Thursday's with Tolstoy: Week 4

Chapters 21-27

Background:

Alexander I of Russia (image) was Emperor at this time.

Boulogne-sur-Mer is a city in northern France. During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon amassed La Grande Armée in Boulogne to invade the United Kingdom in 1805. However, his plans were halted by other European matters and the supremacy of the Royal Navy. Tolstoy refers to this campaign in War and Peace

Two members of the Tolstoy family were active in the military during the Napoleonic wars. Count Peter Alexandrovich (1761–1844) and Alexander Ivanovich Tolstoy (1770–1857). Both received military distinction. I’m not sure which one Tolstoy is referring to in War and Peace. Tolstoy also mentions Mikhelson’s army but I could not find any information to tell me who this man was.

One of the strategies of Russia to defeat Napoleon was to lure Prussia out of neutrality. I’ve always assumed Prussia was Russia with a P. I was surprised to learn that Prussia was actually Germanic (Germany) and was at one time quite an extensive kingdom.

The story and the characters:

This week’s story is split between two homes, the home of Count Bezukhov and the home of Prince Nicholas Andreevich (nicknamed in society “the King of Prussia” ever since the Emperor Paul had exiled him to his country estate.) Princess Mary, (Prince Andreevich’s daughter) received a letter from her dear friend from childhood, Julie Karagina, who was a guest at the Rostovs’ name day party. Julie passes the Moscow gossip on to Mary and pretty well sums up the chapters. I’ll include a couple of excerpts here.

“All Moscow talks of nothing but war. One of my two brothers is already abroad, the other is with the Guards, who are starting on their march to the frontier. Our dear Emperor has left Petersburg and it is thought intends to expose his precious person to the chances of war. God grant that the Corsican monster who is destroying the peace of Europe may be overthrown by the angel whom it has pleased the Almighty, in His goodness, to give us as sovereign!”


“The chief news, about which all Moscow gossips, is the death of old Count Bezukhov, and his inheritance. Fancy! The three princesses have received very little, Prince Vasili nothing, and it is Monsieur Pierre who has inherited all the property and has besides been recognized as legitimate; so that he is now Count Bezukhov and possessor of the finest fortune in Russia.”

At the beginning of Chapter 21 news came to Pierre while he was at the Rostovs’ that his father had suffered a 6th stroke. Somehow the fortune seeking Anna Pavlovna wiggles her way into accompanying Pierre to his father’s bedside. It’s a good thing because Pierre is pretty much clueless that he stands to inherit and that there are others who are not happy about it. Prince Vasili and the oldest daughter do attempt to discover the place of the hidden will to see if it is valid. Imagine their surprise when they discover that the old codger left nearly all to Pierre.

The war:

Prince Andrei (Prince Andreevich’s son and friend to Pierre) is leaving for the war. He has brought his pregnant wife, Lise, to stay with his sister and father at his father’s estate while he is gone. While visiting with his father before dinner he discusses the strategy to defeat Napoleon. Prince Andrei thinks Napoleon is a great general even if he is the enemy.


The Peace:

You might remember at the beginning of the book at Anna Pavlovna’s reception she did some matchmaking, Prince Vasili’s son to Prince Andreevich’s daughter, Mary. Julie writes in her letter to Mary,

“Do you know that a while ago that universal auntie Anna [Pavlovna] told me, under the seal of strict secrecy, of a plan of marriage for you. It is neither more nor less than with Prince Vasili’s son Anatole, whom they wish to reform by marrying him to someone rich and distinguee, and it is on you that this relations choice has fallen. I don’t know what you will think of it, but I consider it my duty to let you know of it."

Mary writes in reply,

“I will tell you, dear sweet friend, that I look on marriage as a divine institution to which we must conform. However painful it may be to me, should the Almighty lay the duties of wife and mother upon me I shall try to perform them as faithfully as I can, without disquieting myself by examining my feelings toward him whom He may give me for husband.”

Mary knows how to keep the peace.



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