Summary
Count Bezúkhov is dying, and the vultures are circling. In a dimly lit room that once hosted elegant balls, family members and hangers-on gather for what they know will be the final act. The real drama unfolds when Anna Mikháylovna and the eldest princess literally fight over a portfolio containing what might be the count's will. Their struggle is both physical and symbolic—two women clawing for control over Pierre's future inheritance. Prince Vasíli tries to play peacemaker while positioning himself advantageously. The scene turns ugly fast, with accusations of manipulation and desperate grabbing. When the count finally dies, the masks come off completely. Prince Vasíli breaks down, revealing unexpected vulnerability beneath his calculating exterior. Anna Mikháylovna immediately begins working Pierre, reminding him of promises made and duties owed. The chapter exposes how death brings out both the worst and most human qualities in people. Tolstoy shows us that in moments of crisis, people's true priorities emerge—and they're usually about power, money, and survival rather than love or grief. Pierre, still young and naive, doesn't fully grasp the game being played around him, but he's about to inherit massive wealth and all the complications that come with it. This scene perfectly captures how family dynamics explode when there's money at stake.
Coming Up in Chapter 25
Pierre must now navigate his sudden transformation from awkward outsider to wealthy heir. But with great fortune comes great danger, and those who fought over his inheritance aren't finished with their schemes.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
There was now no one in the reception room except Prince Vasíli and the eldest princess, who were sitting under the portrait of Catherine the Great and talking eagerly. As soon as they saw Pierre and his companion they became silent, and Pierre thought he saw the princess hide something as she whispered: “I can’t bear the sight of that woman.” “Catiche has had tea served in the small drawing room,” said Prince Vasíli to Anna Mikháylovna. “Go and take something, my poor Anna Mikháylovna, or you will not hold out.” To Pierre he said nothing, merely giving his arm a sympathetic squeeze below the shoulder. Pierre went with Anna Mikháylovna into the small drawing room. “There is nothing so refreshing after a sleepless night as a cup of this delicious Russian tea,” Lorrain was saying with an air of restrained animation as he stood sipping tea from a delicate Chinese handleless cup before a table on which tea and a cold supper were laid in the small circular room. Around the table all who were at Count Bezúkhov’s house that night had gathered to fortify themselves. Pierre well remembered this small circular drawing room with its mirrors and little tables. During balls given at the house Pierre, who did not know how to dance, had liked sitting in this room to watch the ladies who, as they passed through in their ball dresses with diamonds and pearls on their bare shoulders, looked at themselves in the brilliantly lighted mirrors which repeated their reflections several times. Now this same room was dimly lighted by two candles. On one small table tea things and supper dishes stood in disorder, and in the middle of the night a motley throng of people sat there, not merrymaking, but somberly whispering, and betraying by every word and movement that they none of them forgot what was happening and what was about to happen in the bedroom. Pierre did not eat anything though he would very much have liked to. He looked inquiringly at his monitress and saw that she was again going on tiptoe to the reception room where they had left Prince Vasíli and the eldest princess. Pierre concluded that this also was essential, and after a short interval followed her. Anna Mikháylovna was standing beside the princess, and they were both speaking in excited whispers. “Permit me, Princess, to know what is necessary and what is not necessary,” said the younger of the two speakers, evidently in the same state of excitement as when she had slammed the door of her room. “But, my dear princess,” answered Anna Mikháylovna blandly but impressively, blocking the way to the bedroom and preventing the other from passing, “won’t this be too much for poor Uncle at a moment when he needs repose? Worldly conversation at a moment when his soul is already prepared...” Prince Vasíli was seated in an easy chair in his familiar attitude, with one leg crossed high above the other. His cheeks,...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Deathbed Reveal - When Crisis Strips Away Pretense
Crisis strips away social pretense and reveals people's true priorities and character.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to see people's true nature by watching their behavior when pressure mounts and stakes rise.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone faces stress—job uncertainty, family problems, financial pressure—and observe if their personality shifts from their normal presentation.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Death vigil
The practice of family and close associates gathering around a dying person's bedside, ostensibly to provide comfort but often to position themselves for what comes after. In aristocratic families, these vigils became strategic opportunities to influence final decisions about inheritance and power.
Modern Usage:
We see this today when family members suddenly appear when a wealthy relative is hospitalized, or when employees hover around a retiring boss to secure their position.
Portfolio
A leather case containing important documents, particularly legal papers like wills, property deeds, and financial records. In this era, physical possession of such documents often determined legal standing and inheritance rights.
Modern Usage:
Like fighting over who gets access to someone's phone, computer passwords, or safe deposit box keys when they're dying.
Inheritance maneuvering
The calculated actions people take to secure their claim to a dying person's wealth and property. This includes influencing the dying person, controlling access to legal documents, and forming alliances with other potential beneficiaries.
Modern Usage:
Today this looks like adult children moving back home to 'care for' aging parents, or family members trying to get their names added to bank accounts and property deeds.
Social performance
The way people present themselves publicly, especially during emotionally charged situations, to maintain their reputation and achieve their goals. Characters in this chapter perform grief and concern while actually focused on personal gain.
Modern Usage:
Like posting heartfelt social media tributes while privately fighting over funeral arrangements, or acting devastated at work while secretly hoping for a promotion from someone's departure.
Aristocratic household
A wealthy family's home that operates like a small court, with extended family, servants, hangers-on, and social climbers all competing for favor and position. These households had complex power dynamics beyond just the immediate family.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how wealthy families today have circles of advisors, distant relatives, and opportunists who all have agendas when major decisions need to be made.
Patronage system
A network where powerful people provide protection, money, or opportunities to less powerful people in exchange for loyalty and services. Anna Mikhaylovna depends on this system to secure her son's future through her relationship with the dying count.
Modern Usage:
Like how people cultivate relationships with influential colleagues, mentors, or family friends who can open doors or provide recommendations when needed.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Vasili
Manipulator-in-chief
He orchestrates the entire deathbed scene, trying to control who has access to the count and what documents. Despite his calculating nature, he breaks down when the count actually dies, showing unexpected human emotion beneath his scheming exterior.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member who takes charge during a crisis but has their own agenda
Anna Mikhaylovna
Desperate social climber
She physically fights the eldest princess for the portfolio containing the will, showing how far she'll go to secure her son Boris's future. Her desperation reveals the precarious position of those dependent on aristocratic favor.
Modern Equivalent:
The single mom who networks aggressively to get her kid into the right school or program
The eldest princess
Entitled heir
As the count's daughter, she believes she has the strongest claim to his inheritance and fights to protect what she sees as rightfully hers. Her struggle with Anna Mikhaylovna shows how even family members must compete for their share.
Modern Equivalent:
The adult child who assumes they'll inherit everything and gets nasty when others make claims
Pierre
Naive heir apparent
He wanders through the scene not fully understanding the power games being played around him, but everyone knows he's about to become incredibly wealthy. His innocence makes him both vulnerable and powerful.
Modern Equivalent:
The young person who suddenly inherits wealth and doesn't realize how many people want to use them
Count Bezukhov
The dying patriarch
Though barely conscious, his impending death sets off all the maneuvering and reveals everyone's true priorities. His physical decline contrasts sharply with the frenzied activity of those around his bedside.
Modern Equivalent:
The wealthy family patriarch whose declining health brings out everyone's true motivations
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I can't bear the sight of that woman."
Context: She whispers this about Anna Mikhaylovna when she sees her approaching with Pierre
This reveals the deep resentment between potential heirs and their supporters. The princess sees Anna Mikhaylovna as a threat to her inheritance and doesn't bother hiding her contempt, showing how death strips away social politeness.
In Today's Words:
I hate that woman - she's trying to steal what's mine.
"Go and take something, my poor Anna Mikhaylovna, or you will not hold out."
Context: He's directing Anna Mikhaylovna away from the main action while appearing to show concern for her wellbeing
Prince Vasili uses fake kindness to control the situation and manage who has access to what. His words sound caring but he's actually manipulating the positioning of players in this inheritance game.
In Today's Words:
You need to step back and let me handle this - but I'll make it sound like I'm worried about you.
"There is nothing so refreshing after a sleepless night as a cup of this delicious Russian tea."
Context: The doctor makes polite conversation while everyone gathers around the refreshment table during the death vigil
This shows how people maintain social niceties even in the most emotionally charged situations. The doctor's casual comment about tea contrasts sharply with the life-and-death drama unfolding, highlighting the surreal nature of these formal death watches.
In Today's Words:
Nothing like a good cup of coffee to get you through an all-nighter - even when someone's dying in the next room.
Thematic Threads
Greed
In This Chapter
Family members literally fight over inheritance documents while the count is dying
Development
Escalated from subtle social maneuvering to open conflict
In Your Life:
You might see this when family members argue over a sick relative's care decisions based on who benefits financially
Power
In This Chapter
Prince Vasíli tries to control the situation while positioning himself advantageously
Development
His calculated approach from earlier chapters now shows desperation
In Your Life:
You might see this in workplace politics when someone tries to appear helpful while actually securing their own position
Vulnerability
In This Chapter
Prince Vasíli breaks down crying, showing unexpected human emotion beneath his calculating exterior
Development
First crack in his composed facade we've seen
In Your Life:
You might see this when someone who always seems in control finally shows their fear during a crisis
Manipulation
In This Chapter
Anna Mikháylovna immediately works on Pierre, reminding him of promises and duties
Development
Her strategic approach continues but becomes more urgent and direct
In Your Life:
You might see this when someone uses guilt or obligation to influence your decisions during vulnerable moments
Innocence
In This Chapter
Pierre doesn't grasp the game being played around him despite being at the center of it
Development
His naivety continues as the stakes around him escalate dramatically
In Your Life:
You might see this when you're the focus of family or workplace drama but don't realize the hidden agendas at play
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What changes in the family members' behavior once they realize Count Bezúkhov is actually dying?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do Anna Mikháylovna and the eldest princess literally fight over the portfolio, and what does this reveal about their true motivations?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a time when your family faced a crisis (illness, job loss, divorce). How did people's behavior change when the pressure was on?
application • medium - 4
If you were Pierre in this situation, how would you protect yourself from people trying to manipulate you during a vulnerable time?
application • deep - 5
What does this scene teach us about the difference between how people act in normal times versus crisis times?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Crisis Reveals
Think of three different high-pressure situations you've witnessed or experienced (workplace layoffs, family emergency, relationship breakup, financial stress). For each situation, write down how specific people behaved differently than they normally would. Then identify what their crisis behavior revealed about their true priorities and character.
Consider:
- •Look for patterns in who became more helpful versus more selfish under pressure
- •Notice how quickly social masks fell away when stakes got high
- •Consider what your own behavior in these moments revealed about your character
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when crisis revealed something surprising about someone you thought you knew well. How did this change your relationship with them, and what did you learn about reading people's true character?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 25: The Clockwork Prince and His Daughter
In the next chapter, you'll discover rigid control can mask deep care and create unintended barriers, and learn fear-based teaching methods often backfire despite good intentions. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.