Summary
Hélène masterfully orchestrates public opinion to support her scandalous plan to remarry while still married to Pierre. Instead of hiding her intentions, she boldly presents her dilemma as choosing between two suitors, completely reframing the conversation from 'Is this legal?' to 'Which man is better?' Her strategy works brilliantly—by acting as if her situation is perfectly normal, she makes others feel foolish for questioning it. Most of Petersburg society falls in line, afraid to appear unsophisticated by opposing what 'wiser people' have apparently already decided. Only the blunt Márya Dmítrievna dares to call out the hypocrisy publicly, comparing Hélène's behavior to prostitution, but she's dismissed as a crude buffoon. Even Hélène's own mother, initially armed with religious objections, crumbles when faced with a high-ranking church official who suggests mercy for every sin. The chapter reveals how social manipulation works—confident presentation, strategic framing, and exploiting people's fear of appearing ignorant can override even strong moral convictions. Hélène's success demonstrates that in high society, perception often matters more than principle. Meanwhile, she writes to Pierre (currently at the Battle of Borodinó) casually informing him of her plans, assuming his compliance based on her belief that he loves her.
Coming Up in Chapter 237
While Hélène manipulates society from her Petersburg salon, Pierre faces the ultimate test of character on the battlefield at Borodinó. The contrast between their worlds—one of social scheming, the other of life-and-death reality—is about to become starkly apparent.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Hélène understood that the question was very simple and easy from the ecclesiastical point of view, and that her directors were making difficulties only because they were apprehensive as to how the matter would be regarded by the secular authorities. So she decided that it was necessary to prepare the opinion of society. She provoked the jealousy of the elderly magnate and told him what she had told her other suitor; that is, she put the matter so that the only way for him to obtain a right over her was to marry her. The elderly magnate was at first as much taken aback by this suggestion of marriage with a woman whose husband was alive, as the younger man had been, but Hélène’s imperturbable conviction that it was as simple and natural as marrying a maiden had its effect on him too. Had Hélène herself shown the least sign of hesitation, shame, or secrecy, her cause would certainly have been lost; but not only did she show no signs of secrecy or shame, on the contrary, with good-natured naïveté she told her intimate friends (and these were all Petersburg) that both the prince and the magnate had proposed to her and that she loved both and was afraid of grieving either. A rumor immediately spread in Petersburg, not that Hélène wanted to be divorced from her husband (had such a report spread many would have opposed so illegal an intention) but simply that the unfortunate and interesting Hélène was in doubt which of the two men she should marry. The question was no longer whether this was possible, but only which was the better match and how the matter would be regarded at court. There were, it is true, some rigid individuals unable to rise to the height of such a question, who saw in the project a desecration of the sacrament of marriage, but there were not many such and they remained silent, while the majority were interested in Hélène’s good fortune and in the question which match would be the more advantageous. Whether it was right or wrong to remarry while one had a husband living they did not discuss, for that question had evidently been settled by people “wiser than you or me,” as they said, and to doubt the correctness of that decision would be to risk exposing one’s stupidity and incapacity to live in society. Only Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova, who had come to Petersburg that summer to see one of her sons, allowed herself plainly to express an opinion contrary to the general one. Meeting Hélène at a ball she stopped her in the middle of the room and, amid general silence, said in her gruff voice: “So wives of living men have started marrying again! Perhaps you think you have invented a novelty? You have been forestalled, my dear! It was thought of long ago. It is done in all the brothels,” and with these words Márya Dmítrievna, turning up her wide sleeves...
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 Confident Reframing
Using absolute confidence and strategic conversation shifts to make questionable behavior seem normal and opposition seem unsophisticated.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how manipulators use absolute confidence and strategic reframing to make questionable behavior seem sophisticated and normal.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone presents controversial decisions with complete confidence while avoiding the actual ethical concerns—ask yourself what conversation they're trying to avoid having.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Ecclesiastical authority
The church's power to make decisions about religious matters like marriage and divorce. In Tolstoy's time, the Russian Orthodox Church controlled who could marry, divorce, or remarry. Civil authorities had to respect church decisions on these matters.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this when religious organizations set their own rules about marriage, ordination, or membership that may conflict with secular law.
Social manipulation
The art of controlling how others think by carefully managing information and presentation. Hélène doesn't hide her scandalous plan - she reframes it as a romantic dilemma, making people focus on which suitor is better rather than whether her actions are legal.
Modern Usage:
Politicians and influencers use this constantly - changing the conversation from uncomfortable facts to more favorable talking points.
Petersburg society
The elite social circle of Russia's capital city, where reputation and appearances mattered more than morality. These wealthy, powerful people followed fashion and gossip, afraid to seem unsophisticated by questioning what others accepted.
Modern Usage:
Think of any exclusive social scene - Hollywood, Wall Street, or even high school cliques - where fitting in matters more than doing right.
Bigamy
Being married to two people at the same time, which was illegal in 19th century Russia. Hélène wants to marry again without divorcing Pierre, but she presents this as a simple choice between suitors rather than a crime.
Modern Usage:
While rare today, we see similar reframing when people present clearly wrong behavior as just 'complicated situations' or 'difficult choices.'
Moral relativism
The idea that right and wrong depend on circumstances rather than fixed principles. Hélène's supporters convince themselves that her situation is special, that normal rules don't apply because she's unhappy or because 'love' justifies anything.
Modern Usage:
Common in modern culture when people excuse bad behavior by saying 'it's complicated' or 'you don't know the whole story.'
Social proof
People's tendency to follow what they think others are doing, especially when uncertain. Petersburg society accepts Hélène's plan partly because they assume other 'wise people' have already approved it, creating a cascade of false consensus.
Modern Usage:
Social media amplifies this - people share opinions or support causes because they see others doing it, not from personal conviction.
Characters in This Chapter
Hélène
Manipulative protagonist
She masterfully orchestrates public opinion to support her illegal remarriage plan. Her confidence and strategic presentation make others feel foolish for questioning her, showing how charisma can override moral objections. She treats her current marriage to Pierre as merely inconvenient.
Modern Equivalent:
The influencer who spins every scandal into a 'misunderstood' narrative
The elderly magnate
Potential suitor
Initially shocked by Hélène's marriage proposal since she's already married, but her confident presentation convinces him it's normal. He represents how people can be swayed to accept what they know is wrong when presented with enough social pressure.
Modern Equivalent:
The executive who goes along with shady practices because everyone else seems fine with it
Márya Dmítrievna
Moral voice/truth-teller
The only person bold enough to publicly call out Hélène's behavior, comparing it to prostitution. She represents genuine moral conviction that refuses to be swayed by social pressure, but society dismisses her as crude and unsophisticated.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who calls out workplace harassment when everyone else stays quiet
Pierre
Absent husband
Currently fighting at the Battle of Borodinó while his wife casually informs him of her remarriage plans. His absence highlights how Hélène assumes his compliance and treats their marriage as disposable. He represents the overlooked victim in her schemes.
Modern Equivalent:
The spouse who finds out about divorce papers through social media
Hélène's mother
Weak moral authority
Initially objects to her daughter's plan on religious grounds but quickly crumbles when faced with a church official who suggests mercy for sin. She represents how even parental authority can be manipulated when people want to avoid conflict.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who gives in to their adult child's bad decisions to keep the peace
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Had Hélène herself shown the least sign of hesitation, shame, or secrecy, her cause would certainly have been lost; but not only did she show no signs of secrecy or shame, on the contrary, with good-natured naïveté she told her intimate friends that both the prince and the magnate had proposed to her."
Context: Explaining why Hélène's manipulation strategy works so well
This reveals the power of confident presentation over actual morality. Hélène succeeds precisely because she acts like her scandalous behavior is perfectly normal. Her lack of shame makes others question their own moral instincts rather than her actions.
In Today's Words:
If she'd acted guilty or sneaky, people would have known something was wrong, but since she acted like it was no big deal, everyone assumed it must be fine.
"A rumor immediately spread in Petersburg, not that Hélène wanted to be divorced from her husband, but simply that the unfortunate and interesting Hélène was in doubt which of the two men she should marry."
Context: Describing how Hélène successfully reframes the conversation
This shows masterful manipulation of public narrative. Instead of discussing the legal and moral problems with bigamy, society focuses on her 'romantic dilemma.' She transforms herself from a potential criminal into a sympathetic figure torn between love interests.
In Today's Words:
People weren't talking about her trying to commit bigamy - they were debating which guy was better for her.
"You're a fool and a buffoon, and I don't know what prevents me from saying what I think of such affairs."
Context: Confronting someone who supports Hélène's remarriage plan
This represents the lone voice of moral clarity in a sea of social conformity. Márya Dmítrievna refuses to play along with the polite fiction that Hélène's behavior is acceptable, but her bluntness makes others dismiss her as crude rather than truthful.
In Today's Words:
You're an idiot for going along with this, and I'm tempted to tell you exactly what I think about this whole mess.
Thematic Threads
Social Manipulation
In This Chapter
Hélène uses confidence and reframing to normalize bigamy and override moral objections
Development
Evolved from earlier glimpses of her calculated behavior to full-scale social engineering
In Your Life:
You might see this when someone confidently presents harmful choices as sophisticated decisions you should understand
Class
In This Chapter
High society's fear of appearing unsophisticated makes them complicit in obvious wrongdoing
Development
Continues theme of how class anxiety overrides moral judgment
In Your Life:
You might find yourself going along with questionable decisions to avoid seeming out of touch or naive
Moral Courage
In This Chapter
Only Márya Dmítrievna dares to speak truth, but she's dismissed as crude and unsophisticated
Development
Reinforces pattern of honest voices being marginalized
In Your Life:
You might face ridicule or dismissal when you're the only one willing to call out obvious problems
Institutional Corruption
In This Chapter
Church officials bend religious doctrine to accommodate powerful people's desires
Development
Shows how institutions compromise principles for influence
In Your Life:
You might see authorities or experts justify harmful policies when it serves their interests
Personal Accountability
In This Chapter
Hélène assumes Pierre will comply with her plans without consulting him, treating marriage as her personal convenience
Development
Demonstrates complete disregard for others' agency in pursuit of personal goals
In Your Life:
You might encounter people who make major decisions affecting you while assuming your automatic compliance
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Hélène get Petersburg society to accept her plan to remarry while still married to Pierre?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do most people go along with Hélène's obvious manipulation, while only Márya Dmítrievna speaks up against it?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone reframe a questionable situation to avoid the real issue—at work, in politics, or in personal relationships?
application • medium - 4
When someone presents bad behavior with total confidence and makes you feel unsophisticated for questioning it, how do you respond without looking foolish?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between being truly sophisticated and just appearing sophisticated?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Reframe
Think of a recent situation where someone tried to reframe a problem to avoid responsibility or criticism. Write down what they actually did wrong, then what they presented it as instead. Finally, identify what question they were trying to make you stop asking.
Consider:
- •Notice how confident presentation can make you doubt your own judgment
- •Look for who benefits when the conversation gets redirected
- •Pay attention to your gut feeling versus social pressure to go along
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you went along with something that felt wrong because everyone else seemed to accept it. What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 237: Finding Brotherhood in the Darkness
The coming pages reveal shared hardship can break down social barriers instantly, and teach us simple human kindness matters more than wealth or status. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.