War and Peace: Volume II, Part V
Leo Tolstoy's Masterpiece on Russian Society in the Time of Napoleon
Sep 6, 2008
Life with her father has become nearly unbearable for Princess Marya. The Bolknosky family has moved to Moscow, where the old prince continues to verbally abuse his daughter and semi-seriously court Mademoiselle Bourienne. When Pierre warns Marya that Boris is courting her for her fortune, she reveals that she would marry almost anyone to escape her father. Boris prefers Marya to Julie, the other unmarried heiress in the city, but proposes to Julie because he is uncomfortable with Marya. Julie accepts.
The Rostovs Prepare for Natasha’s Marriage
In order to prepare a dowry for Natasha, Count Rostov sells his beloved Otradoe estate. The Rostovs’ city house has no heat, so they move in with Marya Dmitrievna in her Moscow home.
Marya Dmitrievna talks Natasha into visiting her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Princess Marya. The two women instantly dislike one another; Marya finds Natasha to be silly and foolish, while Natasha thinks that Marya is dreary and unimaginative. To make matters worse, the old Prince Bolkonsky at first refuses to see Natasha, and then wanders in wearing his dressing gown and acting senile. Natasha is extremely upset, and the rest of the Rostovs quietly doubt the wisdom of the engagement.
Natasha and Anatole
Meanwhile, Anatole Kuragin has come to town. He is short on money and searches for a wealthy heiress to marry, hiding the fact that he is already a married man.
At the opera one night, Natasha is conscious of Anatole’s stare and somewhat flattered and confused by it. Helene realizes her brother’s interest and invites Natasha to a party. At Helene’s party, Natasha is swept away by all the compliments and attention, and is surprised when Anatole tells her that he is in love with her. Returning home that night, Natasha frets over her dueling attractions to Anatole and Andrei.
Anatole begins to send Natasha love letters. He arranges a time to steal her away and elope, but Sonya reads Anatole’s letter. When Sonya confronts Natasha disapprovingly, Natasha defiantly claims that she loves Anatole and plans to marry him. When he does come to get her, Marya Dmitrievna intervenes.
The End of Natasha’s Engagement to Prince Andrei
Hearing of recent events, Pierre outs Anatole’s status as a married man. Although nothing is certain and Natasha retains her honor, gossip flies about the attempted elopement.
Prince Andrei is unable to forgive Natasha, even when Pierre visits him to plead the young Rostov girl’s case. Natasha fails an attempt at poisoning herself and continues to live in self-loathing.
When Pierre delivers Andrei’s rejection, he forgets about the emotional confusion that her low behavior cast him into when he first found out about her disloyalty. Natasha’s illness and depression are evidence of her sincere repentance. Pierre feels renewed, realizing how good Natasha’s heart is and secretly enjoying that she will no longer be marrying Prince Andrei.
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Tolstoy, Leo, trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. War and Peace. New York: Knopf, 2007. ISBN 978-0-307-26693-4.
