An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 569 words)
fter Pierre’s departure that first evening, when Natásha had said to
Princess Mary with a gaily mocking smile: “He looks just, yes, just as
if he had come out of a Russian bath—in a short coat and with his hair
cropped,” something hidden and unknown to herself, but irrepressible,
awoke in Natásha’s soul.
Everything: her face, walk, look, and voice, was suddenly altered.
To her own surprise a power of life and hope of happiness rose to the
surface and demanded satisfaction. From that evening she seemed to have
forgotten all that had happened to her. She no longer complained of her
position, did not say a word about the past, and no longer feared to
make happy plans for the future. She spoke little of Pierre, but when
Princess Mary mentioned him a long-extinguished light once more kindled
in her eyes and her lips curved with a strange smile.
The change that took place in Natásha at first surprised Princess Mary;
but when she understood its meaning it grieved her. “Can she have loved
my brother so little as to be able to forget him so soon?” she thought
when she reflected on the change. But when she was with Natásha she was
not vexed with her and did not reproach her. The reawakened power
of life that had seized Natásha was so evidently irrepressible and
unexpected by her that in her presence Princess Mary felt that she had
no right to reproach her even in her heart.
Natásha gave herself up so fully and frankly to this new feeling that
she did not try to hide the fact that she was no longer sad, but bright
and cheerful.
When Princess Mary returned to her room after her nocturnal talk with
Pierre, Natásha met her on the threshold.
“He has spoken? Yes? He has spoken?” she repeated.
And a joyful yet pathetic expression which seemed to beg forgiveness for
her joy settled on Natásha’s face.
“I wanted to listen at the door, but I knew you would tell me.”
Understandable and touching as the look with which Natásha gazed at
her seemed to Princess Mary, and sorry as she was to see her agitation,
these words pained her for a moment. She remembered her brother and his
love.
“But what’s to be done? She can’t help it,” thought the princess.
And with a sad and rather stern look she told Natásha all that Pierre
had said. On hearing that he was going to Petersburg Natásha was
astounded.
“To Petersburg!” she repeated as if unable to understand.
But noticing the grieved expression on Princess Mary’s face she guessed
the reason of that sadness and suddenly began to cry.
“Mary,” said she, “tell me what I should do! I am afraid of being bad.
Whatever you tell me, I will do. Tell me....”
“You love him?”
“Yes,” whispered Natásha.
“Then why are you crying? I am happy for your sake,” said Princess Mary,
who because of those tears quite forgave Natásha’s joy.
“It won’t be just yet—someday. Think what fun it will be when I am his
wife and you marry Nicholas!”
“Natásha, I have asked you not to speak of that. Let us talk about you.”
They were silent awhile.
“But why go to Petersburg?” Natásha suddenly asked, and hastily replied
to her own question. “But no, no, he must... Yes, Mary, He must....”
FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20
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
Let's Analyse the Pattern
The belief that moving forward after loss somehow dishonors or betrays those we've lost, creating a trap where joy feels morally wrong.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when loyalty becomes self-punishment and joy feels morally wrong after loss.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel guilty about good things happening after someone left your life—ask yourself what they would actually want for you.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He looks just, yes, just as if he had come out of a Russian bath—in a short coat and with his hair cropped"
Context: Describing Pierre after his visit, seemingly casually but revealing her attraction
This playful observation masks deeper feelings. Natasha notices Pierre's vitality and renewal, which mirrors her own transformation. The casual tone hides the fact that she's really seeing him as a man for the first time.
In Today's Words:
He looks so fresh and put-together, like he just got a complete makeover
"Can she have loved my brother so little as to be able to forget him so soon?"
Context: Princess Mary's internal struggle watching Natasha's rapid recovery
This captures the painful question survivors face - does moving on mean the love wasn't real? Princess Mary judges Natasha's timeline while not understanding that healing doesn't diminish past love.
In Today's Words:
If she really loved him, how can she be over it already?
"Tell me what I should do! I am afraid of being bad"
Context: Breaking down when she realizes her joy might hurt Princess Mary
Natasha's vulnerability shows she knows her happiness feels wrong to others. She needs permission to feel joy again, revealing how social judgment can make natural healing feel like betrayal.
In Today's Words:
I don't know if it's okay to be happy right now - tell me I'm not a terrible person
"The reawakened power of life that had seized Natasha was so evidently irrepressible and unexpected by her"
Context: Explaining why Princess Mary can't stay angry at Natasha
Tolstoy presents life force as something that happens TO us, not something we choose. This removes moral judgment from Natasha's healing, making it a natural phenomenon rather than a character flaw.
In Today's Words:
She couldn't help feeling alive again - it just happened to her whether she wanted it or not
Thematic Threads
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Natasha's sudden transformation from grief to vibrant life shows how growth often happens in dramatic leaps rather than gradual steps
Development
Evolved from earlier themes of gradual character development to show how external events can trigger rapid internal change
In Your Life:
You might experience this during major life transitions when you suddenly see yourself and your possibilities differently
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Princess Mary's conflicted response to Natasha's change reveals how others' transformations can trigger our own insecurities and judgments
Development
Deepened from earlier relationship dynamics to explore how personal change affects those around us
In Your Life:
You might feel threatened when friends or family members make positive changes that highlight your own stagnation
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Natasha's fear of 'being bad' for feeling joy reflects society's unwritten rules about appropriate grief timelines and behavior
Development
Continued exploration of how social norms constrain individual emotional expression and healing
In Your Life:
You might police your own emotions based on what others expect rather than what you actually feel
Identity
In This Chapter
Natasha's struggle between her grieving self and her emerging joyful self shows the discomfort of identity shifts
Development
Advanced from earlier identity themes to show how we can feel guilty about positive changes in ourselves
In Your Life:
You might resist personal growth because it means leaving behind familiar versions of yourself, even painful ones
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific changes does everyone notice in Natasha after Pierre's visit, and how does she react when she learns he's leaving for Petersburg?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Natasha suddenly feel guilty about her happiness and ask Princess Mary if she's 'being bad'?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of feeling guilty about moving forward after loss in modern life - at work, in relationships, or in families?
application • medium - 4
If someone you cared about was struggling with survivor's guilt like Natasha, what would you tell them about honoring the past while embracing the future?
application • deep - 5
What does Natasha's transformation teach us about the difference between healthy grief and getting stuck in guilt?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Write Your Permission Letter
Think of a time when you felt guilty about moving forward after a loss, change, or difficult situation. Write a brief letter from the perspective of someone who loved you - maybe the person you lost, your former self, or even an imaginary wise friend. What would they want you to know about embracing new opportunities or happiness?
Consider:
- •Focus on what someone who truly loved you would want for your life
- •Consider how staying stuck might actually dishonor their memory or sacrifice
- •Think about the difference between remembering someone and imprisoning yourself in grief
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you held yourself back from something good because it felt disloyal to your past. What would it look like to honor that past while still moving forward?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 338: The Impossibility of Perfect Judgment
The story jumps forward in time to the First Epilogue, set in 1813-1820. We'll see how the characters' lives have unfolded in the years following the war, revealing the long-term consequences of the choices made in these final dramatic chapters.
