Summary
Nicholas returns to Moscow as a decorated war hero, welcomed with open arms by family and society. He's grown up - the boy who once worried about Scripture exams now wears the Cross of St. George and trains racehorses. But success has created unexpected distance. He pulls away from Sonya, the girl who loves him, telling himself he needs freedom and that romance would diminish his newfound manhood. Meanwhile, his father Count Rostov throws himself into planning an elaborate dinner for Prince Bagration, the military hero Moscow has chosen to celebrate. The preparations are frantic and expensive, revealing both the count's generous nature and his financial recklessness. Anna Mikhaylovna brings gossip about Pierre's marital troubles with the scandalous Dolokhov. The chapter reveals how Moscow society has processed the shocking defeat at Austerlitz - by creating scapegoats and elevating heroes like Bagration while ignoring uncomfortable truths about leaders like Kutuzov. This shows how communities often prefer comforting narratives to harsh realities. Nicholas embodies the complex aftermath of war - he's gained status and confidence but lost some capacity for intimate connection. His transformation reflects a broader theme about how external achievements can sometimes distance us from the relationships that once mattered most.
Coming Up in Chapter 71
The grand dinner for Prince Bagration begins, bringing together Moscow's elite in a celebration that will reveal the true character of the city's social fabric and the complex politics surrounding Russia's military heroes.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
On his return to Moscow from the army, Nicholas Rostóv was welcomed by his home circle as the best of sons, a hero, and their darling Nikólenka; by his relations as a charming, attractive, and polite young man; by his acquaintances as a handsome lieutenant of hussars, a good dancer, and one of the best matches in the city. The Rostóvs knew everybody in Moscow. The old count had money enough that year, as all his estates had been remortgaged, and so Nicholas, acquiring a trotter of his own, very stylish riding breeches of the latest cut, such as no one else yet had in Moscow, and boots of the latest fashion, with extremely pointed toes and small silver spurs, passed his time very gaily. After a short period of adapting himself to the old conditions of life, Nicholas found it very pleasant to be at home again. He felt that he had grown up and matured very much. His despair at failing in a Scripture examination, his borrowing money from Gavríl to pay a sleigh driver, his kissing Sónya on the sly—he now recalled all this as childishness he had left immeasurably behind. Now he was a lieutenant of hussars, in a jacket laced with silver, and wearing the Cross of St. George, awarded to soldiers for bravery in action, and in the company of well-known, elderly, and respected racing men was training a trotter of his own for a race. He knew a lady on one of the boulevards whom he visited of an evening. He led the mazurka at the Arkhárovs’ ball, talked about the war with Field Marshal Kámenski, visited the English Club, and was on intimate terms with a colonel of forty to whom Denísov had introduced him. His passion for the Emperor had cooled somewhat in Moscow. But still, as he did not see him and had no opportunity of seeing him, he often spoke about him and about his love for him, letting it be understood that he had not told all and that there was something in his feelings for the Emperor not everyone could understand, and with his whole soul he shared the adoration then common in Moscow for the Emperor, who was spoken of as the “angel incarnate.” During Rostóv’s short stay in Moscow, before rejoining the army, he did not draw closer to Sónya, but rather drifted away from her. She was very pretty and sweet, and evidently deeply in love with him, but he was at the period of youth when there seems so much to do that there is no time for that sort of thing and a young man fears to bind himself and prizes his freedom which he needs for so many other things. When he thought of Sónya, during this stay in Moscow, he said to himself, “Ah, there will be, and there are, many more such girls somewhere whom I do not yet know. There will be time enough to think about love...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Success Isolation - When Achievement Builds Walls
Achievement creates psychological distance from intimate relationships as we fear vulnerability might diminish our elevated status.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when achievements are being used as barriers against intimacy and authentic connection.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel tempted to pull away from people who knew you 'before' - that's the isolation trap activating.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Cross of St. George
Russia's highest military decoration for bravery in battle, equivalent to America's Medal of Honor. Only soldiers who showed exceptional courage under fire received this honor. It immediately elevated Nicholas's social status and proved his worth as a man.
Modern Usage:
Like when a veteran displays their Purple Heart or Bronze Star - it's instant credibility and respect in any room they enter.
Hussars
Elite cavalry units known for their flashy uniforms, daring charges, and reputation as glamorous warriors. They were the 'special forces' of their day, attracting young men who wanted glory and adventure. The uniform alone marked you as someone special.
Modern Usage:
Think Navy SEALs or fighter pilots - elite units that attract risk-takers and come with automatic prestige and dating appeal.
Remortgaged estates
Count Rostov borrowed money against his land to fund his lifestyle, a common practice among Russian nobility. This created temporary cash flow but mounting debt. Many aristocratic families lived beyond their means this way until they lost everything.
Modern Usage:
Like taking out a second mortgage or home equity loan to maintain your lifestyle - you get cash now but risk losing the house later.
Moscow society
The tight-knit world of wealthy families who all knew each other, attended the same parties, and followed unwritten rules about status and behavior. Your reputation in this circle determined your marriage prospects, business opportunities, and social survival.
Modern Usage:
Like the social scene in any small wealthy community - country club members, private school parents, or even workplace hierarchies where everyone knows everyone's business.
War hero narrative
How society creates simple, heroic stories about complex military events to make sense of trauma and defeat. Moscow elevated Bagration while ignoring leaders like Kutuzov who made unpopular but necessary decisions.
Modern Usage:
How we create 'good guys' and 'bad guys' after any crisis - praising some leaders while scapegoating others, often missing the real complexity of what happened.
Coming of age through combat
The belief that war transforms boys into men by testing them under ultimate pressure. Nicholas sees his military service as proof he's outgrown childish concerns and deserves adult respect and freedom.
Modern Usage:
Like how some people view military service, college, or any major challenge as 'what made me who I am' - using it to justify leaving old relationships or responsibilities behind.
Characters in This Chapter
Nicholas Rostóv
Returning war hero
Comes home decorated and confident but emotionally distant. His military success has given him status and self-respect, but he's pulling away from Sonya and the intimate connections that once mattered to him. He's caught between his new adult identity and his family relationships.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who comes back from deployment, college, or a big promotion feeling like he's outgrown his hometown girlfriend
Count Rostóv
Generous but reckless patriarch
Throws himself into planning an elaborate dinner for Prince Bagration despite his family's mounting debts. His generous nature and desire to do right by society heroes reveals both his good heart and his dangerous inability to manage money.
Modern Equivalent:
The dad who insists on throwing the expensive graduation party even though the credit cards are maxed out
Sónya
Devoted but increasingly distant love interest
Represents the innocent love Nicholas is outgrowing. She still cares deeply for him, but he's convinced himself that romantic attachment would diminish his newfound manhood and freedom as a decorated officer.
Modern Equivalent:
The high school girlfriend who's still in love while her boyfriend has 'moved on' to bigger things
Prince Bagration
Military hero being celebrated
The general Moscow society has chosen to honor after the defeat at Austerlitz. He represents how communities create heroes to cope with trauma and defeat, focusing on individual bravery rather than systemic failures.
Modern Equivalent:
The local hero everyone rallies around after a community crisis - the teacher, first responder, or coach who becomes the symbol of resilience
Anna Mikhaylovna
Society gossip and information broker
Brings news about Pierre's marital troubles and Dolokhov's scandalous behavior. She represents how information flows through tight social circles and how personal dramas become public entertainment.
Modern Equivalent:
The neighborhood gossip who knows everyone's business and can't wait to share the latest drama
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He felt that he had grown up and matured very much. His despair at failing in a Scripture examination, his borrowing money from Gavríl to pay a sleigh driver, his kissing Sónya on the sly—he now recalled all this as childishness he had left immeasurably behind."
Context: Nicholas reflecting on how war has changed him
This shows how external achievements can make us dismiss our past selves and relationships as 'childish.' Nicholas uses his military success to justify emotional distance, but he's really just afraid of vulnerability. The things he calls childish were actually moments of genuine human connection.
In Today's Words:
All that stuff that used to matter - school stress, money problems, sneaking around with my girlfriend - that was kid stuff. I'm a different person now.
"The old count had money enough that year, as all his estates had been remortgaged."
Context: Explaining how the Rostóvs can afford their current lifestyle
This perfectly captures the dangerous logic of living beyond your means. The count has 'money enough' only because he's borrowed against his future. It's a classic setup for financial disaster, but right now everyone can pretend everything is fine.
In Today's Words:
Dad had plenty of cash that year since he'd taken out loans against everything we owned.
"Now he was a lieutenant of hussars, in a jacket laced with silver, and wearing the Cross of St. George, awarded to soldiers for bravery in action."
Context: Describing Nicholas's new status and appearance
The focus on external symbols - the uniform, the decoration, the silver lacing - shows how Nicholas's identity is now built on public recognition rather than private relationships. These symbols give him confidence but also create distance from his former self.
In Today's Words:
Now he was someone important - decorated veteran, sharp uniform, the kind of guy people noticed when he walked into a room.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Nicholas struggles between his new identity as war hero and his capacity for intimate relationships with people who knew him before
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters where characters defined themselves by social roles - now showing how achievement can trap us in those roles
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when a promotion or accomplishment makes you feel like you need to 'upgrade' your relationships or social circle
Class
In This Chapter
Count Rostov's expensive dinner preparations reveal how the wealthy perform generosity while hiding financial recklessness
Development
Continues the theme of how social class requires constant performance that often contradicts private reality
In Your Life:
You see this when people spend money they don't have to maintain appearances or when financial stress gets hidden behind social obligations
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Moscow society creates comfortable narratives about military heroes while avoiding harsh truths about leadership failures
Development
Builds on earlier themes about how communities prefer reassuring stories to difficult realities
In Your Life:
You encounter this when your workplace blames individuals for systemic problems or when communities scapegoat rather than address root causes
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Nicholas has matured from worried student to confident soldier, but growth has created new problems around intimacy and connection
Development
Shows that character development isn't always straightforward progress - growth can create new challenges
In Your Life:
You might notice this when getting stronger or more successful creates unexpected distance from people who matter to you
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Nicholas pulls away from Sonya's genuine love, preferring the safer admiration of society that doesn't require vulnerability
Development
Deepens the exploration of how external pressures interfere with authentic connection
In Your Life:
You see this pattern when you find yourself avoiding people who really know you in favor of those who only see your achievements
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What changes do we see in Nicholas when he returns from war, and how does his family react to these changes?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Nicholas pull away from Sonya despite her continued love for him, and what does he tell himself to justify this distance?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today - people using their achievements or new status to distance themselves from old relationships?
application • medium - 4
If you had a friend like Nicholas who was pulling away after success, what would you do to help them recognize this pattern?
application • deep - 5
What does Nicholas's behavior teach us about the relationship between external validation and our capacity for intimate connection?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Success Isolation Risk
Think of a recent achievement or improvement in your life - a promotion, weight loss, new skill, or overcoming a challenge. Write down the relationships that were important to you before this success. Now honestly assess: have any of these relationships changed since your achievement? Are you treating anyone differently or expecting them to treat you differently?
Consider:
- •Notice if you've started feeling like certain people 'don't understand you anymore' since your success
- •Pay attention to whether you're seeking validation from new people while taking old supporters for granted
- •Consider if you're using your achievement as a reason to avoid vulnerability with people who knew you before
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone you cared about achieved something significant and then seemed to drift away from you. How did that feel, and what do you wish they had done differently?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 71: The Hero's Uncomfortable Welcome
As the story unfolds, you'll explore social rituals can make genuine heroes deeply uncomfortable, while uncovering wealth creates invisible barriers between people. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.