Summary
In the aftermath of battle, Captain Túshin retreats with his artillery unit, carrying wounded soldiers including young Rostóv, who nurses an injured arm. The scene shifts between the chaos of retreat and a tense military dinner where Prince Bagratión questions commanders about abandoned guns. When Túshin is called to account for losing two cannons, he stands speechless and ashamed before his superiors, unable to defend himself. Prince Andrew suddenly intervenes, boldly declaring that Túshin's battery was the key to their success and that the captain showed heroic endurance despite being abandoned without support. This unexpected defense saves Túshin from disgrace. Meanwhile, Rostóv suffers through the night by a campfire, his physical pain mixing with memories of home and a crushing sense of loneliness. He questions why he ever came to war, remembering his comfortable life and loving family. The chapter captures the brutal aftermath of combat—not just the physical wounds, but the psychological toll, the unfair blame placed on good soldiers, and the rare moments when someone with power chooses to speak truth. Tolstoy shows how war strips away pretense: some leaders seek scapegoats while others, like Prince Andrew, risk their standing to defend the defenseless. The contrast between the warm memories of home and the cold reality of war emphasizes how conflict transforms people, leaving them isolated even among comrades.
Coming Up in Chapter 50
The story shifts to a new setting as we enter Book Three, moving away from the immediate aftermath of battle to explore how the wider war affects different levels of society and different characters' lives.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The wind had fallen and black clouds, merging with the powder smoke, hung low over the field of battle on the horizon. It was growing dark and the glow of two conflagrations was the more conspicuous. The cannonade was dying down, but the rattle of musketry behind and on the right sounded oftener and nearer. As soon as Túshin with his guns, continually driving round or coming upon wounded men, was out of range of fire and had descended into the dip, he was met by some of the staff, among them the staff officer and Zherkóv, who had been twice sent to Túshin’s battery but had never reached it. Interrupting one another, they all gave, and transmitted, orders as to how to proceed, reprimanding and reproaching him. Túshin gave no orders, and, silently—fearing to speak because at every word he felt ready to weep without knowing why—rode behind on his artillery nag. Though the orders were to abandon the wounded, many of them dragged themselves after troops and begged for seats on the gun carriages. The jaunty infantry officer who just before the battle had rushed out of Túshin’s wattle shed was laid, with a bullet in his stomach, on “Matvévna’s” carriage. At the foot of the hill, a pale hussar cadet, supporting one hand with the other, came up to Túshin and asked for a seat. “Captain, for God’s sake! I’ve hurt my arm,” he said timidly. “For God’s sake... I can’t walk. For God’s sake!” It was plain that this cadet had already repeatedly asked for a lift and been refused. He asked in a hesitating, piteous voice. “Tell them to give me a seat, for God’s sake!” “Give him a seat,” said Túshin. “Lay a cloak for him to sit on, lad,” he said, addressing his favorite soldier. “And where is the wounded officer?” “He has been set down. He died,” replied someone. “Help him up. Sit down, dear fellow, sit down! Spread out the cloak, Antónov.” The cadet was Rostóv. With one hand he supported the other; he was pale and his jaw trembled, shivering feverishly. He was placed on “Matvévna,” the gun from which they had removed the dead officer. The cloak they spread under him was wet with blood which stained his breeches and arm. “What, are you wounded, my lad?” said Túshin, approaching the gun on which Rostóv sat. “No, it’s a sprain.” “Then what is this blood on the gun carriage?” inquired Túshin. “It was the officer, your honor, stained it,” answered the artilleryman, wiping away the blood with his coat sleeve, as if apologizing for the state of his gun. It was all that they could do to get the guns up the rise aided by the infantry, and having reached the village of Gruntersdorf they halted. It had grown so dark that one could not distinguish the uniforms ten paces off, and the firing had begun to subside. Suddenly, near by on the right, shouting and firing were again...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Speaking Up - When Good People Stay Silent
When problems arise, power targets the competent-but-vulnerable rather than addressing root causes or holding the truly responsible accountable.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when leaders deflect blame onto vulnerable people instead of addressing systemic problems.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gets blamed for problems they didn't create—then ask yourself who actually had the power to prevent the situation.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Artillery battery
A group of cannons and the soldiers who operate them, working as a tactical unit in battle. In Túshin's case, his battery held a crucial position but was abandoned without infantry support.
Modern Usage:
Like a specialized team at work that gets blamed when a project fails, even though they weren't given the resources they needed to succeed.
Scapegoating
Blaming one person or group for failures that were caused by larger systemic problems. Military leaders often blamed individual commanders to avoid taking responsibility for poor planning.
Modern Usage:
When management blames front-line workers for problems caused by bad policies or lack of support from above.
Chain of command
The military hierarchy where orders flow down from higher-ranking officers to lower ones. Breaking this chain by speaking up for subordinates, as Prince Andrew does, was risky but sometimes necessary.
Modern Usage:
The corporate ladder where your boss's boss makes decisions that affect you, and speaking truth to power can make or break your career.
Combat fatigue
The physical and emotional exhaustion that follows intense battle. Soldiers like Rostóv experience not just physical wounds but psychological trauma and homesickness.
Modern Usage:
What healthcare workers, first responders, or anyone in high-stress jobs feel after dealing with crisis situations repeatedly.
Moral courage
The strength to do what's right even when it costs you personally. Prince Andrew risks his standing with superiors to defend Túshin, who can't defend himself.
Modern Usage:
Speaking up for a coworker who's being unfairly blamed, even when you know it might hurt your own position.
Class privilege
The advantages that come from higher social rank. Prince Andrew can challenge authority because of his noble status, while Captain Túshin, despite his competence, must stay silent.
Modern Usage:
How people with connections or advanced degrees can speak up in meetings while others with more practical experience stay quiet.
Characters in This Chapter
Captain Túshin
Tragic hero
A competent artillery officer who held his position heroically during battle but faces blame for losing cannons when his unit was abandoned without support. He stands speechless before his accusers, unable to defend himself.
Modern Equivalent:
The dedicated nurse who gets blamed for patient complaints when the hospital is understaffed
Prince Andrew
Moral champion
A high-ranking officer who witnesses Túshin's humiliation and boldly speaks up to defend him, using his social position to tell the truth about what really happened in battle.
Modern Equivalent:
The manager who stands up to corporate executives to defend their team
Prince Bagratión
Authority figure
The commanding general who presides over the post-battle questioning. He represents the military hierarchy that often seeks someone to blame for failures rather than examining systemic problems.
Modern Equivalent:
The hospital administrator looking for someone to blame when things go wrong
Rostóv
Wounded idealist
A young officer nursing a wounded arm who spends the night in pain, remembering his comfortable home life and questioning why he ever came to war. His physical wound mirrors his emotional disillusionment.
Modern Equivalent:
The young person who left home full of dreams but now questions their choices while struggling through a difficult job
Zherkóv
Incompetent messenger
A staff officer who was supposed to deliver orders to Túshin's battery but never reached it, contributing to the unit's abandonment. He now participates in criticizing Túshin for the consequences.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who doesn't do their part of a project but joins in blaming others when it fails
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Captain, for God's sake! I've hurt my arm. For God's sake... I can't walk. For God's sake!"
Context: The wounded young officer begs Túshin for a place on the gun carriage during the retreat
The repetition of 'for God's sake' shows Rostóv's desperation and vulnerability. This moment strips away his military pride, reducing him to a hurt young man pleading for help.
In Today's Words:
Please, I'm really hurt and I can't make it on my own - can you help me?
"The success of the day was really decided by that battery!"
Context: Prince Andrew defends Túshin when the captain is being blamed for losing cannons
This bold statement challenges the narrative of blame and gives credit where it's due. Prince Andrew uses his authority to reframe the story from failure to heroism.
In Today's Words:
This guy is the reason we succeeded today, and you're treating him like he failed!
"Túshin gave no orders, and, silently—fearing to speak because at every word he felt ready to weep without knowing why—rode behind on his artillery nag"
Context: Describing Túshin's state during the retreat after the battle
This shows the emotional toll of combat and the vulnerability of a man who appeared strong in battle. His silence comes from emotional overwhelm, not weakness or guilt.
In Today's Words:
He couldn't trust himself to speak because he was barely holding it together emotionally
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Military hierarchy mirrors social class—Túshin lacks the aristocratic confidence to defend himself while Prince Andrew's status gives his words immediate weight
Development
Building on earlier scenes of aristocratic privilege, now showing how class affects who gets blamed and who gets believed
In Your Life:
You might notice how management always listens to certain people while dismissing others saying the exact same thing
Identity
In This Chapter
Rostóv questions his entire identity as a soldier, remembering his comfortable civilian life and wondering why he chose this path
Development
Continuing Rostóv's journey from romantic idealism to harsh reality, deepening his identity crisis
In Your Life:
You might recognize that moment when a major life choice suddenly feels completely wrong and you can't remember why you made it
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Túshin is expected to defend himself eloquently in a formal military inquiry, but his skills lie in action, not words
Development
Expanding the theme to show how different social situations demand different skills that don't always align with actual competence
In Your Life:
You might feel frustrated when your job performance gets judged on presentation skills rather than actual work quality
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Prince Andrew risks his own standing to defend Túshin, showing how relationships can transcend rank when someone chooses courage over convenience
Development
Deepening from earlier examples of strategic relationships to show genuine moral courage in defense of others
In Your Life:
You might remember times when someone unexpectedly stood up for you, or when you had the chance to defend someone else
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Rostóv's physical pain forces emotional honesty about his choices, while Túshin's humiliation becomes a test of character
Development
Showing how crisis moments—injury, blame, failure—become catalysts for deeper self-understanding
In Your Life:
You might notice how your worst moments often teach you the most about who you really are and what you actually want
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why couldn't Captain Túshin defend himself when he was blamed for losing the cannons, even though he had shown courage in battle?
analysis • surface - 2
What made Prince Andrew's defense of Túshin so powerful, and why was he able to change the outcome when Túshin couldn't?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of 'blame the competent but quiet person' play out in your workplace, family, or community?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Túshin's position - skilled at your job but bad at office politics - what strategies would you use to protect yourself?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between having power and using it responsibly?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Workplace Power Dynamics
Think about your current workplace or a recent job. Draw a simple diagram showing who has formal power (titles, authority) versus who has informal influence (respect, connections). Mark yourself on this map. Then identify who might be your 'Prince Andrew' - someone with status who could speak up for you if needed - and who might be vulnerable 'Túshins' you could defend.
Consider:
- •Power isn't just about job titles - some people have influence through relationships or expertise
- •The people who do the best work aren't always the ones who get credit or protection
- •Building alliances before you need them is crucial for navigating workplace politics
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you stayed silent while someone else was unfairly blamed, or when someone with power stood up for you. What did you learn about speaking up versus staying safe?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 50: The Art of Social Manipulation
In the next chapter, you'll discover skilled manipulators operate through instinct rather than conscious planning, and learn sudden wealth changes how others treat you and how to recognize false flattery. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.