theory, he convinces himself he's destined to defeat Napoleon. It demonstrates how people create meaning through elaborate mental gymnastics during uncertain times.
In Today's Words:
Holy crap, if I spell my name in French and add up the numbers, I get the same total as Napoleon - this means I'm supposed to stop him!
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Pierre transforms from tormented questioner to someone at peace, but also develops grandiose delusions about his destiny
Development
Evolved from earlier spiritual seeking to love-based transformation with dangerous self-importance
In Your Life:
You might notice how falling in love or finding purpose changes not just how you feel, but who you think you are
Class
In This Chapter
Pierre's wealth allows him to continue dissolute living while playing with prophecies and military dispatches
Development
Consistent theme of how privilege enables both spiritual seeking and self-indulgent fantasy
In Your Life:
You might see how financial security lets some people pursue meaning while others just survive
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Pierre feels shame at patriotic posturing but struggles with expectations to join the army
Development
Ongoing tension between authentic feeling and social pressure to perform patriotism
In Your Life:
You might recognize the awkwardness of being expected to show enthusiasm for causes that feel performative
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Love brings Pierre peace but also leads him into numerological delusions about his special destiny
Development
Growth becomes complicated by the need to feel chosen or special rather than simply human
In Your Life:
You might notice how positive changes in your life can sometimes feed unhealthy beliefs about being uniquely important
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Pierre's love for Natasha gives him peace and purpose, even though they're not together
Development
Shows how love can be transformative even when unrequited or distant
In Your Life:
You might find that caring deeply about someone changes you even when the relationship isn't reciprocal or possible
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Pierre's relationship with Natasha change his approach to life's big questions?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Pierre become obsessed with numerology and prophecies about Napoleon, and what does this reveal about how we create meaning?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today using love or passion to escape difficult questions rather than face them directly?
application • medium - 4
How can you tell the difference between love that grounds you in reality versus love that helps you avoid hard truths?
application • deep - 5
What does Pierre's transformation teach us about the relationship between meaning and the questions we choose to focus on?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Meaning-Making Patterns
Think of a time when you were struggling with big life questions or feeling lost. Write down what those questions were. Then identify what eventually shifted your focus away from those questions - was it a person, goal, belief, or experience? Finally, examine whether that shift helped you grow or helped you avoid dealing with something important.
Consider:
- •Notice whether the shift brought clarity or created new blind spots
- •Consider if the change made you more capable of handling problems or less
- •Ask if this pattern still influences how you handle uncertainty today
Journaling Prompt
Write about a current situation where you might be using love, passion, or belief to avoid facing a difficult truth. What would it look like to let that love ground you in reality instead of helping you escape it?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 187: Unspoken Love and Patriotic Fervor
Pierre arrives at the Rostovs with military news and official proclamations, but the family's reaction to the updates from the front will reveal how differently each person processes the approaching crisis.
