An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 908 words)
he 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 be suitable from this young count of
sixteen,” said Dólokhov with cold irony, “but it’s time for you to drop
it.”
“Why, I’ve not said anything! I only say that I’ll certainly go with
you,” said Pétya shyly.
“But for you and me, old fellow, it’s time to drop these amenities,”
continued Dólokhov, as if he found particular pleasure in speaking of
this subject which irritated Denísov. “Now, why have you kept this lad?”
he went on, swaying his head. “Because you are sorry for him! Don’t we
know those ‘receipts’ of yours? You send a hundred men away, and thirty
get there. The rest either starve or get killed. So isn’t it all the
same not to send them?”
The esaul, screwing up his light-colored eyes, nodded approvingly.
“That’s not the point. I’m not going to discuss the matter. I do not
wish to take it on my conscience. You say they’ll die. All wight. Only
not by my fault!”
Dólokhov began laughing.
“Who has told them not to capture me these twenty times over? But if
they did catch me they’d string me up to an aspen tree, and with all
your chivalry just the same.” He paused. “However, we must get to work.
Tell the Cossack to fetch my kit. I have two French uniforms in it.
Well, are you coming with me?” he asked Pétya.
“I? Yes, yes, certainly!” cried Pétya, blushing almost to tears and
glancing at Denísov.
While Dólokhov had been disputing with Denísov what should be done with
prisoners, Pétya had once more felt awkward and restless; but again he
had no time to grasp fully what they were talking about. “If grown-up,
distinguished men think so, it must be necessary and right,” thought he.
“But above all Denísov must not dare to imagine that I’ll obey him and
that he can order me about. I will certainly go to the French camp with
Dólokhov. If he can, so can I!”
And to all Denísov’s persuasions, Pétya replied that he too was
accustomed to do everything accurately and not just anyhow, and that he
never considered personal danger.
“For you’ll admit that if we don’t know for sure how many of them there
are... hundreds of lives may depend on it, while there are only two
of us. Besides, I want to go very much and certainly will go, so don’t
hinder me,” said he. “It will only make things worse....”
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
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.
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
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.
