An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 646 words)
he glow of the first fire that began on the second of September was
watched from the various roads by the fugitive Muscovites and by the
retreating troops, with many different feelings.
The Rostóv party spent the night at Mytíshchi, fourteen miles from
Moscow. They had started so late on the first of September, the road
had been so blocked by vehicles and troops, so many things had been
forgotten for which servants were sent back, that they had decided to
spend that night at a place three miles out of Moscow. The next morning
they woke late and were again delayed so often that they only got as far
as Great Mytíshchi. At ten o’clock that evening the Rostóv family and
the wounded traveling with them were all distributed in the yards and
huts of that large village. The Rostóvs’ servants and coachmen and the
orderlies of the wounded officers, after attending to their masters, had
supper, fed the horses, and came out into the porches.
In a neighboring hut lay Raévski’s adjutant with a fractured wrist. The
awful pain he suffered made him moan incessantly and piteously, and his
moaning sounded terrible in the darkness of the autumn night. He had
spent the first night in the same yard as the Rostóvs. The countess said
she had been unable to close her eyes on account of his moaning, and at
Mytíshchi she moved into a worse hut simply to be farther away from the
wounded man.
In the darkness of the night one of the servants noticed, above the high
body of a coach standing before the porch, the small glow of another
fire. One glow had long been visible and everybody knew that it was
Little Mytíshchi burning—set on fire by Mamónov’s Cossacks.
“But look here, brothers, there’s another fire!” remarked an orderly.
All turned their attention to the glow.
“But they told us Little Mytíshchi had been set on fire by Mamónov’s
Cossacks.”
“But that’s not Mytíshchi, it’s farther away.”
“Look, it must be in Moscow!”
Two of the gazers went round to the other side of the coach and sat down
on its steps.
“It’s more to the left, why, Little Mytíshchi is over there, and this is
right on the other side.”
Several men joined the first two.
“See how it’s flaring,” said one. “That’s a fire in Moscow: either in
the Sushchévski or the Rogózhski quarter.”
No one replied to this remark and for some time they all gazed silently
at the spreading flames of the second fire in the distance.
Old Daniel Teréntich, the count’s valet (as he was called), came up to
the group and shouted at Míshka.
“What are you staring at, you good-for-nothing?... The count will be
calling and there’s nobody there; go and gather the clothes together.”
“I only ran out to get some water,” said Míshka.
“But what do you think, Daniel Teréntich? Doesn’t it look as if that
glow were in Moscow?” remarked one of the footmen.
Daniel Teréntich made no reply, and again for a long time they were all
silent. The glow spread, rising and falling, farther and farther still.
“God have mercy.... It’s windy and dry...” said another voice.
“Just look! See what it’s doing now. O Lord! You can even see the crows
flying. Lord have mercy on us sinners!”
“They’ll put it out, no fear!”
“Who’s to put it out?” Daniel Teréntich, who had hitherto been silent,
was heard to say. His voice was calm and deliberate. “Moscow it is,
brothers,” said he. “Mother Moscow, the white...” his voice faltered,
and he gave way to an old man’s sob.
And it was as if they had all only waited for this to realize the
significance for them of the glow they were watching. Sighs were heard,
words of prayer, and the sobbing of the count’s old valet.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
The psychological process of minimizing threatening information until reality becomes undeniable, moving from denial through bargaining to acceptance.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize the difference between manageable problems and systemic collapse before it's too late.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're explaining away concerning patterns at work, in relationships, or with money—ask yourself what 'distant fire' you might be calling 'just another village burning.'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Moscow it is, brothers. Mother Moscow, the white..."
Context: When the servants finally realize the fire they're seeing is Moscow burning
This broken sentence shows how overwhelming truth can literally leave us speechless. The old man can't even finish saying 'the white-stoned' - Moscow's traditional nickname - because the reality is too much to bear.
In Today's Words:
That's our city burning, guys. Our home...
"The countess said she had been unable to close her eyes on account of his moaning"
Context: Explaining why the Countess moved to a worse hut to avoid the wounded soldier
Shows the gap between classes during crisis. The Countess treats human suffering as a personal inconvenience rather than recognizing shared humanity in desperate times.
In Today's Words:
She couldn't sleep because of his crying, so she moved away from him
"They had started so late on the first of September, the road had been so blocked by vehicles and troops, so many things had been forgotten"
Context: Describing why the Rostovs' evacuation is taking so long
Captures how chaos multiplies during crisis. Every delay creates more delays, every forgotten item requires backtracking, and suddenly simple tasks become impossible.
In Today's Words:
They left late, hit traffic, and kept having to turn around for stuff they forgot
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The servants and coachmen gather separately from the family, processing the disaster in their own group while the nobility remains isolated in their huts
Development
Continues the theme of how class creates different experiences even during shared catastrophe
In Your Life:
You might notice how different social groups at work process bad news differently, with management often the last to acknowledge problems.
Identity
In This Chapter
Daniel Terentich identifies Moscow as 'Mother Moscow, the white' - the burning city represents the destruction of cultural identity itself
Development
Builds on earlier themes about how war threatens not just lives but the foundations of who people are
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when your workplace, neighborhood, or family traditions face fundamental changes that threaten your sense of belonging.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The servants process this devastating news together, sharing the burden of recognition and grief as a community
Development
Reinforces how relationships become more important during crisis, with people naturally clustering for emotional support
In Your Life:
You might notice how you instinctively reach out to others when facing difficult truths, needing witnesses to help make sense of overwhelming changes.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The servants initially try to maintain normalcy by explaining away what they see, following social patterns of not alarming others unnecessarily
Development
Shows how social pressure to remain calm can delay necessary recognition of crisis
In Your Life:
You might find yourself downplaying problems to avoid seeming dramatic or alarmist, even when early warning could help others prepare.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What did the servants at Mytishchi initially think they were seeing when they noticed the glow on the horizon, and how did their understanding change?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think the servants wanted to believe it was just Little Mytishchi burning rather than Moscow? What was at stake in that difference?
analysis • medium - 3
Think of a time when you or someone you know kept explaining away warning signs until reality became undeniable. What made it hard to face the truth earlier?
application • medium - 4
If you were advising someone who seems to be minimizing serious problems in their life, how would you help them see clearly without being pushy?
application • deep - 5
What does this scene reveal about how groups process difficult truths together? Why might it take one person like Daniel Terentich to name reality for everyone?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Distant Fires
Think about your current life situation. Write down three things that feel like 'distant glows' - situations you're aware of but maybe minimizing or explaining away. For each one, write what you're telling yourself it is versus what it might actually be. Don't judge yourself for the explanations - just notice the pattern.
Consider:
- •Focus on situations where your gut feeling doesn't match your rational explanation
- •Consider areas like relationships, health, finances, or work where small signs might indicate bigger issues
- •Notice the difference between healthy caution and protective denial
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you eventually had to face a truth you'd been avoiding. What would have been different if you'd acknowledged it sooner? What helped you finally see clearly?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 260: Love Conquers Fear
The fire they're watching from afar will soon consume everything they've known. As Moscow burns, the characters must confront what it means to lose not just a city, but their entire way of life.
