WAR AND PEACE
By: Leo Tolstoy
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| WAR AND PEACE By: Leo Tolstoy |
Book Summary
Book I
We are introduced to the leading families through the vehicle of an evening at Anna Pavlovna's, a celebration of the holiday at the Rostovs' and a description of the isolated existence of the Bolkonskys in their country house. Prince Andrey and Pierre discuss their future and what they seek in life, with the two youngsters idealizing the "man of destiny" who will soon invade Russia. Old Count Bezuhov dies, leaving Peter rich, titled, and the most eligible bachelor in Petersburg.
Book II
Nikolay Rostov and Prince Andrey have their first experience of war at the Battle of Schöngraben. Everyone discovers the ineffectiveness of the individual in a mass situation. Nikolay agrees to be a "cog in a machine" and Andrey refuses to be part of the leading forces, choosing instead to fight on the front lines.
Book III
Peter marries Ellen; Anatole unsuccessfully courts Marya. Andrey attends the court-martial on the eve of Austerlitz and wishes to be a hero.
He is wounded during the battle. Compared to the boundless sky, which symbolizes death, Napoleon seems small and insignificant to Andrey.
Book IV
Nikolay, together with Denisov, is at home on leave and ignores his beloved Sonya. Pierre injures Dolohov in a duel over Ellen's alleged infidelity. Liza Bolkonsky dies giving birth to a son, leaving Andrey with a deep sense of insurmountable guilt. Dolohov falls in love with Sonya and avenges her rejection by scamming Nikolay during a game of cards. "Intensity" is the keynote of this section, exemplified by incidents of love and hate, life and death.
Book V
Separated from his wife, Pierre devotes himself to "good", by joining the masons and by a clumsy reform of his heritage. He and retired Andrey have an argument over the meaning of life and death and Andrey is inspired by new hope. The importance of their exchange underlines the contrast between Pierre and Andrey. Meanwhile, Nikolay has joined his starving regiment, and Denisov faces court-martial for stealing food for his men. Nikolay asks the Tsar to forgive Denisov and attends the meeting between Napoleon and Alexander, a meeting between the old and the new order of government. His request denied, Nikolay decides that the ruler knows best and submits to a "higher authority".
Book VI
It's a "real life" story, as opposed to politics, where the "inner man" is more important than the "outer man". Andrey becomes involved in Speransky's circle of reformers, but when he falls in love with Natasha, these activities bore him. Pierre becomes disillusioned with Masonry, while Princess Marya becomes more displeased with her father. The financial problems of the Rostovs increase, and Andrey leaves for Switzerland.
Book VII
Between wolf hunting, sleigh rides, Christmas parties and good family relations, the Rostovs are enjoying the last period of their “youth”. Natasha's unease increases during Andrey's absence, the family is nearly bankrupt, and hard times are predicted to come as the children enter adulthood.
Book VIII
Natasha meets Anatole during the opera and is almost kidnapped by him. During her near-nervous breakdown, Pierre appears as her comforter and their love is implied.
Book IX
The life-and-death struggle against France begins, with Napoleon portrayed as a fool in search of glory. Andrey moves away from his past and becomes engaged to the men of his regiment, who adore him. Nikolay refrains from killing a Frenchman and is decorated for bravery for taking a prisoner. Natasha is slowly recovering, aided by religious faith. Petya joins the army out of a youthful patriotism that Pierre also shares. Russians respond en masse to the national threat, and Pierre senses an "ultimate mission" within him that involves his love, the comet, Napoleon, and war itself.
Book X
The French who enter Russia march to their destruction on the "irresistible tide" of fate. The old prince dies and Marya moves her home to Moscow, but the war draws near. Despite the national turmoil, the salons of Petersburg remain the same. Marya and Nikolay have a first romantic encounter, while Pierre visits a death-scarred Andrey on the eve of Borodino. The battle is described as a duel to the death, with the Russians winning morally, if not physically. This marks the turning point from defeat to victory for Russia.
Book XI
Tolstoy discusses mass activity as a combination of "infinitesimal units of activity" and gives a brief summary of past and future events. The abandonment and burning of Moscow is the great act that saves Russia and the details of the event are discussed at every moment, including Rastopchin's last-minute attempt to achieve glory at the expense of the cause he intends to promote. The Rostovs leave Moscow, their motorcade includes the mortally wounded Prince Andrey. He finds Natasha, who heals him. So close to death, Andrey understands the quality of divine love. The truth results from a confrontation between life and death. Pierre conceives the plan to assassinate Napoleon, but other incidents show that he is doomed.
Book XII
Nikolay and Marya meet again in the provinces and Marya travels to see her brother. She and Natasha are with him when he dies. Pierre is almost executed by the French, who charge him with arson. He saw a "rebirth" in prison through Karataev, an almost mythical figure who symbolizes the unity of love and hate, life and death.
Book Thirteen
The end of the war is in sight, as the French retreat faster and faster. His withdrawal is the "fruit" of "unconscious activity" rather than Napoleon's will. Pierre discovers an intense freedom in prison.
Book XIV
This period of guerrilla warfare involves Denisov, Dolohov, and Petya, who is killed. A surprise attack led by Denisov and Dolohov frees Pierre and other prisoners. In a flashback, we learn how Karataev died and what Peter suffered and overcame during the death march. Death and decay are part of the processes of life and growth.
Book XV
Natasha and Marya are reminded of their duel in working life: Marya for her domestic responsibilities, Natasha for the exercise of love to comfort her grieving mother. As the history of the war has ended, Kutuzov's career is drawing to a close. A new era begins to unfold with Russia's entry into international leadership. Apotheosis of Tolstoy Kutuzov. Pierre and Natacha meet again.
first epilogue
Tolstoy details the "happy ending" of his fictional characters' careers in scenes to show the domestic happiness of Nikolay and Marya Rostov, Natasha and Pierre Bezuhov. The cycle of life begins again when Nikolinka, Andrey's son, comes of age and wants to be like Peter and his father.
Second Epilogue
It is the philosophical exegesis in which Tolstoy shows that "free will" is a simple construct that historians use to explain the movements of nations and peoples. Causality is impossible to discern when considering the pattern of historical events, and the concept of "free will" prevents a deep understanding of the nature of history. The paradox, however, is inescapable: we must maintain the illusion of free will to continue our daily life, because our hopes, our fundamental beliefs depend on this notion of an inner consciousness; at the same time we are victims of innumerable and infinitesimal constraints of necessity which condition our destiny and we are not "free" at all.
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