War and Peace: Volume II, Part I
Leo Tolstoy's Masterpiece on Russian Society in the Time of Napoleon
Nicholas Rostov leads a bachelor life in Moscow, Pierre duels over his wife's infidelity, and Prince Andrei loses a wife but gains a son.
Nicholas Returns to Moscow
Nicholas returns to visit his overjoyed family in Moscow with his friend, Denisov. He is amazed that, while he feels so different, Moscow is almost just as he left it. Some things have changed, however; Sonya is 16 and more womanly. Natasha takes Nicholas aside and tells him that Sonya still loves him but will not hold him to his promise of courting her. Natasha has discovered a love of dance and intends never to marry Boris, nor anyone else.
Nicholas lives the life of a popular bachelor and refrains from courting Sonya, although their romantic tension remains. He makes poor choices, such as carousing instead of spending time with his family. He befriends Dolokhov and acts as his second in an illegal duel. When Sonya refuses Dolokhov's proposal because she still loves Nicholas, Dolokhov takes revenge by cheating Nicholai out of a great deal of money at cards.
Denisov is well-liked by the Rostovs and develops an interest in Natasha. Her beautiful, untrained singing moves both Denisov and Nicholas. Everyone is surprised when Denisov proposes to Natasha. She runs to her mother and tells her that she likes Denisov and feels sorry for him but does not want to marry him. Her mother thinks that Natasha is too young but leaves Natasha to decide. Natasha refuses, and Denisov departs.
Dolokhov's Duel with Pierre
Meanwhile, gossip spreads that Dolokhov has been having an affair with Pierre's beautiful new wife, Helene. Count Rostov throws an extravagant dinner party for Prince Bagration in honor of his wartime heroism. When Dolokhov seemingly taunts Pierre at the dinner, Pierre loses his head and challenges Dolokhov to a duel.
Pierre is fearful and regrets his rash challenge, but feels that the duel is inevitable. Despite the fact that he has never before used a gun, Pierre shoots Dolokhov. Pierre believes that he has killed Dolokhov and regrets that the duel was caused by his marriage, which he entered into without real love.
Dolokhov is, in fact, only badly wounded. Nikolai is surprised to learn that Dolokhov lives with his mother and sister and is deeply concerned for them if he should die. Dolokhov also admits to a desire to meet a truely good woman to be his wife (a quality that he soon sees in Sonya).
When Helene hears about the duel, she is enraged with Pierre because of her ruined reputation. She is surprised to see him react with equal rage. She requests to be given her own finances now that they are living apart. Pierre moves to Petersburg and gives her power of attorney over most of his estate.
Andrei's Return to Bald Hills
At Bald hills, the Bolkonsky family believes that Prince Andrei has been killed in battle. The old prince and Princess Marya refrain from telling Andrei's wife, Liza, who is only days from giving birth. To everyone's great relief, Prince Andrei returns just as his wife is in labor. He sees her briefly, but she does not recognize him because of the pain of labor.
There are complications in the birth and Liza dies. Even in her coffin, she continues to have a look on her face that says, "Ah, what have you done to me?" (p. 327). Prince Andrei is left with the feeling that the only thing of importance he still has in the world is his newborn son, young Prince Nikolai.
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War and Peace: Volume I, Part II
Tolstoy, Leo, trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. War and Peace. New York: Knopf, 2007. ISBN 978-0-307-26693-4.
