Summary
The duel between Pierre and Dólokhov reaches its climax in the snowy woods outside Moscow. Despite his inexperience, Pierre fires first and wounds the notorious duelist Dólokhov, who had seemed so confident and dangerous. But instead of ending there, the wounded Dólokhov insists on taking his shot, demonstrating the rigid honor code that governs these men's lives. When Dólokhov misses, the duel ends with Pierre the unlikely victor. The aftermath reveals the chapter's deeper truth: people are never what they seem on the surface. Pierre, tormented by what he's done, stumbles through the snow muttering about folly and death, showing his gentle nature was never meant for violence. But the real revelation comes with Dólokhov, the feared brawler and seducer. As he's carried back to Moscow, wounded and vulnerable, he breaks down crying for his mother, terrified that seeing him injured will kill her. Rostóv discovers that this man everyone fears as a heartless troublemaker actually lives quietly with his elderly mother and disabled sister, caring for them as the most devoted son and brother. This moment captures one of Tolstoy's central insights: our public personas often mask entirely different private realities. The duel strips away both men's social masks, revealing Pierre's fundamental decency and Dólokhov's hidden tenderness. It's a reminder that even our enemies carry burdens and love people deeply, and that violence always has consequences we can't predict or control.
Coming Up in Chapter 74
As news of the duel spreads through Moscow society, the aftermath will force both Pierre and those around him to confront the real reasons behind this violent confrontation. Meanwhile, Dólokhov's injury sets in motion events that will reveal even more about the complex web of relationships binding these characters together.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
W“ell, begin!” said Dólokhov. “All right,” said Pierre, still smiling in the same way. A feeling of dread was in the air. It was evident that the affair so lightly begun could no longer be averted but was taking its course independently of men’s will. Denísov first went to the barrier and announced: “As the adve’sawies have wefused a weconciliation, please pwoceed. Take your pistols, and at the word thwee begin to advance. “O-ne! T-wo! Thwee!” he shouted angrily and stepped aside. The combatants advanced along the trodden tracks, nearer and nearer to one another, beginning to see one another through the mist. They had the right to fire when they liked as they approached the barrier. Dólokhov walked slowly without raising his pistol, looking intently with his bright, sparkling blue eyes into his antagonist’s face. His mouth wore its usual semblance of a smile. “So I can fire when I like!” said Pierre, and at the word “three,” he went quickly forward, missing the trodden path and stepping into the deep snow. He held the pistol in his right hand at arm’s length, apparently afraid of shooting himself with it. His left hand he held carefully back, because he wished to support his right hand with it and knew he must not do so. Having advanced six paces and strayed off the track into the snow, Pierre looked down at his feet, then quickly glanced at Dólokhov and, bending his finger as he had been shown, fired. Not at all expecting so loud a report, Pierre shuddered at the sound and then, smiling at his own sensations, stood still. The smoke, rendered denser by the mist, prevented him from seeing anything for an instant, but there was no second report as he had expected. He only heard Dólokhov’s hurried steps, and his figure came in view through the smoke. He was pressing one hand to his left side, while the other clutched his drooping pistol. His face was pale. Rostóv ran toward him and said something. “No-o-o!” muttered Dólokhov through his teeth, “no, it’s not over.” And after stumbling a few staggering steps right up to the saber, he sank on the snow beside it. His left hand was bloody; he wiped it on his coat and supported himself with it. His frowning face was pallid and quivered. “Plea...” began Dólokhov, but could not at first pronounce the word. “Please,” he uttered with an effort. Pierre, hardly restraining his sobs, began running toward Dólokhov and was about to cross the space between the barriers, when Dólokhov cried: “To your barrier!” and Pierre, grasping what was meant, stopped by his saber. Only ten paces divided them. Dólokhov lowered his head to the snow, greedily bit at it, again raised his head, adjusted himself, drew in his legs and sat up, seeking a firm center of gravity. He sucked and swallowed the cold snow, his lips quivered but his eyes, still smiling, glittered with effort and exasperation as he mustered his...
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
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Hidden Hearts - When Public Masks Hide Private Truth
People's public behavior often masks completely different private realities and deeper emotional needs.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize that aggressive or difficult behavior often masks private struggles and responsibilities.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone seems unreasonably harsh or difficult—instead of matching their energy, pause and wonder what invisible weight they might be carrying.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Duel of honor
A formal fight between two men to settle a dispute and restore reputation. In 19th century Russia, refusing a duel meant social disgrace. The rules were strict - pistols at dawn, seconds as witnesses, specific distances.
Modern Usage:
We see this need to 'defend our honor' in social media call-outs, workplace confrontations, or when someone feels publicly disrespected and needs to 'set the record straight.'
Seconds
Friends who arrange and witness a duel, making sure rules are followed. They try to negotiate peace first, but if that fails, they oversee the fight to ensure fairness.
Modern Usage:
Like friends who try to mediate when you're fighting with someone, or who have your back during a confrontation but also try to keep things from getting out of hand.
Social mask
The personality we show in public versus who we really are at home. Tolstoy shows how people perform toughness or sophistication while hiding their true feelings and vulnerabilities.
Modern Usage:
The difference between your Instagram persona and how you actually feel, or acting confident at work while struggling with self-doubt at home.
Honor code
Unwritten rules about what makes a man respectable in society. Breaking these rules meant losing social standing, even if following them was dangerous or stupid.
Modern Usage:
Like unspoken rules in any group - what you have to do to maintain respect, even when it goes against your better judgment or personal values.
Reputation
What others think of you, which in Tolstoy's world could determine your entire social and economic future. Men would literally risk death rather than be seen as cowards.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how online reviews, social media presence, or workplace gossip can make or break opportunities and relationships today.
Barrier
The line duelers walk toward each other from, with the right to fire once they cross it. The closer you get before shooting, the braver you appear.
Modern Usage:
Like the point of no return in any conflict - once you cross that line, there's no taking back what happens next.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre
Reluctant duelist
Despite being inexperienced and gentle by nature, he's forced into this duel and surprisingly wounds the dangerous Dolokhov. His horror afterward shows he's not built for violence.
Modern Equivalent:
The nice guy who finally snaps and fights back, then immediately regrets it
Dolokhov
Notorious antagonist
The feared troublemaker who seems heartless but breaks down crying for his mother when wounded, revealing he's actually a devoted caregiver to his family.
Modern Equivalent:
The workplace bully who turns out to have serious family responsibilities and personal struggles
Denisov
Duel referee
Serves as Pierre's second, officially overseeing the duel and calling out the count. His speech impediment adds tension to the formal proceedings.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend trying to mediate a serious conflict while following the 'rules' everyone expects
Rostov
Witness and caregiver
Helps carry the wounded Dolokhov and discovers the truth about his home life - that this feared man actually cares for his elderly mother and disabled sister.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who sees behind someone's tough exterior and realizes they're dealing with heavy family responsibilities
Key Quotes & Analysis
"A feeling of dread was in the air. It was evident that the affair so lightly begun could no longer be averted but was taking its course independently of men's will."
Context: As the duel is about to begin, describing how conflicts can spiral beyond anyone's control
Tolstoy shows how pride and social pressure can trap people in situations they never really wanted. Once certain lines are crossed, momentum takes over and people feel powerless to stop what's happening.
In Today's Words:
Things had gone too far to back down now - it was like watching a car accident in slow motion.
"So I can fire when I like!"
Context: Pierre realizes he has the right to shoot as he approaches the barrier
This shows Pierre's inexperience and nervousness - an experienced duelist wouldn't need to confirm the rules out loud. His uncertainty makes his eventual success even more surprising.
In Today's Words:
Wait, I can actually do this whenever I want?
"His mouth wore its usual semblance of a smile."
Context: Describing Dolokhov as he approaches Pierre in the duel
Even facing potential death, Dolokhov maintains his trademark smirk - the mask he always wears. This makes his later breakdown even more powerful when we see his real emotions.
In Today's Words:
He had that same cocky smirk he always wore.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Both Pierre and Dólokhov discover their true selves when stripped of social expectations—Pierre's gentleness, Dólokhov's devotion
Development
Developed from earlier chapters showing characters struggling with societal roles versus authentic selves
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you act differently at work than at home, or judge someone before knowing their full story.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The duel itself represents rigid honor codes that force men into violence against their nature
Development
Continues theme of how social rules trap characters in destructive patterns
In Your Life:
You see this when peer pressure pushes you into decisions that don't align with your values.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Dólokhov's tears for his mother reveal that even antagonists have deep family bonds and vulnerabilities
Development
Builds on theme that relationships are more complex than they appear on the surface
In Your Life:
This appears when you discover that someone you disliked actually has compelling reasons for their behavior.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Pierre's horror at his own capacity for violence forces him to confront who he really is versus who society expects
Development
Continues Pierre's journey of self-discovery through uncomfortable revelations
In Your Life:
You experience this when a crisis reveals aspects of yourself you didn't know existed.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What surprises Pierre and the readers about Dólokhov after he's wounded in the duel?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think Dólokhov created such a dangerous public reputation when his private life shows he's actually caring and devoted?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about someone you've judged harshly based on their public behavior. What private struggles might they be hiding that could explain their actions?
application • medium - 4
When you encounter someone acting aggressively or coldly, how could you respond differently if you assumed they were carrying a hidden burden?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter teach us about the gap between who people appear to be and who they really are?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Unmask the Hidden Story
Think of someone whose behavior has frustrated or confused you recently - a coworker, family member, or acquaintance. Write their 'public story' (how they appear to others) and then imagine their possible 'private story' (what struggles or responsibilities they might be hiding). Consider what could make someone act the way they do.
Consider:
- •What pressures or expectations might shape how they present themselves publicly?
- •What family responsibilities, health issues, or financial stress could be invisible to you?
- •How might their background or past experiences influence their current behavior?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone surprised you by showing vulnerability or kindness after you'd judged them negatively. How did that change your understanding of them?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 74: The Terrible Truth Revealed
Moving forward, we'll examine self-deception in relationships eventually demands a reckoning, and understand confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves is necessary for growth. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.