Summary
At the Rostov dinner party, war talk dominates the men's conversation. A German colonel recites official propaganda about why Russia must fight Napoleon, while the cynical Shinshín questions the wisdom of getting involved. Young Nicholas, eager to prove his military enthusiasm, declares Russians must 'die or conquer'—words that sound hollow even as he speaks them. His dramatic patriotism impresses some guests but reveals his inexperience more than his courage. Meanwhile, Natasha creates her own small rebellion by boldly demanding to know what dessert will be served, repeatedly challenging the formidable Márya Dmítrievna despite social protocol. Her audacity delights everyone precisely because it breaks the rules—unlike the men's war talk, which follows predictable scripts. The contrast is telling: while the men perform courage through empty phrases about dying for the emperor, Natasha shows real boldness by risking social disapproval over something as simple as ice cream flavors. Tolstoy reveals how dinner party conversations often mask deeper anxieties—the adults speak of war with rehearsed confidence while privately fearing what's coming. The chapter exposes the gap between public performance and private uncertainty, showing how people use familiar social roles to navigate unfamiliar fears. Both the war discussion and Natasha's dessert rebellion demonstrate how individuals assert themselves within group dynamics, though with vastly different stakes and authenticity.
Coming Up in Chapter 20
The evening continues as the guests move to other rooms, but the war preparations that dominated dinner conversation are about to become much more personal and immediate for the Rostov family.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
t the men’s end of the table the talk grew more and more animated. The colonel told them that the declaration of war had already appeared in Petersburg and that a copy, which he had himself seen, had that day been forwarded by courier to the commander in chief. “And why the deuce are we going to fight Bonaparte?” remarked Shinshín. “He has stopped Austria’s cackle and I fear it will be our turn next.” The colonel was a stout, tall, plethoric German, evidently devoted to the service and patriotically Russian. He resented Shinshín’s remark. “It is for the reasson, my goot sir,” said he, speaking with a German accent, “for the reasson zat ze Emperor knows zat. He declares in ze manifessto zat he cannot fiew wiz indifference ze danger vreatening Russia and zat ze safety and dignity of ze Empire as vell as ze sanctity of its alliances...” he spoke this last word with particular emphasis as if in it lay the gist of the matter. Then with the unerring official memory that characterized him he repeated from the opening words of the manifesto: ... and the wish, which constitutes the Emperor’s sole and absolute aim—to establish peace in Europe on firm foundations—has now decided him to despatch part of the army abroad and to create a new condition for the attainment of that purpose. “Zat, my dear sir, is vy...” he concluded, drinking a tumbler of wine with dignity and looking to the count for approval. “Connaissez-vous le Proverbe:* ‘Jerome, Jerome, do not roam, but turn spindles at home!’?” said Shinshín, puckering his brows and smiling. “Cela nous convient à merveille.*(2) Suvórov now—he knew what he was about; yet they beat him à plate couture,*(3) and where are we to find Suvórovs now? Je vous demande un peu,” *(4) said he, continually changing from French to Russian. *Do you know the proverb? *(2) That suits us down to the ground. *(3) Hollow. *(4) I just ask you that. “Ve must vight to the last tr-r-op of our plood!” said the colonel, thumping the table; “and ve must tie for our Emperor, and zen all vill pe vell. And ve must discuss it as little as po-o-ossible”... he dwelt particularly on the word possible... “as po-o-ossible,” he ended, again turning to the count. “Zat is how ve old hussars look at it, and zere’s an end of it! And how do you, a young man and a young hussar, how do you judge of it?” he added, addressing Nicholas, who when he heard that the war was being discussed had turned from his partner with eyes and ears intent on the colonel. “I am quite of your opinion,” replied Nicholas, flaming up, turning his plate round and moving his wineglasses about with as much decision and desperation as though he were at that moment facing some great danger. “I am convinced that we Russians must die or conquer,” he concluded, conscious—as were others—after the words were uttered that...
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 Performed Courage
When feeling pressure to prove ourselves, we often perform borrowed roles rather than act from authentic conviction.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between people speaking from genuine experience versus those performing expertise with borrowed language.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone uses impressive-sounding phrases that could have come from anywhere—then ask yourself what their actual experience might be.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Manifesto
An official public declaration explaining a government's reasons for war or major policy. In this chapter, the colonel quotes from the Tsar's manifesto justifying Russia's entry into war against Napoleon. These documents were meant to rally public support and make military action seem necessary and noble.
Modern Usage:
Politicians still issue manifestos or official statements to justify controversial decisions, from military interventions to major policy changes.
Patriotic Performance
The act of publicly displaying loyalty and nationalism, often through rehearsed phrases and expected responses. Nicholas demonstrates this by declaring Russians must 'die or conquer' - words that sound impressive but reveal his inexperience more than genuine conviction.
Modern Usage:
We see this in social media posts during national crises, workplace meetings where everyone agrees with the boss, or any situation where people perform expected attitudes rather than express genuine feelings.
Social Protocol
The unwritten rules governing behavior in formal social situations. Natasha breaks protocol by repeatedly demanding to know about dessert, challenging the formidable Márya Dmítrievna despite expectations that young people should remain quiet and deferential.
Modern Usage:
Every workplace, family gathering, or social group has unspoken rules about who can speak when, what topics are acceptable, and how to show respect to authority figures.
Official Memory
The ability to recite government positions, propaganda, or institutional talking points word-for-word. The German colonel demonstrates this by perfectly quoting the imperial manifesto, showing his devotion to duty and official doctrine.
Modern Usage:
Corporate employees who can recite company mission statements, politicians who stick to talking points, or anyone who repeats institutional messaging without question.
Dinner Party Politics
The way serious topics get discussed in social settings, often mixing genuine concern with performance and social positioning. The men's war talk follows predictable patterns while masking real anxieties about the coming conflict.
Modern Usage:
Holiday family dinners where relatives debate current events, workplace lunches discussing company changes, or any social gathering where people navigate serious topics while maintaining social harmony.
Empty Heroics
Grand statements about courage and sacrifice that sound impressive but lack real understanding or commitment. Nicholas's declaration about dying for Russia impresses the adults but reveals his romantic, unrealistic view of war.
Modern Usage:
Social media posts about 'taking a stand,' workplace volunteers who offer to lead projects they don't understand, or anyone who makes dramatic commitments without grasping the real consequences.
Characters in This Chapter
The German Colonel
Military authority figure
He recites official propaganda about the war with perfect accuracy, showing his devotion to duty and the imperial cause. His German accent and formal manner emphasize his role as a professional soldier who follows orders without question.
Modern Equivalent:
The corporate manager who always repeats company talking points
Shinshín
Cynical questioner
He dares to ask why Russia should fight Napoleon, challenging the official narrative and expressing the doubts others feel but won't voice. His skepticism cuts through the patriotic rhetoric to reveal practical concerns about the war's wisdom.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who asks uncomfortable questions in meetings
Nicholas Rostov
Eager young patriot
He declares that Russians must 'die or conquer,' trying to prove his military enthusiasm and adult sophistication. His dramatic words impress some guests but reveal his inexperience and romantic view of warfare more than genuine courage.
Modern Equivalent:
The recent college grad who volunteers for everything at their first job
Natasha
Rule-breaking youth
She repeatedly demands to know what dessert will be served, boldly challenging social protocol and the formidable Márya Dmítrievna. Her audacity delights everyone precisely because it breaks the rules with genuine spontaneity.
Modern Equivalent:
The kid who asks the questions adults are thinking but won't say
Márya Dmítrievna
Social authority
She represents the established social order that Natasha challenges with her dessert demands. Her formidable presence makes Natasha's boldness even more remarkable and entertaining to the other guests.
Modern Equivalent:
The strict teacher or boss everyone's afraid to challenge
Key Quotes & Analysis
"And why the deuce are we going to fight Bonaparte?"
Context: He questions the wisdom of going to war while others recite patriotic rhetoric
This simple question cuts through all the official propaganda and patriotic posturing to the heart of the matter. Shinshín dares to voice what others might be thinking but won't say - that this war might not be in Russia's best interests.
In Today's Words:
Why are we getting involved in this mess?
"It is for the reasson, my goot sir, for the reasson zat ze Emperor knows zat"
Context: His response to Shinshín's skeptical question about the war
The colonel's broken English and appeal to imperial authority show how he deflects difficult questions with official doctrine. He can't really answer why the war is necessary, so he falls back on 'the Emperor knows best.'
In Today's Words:
Because that's what the boss decided, and the boss knows what's best
"We must die or conquer"
Context: His dramatic declaration of patriotic resolve during the dinner conversation
These grand words sound heroic but reveal Nicholas's inexperience and romantic view of war. He's performing the role of a brave soldier without understanding what death or conquest actually mean.
In Today's Words:
We'll give it everything we've got, no matter what it takes
Thematic Threads
Social Performance
In This Chapter
Nicholas performs patriotic fervor with borrowed phrases while Natasha shows genuine boldness through simple directness
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you catch yourself using language that sounds impressive but doesn't reflect your actual thoughts or experience.
Class Expectations
In This Chapter
Dinner party conversation follows predictable scripts based on social roles—men discuss war, women manage social harmony
Development
Building from earlier social gatherings
In Your Life:
You see this in how different groups at work or family gatherings have unspoken rules about what topics are acceptable for whom.
Authentic Rebellion
In This Chapter
Natasha's dessert demands break social protocol but reveal genuine personality, unlike the men's scripted war talk
Development
Continues Natasha's pattern of authentic self-expression
In Your Life:
You might notice how small, genuine acts of self-assertion often feel more risky but more satisfying than grand gestures.
Hidden Anxiety
In This Chapter
Adults speak confidently about war while privately uncertain, using familiar social roles to mask deeper fears
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You see this when people become more formal or use more jargon when they're actually feeling most uncertain about a situation.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What's the difference between how Nicholas talks about war and how Natasha approaches getting dessert information?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Nicholas use grand phrases like 'die or conquer' when he's never been in battle?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people using borrowed impressive language instead of speaking from their own experience?
application • medium - 4
How can you tell when someone (including yourself) is performing confidence versus actually feeling confident?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between real courage and social approval?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Script vs. Authentic Response Audit
Think of three situations where you regularly speak or act: work meetings, family discussions, social media, parenting, etc. For each situation, write down one thing you typically say that sounds good but might be borrowed from others, and one thing you'd say if you spoke purely from your own experience. Notice the difference in how each feels to write.
Consider:
- •Borrowed language often sounds more impressive but feels hollow when you examine it
- •Authentic responses might seem smaller but usually contain more practical wisdom
- •The gap between performed and genuine responses reveals where you feel most pressure to impress others
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you used impressive-sounding words or actions to cover uncertainty. What were you actually feeling? What would have happened if you'd been more authentic about not knowing?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 20: When Family Drama Crashes the Party
The evening continues as the guests move to other rooms, but the war preparations that dominated dinner conversation are about to become much more personal and immediate for the Rostov family.
