Summary
Dólokhov arrives at the partisan camp, and his presence immediately shifts the dynamic. Unlike the flamboyant Denísov, Dólokhov appears deceptively ordinary—clean-shaven, properly uniformed, all business. But beneath this surface lies a cold pragmatism that clashes with Denísov's moral code. When Dólokhov proposes a dangerous reconnaissance mission to the French camp, young Pétya eagerly volunteers, desperate to prove himself worthy of these legendary fighters. The real tension emerges in a heated debate about prisoner treatment. Denísov proudly declares he sends captured enemies away with proper receipts, maintaining his honor as a soldier. Dólokhov coldly points out the reality: most of those prisoners die anyway, so what's the difference? This philosophical clash reveals two different approaches to warfare and morality. Denísov clings to traditional codes of honor even in brutal circumstances, while Dólokhov embraces ruthless efficiency. Meanwhile, Pétya watches these adult arguments with confusion but remains fixated on joining the dangerous mission. His youth drives him to see everything in black and white—if these distinguished men think it's necessary, it must be right. The chapter exposes how people justify their actions differently under extreme pressure, and how the young often mistake recklessness for courage in their desperate need to belong.
Coming Up in Chapter 307
Pétya gets his wish as he and Dólokhov prepare to infiltrate the French camp in disguise. But the reality of espionage proves far more complex and dangerous than the boy's romantic notions of adventure.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The arrival of Dólokhov diverted Pétya’s attention from the drummer boy, to whom Denísov had had some mutton and vodka given, and whom he had had dressed in a Russian coat so that he might be kept with their band and not sent away with the other prisoners. Pétya had heard in the army many stories of Dólokhov’s extraordinary bravery and of his cruelty to the French, so from the moment he entered the hut Pétya did not take his eyes from him, but braced himself up more and more and held his head high, that he might not be unworthy even of such company. Dólokhov’s appearance amazed Pétya by its simplicity. Denísov wore a Cossack coat, had a beard, had an icon of Nicholas the Wonder-Worker on his breast, and his way of speaking and everything he did indicated his unusual position. But Dólokhov, who in Moscow had worn a Persian costume, had now the appearance of a most correct officer of the Guards. He was clean-shaven and wore a Guardsman’s padded coat with an Order of St. George at his buttonhole and a plain forage cap set straight on his head. He took off his wet felt cloak in a corner of the room, and without greeting anyone went up to Denísov and began questioning him about the matter in hand. Denísov told him of the designs the large detachments had on the transport, of the message Pétya had brought, and his own replies to both generals. Then he told him all he knew of the French detachment. “That’s so. But we must know what troops they are and their numbers,” said Dólokhov. “It will be necessary to go there. We can’t start the affair without knowing for certain how many there are. I like to work accurately. Here now—wouldn’t one of these gentlemen like to ride over to the French camp with me? I have brought a spare uniform.” “I, I... I’ll go with you!” cried Pétya. “There’s no need for you to go at all,” said Denísov, addressing Dólokhov, “and as for him, I won’t let him go on any account.” “I like that!” exclaimed Pétya. “Why shouldn’t I go?” “Because it’s useless.” “Well, you must excuse me, because... because... I shall go, and that’s all. You’ll take me, won’t you?” he said, turning to Dólokhov. “Why not?” Dólokhov answered absently, scrutinizing the face of the French drummer boy. “Have you had that youngster with you long?” he asked Denísov. “He was taken today but he knows nothing. I’m keeping him with me.” “Yes, and where do you put the others?” inquired Dólokhov. “Where? I send them away and take a weceipt for them,” shouted Denísov, suddenly flushing. “And I say boldly that I have not a single man’s life on my conscience. Would it be difficult for you to send thirty or thwee hundwed men to town under escort, instead of staining—I speak bluntly—staining the honor of a soldier?” “That kind of amiable talk would...
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 Moral Flexibility - When Good People Justify Bad Things
How people gradually adjust their ethical standards to match their circumstances rather than changing their circumstances to match their values.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when people adapt their ethics under pressure rather than facing hard choices directly.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone uses procedures or 'being realistic' to justify actions that contradict their stated values—including yourself.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Partisan warfare
Small, mobile groups of fighters who use guerrilla tactics against a larger, conventional army. They strike fast and disappear, avoiding direct confrontation with superior forces.
Modern Usage:
We see this in modern conflicts where smaller groups use hit-and-run tactics against established armies, or in business when startups disrupt big corporations.
Military honor code
Traditional rules about how soldiers should conduct themselves, especially regarding treatment of prisoners and civilians. These codes often conflict with practical military necessity.
Modern Usage:
Today we see similar conflicts between 'doing the right thing' and 'getting results' in corporate ethics or professional standards.
Order of St. George
Russia's highest military decoration for bravery in combat. Wearing one marked you as a proven warrior who had faced death and survived.
Modern Usage:
Like wearing a Purple Heart or having an MBA from Harvard - it's a credential that immediately signals your status and experience.
Guards regiment
Elite military units that served as the emperor's personal troops. Guards officers had higher social status and were considered the cream of the military.
Modern Usage:
Think Navy SEALs or the executive fast-track program at a major corporation - the elite tier that everyone recognizes.
Moral pragmatism
The conflict between doing what's morally right versus what's practically effective. When harsh circumstances force people to choose between their ideals and survival.
Modern Usage:
We face this daily - like choosing between helping a coworker and protecting your own job, or between honesty and keeping the peace.
Proving ground mentality
The desperate need young people feel to demonstrate their worth through dangerous or extreme actions, especially when surrounded by accomplished adults.
Modern Usage:
Like the new employee who volunteers for impossible projects, or teenagers taking dangerous risks to impress their peers.
Characters in This Chapter
Dólokhov
Cold pragmatist
Arrives as a legendary figure but appears deceptively ordinary. He represents ruthless efficiency over moral codes, arguing that traditional honor is meaningless when the end result is the same.
Modern Equivalent:
The results-driven executive who cuts through office politics and tells uncomfortable truths
Denísov
Honorable warrior
The partisan leader who clings to traditional military honor even in guerrilla warfare. He treats prisoners humanely and maintains formal procedures, even when it might be impractical.
Modern Equivalent:
The old-school manager who follows proper procedures even when shortcuts would be easier
Pétya
Eager youth
A young man desperate to prove himself worthy of these legendary fighters. He volunteers for dangerous missions not from courage but from a need to belong and be accepted.
Modern Equivalent:
The intern who volunteers for everything, trying to impress the senior staff
The drummer boy
Prisoner of war
A captured French soldier who becomes the focus of the moral debate between Denísov and Dólokhov about how to treat enemies.
Modern Equivalent:
The person caught in the middle of office politics or family disputes
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Denísov told him of the designs the large detachments had on the transport, of the message Pétya had brought, and his own replies to both generals."
Context: Dólokhov immediately gets down to business upon arriving
This shows Dólokhov's no-nonsense approach - he doesn't waste time on pleasantries or ceremony. He's here for results, not relationships.
In Today's Words:
He walked in and immediately wanted to know what was going on with the project.
"But Dólokhov, who in Moscow had worn a Persian costume, had now the appearance of a most correct officer of the Guards."
Context: Describing Dólokhov's transformation from flamboyant socialite to military professional
This reveals how people adapt their image to fit their current role. Dólokhov knows that credibility comes from appearing professional, not flashy.
In Today's Words:
He cleaned up his act and looked like the serious professional he needed to be.
"Pétya did not take his eyes from him, but braced himself up more and more and held his head high, that he might not be unworthy even of such company."
Context: Pétya's reaction to being in the presence of the legendary Dólokhov
This captures the anxiety of trying to measure up to people you admire. Pétya is so focused on appearing worthy that he's not thinking clearly about the risks.
In Today's Words:
He was trying so hard to look like he belonged that he wasn't thinking straight.
Thematic Threads
Honor
In This Chapter
Denísov clings to military honor codes while Dólokhov dismisses them as meaningless ritual in brutal warfare
Development
Evolved from earlier idealistic notions of military glory to this complex examination of what honor means in practice
In Your Life:
You might maintain professional courtesy while participating in a toxic workplace culture that harms others.
Pragmatism
In This Chapter
Dólokhov's cold efficiency clashes with Denísov's need for moral justification of their violent actions
Development
Building on themes of how war strips away social pretenses to reveal core character differences
In Your Life:
You face the tension between doing what works and doing what feels right in difficult family or work situations.
Youth
In This Chapter
Pétya desperately wants to join the dangerous mission, seeing it as proof of his worth and belonging
Development
Continues the pattern of young characters seeking validation through dangerous or inappropriate means
In Your Life:
You might remember pushing for responsibilities you weren't ready for just to prove yourself to people you admired.
Identity
In This Chapter
Both men maintain their self-image as honorable soldiers despite participating in morally ambiguous warfare
Development
Deepens the ongoing exploration of how people construct identity under extreme social pressure
In Your Life:
You might find yourself adjusting your values to fit your circumstances while telling yourself you're still the same person.
Authority
In This Chapter
Pétya defers to these experienced fighters' judgment without questioning the morality of their proposed actions
Development
Continues examining how people surrender moral reasoning to those they perceive as more experienced or powerful
In Your Life:
You might go along with questionable decisions at work because 'the boss knows best' or avoid challenging family dynamics because 'that's how we've always done it.'
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What are the key differences between how Denísov and Dólokhov approach dealing with prisoners of war?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Denísov maintain his ritual of sending prisoners away with receipts, even though he knows they'll likely die anyway?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this same pattern today—people using different methods to justify participating in systems they know cause harm?
application • medium - 4
When you're in a situation where you have to compromise your values, how do you decide what's acceptable and what crosses the line?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how good people adapt their moral standards when facing impossible circumstances?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Mirror Test Challenge
Think of a situation where you've had to bend your usual standards—at work, in family relationships, or in your community. Write down exactly what you did and why. Then imagine explaining your actions to someone you deeply respect, like a grandparent or mentor. Would you tell the whole truth, or would you find yourself editing the story to sound better?
Consider:
- •Notice if you're tempted to focus on your good intentions rather than actual outcomes
- •Pay attention to whether you blame circumstances or take responsibility for your choices
- •Consider whether your justification would make sense to someone outside your situation
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you realized you were fooling yourself about the ethics of your actions. What helped you see clearly, and how did you course-correct?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 307: Infiltrating the Enemy Camp
The coming pages reveal confidence and authority can overcome suspicion, and teach us the power of staying calm under extreme pressure. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.