Summary
Pierre finds himself caught in the political maneuvering of military headquarters on the eve of battle. Boris Drubetskoy, ever the opportunist, has positioned himself strategically between two rival factions—Kutuzov's old guard and Bennigsen's ambitious newcomers. He's betting that no matter who wins tomorrow's battle, he'll be on the winning side. This kind of calculated positioning happens everywhere—in offices, families, and communities when big changes loom. Meanwhile, Dolokhov surprises Pierre with a heartfelt apology, embracing him with tears in his eyes. There's something about facing mortality that strips away pretense and makes people want to clear the air. Kutuzov himself shows the human side of leadership, making small talk about Pierre's wife and reciting silly verses to lighten the mood before battle. Even commanders need ways to cope with enormous pressure. The chapter reveals how people handle uncertainty differently—some scheme for advantage, others seek reconciliation, and leaders try to project calm while managing their own fears. Pierre observes it all with his characteristic mixture of curiosity and bewilderment, serving as our window into the complex social dynamics that play out when everyone knows tomorrow might change everything. The militia putting on clean white shirts to die reveals the profound dignity people find in preparing for sacrifice.
Coming Up in Chapter 213
Pierre finally gets his wish to see the battlefield positions firsthand, riding out with Count Bennigsen to survey the Russian defenses. What he discovers about the reality of military strategy versus the theory will challenge everything he thought he understood about war.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Staggering amid the crush, Pierre looked about him. “Count Peter Kirílovich! How did you get here?” said a voice. Pierre looked round. Borís Drubetskóy, brushing his knees with his hand (he had probably soiled them when he, too, had knelt before the icon), came up to him smiling. Borís was elegantly dressed, with a slightly martial touch appropriate to a campaign. He wore a long coat and like Kutúzov had a whip slung across his shoulder. Meanwhile Kutúzov had reached the village and seated himself in the shade of the nearest house, on a bench which one Cossack had run to fetch and another had hastily covered with a rug. An immense and brilliant suite surrounded him. The icon was carried further, accompanied by the throng. Pierre stopped some thirty paces from Kutúzov, talking to Borís. He explained his wish to be present at the battle and to see the position. “This is what you must do,” said Borís. “I will do the honors of the camp to you. You will see everything best from where Count Bennigsen will be. I am in attendance on him, you know; I’ll mention it to him. But if you want to ride round the position, come along with us. We are just going to the left flank. Then when we get back, do spend the night with me and we’ll arrange a game of cards. Of course you know Dmítri Sergéevich? Those are his quarters,” and he pointed to the third house in the village of Górki. “But I should like to see the right flank. They say it’s very strong,” said Pierre. “I should like to start from the Moskvá River and ride round the whole position.” “Well, you can do that later, but the chief thing is the left flank.” “Yes, yes. But where is Prince Bolkónski’s regiment? Can you point it out to me?” “Prince Andrew’s? We shall pass it and I’ll take you to him.” “What about the left flank?” asked Pierre “To tell you the truth, between ourselves, God only knows what state our left flank is in,” said Borís confidentially lowering his voice. “It is not at all what Count Bennigsen intended. He meant to fortify that knoll quite differently, but...” Borís shrugged his shoulders, “his Serene Highness would not have it, or someone persuaded him. You see...” but Borís did not finish, for at that moment Kaysárov, Kutúzov’s adjutant, came up to Pierre. “Ah, Kaysárov!” said Borís, addressing him with an unembarrassed smile, “I was just trying to explain our position to the count. It is amazing how his Serene Highness could so foresee the intentions of the French!” “You mean the left flank?” asked Kaysárov. “Yes, exactly; the left flank is now extremely strong.” Though Kutúzov had dismissed all unnecessary men from the staff, Borís had contrived to remain at headquarters after the changes. He had established himself with Count Bennigsen, who, like all on whom Borís had been in attendance, considered young Prince Drubetskóy...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Crisis Positioning
People instinctively reposition themselves when sensing major change, revealing character through their choice of hedging bets, seeking reconciliation, or projecting false control.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to decode the different survival strategies people use when facing major uncertainty or change.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when colleagues suddenly become overly helpful or apologetic during workplace stress—ask yourself what they're really positioning for.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Suite
A group of attendants, advisors, and officials who surround a powerful person. In military contexts, this includes staff officers, aides-de-camp, and various hangers-on who want to be close to power.
Modern Usage:
Like the entourage around a CEO, celebrity, or politician - people who follow the boss around hoping to benefit from proximity to power.
Left flank
The left side of a military formation when facing the enemy. In battle, controlling the flanks is crucial because they're vulnerable to being surrounded or attacked from the side.
Modern Usage:
We still use 'flanking' in business and politics to mean attacking someone's weak spot or approaching a problem from an unexpected angle.
Position
The strategic placement of troops and defenses before a battle. Choosing good ground - high hills, protected areas, clear sight lines - often determines who wins before the fighting even starts.
Modern Usage:
Like scouting locations for a business or checking out a neighborhood before moving - positioning yourself advantageously before the action begins.
Campaign
A series of military operations in a particular area or for a specific objective. Campaigns can last months or years and involve multiple battles and strategic movements.
Modern Usage:
We use this for any organized effort with multiple phases - political campaigns, marketing campaigns, or fundraising campaigns.
Militia
Citizen-soldiers who aren't professional military but are called up to defend their homeland. They often lack formal training but fight with fierce determination because they're protecting their own communities.
Modern Usage:
Like volunteer firefighters or neighborhood watch groups - regular people who step up when their community needs defending.
Icon
A religious painting or object considered sacred, especially in Russian Orthodox tradition. Soldiers would pray before icons for protection and blessing before battle.
Modern Usage:
Any symbol that people turn to for comfort or luck - like a lucky charm, family photo, or ritual before a big game or job interview.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre
Observer protagonist
Pierre wanders through the military camp trying to understand what's happening before the battle. His civilian perspective lets us see the absurdity and complexity of military politics through fresh eyes.
Modern Equivalent:
The outsider brought into a high-stakes workplace situation who sees all the office politics clearly because they're not invested in the games
Boris Drubetskoy
Opportunistic social climber
Boris has positioned himself strategically between competing military factions, ready to benefit no matter who wins. He offers to show Pierre around, demonstrating his access and connections.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who's always networking with management and hedging their bets during company restructuring
Kutuzov
Seasoned military commander
The old general sits calmly in the shade, surrounded by his staff, projecting confidence before battle. He represents experience and traditional Russian military wisdom.
Modern Equivalent:
The veteran manager who's seen it all and stays cool under pressure while everyone else panics
Count Bennigsen
Rival military leader
Though not directly present, he represents the competing faction that Boris mentions. The tension between different military leaders shows how ego and politics complicate even life-or-death situations.
Modern Equivalent:
The ambitious department head trying to undermine the established boss during a crisis
Dolokhov
Reformed antagonist
Surprisingly approaches Pierre with tears and genuine emotion, apologizing for past wrongs. The approaching battle has stripped away his usual arrogance and made him seek reconciliation.
Modern Equivalent:
The former bully who reaches out before a high school reunion or serious medical diagnosis to make amends
Key Quotes & Analysis
"This is what you must do"
Context: Boris immediately takes charge when Pierre asks about seeing the battle
This reveals Boris's nature - he always has a plan and knows how to work the system. He's already figured out how to turn Pierre's request into an opportunity to show off his own connections and importance.
In Today's Words:
Let me hook you up - I know exactly how to make this work for both of us
"I will do the honors of the camp to you"
Context: Boris offers to be Pierre's guide through the military camp
Boris speaks like he owns the place, though he's just a junior officer. This shows how he inflates his importance and uses access to powerful people as social currency.
In Today's Words:
I'll give you the VIP tour and show you how connected I am
"Of course you know Dmitri Sergeyevich?"
Context: Boris casually name-drops while pointing out someone's quarters
Classic social climbing behavior - Boris assumes Pierre knows important people and uses this to demonstrate his own insider status. He's constantly working to maintain and display his network.
In Today's Words:
You know Dave from corporate, right? We're tight - I can introduce you
Thematic Threads
Social Maneuvering
In This Chapter
Boris strategically positions himself between rival military factions to ensure he's on the winning side regardless of battle outcome
Development
Evolved from earlier social climbing to sophisticated political hedging under pressure
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when coworkers suddenly become friendly with multiple managers during restructuring rumors.
Reconciliation
In This Chapter
Dolokhov tearfully apologizes to Pierre, seeking to clear the air before potential death in battle
Development
New development showing how mortality strips away pride and pretense
In Your Life:
You see this when family members reach out during health scares or when people apologize before major life transitions.
Leadership Under Pressure
In This Chapter
Kutuzov makes small talk and recites silly verses to project calm while managing pre-battle anxiety
Development
Builds on earlier portrayals of leadership, now showing the emotional labor of command
In Your Life:
You might observe this in charge nurses who joke around during crisis shifts while internally managing enormous stress.
Dignity in Sacrifice
In This Chapter
Militia soldiers put on clean white shirts to die, finding profound meaning in preparing for potential sacrifice
Development
Introduced here as counterpoint to political maneuvering
In Your Life:
You recognize this when people take extra care with their appearance or behavior when facing difficult but necessary challenges.
Observer Perspective
In This Chapter
Pierre watches all these dynamics with curiosity and bewilderment, serving as reader's window into complex social behavior
Development
Continues Pierre's role as the questioning observer who helps readers process events
In Your Life:
You might identify with feeling overwhelmed when trying to understand all the social dynamics playing out during stressful situations.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How do Boris, Dolokhov, and Kutuzov each handle the uncertainty of the coming battle differently?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Boris position himself between rival factions instead of choosing a side? What does this reveal about his character and priorities?
analysis • medium - 3
Think of a time when your workplace, family, or community faced major uncertainty. How did different people position themselves or change their behavior?
application • medium - 4
When facing your own uncertain situations, do you tend to hedge your bets like Boris, seek reconciliation like Dolokhov, or project calm like Kutuzov? What are the advantages and risks of your approach?
application • deep - 5
What does the detail about militia putting on clean white shirts to die reveal about how people find dignity when facing the unknown?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Crisis Response Pattern
Think of the last major uncertainty you faced—a job change, family crisis, or relationship challenge. Write down how you responded and compare it to the three patterns in this chapter: strategic positioning (Boris), reconciliation-seeking (Dolokhov), or calm projection (Kutuzov). Then identify someone else involved and analyze their response pattern.
Consider:
- •What underlying fear was driving each person's behavior?
- •Which responses were authentic versus calculated?
- •How did different positioning strategies affect the final outcome?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a current uncertainty in your life. Which crisis response pattern would serve you best, and how can you align your positioning with your actual values rather than just your fears?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 213: The Fog of War
What lies ahead teaches us being an outsider can reveal flaws that insiders miss, and shows us incomplete information leads to dangerous assumptions. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.