Summary
The little princess Lise goes into labor at Bald Hills, transforming the entire household into a quiet, watchful community. Everyone from servants to family members feels the weight of this life-and-death moment, moving with hushed reverence as they prepare for childbirth. Princess Mary sits anxiously in her room with her old nurse, both women bound together by shared worry and hope. The atmosphere grows thick with superstition and tenderness—no one speaks directly about what's happening, but everyone understands something profound is unfolding. Meanwhile, a German doctor races through a fierce March snowstorm to reach them. Just as the household settles into this vigil of waiting, Prince Andrew arrives unexpectedly, having traveled through the same storm. His sudden appearance shocks Princess Mary, who hadn't received his letter announcing his return. The chapter captures how birth—one of life's most fundamental experiences—creates a sacred space that draws people together across class lines and family bonds. Tolstoy shows us how major life events suspend normal time and routine, creating moments where everyone, from prince to servant, shares the same fundamental human concerns about life, death, and family. The convergence of Andrew's homecoming with his wife's labor hints at the complex timing that shapes our most important moments.
Coming Up in Chapter 77
Prince Andrew rushes to be with his wife during the most critical hours of childbirth, but will his presence bring comfort or add to the mounting tension in the household?
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
D“earest,” said the little princess after breakfast on the morning of the nineteenth March, and her downy little lip rose from old habit, but as sorrow was manifest in every smile, the sound of every word, and even every footstep in that house since the terrible news had come, so now the smile of the little princess—influenced by the general mood though without knowing its cause—was such as to remind one still more of the general sorrow. “Dearest, I’m afraid this morning’s fruschtique *—as Fóka the cook calls it—has disagreed with me.” * Frühstück: breakfast. “What is the matter with you, my darling? You look pale. Oh, you are very pale!” said Princess Mary in alarm, running with her soft, ponderous steps up to her sister-in-law. “Your excellency, should not Mary Bogdánovna be sent for?” said one of the maids who was present. (Mary Bogdánovna was a midwife from the neighboring town, who had been at Bald Hills for the last fortnight.) “Oh yes,” assented Princess Mary, “perhaps that’s it. I’ll go. Courage, my angel.” She kissed Lise and was about to leave the room. “Oh, no, no!” And besides the pallor and the physical suffering on the little princess’ face, an expression of childish fear of inevitable pain showed itself. “No, it’s only indigestion?... Say it’s only indigestion, say so, Mary! Say...” And the little princess began to cry capriciously like a suffering child and to wring her little hands even with some affectation. Princess Mary ran out of the room to fetch Mary Bogdánovna. “Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Oh!” she heard as she left the room. The midwife was already on her way to meet her, rubbing her small, plump white hands with an air of calm importance. “Mary Bogdánovna, I think it’s beginning!” said Princess Mary looking at the midwife with wide-open eyes of alarm. “Well, the Lord be thanked, Princess,” said Mary Bogdánovna, not hastening her steps. “You young ladies should not know anything about it.” “But how is it the doctor from Moscow is not here yet?” said the princess. (In accordance with Lise’s and Prince Andrew’s wishes they had sent in good time to Moscow for a doctor and were expecting him at any moment.) “No matter, Princess, don’t be alarmed,” said Mary Bogdánovna. “We’ll manage very well without a doctor.” Five minutes later Princess Mary from her room heard something heavy being carried by. She looked out. The men servants were carrying the large leather sofa from Prince Andrew’s study into the bedroom. On their faces was a quiet and solemn look. Princess Mary sat alone in her room listening to the sounds in the house, now and then opening her door when someone passed and watching what was going on in the passage. Some women passing with quiet steps in and out of the bedroom glanced at the princess and turned away. She did not venture to ask any questions, and shut the door again, now sitting down in her easy chair,...
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 Sacred Pause - When Life Forces Everyone to Stop
Profound life events temporarily dissolve social hierarchies, creating moments of shared vulnerability and authentic human connection.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify moments when normal social rules suspend and authentic human connection becomes possible.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when crisis or profound moments make everyone equal—in waiting rooms, during emergencies, at funerals—and practice showing up as a human being, not your job title.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Midwife
A woman trained to assist in childbirth, especially in rural areas where doctors weren't always available. In Tolstoy's time, midwives were essential community figures who handled most births and knew traditional remedies.
Modern Usage:
Today we still have midwives who work alongside doctors, and many women choose midwife-assisted births for a more personal, natural experience.
Confinement
The period when a pregnant woman would withdraw from social activities before and after giving birth. This was both for health reasons and social custom - women were expected to stay secluded during this vulnerable time.
Modern Usage:
We see this in modern maternity leave policies and the way families often create a protective bubble around new mothers.
Class boundaries during crisis
How major life events like birth or death temporarily break down the usual social barriers between servants and masters. Everyone becomes united by shared human concern.
Modern Usage:
This happens today in hospitals, during natural disasters, or family emergencies when job titles don't matter and everyone just helps.
Vigil
A period of watchful waiting, often during illness, birth, or death. The whole household keeps quiet, respectful watch while something important unfolds.
Modern Usage:
We still keep vigils in hospital waiting rooms, or when families gather during someone's final days.
Superstition in childbirth
The belief that certain actions, words, or behaviors could influence the outcome of birth. People avoided speaking directly about what might go wrong.
Modern Usage:
Today we have different superstitions - not announcing pregnancies too early, avoiding certain topics, or following specific rituals for luck.
Dramatic irony
When readers know something characters don't - like how Andrew's arrival coincides with his wife's labor, creating tension about what he'll find.
Modern Usage:
We see this in movies when we know the killer is in the house but the character doesn't, or in real life when we know someone's getting fired but they don't.
Characters in This Chapter
Little Princess Lise
Woman in labor
Goes into labor, showing both physical pain and childlike fear of what's happening to her. Her vulnerability transforms the entire household atmosphere.
Modern Equivalent:
The young mom who's scared and needs everyone to take care of her
Princess Mary
Worried sister-in-law
Takes charge of the situation with calm efficiency while battling her own anxiety. Shows how women support each other during crisis.
Modern Equivalent:
The reliable family member who handles emergencies but worries privately
Mary Bogdanovna
The midwife
The professional who's been staying at the house preparing for this moment. Represents practical knowledge and experience in life's most fundamental processes.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced nurse or doula who's seen it all and knows what to do
Prince Andrew
Unexpected arrival
Returns home at the exact moment his wife is giving birth, creating dramatic tension about what he'll discover and how he'll handle it.
Modern Equivalent:
The husband who shows up at the worst possible moment
The old nurse
Comforting presence
Sits with Princess Mary, providing emotional support through shared worry. Represents the wisdom and comfort of older women.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced mom friend who knows exactly what to say
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Say it's only indigestion, say so, Mary! Say..."
Context: When she's clearly in labor but desperately wants someone to tell her it's nothing serious
Shows how fear makes us want to deny reality even when we know the truth. Her childlike pleading reveals her terror of the unknown.
In Today's Words:
Tell me everything's going to be fine, please just tell me it's nothing
"Everyone in the house felt that something solemn and important was being accomplished"
Context: Describing how the entire household responds to the approaching birth
Captures how major life events create a sacred atmosphere that affects everyone, regardless of their direct involvement.
In Today's Words:
Everyone could feel that something big and life-changing was happening
"The little princess began to cry capriciously like a suffering child"
Context: Describing Lise's reaction to her labor pains and fear
Shows how pain and fear can make adults regress to childlike behavior, seeking comfort and protection from others.
In Today's Words:
She started crying like a scared kid who just wants someone to make it better
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Labor dissolves the usual master-servant boundaries as everyone becomes equal participants in waiting
Development
Continues the theme of how extreme situations reveal the artificiality of social divisions
In Your Life:
You might notice how medical emergencies or family crises make job titles suddenly irrelevant.
Community
In This Chapter
The household transforms into a unified group bound by shared concern and anticipation
Development
Shows how crisis creates instant communities from previously separate individuals
In Your Life:
You've likely experienced this during neighborhood emergencies or workplace crises that bring people together.
Timing
In This Chapter
Andrew's unexpected arrival coincides perfectly with his wife's labor, suggesting life's complex choreography
Development
Introduces the theme of how significant moments often converge in unexpected ways
In Your Life:
You might recognize how major life events often cluster together in surprising timing.
Reverence
In This Chapter
Everyone moves with hushed respect, understanding they're witnessing something sacred
Development
Introduced here as recognition of life's profound moments
In Your Life:
You might feel this same reverence in hospital rooms, at graduations, or during other life transitions.
Suspense
In This Chapter
The entire household exists in suspended time, waiting for the outcome of labor
Development
Shows how certain moments stretch time and create collective holding of breath
In Your Life:
You know this feeling from waiting for test results, job interviews, or any moment when everything hangs in balance.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does the little princess's labor change the normal routine and relationships in the household?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think servants and family members react the same way to this birth, despite their different social positions?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen a crisis or major event bring people together who normally wouldn't interact much?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle being in a situation where normal social rules don't apply because everyone's focused on something bigger?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about what really matters to people when the chips are down?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Sacred Pauses
Think about a time when a crisis, emergency, or major life event brought people together who normally wouldn't connect. Write down who was involved, how the normal social rules changed, and what relationships formed or strengthened during that time. Then identify one current situation in your life where you could apply this pattern.
Consider:
- •Notice how shared vulnerability creates unexpected alliances
- •Consider which artificial boundaries disappeared and which real connections emerged
- •Think about how you can recognize these moments when they're happening
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose to maintain distance during a crisis versus a time when you leaned in and connected. What was different about the outcomes?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 77: Birth, Death, and the Weight of Guilt
The coming pages reveal life's most profound moments can happen simultaneously with devastating loss, and teach us the way guilt can reshape our understanding of relationships after it's too late. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.