An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 816 words)
oward the end of the battle of Borodinó, Pierre, having run down
from Raévski’s battery a second time, made his way through a gully to
Knyazkóvo with a crowd of soldiers, reached the dressing station, and
seeing blood and hearing cries and groans hurried on, still entangled in
the crowds of soldiers.
The one thing he now desired with his whole soul was to get away quickly
from the terrible sensations amid which he had lived that day and return
to ordinary conditions of life and sleep quietly in a room in his own
bed. He felt that only in the ordinary conditions of life would he
be able to understand himself and all he had seen and felt. But such
ordinary conditions of life were nowhere to be found.
Though shells and bullets did not whistle over the road along which he
was going, still on all sides there was what there had been on the field
of battle. There were still the same suffering, exhausted, and sometimes
strangely indifferent faces, the same blood, the same soldiers’
overcoats, the same sounds of firing which, though distant now, still
aroused terror, and besides this there were the foul air and the dust.
Having gone a couple of miles along the Mozháysk road, Pierre sat down
by the roadside.
Dusk had fallen, and the roar of guns died away. Pierre lay leaning on
his elbow for a long time, gazing at the shadows that moved past him in
the darkness. He was continually imagining that a cannon ball was flying
toward him with a terrific whizz, and then he shuddered and sat up. He
had no idea how long he had been there. In the middle of the night three
soldiers, having brought some firewood, settled down near him and began
lighting a fire.
The soldiers, who threw sidelong glances at Pierre, got the fire to burn
and placed an iron pot on it into which they broke some dried bread and
put a little dripping. The pleasant odor of greasy viands mingled with
the smell of smoke. Pierre sat up and sighed. The three soldiers were
eating and talking among themselves, taking no notice of him.
“And who may you be?” one of them suddenly asked Pierre, evidently
meaning what Pierre himself had in mind, namely: “If you want to eat
we’ll give you some food, only let us know whether you are an honest
man.”
“I, I...” said Pierre, feeling it necessary to minimize his social
position as much as possible so as to be nearer to the soldiers and
better understood by them. “By rights I am a militia officer, but my men
are not here. I came to the battle and have lost them.”
“There now!” said one of the soldiers.
Another shook his head.
“Would you like a little mash?” the first soldier asked, and handed
Pierre a wooden spoon after licking it clean.
Pierre sat down by the fire and began eating the mash, as they called
the food in the cauldron, and he thought it more delicious than any food
he had ever tasted. As he sat bending greedily over it, helping himself
to large spoonfuls and chewing one after another, his face was lit up by
the fire and the soldiers looked at him in silence.
“Where have you to go to? Tell us!” said one of them.
“To Mozháysk.”
“You’re a gentleman, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And what’s your name?”
“Peter Kirílych.”
“Well then, Peter Kirílych, come along with us, we’ll take you there.”
In the total darkness the soldiers walked with Pierre to Mozháysk.
By the time they got near Mozháysk and began ascending the steep hill
into the town, the cocks were already crowing. Pierre went on with the
soldiers, quite forgetting that his inn was at the bottom of the hill
and that he had already passed it. He would not soon have remembered
this, such was his state of forgetfulness, had he not halfway up the
hill stumbled upon his groom, who had been to look for him in the
town and was returning to the inn. The groom recognized Pierre in the
darkness by his white hat.
“Your excellency!” he said. “Why, we were beginning to despair! How is
it you are on foot? And where are you going, please?”
“Oh, yes!” said Pierre.
The soldiers stopped.
“So you’ve found your folk?” said one of them. “Well, good-by, Peter
Kirílych—isn’t it?”
“Good-by, Peter Kirílych!” Pierre heard the other voices repeat.
“Good-by!” he said and turned with his groom toward the inn.
“I ought to give them something!” he thought, and felt in his pocket.
“No, better not!” said another, inner voice.
There was not a room to be had at the inn, they were all occupied.
Pierre went out into the yard and, covering himself up head and all, lay
down in his carriage.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
When we drop our social masks during difficult times, we create space for genuine human connection that transcends class and status.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how genuine connection emerges from shared vulnerability, not shared advantages.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're performing status instead of being human—try dropping one pretense and see what real connection emerges.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The one thing he now desired with his whole soul was to get away quickly from the terrible sensations amid which he had lived that day and return to ordinary conditions of life and sleep quietly in a room in his own bed."
Context: Pierre flees the battlefield, desperate for normalcy after witnessing unprecedented horror
This captures the universal human response to trauma—the desperate need to return to safety and routine. Pierre learns that some experiences change you so fundamentally that 'ordinary conditions' no longer exist. You can't unsee what you've seen.
In Today's Words:
He just wanted to go home, get in his own bed, and pretend this nightmare never happened.
"Though shells and bullets did not whistle over the road along which he was going, still on all sides there was what there had been on the field of battle."
Context: Pierre realizes he can't escape the war's effects even away from the actual fighting
Physical distance doesn't equal emotional distance. The trauma follows Pierre because it's now inside him. The 'same suffering, exhausted faces' show him that war's damage extends far beyond the battlefield itself.
In Today's Words:
Even though he'd left the worst part behind, everything still felt exactly the same—broken and awful.
"It's the soldier's luck! Here, Peter Kirilych, have some of this mash, it's first-rate!"
Context: The soldiers immediately share their food with Pierre, treating him as an equal despite his obvious wealth
This simple generosity reveals more about true nobility than all of Pierre's inherited titles. The soldiers use his first name familiarly, creating instant intimacy. Their 'soldier's luck' philosophy accepts hardship while still finding joy in small pleasures.
In Today's Words:
Hey, that's just how it goes! Here, Pete, try some of this—it's actually pretty good!
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Pierre instinctively hides his wealth from the soldiers, finding acceptance only when he presents himself as their equal
Development
Evolved from earlier exploration of social barriers to show how crisis can temporarily dissolve class distinctions
In Your Life:
You might find your deepest workplace friendships form during stressful projects when everyone drops the professional facades
Identity
In This Chapter
Pierre becomes 'Peter Kirilych' to the soldiers—a simpler, more authentic version of himself
Development
Continues Pierre's journey of discovering who he is beneath his inherited roles and expectations
In Your Life:
You might notice you act differently with different groups, and wonder which version feels most genuinely like you
Human Connection
In This Chapter
The soldiers' immediate generosity toward a stranger creates deeper fellowship than Pierre's usual social relationships
Development
Introduced here as contrast to the artificial connections of Pierre's aristocratic world
In Your Life:
You might find that people you meet during difficult times—waiting rooms, emergency situations—show you more genuine kindness than longtime acquaintances
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
When Pierre's groom calls him 'Your Excellency,' the spell of equality breaks, but without resentment from the soldiers
Development
Shows how social roles reassert themselves but don't have to destroy authentic moments
In Your Life:
You might experience awkwardness when your different social worlds collide, like when work colleagues meet your family
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Pierre learns that genuine connection comes from shared humanity, not from his wealth or status
Development
Continues his evolution from passive inheritor to someone actively discovering meaningful relationships
In Your Life:
You might realize your most meaningful relationships are with people who knew you during difficult times, not during your successes
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What changes in Pierre's behavior when he meets the soldiers, and how do they respond to him differently than people in his usual social circle?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Pierre instinctively hide his wealth and status from the soldiers, and what does this reveal about how social barriers usually work?
analysis • medium - 3
Think of a time when crisis or hardship brought you closer to people you normally wouldn't connect with. What made those relationships feel different?
application • medium - 4
Pierre almost gives the soldiers money but decides against it. When might offering help actually damage a relationship, and how can you tell the difference?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between vulnerability and genuine human connection?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Social Masks
Draw three circles representing different social contexts in your life (work, family, social media, etc.). In each circle, write the version of yourself you present there—what you emphasize, what you hide, how you speak. Then identify one situation where dropping the mask led to better connection.
Consider:
- •Notice which masks feel most exhausting to maintain
- •Consider what you fear would happen if you dropped each mask
- •Look for patterns in when authentic connection happens naturally
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were struggling and someone helped you without knowing your full story. What made their help feel genuine rather than patronizing?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 238: Pierre's Dream of Unity and Purpose
As Pierre tries to rest, the aftermath of battle continues to unfold around him. The night brings new encounters that will further challenge his understanding of what truly matters in life.
