An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 1415 words)
ust then another visitor entered the drawing room: Prince Andrew
Bolkónski, the little princess’ husband. He was a very handsome young
man, of medium height, with firm, clearcut features. Everything about
him, from his weary, bored expression to his quiet, measured step,
offered a most striking contrast to his quiet, little wife. It was
evident that he not only knew everyone in the drawing room, but had
found them to be so tiresome that it wearied him to look at or listen to
them. And among all these faces that he found so tedious, none seemed
to bore him so much as that of his pretty wife. He turned away from
her with a grimace that distorted his handsome face, kissed Anna
Pávlovna’s hand, and screwing up his eyes scanned the whole company.
“You are off to the war, Prince?” said Anna Pávlovna.
“General Kutúzov,” said Bolkónski, speaking French and stressing
the last syllable of the general’s name like a Frenchman, “has been
pleased to take me as an aide-de-camp....”
“And Lise, your wife?”
“She will go to the country.”
“Are you not ashamed to deprive us of your charming wife?”
“André,” said his wife, addressing her husband in the same
coquettish manner in which she spoke to other men, “the vicomte has
been telling us such a tale about Mademoiselle George and Buonaparte!”
Prince Andrew screwed up his eyes and turned away. Pierre, who from
the moment Prince Andrew entered the room had watched him with glad,
affectionate eyes, now came up and took his arm. Before he looked round
Prince Andrew frowned again, expressing his annoyance with whoever was
touching his arm, but when he saw Pierre’s beaming face he gave him an
unexpectedly kind and pleasant smile.
“There now!... So you, too, are in the great world?” said he to
Pierre.
“I knew you would be here,” replied Pierre. “I will come to supper
with you. May I?” he added in a low voice so as not to disturb the
vicomte who was continuing his story.
“No, impossible!” said Prince Andrew, laughing and pressing
Pierre’s hand to show that there was no need to ask the question. He
wished to say something more, but at that moment Prince Vasíli and his
daughter got up to go and the two young men rose to let them pass.
“You must excuse me, dear Vicomte,” said Prince Vasíli to the
Frenchman, holding him down by the sleeve in a friendly way to prevent
his rising. “This unfortunate fete at the ambassador’s deprives me
of a pleasure, and obliges me to interrupt you. I am very sorry to leave
your enchanting party,” said he, turning to Anna Pávlovna.
His daughter, Princess Hélène, passed between the chairs, lightly
holding up the folds of her dress, and the smile shone still more
radiantly on her beautiful face. Pierre gazed at her with rapturous,
almost frightened, eyes as she passed him.
“Very lovely,” said Prince Andrew.
“Very,” said Pierre.
In passing Prince Vasíli seized Pierre’s hand and said to Anna
Pávlovna: “Educate this bear for me! He has been staying with me
a whole month and this is the first time I have seen him in society.
Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the society of clever
women.”
Anna Pávlovna smiled and promised to take Pierre in hand. She knew his
father to be a connection of Prince Vasíli’s. The elderly lady who
had been sitting with the old aunt rose hurriedly and overtook Prince
Vasíli in the anteroom. All the affectation of interest she had assumed
had left her kindly and tear-worn face and it now expressed only anxiety
and fear.
“How about my son Borís, Prince?” said she, hurrying after him into
the anteroom. “I can’t remain any longer in Petersburg. Tell me what
news I may take back to my poor boy.”
Although Prince Vasíli listened reluctantly and not very politely
to the elderly lady, even betraying some impatience, she gave him an
ingratiating and appealing smile, and took his hand that he might not go
away.
“What would it cost you to say a word to the Emperor, and then he
would be transferred to the Guards at once?” said she.
“Believe me, Princess, I am ready to do all I can,” answered Prince
Vasíli, “but it is difficult for me to ask the Emperor. I should
advise you to appeal to Rumyántsev through Prince Golítsyn. That would
be the best way.”
The elderly lady was a Princess Drubetskáya, belonging to one of the
best families in Russia, but she was poor, and having long been out of
society had lost her former influential connections. She had now come to
Petersburg to procure an appointment in the Guards for her only son.
It was, in fact, solely to meet Prince Vasíli that she had obtained an
invitation to Anna Pávlovna’s reception and had sat listening to
the vicomte’s story. Prince Vasíli’s words frightened her, an
embittered look clouded her once handsome face, but only for a moment;
then she smiled again and clutched Prince Vasíli’s arm more tightly.
“Listen to me, Prince,” said she. “I have never yet asked you
for anything and I never will again, nor have I ever reminded you of my
father’s friendship for you; but now I entreat you for God’s sake to
do this for my son—and I shall always regard you as a benefactor,”
she added hurriedly. “No, don’t be angry, but promise! I have asked
Golítsyn and he has refused. Be the kindhearted man you always were,”
she said, trying to smile though tears were in her eyes.
“Papa, we shall be late,” said Princess Hélène, turning her
beautiful head and looking over her classically molded shoulder as she
stood waiting by the door.
Influence in society, however, is a capital which has to be economized
if it is to last. Prince Vasíli knew this, and having once realized
that if he asked on behalf of all who begged of him, he would soon be
unable to ask for himself, he became chary of using his influence. But
in Princess Drubetskáya’s case he felt, after her second appeal,
something like qualms of conscience. She had reminded him of what was
quite true; he had been indebted to her father for the first steps in
his career. Moreover, he could see by her manners that she was one of
those women—mostly mothers—who, having once made up their minds,
will not rest until they have gained their end, and are prepared if
necessary to go on insisting day after day and hour after hour, and even
to make scenes. This last consideration moved him.
“My dear Anna Mikháylovna,” said he with his usual familiarity and
weariness of tone, “it is almost impossible for me to do what you
ask; but to prove my devotion to you and how I respect your father’s
memory, I will do the impossible—your son shall be transferred to the
Guards. Here is my hand on it. Are you satisfied?”
“My dear benefactor! This is what I expected from you—I knew your
kindness!” He turned to go.
“Wait—just a word! When he has been transferred to the Guards...”
she faltered. “You are on good terms with Michael Ilariónovich
Kutúzov ... recommend Borís to him as adjutant! Then I shall be at
rest, and then...”
Prince Vasíli smiled.
“No, I won’t promise that. You don’t know how Kutúzov is pestered
since his appointment as Commander in Chief. He told me himself that
all the Moscow ladies have conspired to give him all their sons as
adjutants.”
“No, but do promise! I won’t let you go! My dear benefactor...”
“Papa,” said his beautiful daughter in the same tone as before,
“we shall be late.”
“Well, au revoir! Good-by! You hear her?”
“Then tomorrow you will speak to the Emperor?”
“Certainly; but about Kutúzov, I don’t promise.”
“Do promise, do promise, Vasíli!” cried Anna Mikháylovna as he
went, with the smile of a coquettish girl, which at one time probably
came naturally to her, but was now very ill-suited to her careworn face.
Apparently she had forgotten her age and by force of habit employed
all the old feminine arts. But as soon as the prince had gone her face
resumed its former cold, artificial expression. She returned to the
group where the vicomte was still talking, and again pretended to
listen, while waiting till it would be time to leave. Her task was
accomplished.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
When powerless people use emotional theater to pressure others into compliance, often dropping the act immediately after getting what they want.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone uses tears, guilt, and persistence as tools to override your boundaries rather than genuine expressions of need.
Practice This Today
Next time someone won't accept your first 'no' and escalates emotionally, notice whether they're actually listening to your concerns or just trying different pressure tactics.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It was evident that he not only knew everyone in the drawing room, but had found them to be so tiresome that it wearied him to look at or listen to them."
Context: Describing Prince Andrew's attitude when he enters the salon
This reveals how wealth and status can become a prison. Andrew has everything society values but finds no meaning in it. His boredom isn't casual - it's existential exhaustion with a hollow social world.
In Today's Words:
He was so over everyone in the room that just looking at them made him tired.
"Social influence is like credit - spend it unwisely and you'll have none left when you really need it."
Context: Explaining why he can't help everyone who asks for favors
This captures a crucial truth about power and relationships. Influence isn't unlimited - every favor you do for someone else reduces your ability to help yourself or your family later.
In Today's Words:
You can't say yes to everyone or you'll have nothing left for the people who really matter.
"André, the vicomte has been telling us such a tale about Mademoiselle George and Buonaparte!"
Context: She addresses her husband the same flirtatious way she talks to other men
This shows how their marriage has become just another social performance. She can't drop the act even with her own husband, revealing how shallow their connection has become.
In Today's Words:
Honey, you missed the juiciest gossip!
Thematic Threads
Power Dynamics
In This Chapter
Drubetskaya uses emotional manipulation because she lacks formal power, while Vasili must guard his social capital carefully
Development
Building on earlier salon dynamics, now showing how powerlessness drives specific behaviors
In Your Life:
You might find yourself either using manipulation when you feel powerless, or being manipulated by someone who does
Social Masks
In This Chapter
Drubetskaya's desperate pleading instantly transforms into cool satisfaction once she gets what she wants
Development
Expanding the theme of performed identities from the salon setting to personal manipulation
In Your Life:
You've probably seen someone's personality completely shift once they got what they wanted from you
Authentic Connection
In This Chapter
Andrew's genuine warmth toward Pierre contrasts sharply with his cold treatment of others, including his wife
Development
Continuing to explore how real relationships cut through social pretense
In Your Life:
You likely have one or two people with whom you can drop all pretense and be completely yourself
Resource Scarcity
In This Chapter
Vasili understands that social influence is limited capital that must be spent strategically
Development
Introduced here as a new dimension of social navigation
In Your Life:
You might struggle with saying no to requests because you haven't recognized your own limits as finite resources
Emotional Labor
In This Chapter
Drubetskaya performs vulnerability and distress to achieve her goals, while Vasili must manage the emotional burden of others' requests
Development
Introduced here as a tool of social manipulation
In Your Life:
You might find yourself either performing emotions to get what you need, or feeling drained by others' emotional demands
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific tactics does Princess Drubetskaya use to pressure Prince Vasili into helping her son?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Prince Vasili initially resist helping, even though he has the power to do so?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone use emotional manipulation to get what they want in your workplace or family?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle a situation where someone keeps pressuring you with tears and guilt trips after you've already said no?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between genuine desperation and calculated manipulation?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Social Capital
Think about your own influence and resources—at work, in your family, or community. Make two lists: favors people ask of you, and favors you might need to ask others. Consider what happens when these lists get out of balance, and how you decide when to say yes or no to requests.
Consider:
- •What requests drain your energy or resources the most?
- •Who in your life respects your boundaries versus who keeps pushing?
- •How do you tell the difference between someone genuinely in need and someone working an angle?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone used emotional pressure to get something from you. How did you handle it, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 5: When Politics Divides the Room
The focus shifts to a new setting where we'll meet more characters navigating the complex web of Russian high society, each with their own ambitions and secrets.
