An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 1525 words)
he war was flaming up and nearing the Russian frontier. Everywhere one
heard curses on Bonaparte, “the enemy of mankind.” Militiamen and
recruits were being enrolled in the villages, and from the seat of
war came contradictory news, false as usual and therefore variously
interpreted. The life of old Prince Bolkónski, Prince Andrew, and
Princess Mary had greatly changed since 1805.
In 1806 the old prince was made one of the eight commanders in chief
then appointed to supervise the enrollment decreed throughout Russia.
Despite the weakness of age, which had become particularly noticeable
since the time when he thought his son had been killed, he did not think
it right to refuse a duty to which he had been appointed by the Emperor
himself, and this fresh opportunity for action gave him new energy
and strength. He was continually traveling through the three provinces
entrusted to him, was pedantic in the fulfillment of his duties, severe
to cruel with his subordinates, and went into everything down to the
minutest details himself. Princess Mary had ceased taking lessons in
mathematics from her father, and when the old prince was at home went
to his study with the wet nurse and little Prince Nicholas (as his
grandfather called him). The baby Prince Nicholas lived with his wet
nurse and nurse Sávishna in the late princess’ rooms and Princess
Mary spent most of the day in the nursery, taking a mother’s place to
her little nephew as best she could. Mademoiselle Bourienne, too, seemed
passionately fond of the boy, and Princess Mary often deprived herself
to give her friend the pleasure of dandling the little angel—as she
called her nephew—and playing with him.
Near the altar of the church at Bald Hills there was a chapel over the
tomb of the little princess, and in this chapel was a marble monument
brought from Italy, representing an angel with outspread wings ready to
fly upwards. The angel’s upper lip was slightly raised as though
about to smile, and once on coming out of the chapel Prince Andrew and
Princess Mary admitted to one another that the angel’s face reminded
them strangely of the little princess. But what was still stranger,
though of this Prince Andrew said nothing to his sister, was that in the
expression the sculptor had happened to give the angel’s face, Prince
Andrew read the same mild reproach he had read on the face of his dead
wife: “Ah, why have you done this to me?”
Soon after Prince Andrew’s return the old prince made over to him a
large estate, Boguchárovo, about twenty-five miles from Bald Hills.
Partly because of the depressing memories associated with Bald Hills,
partly because Prince Andrew did not always feel equal to bearing with
his father’s peculiarities, and partly because he needed solitude,
Prince Andrew made use of Boguchárovo, began building and spent most of
his time there.
After the Austerlitz campaign Prince Andrew had firmly resolved not
to continue his military service, and when the war recommenced
and everybody had to serve, he took a post under his father in the
recruitment so as to avoid active service. The old prince and his son
seemed to have changed roles since the campaign of 1805. The old man,
roused by activity, expected the best results from the new campaign,
while Prince Andrew on the contrary, taking no part in the war and
secretly regretting this, saw only the dark side.
On February 26, 1807, the old prince set off on one of his circuits.
Prince Andrew remained at Bald Hills as usual during his father’s
absence. Little Nicholas had been unwell for four days. The coachman who
had driven the old prince to town returned bringing papers and letters
for Prince Andrew.
Not finding the young prince in his study the valet went with the
letters to Princess Mary’s apartments, but did not find him there. He
was told that the prince had gone to the nursery.
“If you please, your excellency, Pétrusha has brought some papers,”
said one of the nursemaids to Prince Andrew who was sitting on a
child’s little chair while, frowning and with trembling hands, he
poured drops from a medicine bottle into a wineglass half full of water.
“What is it?” he said crossly, and, his hand shaking
unintentionally, he poured too many drops into the glass. He threw the
mixture onto the floor and asked for some more water. The maid brought
it.
There were in the room a child’s cot, two boxes, two armchairs, a
table, a child’s table, and the little chair on which Prince Andrew
was sitting. The curtains were drawn, and a single candle was burning on
the table, screened by a bound music book so that the light did not fall
on the cot.
“My dear,” said Princess Mary, addressing her brother from beside
the cot where she was standing, “better wait a bit... later...”
“Oh, leave off, you always talk nonsense and keep putting things
off—and this is what comes of it!” said Prince Andrew in an
exasperated whisper, evidently meaning to wound his sister.
“My dear, really... it’s better not to wake him... he’s asleep,”
said the princess in a tone of entreaty.
Prince Andrew got up and went on tiptoe up to the little bed, wineglass
in hand.
“Perhaps we’d really better not wake him,” he said hesitating.
“As you please... really... I think so... but as you please,” said
Princess Mary, evidently intimidated and confused that her opinion
had prevailed. She drew her brother’s attention to the maid who was
calling him in a whisper.
It was the second night that neither of them had slept, watching the boy
who was in a high fever. These last days, mistrusting their household
doctor and expecting another for whom they had sent to town, they had
been trying first one remedy and then another. Worn out by sleeplessness
and anxiety they threw their burden of sorrow on one another and
reproached and disputed with each other.
“Pétrusha has come with papers from your father,” whispered the
maid.
Prince Andrew went out.
“Devil take them!” he muttered, and after listening to the verbal
instructions his father had sent and taking the correspondence and his
father’s letter, he returned to the nursery.
“Well?” he asked.
“Still the same. Wait, for heaven’s sake. Karl Ivánich always says
that sleep is more important than anything,” whispered Princess Mary
with a sigh.
Prince Andrew went up to the child and felt him. He was burning hot.
“Confound you and your Karl Ivánich!” He took the glass with the
drops and again went up to the cot.
“Andrew, don’t!” said Princess Mary.
But he scowled at her angrily though also with suffering in his eyes,
and stooped glass in hand over the infant.
“But I wish it,” he said. “I beg you—give it him!”
Princess Mary shrugged her shoulders but took the glass submissively
and calling the nurse began giving the medicine. The child screamed
hoarsely. Prince Andrew winced and, clutching his head, went out and sat
down on a sofa in the next room.
He still had all the letters in his hand. Opening them mechanically he
began reading. The old prince, now and then using abbreviations, wrote
in his large elongated hand on blue paper as follows:
Have just this moment received by special messenger very joyful
news—if it’s not false. Bennigsen seems to have obtained a complete
victory over Buonaparte at Eylau. In Petersburg everyone is rejoicing,
and the rewards sent to the army are innumerable. Though he is a
German—I congratulate him! I can’t make out what the commander at
Kórchevo—a certain Khandrikóv—is up to; till now the additional
men and provisions have not arrived. Gallop off to him at once and
say I’ll have his head off if everything is not here in a week.
Have received another letter about the Preussisch-Eylau battle
from Pétenka—he took part in it—and it’s all true. When
mischief-makers don’t meddle even a German beats Buonaparte. He is
said to be fleeing in great disorder. Mind you gallop off to Kórchevo
without delay and carry out instructions!
Prince Andrew sighed and broke the seal of another envelope. It was
a closely written letter of two sheets from Bilíbin. He folded it up
without reading it and reread his father’s letter, ending with the
words: “Gallop off to Kórchevo and carry out instructions!”
“No, pardon me, I won’t go now till the child is better,” thought
he, going to the door and looking into the nursery.
Princess Mary was still standing by the cot, gently rocking the baby.
“Ah yes, and what else did he say that’s unpleasant?” thought
Prince Andrew, recalling his father’s letter. “Yes, we have gained
a victory over Bonaparte, just when I’m not serving. Yes, yes, he’s
always poking fun at me.... Ah, well! Let him!” And he began reading
Bilíbin’s letter which was written in French. He read without
understanding half of it, read only to forget, if but for a moment, what
he had too long been thinking of so painfully to the exclusion of all
else.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
A recurring theme explored in this chapter.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when anxiety is making you micromanage others who are trying to help with the same problem.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you find yourself criticizing how someone else is handling a shared concern - pause and ask if you're both just scared about the same thing.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"They seemed to be throwing their burden of sorrow on one another"
Context: Describing how Andrew and Mary snap at each other while caring for the sick baby
This perfectly captures how stress makes us hurt the people we love most. Instead of grief bringing them together, their fear makes them take frustration out on each other. It's human nature at its most raw and recognizable.
In Today's Words:
They were taking their stress out on each other instead of supporting each other
"Despite the weakness of age, which had become particularly noticeable since the time when he thought his son had been killed, he did not think it right to refuse a duty"
Context: Explaining why the old prince accepted his military appointment despite his frailty
Shows how duty and purpose can revive us even when we're broken. The old prince finds meaning in service to country, even though grief has aged him. It's about finding identity through contribution.
In Today's Words:
Even though he'd gotten noticeably older and weaker from grief, he couldn't say no when asked to serve his country
"The baby Prince Nicholas lived with his wet nurse and nurse Savishna in the late princess' rooms"
Context: Describing the household arrangements after Andrew's wife died
The detail about using the dead mother's rooms shows how death leaves physical spaces that become shrines. The baby lives surrounded by reminders of the mother he'll never know, cared for by substitutes.
In Today's Words:
The baby was being raised in his dead mother's bedroom by hired caregivers
Thematic Threads
Duty
In This Chapter
Andrew avoids military duty while his father embraces recruitment work, showing how duty can become either escape or obsession
Development
Evolved from earlier themes of social obligation into personal crisis of purpose
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you throw yourself into work to avoid dealing with family problems, or vice versa
Class
In This Chapter
The Bolkonskys' privilege allows Andrew to avoid military service while others must fight, highlighting how class creates different relationship to duty
Development
Continued exploration of how social position shapes personal choices
In Your Life:
You see this when some people can afford to 'take time to figure things out' while others must work regardless of circumstances
Identity
In This Chapter
Andrew's identity crisis deepens as he's disconnected from both military service and family harmony, unsure who he is without action or purpose
Development
Building from his earlier loss of wife and meaning, now compounded by isolation from national purpose
In Your Life:
You might feel this when major life changes leave you unclear about your role or value
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Love becomes a source of conflict as Andrew and Mary's shared concern for the baby creates tension rather than unity
Development
Deepened from earlier family dynamics to show how crisis can poison even the strongest bonds
In Your Life:
You see this when you and someone you love handle stress so differently that you start fighting each other instead of the problem
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Crisis strips away social masks, revealing Andrew's deep grief, guilt, and terror in raw form
Development
Continued theme of how extreme circumstances reveal true character and hidden emotions
In Your Life:
You might recognize this during your own crisis moments when your usual coping strategies fail and your real fears surface
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific behaviors show that Andrew and Mary are both trying to help their sick nephew, but in competing ways?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do Andrew and Mary end up fighting with each other instead of supporting each other during this crisis?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen families or coworkers turn against each other when facing the same scary situation?
application • medium - 4
When you're terrified about something you can't control, how could you avoid taking that fear out on people who are on your side?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how fear changes the way we treat the people we love most?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Crisis Response Pattern
Think of a recent time when you and someone close to you were both worried about the same problem but ended up arguing about how to handle it. Write down what you were both actually afraid of versus what you were fighting about. Then identify three early warning signs that you're turning an ally into an opponent during a crisis.
Consider:
- •Focus on the underlying fear, not who was 'right' about the solution
- •Look for moments when you criticized their method of helping rather than the actual problem
- •Notice if you were trying to control small details because the big picture felt overwhelming
Journaling Prompt
Write about a current situation where you might be competing with an ally instead of collaborating. How could you redirect that energy toward the real problem?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 93: Letters from the Front Lines
As little Nicholas fights his fever, Andrew must decide whether to obey his father's urgent military summons or stay with his sick child. The choice will test everything he believes about duty, family, and what truly matters when everything hangs in the balance.
