Summary
Pierre encounters a mysterious older man who turns out to be a Freemason named Joseph Bazdéev. What starts as polite conversation becomes a profound spiritual confrontation when the stranger forces Pierre to examine his wasted life. Despite Pierre's initial resistance and admission that he doesn't believe in God, Bazdéev systematically dismantles his worldview with uncomfortable questions about purpose and meaning. The Mason argues that Pierre's atheism stems from pride and ignorance, not wisdom. He challenges Pierre to look at his actual life: inheriting wealth but helping no one, marrying but failing his wife, living in idle luxury while his serfs suffer. The confrontation is brutal but transformative. Pierre realizes the stranger speaks truth about his 'contemptible and profligate life.' When Bazdéev prepares to leave, Pierre desperately asks for help and guidance. The Mason gives him a letter of introduction to Count Willarski in Petersburg and advises solitude and self-examination. This encounter represents Pierre's first real spiritual awakening in the novel. He's finally met someone who sees through his wealth and status to his empty core, yet offers hope for redemption. The chapter shows how sometimes we need an outsider to hold up a mirror to our lives. Pierre's eager acceptance of Bazdéev's harsh truths reveals his deep hunger for meaning and direction, setting up his journey into Freemasonry as a search for purpose beyond his privileged but hollow existence.
Coming Up in Chapter 87
Pierre heads to Petersburg with new purpose, carrying the Mason's letter of introduction. His encounter with Count Willarski will either deepen his spiritual awakening or test whether his newfound convictions can survive in the real world.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
I“ have the pleasure of addressing Count Bezúkhov, if I am not mistaken,” said the stranger in a deliberate and loud voice. Pierre looked silently and inquiringly at him over his spectacles. “I have heard of you, my dear sir,” continued the stranger, “and of your misfortune.” He seemed to emphasize the last word, as if to say—“Yes, misfortune! Call it what you please, I know that what happened to you in Moscow was a misfortune.”—“I regret it very much, my dear sir.” Pierre flushed and, hurriedly putting his legs down from the bed, bent forward toward the old man with a forced and timid smile. “I have not referred to this out of curiosity, my dear sir, but for greater reasons.” He paused, his gaze still on Pierre, and moved aside on the sofa by way of inviting the other to take a seat beside him. Pierre felt reluctant to enter into conversation with this old man, but, submitting to him involuntarily, came up and sat down beside him. “You are unhappy, my dear sir,” the stranger continued. “You are young and I am old. I should like to help you as far as lies in my power.” “Oh, yes!” said Pierre, with a forced smile. “I am very grateful to you. Where are you traveling from?” The stranger’s face was not genial, it was even cold and severe, but in spite of this, both the face and words of his new acquaintance were irresistibly attractive to Pierre. “But if for any reason you don’t feel inclined to talk to me,” said the old man, “say so, my dear sir.” And he suddenly smiled, in an unexpected and tenderly paternal way. “Oh no, not at all! On the contrary, I am very glad to make your acquaintance,” said Pierre. And again, glancing at the stranger’s hands, he looked more closely at the ring, with its skull—a Masonic sign. “Allow me to ask,” he said, “are you a Mason?” “Yes, I belong to the Brotherhood of the Freemasons,” said the stranger, looking deeper and deeper into Pierre’s eyes. “And in their name and my own I hold out a brotherly hand to you.” “I am afraid,” said Pierre, smiling, and wavering between the confidence the personality of the Freemason inspired in him and his own habit of ridiculing the Masonic beliefs—“I am afraid I am very far from understanding—how am I to put it?—I am afraid my way of looking at the world is so opposed to yours that we shall not understand one another.” “I know your outlook,” said the Mason, “and the view of life you mention, and which you think is the result of your own mental efforts, is the one held by the majority of people, and is the invariable fruit of pride, indolence, and ignorance. Forgive me, my dear sir, but if I had not known it I should not have addressed you. Your view of life is a regrettable delusion.” “Just as I may...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Necessary Confrontation
We become unable to see our own emptiness when surrounded by people who benefit from maintaining our illusions.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify people who will give you honest feedback versus those who tell you what you want to hear.
Practice This Today
This week, notice who in your life challenges you versus who just agrees with everything—then actively seek input from the challengers when making important decisions.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Freemason
A member of a secret fraternal organization that emerged in 18th-century Europe, emphasizing moral improvement, brotherhood, and spiritual enlightenment through rituals and symbols. In Tolstoy's time, Freemasonry attracted wealthy men seeking deeper meaning beyond material success.
Modern Usage:
Today we see similar patterns in self-help groups, spiritual retreats, or exclusive networking organizations that promise personal transformation and deeper purpose.
Spiritual awakening
A moment when someone suddenly recognizes the emptiness or meaninglessness of their current life and feels compelled to seek deeper purpose. Often triggered by crisis, loss, or an encounter with someone who challenges their worldview.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who quit high-paying jobs to find 'something more meaningful' or who join recovery programs after hitting rock bottom.
Serf
In 19th-century Russia, peasants who were legally bound to work the land of wealthy nobles like Pierre. They couldn't leave without permission and lived in extreme poverty while their masters enjoyed luxury.
Modern Usage:
Today we might think of exploited workers - people stuck in low-wage jobs with no benefits while their employers profit enormously from their labor.
Noblesse oblige
The idea that wealth and privilege come with moral obligations to help those less fortunate. Bazdéev criticizes Pierre for enjoying his inherited wealth without using it to improve his serfs' lives or society.
Modern Usage:
We see this debate today around billionaires and whether extreme wealth should come with greater social responsibility and charitable giving.
Moral reckoning
A painful but necessary process of honestly examining your life choices, admitting your failures, and recognizing how you've wasted opportunities or hurt others. Often the first step toward real change.
Modern Usage:
This happens in therapy, addiction recovery, or after major life events when people finally face hard truths about themselves they've been avoiding.
Atheism from pride
Bazdéev's argument that Pierre rejects God not from careful reasoning but from arrogance - the belief that he's too smart or sophisticated to need spiritual guidance or moral accountability.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in people who dismiss traditional values or wisdom as outdated without seriously examining whether they might contain useful truths.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre Bezúkhov
Protagonist undergoing crisis
Faces brutal honesty about his wasted life from a stranger. Despite initial resistance, he recognizes the truth in Bazdéev's harsh assessment and desperately asks for help finding meaning and purpose.
Modern Equivalent:
The trust fund kid who finally realizes his privileged life is empty and meaningless
Joseph Bazdéev
Spiritual mentor/challenger
The Freemason who confronts Pierre with uncomfortable truths about his selfish, purposeless existence. He's harsh but offers hope for redemption through self-examination and spiritual growth.
Modern Equivalent:
The tough-love sponsor or therapist who refuses to enable your excuses
Key Quotes & Analysis
"You are unhappy, my dear sir. You are young and I am old. I should like to help you as far as lies in my power."
Context: Bazdéev's opening approach to Pierre, immediately cutting through social pleasantries
This establishes the dynamic - an older man who sees through Pierre's wealth and status to his inner misery. The offer of help is both genuine and challenging, setting up the spiritual confrontation to come.
In Today's Words:
I can see you're struggling, and I've been where you are. Let me help if you'll let me.
"What have you done with the millions entrusted to you? What have you done to help your neighbor? What have you done with your life?"
Context: Bazdéev systematically dismantling Pierre's excuses and forcing him to confront his wasted opportunities
These questions cut to the heart of Pierre's moral failure. Despite enormous privileges, he's helped no one and accomplished nothing meaningful. The repetition hammers home his complete waste of potential.
In Today's Words:
You've had every advantage - money, education, opportunities. What do you have to show for it? How have you made anyone's life better?
"If you wish to be like everyone else, you will be what everyone else is, but if you wish to be better, you must be prepared to be considered worse."
Context: Advising Pierre about the difficulty of genuine self-improvement and spiritual growth
This captures the paradox of real change - it often looks like failure or foolishness to others. True growth requires abandoning comfortable conformity and accepting misunderstanding from those still living superficial lives.
In Today's Words:
If you want to actually improve yourself, people are going to think you're weird or going through a phase.
Thematic Threads
Pride
In This Chapter
Pierre's atheism and resistance to Bazdéev's questions stem from intellectual pride disguised as sophistication
Development
Evolved from earlier displays of social awkwardness to deeper spiritual arrogance
In Your Life:
You might dismiss valid criticism by telling yourself the other person 'just doesn't understand' your situation.
Class
In This Chapter
Pierre's wealth has insulated him from consequences, allowing him to waste his life without immediate suffering
Development
Continues theme of how inherited privilege creates moral blindness
In Your Life:
Any form of security—job tenure, family money, social status—can make you complacent about personal growth.
Identity
In This Chapter
Pierre discovers his self-image as an enlightened intellectual is actually a cover for moral emptiness
Development
First major challenge to Pierre's constructed identity since inheriting his fortune
In Your Life:
You might realize your professional reputation or social image doesn't match who you actually are day-to-day.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Bazdéev forces Pierre to confront his stagnation by asking what he's actually accomplished with his advantages
Development
Introduced here as Pierre's first real spiritual awakening
In Your Life:
Growth often requires someone to point out the gap between your potential and your actual impact.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Pierre realizes his relationships have been shallow because he's never been authentic or vulnerable
Development
Builds on themes of failed marriage and social disconnection
In Your Life:
Your relationships might be based on what you provide rather than who you actually are.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Bazdéev force Pierre to confront about his actual life versus his self-image?
analysis • surface - 2
Why is Pierre more willing to accept harsh criticism from a stranger than he might be from friends or family?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today living in echo chambers that protect them from uncomfortable truths about themselves?
application • medium - 4
How would you create systems in your own life to get honest feedback about your blind spots?
application • deep - 5
What does Pierre's desperate request for guidance reveal about the relationship between privilege and purposelessness?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Echo Chamber
Draw a simple diagram of the people who regularly give you feedback about your life and work. Next to each person, write what they gain or lose from your current situation. Then identify one area where you might be getting comfortable lies instead of uncomfortable truths. Finally, brainstorm two specific people outside your current circle who could give you honest perspective on this area.
Consider:
- •Consider both obvious benefits (salary, inheritance) and subtle ones (social status, emotional comfort)
- •Look for patterns in what topics people avoid discussing with you
- •Think about who in your life has the least to lose from telling you hard truths
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone outside your usual circle told you something about yourself that stung but turned out to be accurate. How did you initially react, and what did you learn from the experience?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 87: Pierre's Initiation into the Brotherhood
The coming pages reveal spiritual seeking can make us vulnerable to manipulation, and teach us the difference between genuine transformation and performative ritual. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.