Summary
Pétya and Dólokhov disguise themselves as French soldiers and boldly infiltrate the enemy camp to gather intelligence. What follows is a masterclass in psychological warfare and nerves of steel. When challenged by a French sentinel, Dólokhov doesn't just answer—he takes offense, acting like an officer insulted by having to provide a password. His audacity works; the sentinel steps aside. Inside the camp, surrounded by French officers around a campfire, Dólokhov plays his role perfectly. He asks casual questions about troop numbers and prisoners while lighting a pipe, projecting the confidence of someone who belongs there. The tension is unbearable for young Pétya, who fights every instinct to run. When Dólokhov makes a cruel joke about Russian prisoners, calling them 'corpses' and 'rabble,' Pétya nearly breaks character from horror. The French officers grow suspicious, whispering among themselves, but Dólokhov maintains his composure and smoothly exits before they can act. Once safely away, Pétya's admiration explodes—he calls Dólokhov a hero and tries to kiss him in gratitude. This chapter reveals how thin the line is between courage and recklessness, and how sometimes the biggest risks yield the most valuable intelligence. It also shows the psychological toll of deception, especially on someone as young and genuine as Pétya.
Coming Up in Chapter 308
With crucial intelligence gathered from their daring reconnaissance, the stage is set for the planned attack. But will Pétya's inexperience and overwhelming excitement prove dangerous when the real fighting begins?
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Having put on French greatcoats and shakos, Pétya and Dólokhov rode to the clearing from which Denísov had reconnoitered the French camp, and emerging from the forest in pitch darkness they descended into the hollow. On reaching the bottom, Dólokhov told the Cossacks accompanying him to await him there and rode on at a quick trot along the road to the bridge. Pétya, his heart in his mouth with excitement, rode by his side. “If we’re caught, I won’t be taken alive! I have a pistol,” whispered he. “Don’t talk Russian,” said Dólokhov in a hurried whisper, and at that very moment they heard through the darkness the challenge: “Qui vive?” * and the click of a musket. * “Who goes there?” The blood rushed to Pétya’s face and he grasped his pistol. “Lanciers du 6-me,” * replied Dólokhov, neither hastening nor slackening his horse’s pace. * “Lancers of the 6th Regiment.” The black figure of a sentinel stood on the bridge. “Mot d’ordre.” * * “Password.” Dólokhov reined in his horse and advanced at a walk. “Dites donc, le colonel Gérard est ici?” * he asked. * “Tell me, is Colonel Gérard here?” “Mot d’ordre,” repeated the sentinel, barring the way and not replying. “Quand un officier fait sa ronde, les sentinelles ne demandent pas le mot d’ordre...” cried Dólokhov suddenly flaring up and riding straight at the sentinel. “Je vous demande si le colonel est ici.” * * “When an officer is making his round, sentinels don’t ask him for the password.... I am asking you if the colonel is here.” And without waiting for an answer from the sentinel, who had stepped aside, Dólokhov rode up the incline at a walk. Noticing the black outline of a man crossing the road, Dólokhov stopped him and inquired where the commander and officers were. The man, a soldier with a sack over his shoulder, stopped, came close up to Dólokhov’s horse, touched it with his hand, and explained simply and in a friendly way that the commander and the officers were higher up the hill to the right in the courtyard of the farm, as he called the landowner’s house. Having ridden up the road, on both sides of which French talk could be heard around the campfires, Dólokhov turned into the courtyard of the landowner’s house. Having ridden in, he dismounted and approached a big blazing campfire, around which sat several men talking noisily. Something was boiling in a small cauldron at the edge of the fire and a soldier in a peaked cap and blue overcoat, lit up by the fire, was kneeling beside it stirring its contents with a ramrod. “Oh, he’s a hard nut to crack,” said one of the officers who was sitting in the shadow at the other side of the fire. “He’ll make them get a move on, those fellows!” said another, laughing. Both fell silent, peering out through the darkness at the sound of Dólokhov’s and Pétya’s steps as they advanced...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Audacious Authority
Confidence combined with righteous indignation can override most social and institutional barriers by making challengers feel they've made a mistake.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how confidence and indignation can be weaponized to bypass normal social barriers and extract information.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone uses aggressive confidence to get what they want—and ask yourself whether their demands actually have merit behind the bluster.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Reconnaissance
Military scouting to gather information about enemy positions, numbers, and plans. In this chapter, Pétya and Dólokhov are on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the French camp and learn their secrets. It's high-risk intelligence gathering that could save or doom their own army.
Modern Usage:
We do reconnaissance every day - checking out a new workplace before an interview, or scoping out a restaurant's prices online before going.
Psychological warfare
Using mental tactics rather than physical force to defeat an enemy. Dólokhov doesn't fight his way past the guard - he acts offended and authoritative, making the sentinel doubt himself. Confidence becomes his weapon.
Modern Usage:
Think of how a skilled salesperson makes you feel like you need their product, or how some people use guilt trips to get their way.
False identity
Pretending to be someone you're not to achieve a goal. Pétya and Dólokhov wear French uniforms and speak French to blend in with the enemy. One slip in their performance could mean death.
Modern Usage:
Like creating a professional persona for job interviews, or the way people curate their social media to show only their best side.
Audacity
Bold, almost reckless confidence that catches people off guard. When challenged for a password, Dólokhov doesn't apologize or make excuses - he acts insulted that anyone would dare question an officer. His nerve is his shield.
Modern Usage:
That person who walks into the VIP section like they own the place, or asks for a raise when they've only been at the job three months.
Espionage
The practice of spying to obtain secret information. This chapter shows how dangerous and psychologically demanding real spying is - not glamorous like movies, but terrifying and requiring perfect self-control.
Modern Usage:
Corporate spying still happens, and we all do mini-versions when we try to find out what our coworkers really think about the boss.
Sangfroid
Keeping your cool under extreme pressure. While young Pétya is barely holding it together, Dólokhov calmly lights his pipe and chats with French officers who could execute them both if they're discovered.
Modern Usage:
Like staying calm during a job interview when you really need the position, or not losing it when your teenager is being impossible.
Characters in This Chapter
Dólokhov
Master spy and risk-taker
Shows incredible nerve and skill as he infiltrates the French camp, using psychology and audacity to gather intelligence. His cruel joke about Russian prisoners reveals his cold, calculating nature - he'll say anything to maintain his cover.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who can talk their way out of anything and always lands on their feet
Pétya
Young, inexperienced accomplice
Serves as our emotional anchor in this terrifying situation. His barely-controlled fear and horror at Dólokhov's cruel words show us the human cost of this kind of deception. He's brave but green.
Modern Equivalent:
The new employee who volunteers for the scary presentation because they want to prove themselves
French sentinel
Unwitting obstacle
Represents the first test of their disguise. His demand for the password creates the moment where everything could go wrong, but Dólokhov's psychological manipulation makes him back down.
Modern Equivalent:
The security guard who could make or break your day depending on their mood
French officers
Dangerous audience
Create the high-stakes environment where Dólokhov must perform perfectly. Their growing suspicion builds tension, showing how thin the line is between success and disaster in espionage.
Modern Equivalent:
The interview panel where you have to impress people who are looking for any reason to reject you
Key Quotes & Analysis
"If we're caught, I won't be taken alive! I have a pistol"
Context: Whispered as they approach the French camp
Shows Pétya's youth and dramatic thinking - he's trying to sound brave but reveals his terror. It's the kind of thing someone says when they're trying to convince themselves they're ready for something they're not.
In Today's Words:
I'd rather die than face the consequences of getting caught
"When an officer is making his round, sentinels don't ask for passwords"
Context: Challenging the French guard who demanded identification
Pure psychological warfare - instead of providing a password he doesn't have, Dólokhov acts offended and turns the tables. He makes the guard feel stupid for doing his job correctly.
In Today's Words:
How dare you question me - don't you know who I am?
"Those wretches! What's the use of them? Better get rid of them quickly"
Context: Speaking about Russian prisoners to maintain his French officer disguise
Shows the brutal cost of maintaining cover - Dólokhov must speak callously about his own countrymen to avoid suspicion. It reveals both his tactical brilliance and moral flexibility.
In Today's Words:
Those losers aren't worth keeping around
Thematic Threads
Deception
In This Chapter
Dólokhov's masterful infiltration relies on psychological manipulation rather than physical disguise
Development
Escalated from earlier social deceptions to life-or-death military espionage
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when someone uses confidence tricks to bypass rules or gain access they shouldn't have
Class
In This Chapter
Dólokhov successfully impersonates a French officer by understanding how authority presents itself
Development
Continued exploration of how class markers can be performed and manipulated
In Your Life:
You see this when people 'code-switch' their speech and behavior to fit different professional or social environments
Courage
In This Chapter
Pétya's genuine terror contrasts with Dólokhov's calculated risk-taking
Development
Building on earlier distinctions between reckless bravery and strategic courage
In Your Life:
You might face this when deciding whether to speak up in a meeting or challenge unfair treatment
Identity
In This Chapter
Both men must suppress their true selves to survive, with different psychological costs
Development
Deepened from earlier themes about social masks and authentic self-expression
In Your Life:
You experience this when code-switching at work or hiding parts of your background to fit in
Power
In This Chapter
True power lies not in position but in the ability to project unshakeable confidence
Development
Evolved from earlier scenes about formal authority to psychological dominance
In Your Life:
You encounter this when dealing with difficult customers, demanding bosses, or intimidating bureaucrats
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Dólokhov's strategy of acting offended work better than simply answering the sentinel's challenge?
analysis • surface - 2
What psychological principle allows Dólokhov to gather intelligence by asking questions like he already knows the answers?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people use aggressive confidence to get past barriers that stop more polite people?
application • medium - 4
How would you tell the difference between someone who genuinely belongs somewhere and someone using Dólokhov's confidence trick?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how humans decide who has authority and who doesn't?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Confidence Game
Think of three situations where you've seen someone use aggressive confidence to get what they want - maybe cutting in line, demanding special treatment, or taking charge of a meeting. For each situation, identify what made their confidence convincing and whether their demands were actually justified.
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between earned authority and performed authority
- •Consider how the person's tone and body language affected others' responses
- •Think about whether you've ever used this strategy yourself, consciously or not
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you either used confident assertiveness to get past a barrier, or when you wished you had been more assertive. What held you back or pushed you forward?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 308: The Music Only He Can Hear
What lies ahead teaches us anticipation and adrenaline can transform ordinary moments into magical experiences, and shows us preparation and attention to detail matter when facing important challenges. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.