Background

Leo Tolstoy is considered by many to be one of the best authors of all time and War and Peace is often considered his most important work.  At the same time, many people consider War and Peace a difficult read, not only because of its length, but also because of the weighty subject matter that Tolstoy tackles in the novel. 

Tolstoy’s fiction works, plays, and philosophical essays often dealt with moral matters, which were a subject of fascination for him after he experienced a spiritual awakening that came after his service in the Crimean War.  Tolstoy was born an aristocrat and initially appeared to embrace the aristocratic notion that his heritage made him different from the serfs who worked for his family’s prosperity.  This is evidenced in his earlier semi-autobiographical works.  However, after his service in the war, Tolstoy rejected many of the ideas of the aristocracy and began, instead, focusing on the ethical teachings in Christianity and fleshed out the idea of nonviolent resistance, which would later be used by leaders such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. to bring about social change.  Tolstoy’s writings also incorporated a philosophy known as Georgism, which was an economic philosophy based on the theories of Henry George.  However, he continued to use his novels as a form of autobiographical writing, and many believe that both Pierre Buzukhov and Prince Andrei in War and Peace are based on Tolstoy.

One of the features that makes War and Peace such a complex novel is the sheer number of characters and stories that Tolstoy features in the novel.  The novel references almost 600 characters and they represent a mixture of actual historical figures and purely fictional characters.  The novel also features everything from pictures of Russian family life to the court life under Alexander I and battles during the Crimean War.  In the novel, Tolstoy downplays the importance of historical figures like Napoleon and Alexander

Although Tolstoy is highly regarded as a novelist, he did not receive the accolades many felt that he deserved in his lifetime.  Despite multiple nominations for both the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Nobel Peace Prize, he never received either of those major awards. Furthermore, Tolstoy would probably not have considered his most renowned work at a novel.  As a realist, Tolstoy would have believed that novels had a purpose, which was to examine social and political issues.  Instead, he is known to have considered it prose epic instead. 

Plot Summary

The novel features many characters, but focuses primarily on the lives of three families: the Pavlovnas, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.  The novel begins with parties at the Pavlovna and Rostov homes and a picture of life at the Bolkonsky home   Two of the main characters, Prince Andrey and Pierre, are featured in the first part of the novel, where they are discussing the idea of the man of destiny.  Pierre also gains his title and becomes extremely wealthy after the death of Count Bezukhov.

The war begins and the novel shows Nikolay Rostov and Prince Andrey at the battle of Schongraben.  The both feel ineffectual as individuals in the war machine, but while Nikolay accepts his role as just a part of the background, Prince Andrey chooses to fight at the front of the war. 

Pierre and Ellen marry, but Anatole is unable to get Marya to marry him.  Andrey focuses on becoming a war hero, but is wounded in battle in Austerlitz.  There he comes to the conclusion that Napoleon, rather than being a great war hero, is instead insignificant. 

When Nikolay comes home from the war on leave, he is changed from the man who left for the war and even ignores Sonya, his girlfriend.  Pierre confronts allegations that Ellen has been unfaithful and enters into a duel with Dolohov over those allegations, wounding Dolohov.  Dolohov falls in love with Sonya, but she rejects him.  Dolohov takes his anger out on Nikolay by cheating him in a card game.  Andrey is wracked with guilt when Liza Bolkonsky dies in childbirth  

Pierre and Ellen are separated, so Pierre joins the masons and attempts to reform his estates.  He and Andrey discuss the meaning of life and death, which serves to highlight the differences between the two men.  Nikolay returns to his regiment, which is starving.  Denisov is court-martialed because he stole food for the starving men.  Nikolay intervenes and asks the tsar to pardon Denisov.  When he does so, he sees Alexander and Napoleon meet.  The tsar rejects Nikolay’s petition for Denisov’s pardon, which Nikolay accepts without question. 

Andrey becomes involved in political and social reform, joining up with Speransky’s circle of reformers.  However, he is soon consumed by his personal life because he falls in love with Natasha.  Pierre seems to grow tired of his pursuit of goodness and the masons.  Marya struggles with her father and seems to grow despondent.  The Rostovs face growing financial problems.  Andrey leaves Russia to go to Switzerland.  The Rostovs have a last big family celebration, which is seen as the end of their childhood as the family faces difficult financial times. 

Anatole and Natasha meet.  Anatole is cemented as a victim when he attempts to abduct Natasha.  Pierre saves Natasha and the two grow close.  The battle with France grows more intense and Napoleon is further revealed as a fool.  Andrey becomes more committed to the men in his regiment.  Nikolay takes a Frenchman as a prisoner instead of killing him and is rewarded for his bravery.  Natasha recovers from her ordeal with Anatole.  Around Russia, young people respond to Napoleon’s invasion attempts by joining with the Russian army, but the French are having an initial round of success.  When the older prince dies, Marya moves her family to Moscow to escape the war, but it comes closer and closer.  Although much of the country is consumed by war, little seems to have changed in the salons of Petersburg.  Marya and Nikolay meet and they show an interest in each other.  Pierre and Andrey meet up the night before Borodino.  Though the Russians lose the battle, it is considered a moral victory and is when the tide of the war begins to shift in Russia’s favor. 

The Russian’s abandon Moscow and burn it, which is considered an important component in their eventual victory against France, and Tolstoy discusses it in detail.  The Rostovs leave Moscow, taking Andrey, who has been mortally wounded, with them.  Andrey and Natasha are reunited and she nurses.  Andrey seems to understand love under Natasha’s care.  Meanwhile, Pierre is attempting to create a plan to assassinate Napoleon, though it seems unlikely to succeed. 

Nikolay and Marya meet again, but Marya is traveling to see the dying Andrey.  Both Marya and Natasha are with Andrey when he dies.  Pierre is imprisoned and almost executed by the French.  In prison, Pierre meets Karataev who leads him to a rebirth.  The French begin to retreat from Russia.  Meanwhile, an imprisoned Pierre begins to find freedom by following the teachings of Karataev.  Pierre is freed from prison by an attack on the prison by Denisov and Dolohov, who, along with Petya, have been practicing guerilla warfare against the French.  Petya is killed.  The novel reveals that Karataev has died and goes into details about the death march that Pierre endured. 

Marya once again resumes her responsibilities to her household and Natasha comforts her bother.  Pierre and Natasha are reunited.  Russia begins to emerge as an international leader.  Nikolay and Marya and Natasha and Pierre have happy lives.  Tolstoy discusses the idea of free will and its paradoxical nature.  He believes that free will is not really possible, but that the illusion of free will is necessary to keep people functioning in their daily lives. 

Character Analysis

Pierre Bezukhov

Pierre is one of the characters that most people consider to be autobiographical for Tolstoy.  He is not a member of the aristocracy, which is one reason that he is often a favorite of readers.  He comes across as real, which sets him up in contrast to many in the aristocracy, who seem to think that he is beneath them.  Pierre is expelled from St. Petersburg because he parties too much and he spends too much money on his friends.  He is also emotional enough to get himself in trouble and falls for the wrong woman (Ellen), while also having some grandiose ideas about how he can be the one to save Russia by assassinating Napoleon.  In other words, he is relatable for most readers, which makes his spiritual rebirth all the more meaningful, and allows readers to rejoice when he marries Natasha and seems destined for a happily-ever-after ending. 

Although very distinct from the Russian aristocrats in the story, Pierre represents everyman.  This is made clear when he is an unidentified prisoner among many and is almost executed, in part because they do not know who he is.  However, this imprisonment and his time being a nameless person whose fortune and position do not benefit him help Pierre find himself and inner peace.  This inner peace contrasts to his earlier displays of sensuality, which are outward manifestations of a search for happiness and contentment.  When he eventually marries Natasha, it provides a natural and rightful place for his expression of sensuality so that it can enhance, rather than detract from, his inner peace. 

Andrey Bolkonsky

As a prince, it is fair to say that Andrey grew up in a life of extreme privilege.  However, rather than making him frivolous, his upbringing seems to have inspired a tremendous sense of duty in him.  He is very patriotic towards Russia and committed to helping the people of the country in everyday life as well as in their fight against Napoleon.  While Pierre is defined by his sensuality, Andrey is defined by his cold and logical approach to life, which may help him accomplish his duties, but also separate him from those that he wishes to serve.  This impacts him in all areas of his life, from his dutiful but seemingly loveless marriage to Liza to his desire to return to the war even after almost being killed in battle.  After the death of his wife, it seems like Andrey may find redemption and closeness with Natasha, but he is unable to form a relationship with her, though she is by his side when he dies. 

Natasha Rostov

Often described as Tolstoy’s representation of perfect womanhood and possibly the most beloved of any of his characters, Natasha is consistently described in delightful and complimentary terms.  She is joyful and caring, which sets her up as a contrast to both Liza, who is too frivolous, and Ellen, who is too scheming.  She is beloved by all who meet her, but does not seem arrogant or like she is seeking attention.  She also shows growth throughout the novel, moving from a loving but naïve character to a fully developed moral and spiritual person who can be the compliment for Pierre.  It is also important to look at the sexual components of Natasha.  When her sexuality is not directed towards building a family, such as in her ill-advised relationship with Anatole, it is portrayed as self-destructive, but when it is focused on family building with Pierre it is shown as constructive.  This may provide the reader with insight into Tolstoy’s views about women. 

Nikolay Rostov

While both Andrey and Pierre show growth and change as characters, Nikolay is remarkable for his consistency throughout the novel.  He is direct, saying what he believes and acting in accordance with his stated beliefs.  His biggest virtue may be that he does not pretend to be motived by virtue. For example, when he married Marya for her fortune, despite seeming to have romantic feelings for Sonya, it does not doom him to unhappiness, perhaps because he is not dishonest with himself or anyone else about his real motivation.  In fact, Marya complements his shortcomings with her own spirituality and religion. 

General Kutuzov

The Russian commander’s physical description leads many readers to believe that he will be portrayed as an incompetent military leader, but he is known as a tremendous military strategist while still being a spiritual man with great insight into human behavior.  Tolstoy portrays him as much more of a leader to Russia than Tsar Alexander and as a much more capable military leader than Napoleon. 

Themes

The title of War and Peace gives readers a major hint about some of its themes, but the novel is far more concerned with the intricacies of daily life and the individual development of characters than it is with actual military strategy.  War serves more as a background setting and plot device driving character development than it does as its own theme, and the peace referenced in the title could as easily be individual peace and contentment as it could be peace as a contrast to war.   

The Meaning of Life

Many great novels about war deal with the existential topic of the meaning of life and War and Peace is no exception. The two main characters, Andrey and Pierre often debate the meaning of life and seem to pursue happiness and fulfillment in ways that are almost diametrically opposed.  Platon seems to have found his own meaning of life by taking a much simpler approach to life.  Pierre’s journey from unhappily married man to member of the Freemasons and then to true spiritual enlightenment and freedom while incarcerated highlight the idea that the meaning of life is found underneath everything superficial. 

Logic Versus Emotion

Another theme that recurs in War and Peace is the idea of emotions being at odds with logic.  Characters frequently react in emotionally-driven ways that seem to contradict their own logical reasoning.  However, what makes the novel’s treatment of this theme somewhat unique is that when characters are driven to act by emotion, things sometimes turn out better for them than when they are acting purely out of logic.  Natasha’s illogical decision to elope with Anatole is disastrous for her as is Pierre’s emotion-driven decision to marry Ellen, but their equally illogical decision to marry each other is the root of one of the novel’s great love stories.  There is an idea that people need to listen to their emotional instincts and follow their heart at times, not simply use logic and reasoning. 

What Makes a Good Leader?

Much of the book focuses on the different leaders at different levels of leadership that are involved in the war and in ruling Russia in both times of peace and times of war.  He highlights the fact that even “great” leaders are actually just men with their own sets of weaknesses and strengths and that someone getting the reputation as a great leader is more of a function of history and timing than it is of any individual’s own personal strengths.  

Summary and Analysis by Sections

War and Peace is divided into 15 different books, which each have their own chapters, and two epilogues.  It is a massive work.  The average novel has between 50,000 and 70,000 words, while War and Peace has almost 600,000 words.  Therefore, it is important to understand that any brief summary of the novel is going to only be able to contain an overview of the story and will not be able to include many interesting side notes and less-important story elements.  The summary and analysis will discuss each book as a whole rather than looking at the individual chapters within books.    

Book I

The novel open in 1805 in a salon in Petersburg, which is run by Anna Pavlovna.  The topic of conversation is Napoleon leading revolutions around Europe and how she hopes that Alexander I will save them.  Then, she begins speaking with Prince Vassily Kuragin and proposes fixing up his son Anatole with Princess Marya Bolkonsky.  Her brother Prince Andrey and his wife Liza are there as well and the pregnant Liza is a flirtatious woman who makes most of the men feel flattered, but Andrey seems unhappy in general and unhappy with her, in particular.  Pierre Bezukhov arrives, which makes Anna uncomfortable because of his reputation for rudeness.  Pierre is the illegitimate son of Count Bezukhov.  Andrey seems happy when he sees Pierre and it seems clear that the two men are good friends.  Andrey’s sister Ellen, a radiant beauty arrives.  Ellen and the elder Prince Vassily leave the salon and are approached by a woman, Anna Mihalovna Drubetskoy, a society member who has become poor and fallen out of favor with society, who is there specifically to ask the Prince to petition the emperor to transfer her son Boris to the guards.  Prince Vassily seems put out by her request, but agrees to do it. 

Despite Anna Pavlovna’s best efforts, the conversation turns to politics, particularly the assassination of Duc d’Enghien.  Pierre defends Bonaparte, much to the surprise and shock of the people gathered in the salon, and Prince Andrey joins him.  Tensions are defused by Andrey’s brother Ippolit, who distracts people with a pointless story.  Andrey and Pierre spend the evening together.  Andrey says that he plans to go to war to get away from his tedious home life, while Pierre says he cannot go to war because of his belief in Napoleon.  At one point in the night, Liza joins the men and makes a scene about her husband’s treatment of her, but the scene is short-lived and the two men enjoy dinner alone.  At dinner, Andrey warns Pierre against ever marrying and talks derisively about his wife and the other society women.  He also warns Pierre against associating with Anatole and his friends.  Although Pierre agrees, he attends a party with Anatole that night.  The night ends in scandal when Pierre and the other guests tie a police officer to a bear and throw both in the river.   

The salon introduction to many of the novel’s major characters helps the reader understand the role that they will play in the novel.  It is clear that Andrey and Pierre will play major roles, and their different natures- serious and somewhat melancholy for Andrey and hedonistic for Pierre are established.  The reader also gets a glimpse into Andrey’s family life with introductions to his siblings and a snapshot portrait of his unhappy marriage with Liza.  In addition, Tolstoy reveals how young the two main characters are and how their youth and their social positions are likely to impact them as they continue to grow into adulthood. 

Prince Vassily’s petition to get Boris Drubetskoy into the Guards is successful, which allows his mother, Anna Mihalovna to return to Moscow without the social shame that led to her being estranged from society.  She moves in with the Rostovs, relatives who have been raising Boris as part of their family along with their own children.  Countess Natalya Rostov and her daughter (also named Natalya) are having a name day celebration.  A name day celebration is a tradition in parts of Europe, including Russia, where people celebrate the day of the year that is associated with their given name.  It is similar, but not identical to, a birthday party.  The topic of conversation at the party is Pierre’s scandalous behavior.  The guests are also speculating who will inherit when Pierre’s father dies, if it will be the illegitimate Pierre or his father’s closest legal relative, who happens to be the elder Prince Vassily.    

The Rostov children join the party and the readers meet Natasha Rostov, Boris, Nikolay and Petya Rostov, and Sonya (another relation that lives with the Rostovs).  The children are boisterous and cheerful, providing a stark contrast with the adults.  Sonya is quiet, but is obviously in love with Nikolay. Nikolay says he loves her also, but flirts with Julie Karagin.  Boris and Natasha also say they are in love and that they plan to marry when they are adults.  

The dinner is delayed because Marya Dmitryevna Ahrosimov is late.  Though she has a reputation for frank honesty, she is respected (or at least feared) by society in Moscow and Petersburg.  She is the goddaughter of the younger Natalya.  Once she arrives, she begins to chastise Pierre for his behavior with the police officer. 

Like at the salon, the men begin to discuss the coming war.  Nikolay declares that Russians must die or conquer.  Natasha interrupts by asking loudly about dessert, a distraction that seems to secretly please the adults, even those pretending to be upset that he interrupted the adults.  The men play cards after dinner, then the adults dance.  Natasha asks Pierre to dance. 

Meanwhile, Pierre’s father celebrates another stroke and gets last rites from a priest.  When Pierre hears, he hurries to his father’s side, accompanied by Anna Mihalovna who is angling for an inheritance from the Count.  Pierre thinks his father looks the same, but then notices a shudder of weakness.  The Count gives Pierre a last smile, then falls into a coma.  Family including Prince Vassily, Anna Mihalovna, and the Count’s niece Katish.  Katish and Anna get into an argument about the inheritance, and the Count dies while they are arguing. 

The contrast of the warm and inviting family party and the County’s death is intentional.  Throughout the novel, Tolstoy repeatedly presents the idea that life and death are indivisible.  Therefore, it is fitting that the Count is dying as the name day celebration is occurring.  His death also symbolizes the death of the older generation and the younger generation coming to power. 

The next big gathering is at the home of Prince Nikolay Andreivitch Bolkonsky, an old man who was banished from Moscow by Paul.  Catherine revoked his banishment, but the old man continues to live in exile.  Other members of his household include Princess Marya, her companion Mademoiselle Bourienne and Mihail Ivanovitch, an architect for the Prince.  He lives by a regimented schedule, which he believes will help keep him free from idleness and superstition.  He believes that intelligence and energy are virtuous and he has educated his daughter, Princess Marya, beyond how most women of that time are educated.  Marya finds their studies tedious and scary, which keeps her from learning, and the lessons end up a source of conflict between the two. 

After being dismissed from her lessons, Marya returns to her correspondence with her friend Julie Karagin, who has written to her with news about Nikolay Rostov.  Julie also informs her that Pierre has inherited the Count’s fortune and his title.  She also lets her know that Prince Vassily is attempting to arrange a marriage between his son Anatole and Marya.  Marya responds with a very religiously devout answer that shows she is willing to marry Anatole if God ordains it and Tolstoy reveals that she is beautiful when she is earnest.

Once Prince Andrey and Liza arrive, Liza reveals to Marya that she is scared of childbirth.  Andrey is uncomfortable at the highly emotional exchange between Liza and Marya.  Andrey and his father greet each other joyfully, but the older man downplays his emotions by mocking the men in the military.  Liza is intimidated by her father-in-law.  Andrey and his father get into a debate about Napoleon. 

Marya approaches her brother and asks him to show more respect for their father.  She also wants him to be more compassionate towards his wife.  Finally, she gives him a religious talisman.  Andrey promises to wear it.  Andrey’s father provides Andrey with a letter of commendation for Commander Kutuzov, but tells Andrey only to take the position if he fills it honors him.  He tells Andrey that he will take care of Liza while she is pregnant.  Andrey gets his father to promise that if Andrey dies in the war, he will raise their son at Bleak Hills rather than letting Liza raise him. 

The social scene in Moscow is robust, despite the war.  The Drubetskoys throw a party, which Pierre attends.  The people there gossip about Nikolay rescuing Marya, but also about Pierre rescuing Natasha.  Pierre drives with the army, and feels joyful again once he rejoins army life.  Pierre talks to a doctor who tells him to expect 20,000 casualties.  Pierre goes with a group to look over the troops.  Bennigsen orders a flank to a different position, but does not tell Kutuzov.  Andrey is nervous about the upcoming battle and begins to regret some of the superficial things he did in his early life.  Pierre joins the troops, but Andrey is cold to him.  He avoids speaking with him privately.  Pierre seems to recognize that the friends might not meet again because he seems to acknowledge that Andrey seems ready for death and is saddened by where their friendship is. 

Tolstoy also shows the French troops.  Napoleon has said that he does not want them to take any prisoners.  He is also talking about the upcoming battle as a chess game, rather than the life or death scenario that Pierre and Andrey know it could be.  He writes up a list of orders that seems like they are impressive, but will not be carried out in the battle.   

Pierre wakes up hearing cannons booming.  He wants to be taking part in the battle.  He is knocked down by an explosion in battle.  He runs back to the battery, but finds that the men have gone.  Napoleon was planning a strong defeat of the Russians, but the French forces have run from the Russian ones.  Kutuzov has not issued any orders, but is doing the same thing he did in prior battles; letting his men tell them their plans and either agreeing or disagreeing.  When he is told that the battle is almost lost, he sends an order to all the lines that they will attack the next day. 

Andrey’s regiment is told to be inactive.  When they are attacked by a grenade, Andrey stands and is flung through the air.  Thousands of Russians die, so that the battle of Borodino cannot be considered a victory.  However, it is a moral victory because the Russians have blocked the French from getting to Moscow, even though the French army has more men and better weapons. 

Book XI

Throughout the book, Tolstoy has continually argued that great men are not necessarily great on their own, but are placed at the right time and space in history to be able to exercise an influence that goes beyond their own individual personality and traits.  He thinks that average humans and their daily lives have a significant influence on world events, but that their influence is not traceable in the way that the life of a famous and highly-documented person’s influence is.

Tolstoy describes the overall events of the war at this point.  The French and their allies (12 countries in total) invade Russia.  The Russians fall back from the invading troops.  The French march towards Moscow.  The country is hit by famine.  The Russians get angrier and angrier, which results in fiercer fighting.  The French forces begin to fall apart, even though there are not military skirmishes between them and the Russians.  Kutuzov seems unprepared for the actual war that he is fighting, and he realizes that Moscow will be taken because his army is not strong enough to fight to defend her.  The strategy is to let the forces take Moscow in order to protect more troops.  He still thinks he will be able to save Russia, but his generals seem to think this signals that a French victory is inevitable.  The abandon and burn Moscow, which ends up saving Russia, despite Count Rastoptchin, the governor of Moscow’s, attempts to use patriotism and loyalty to get people to stay and fight for the city. 

Ellen has taken lovers over the course of her marriage to Pierre and has decided she wishes to marry one of them.  The obstacle is that she is still married to Pierre.  She asks Pierre for a divorce.  Pierre is at the front, sharing a meal with some soldiers.  He thinks that the soldiers have found the key to something because they have learned their limits through suffering and have learned not to fear death.  Pierre reaches Moscow in the morning and is told that Anatole and Andrey have died.   Pierre attempts to intervene on behalf of a pacifist who is being sentenced to hard labor and is warned about his association with subversives and told to leave Moscow.  He returns home to find Ellen’s letter, and with the knowledge that his whole life’s circumstances have taken a significant turn and that he is in the position to completely abandon his former life. 

The Rostov family is also preparing for a major chance and flee Moscow right before the French enter the city.  Natasha shows hospitality to injured soldiers.  Natasha organizes the packing.  That night, an injured soldier is brought to them and the housekeeper recognizes Andrey.  In the middle of the packing, Vera’s husband Berg comes to get help moving some of the Rostov’s furniture to his house, which leaves Count Rostov confused and angry.  In contrast, Natasha decides to leave more of their belongings behind in order to take some of the wounded soldiers with them.  Sonya finds out Andrey is among the injured soldiers, but she and Countess Rostov agree to keep this information from Natasha.  As they flee, Natasha sees Pierre on the street and they are able to briefly greet one another.  Pierre did not flee Moscow, but went to hide at the home of his dead mentor, Bazdvev.  He came up with a plot to assassinate Napoleon.  He is on his way to purchase a gun for the assassination when he runs into the Rostovs.

In contrast to the chaos of the Russians fleeing Moscow, Napoleon is at a sort of peace.  He is on a hill overlooking Moscow, planning to take over the city.  He believes he will be able to convince the nobility who live in Moscow that his intentions are peaceful and get their cooperation.  No one will tell him that the city is empty and that the majority of people have already fled from it.  Napoleon is surprised when he enters the city and finds it empty. 

Rastopchin sees that it was an error not to order Moscow evacuated earlier.  People had to leave behind many items including food that the French will be able to use.  He also managed to convince a mob of people to defend the city, and they are there and rioting outside of the governor’s.  To appease them, he sends the young pacifist he earlier sentenced to hard labor out into the mob.  The mob beats the pacifist to death. 

The French army enters the city.  They are prepared to fight to take it and are surprised that it is empty.  They begin to take over the houses, which results in them lighting many fires.  Tolstoy reveals that the burning of Moscow was not down out of malice, but out of carelessness.  Meanwhile, Pierre’s plan to assassinate Napoleon is not going well.  His pistol is stolen by a madman, who then almost kills a French officer.  Pierre prevents the murder and the Frenchman, Ramballe, concludes that Pierre must be French.  Pierre declares himself a Russian, but he and Ramballe share a companionable dinner with Pierre even sharing his love for Natasha with his new friends. 

The Rostovs cannot get far from Moscow and stop in a nearby village as they flee.  That night, the servants watch Moscow burn.  Andrey is feverish and in pain.  He recalls seeing Anatole in his hospital tent.  Anatole’s leg had been amputated and Andrey wept for him, despite all that had gone on between the men.  He thinks about Natasha and realizes that he still loves her and wishes he had the opportunity to tell her that.  Miraculously, Natasha appears.  She kneels by his bedside and refuses to leave his side.

Pierre makes another attempt to assassinate Napoleon.  However, his inner goodness is again revealed when he takes time to rescue a child from a burning building and defend a woman who was being attacked by a French soldier.  Doing so not only results in his plan to kill Napoleon being derailed, but also to his arrest.  He has weapons, so he is arrested by the French. 

Book XII

Even though Moscow and much of the rest of the country is being destroyed by the war, Petersburg remains essentially unchanged.  The nobility there are still partying and gossiping. The tsar says that he will lead the peasants in battle if the army fails.  This shows that even in war people must carry on with their daily lives. 

Nikolay has been ordered to purchase horses for the army and has the time to attend a ball after he makes the purchase.  He tells Marya’s aunt that, though he would like to marry Marya, he has promised himself to Sonya.  He also indicates that he would not want to marry Marya for her wealth.  Two days later, Nikolay and Marya meet up and he realizes how much he would like to marry her.  He gets a letter from Sonya, freeing him from his promise.  He gets a letter from his mother telling him that Andrey is with them and that Sonya and Natasha are nursing him. He is able to give Marya the news that her brother is alive. 

Pierre believes that he will be sentenced to death and is even led before the firing squad with five other prisoners.  While they are shot and killed, Pierre is led away. His rescue feels meaningless, as he feels dead inside.  He finds out that he has been officially pardoned, but is still imprisoned.  In the prison barracks, he meets an old man, Platon Karataev.  They spend four weeks in the barracks prison, where Pierre and the other prisoners learn from Platon’s presence and his emphasis on moral beauty.  Karataev loves everyone equally and does not seem to have any special attachments, despite being very loving. 

Marya travels to see a dying Andrey.  Marya no longer feels anger towards Natasha and can see that Natasha loves Andrey.  The two women weep for Andrey.  Andrey is cold and impersonal towards Marya and is not even interested in his son.  Natasha takes this as evidence that Andrey has rejected life and chosen death.  Natasha and Marya sit at his bedside as he dies.  Andrey has been seeking death as an answer since the beginning of the novel, so while his death is tragic for those who survive him, it is not tragic for Andrey. 

Book XIII

Much of this book discusses the technical events of the war and the hidden underlying causes of many of its battles.  Tolstoy also disagrees with historians who have criticized Kutuzov as a leader.  He highlights the French army’s stronger position because it has wealth, manpower, and supplies to draw upon.  He believes that the French are more responsible for their defeats than the Russians are.  Napoleon leaves a garrison in Moscow and orders the rest of the army to depart.  He loots the city for treasure and this overwhelms the army as it leaves Moscow.  They also leave the same way they came in, even though the decimated the countryside and depleted it of supplies as they approached.  The battle of Taruntino is when the war shifts and the Russians move from retreat to attack.  As the French retreat, many of their soldiers desert or allow themselves to be taken prisoner to escape from the war.

As a prisoner, Pierre finds inner harmony.  He is removed from his wealth, title, and the distractions of society.  As a prisoner, the same characteristics that made him stand out in polite society are seen as virtues.  Pierre and his fellow prisoners are forced to march with the French as they retreat, and, though he still feels a freedom he has not felt before, he also begins to feel the ominous presence of war. 

Book XIV

Although the French won more battles than the Russians and even occupied the enemy capital, they still lost the war.  This went against conventional wisdom about warfare.  Tolstoy concludes that the individuals behind the battles and the spirit in the army is more significant for military victory and uses the example of the Russian army becoming guerilla warriors to back up his arguments.  Denisov and Dolohov lead troops.  Petya arrives as a courier to give them a message from the general and asks to stay and fight with them.  Denisov has taken a French drummer boy as a prisoner and Petya intervenes to keep Dolohov from shooting the prisoner.  Petya and Dolohov pretend to be enemy officers and slip behind the enemy’s lines.  They attack the French, but Petya is shot and dies instantly.  However, Pierre is freed in the conflict. 

Pierre and the other prisoners have been marching for weeks.  They are weak and tired, especially Karataev. After retelling a story, he has told before, the man seems even more peaceful.  In the morning, he is too ill to move.  Pierre shares a look with him as French soldiers advance, then looks away when he hears the shot indicating that they have killed Karataev.  He dreams of Karataev that night and is liberated by the Russians in the morning. 

The French retreat is a deadly one.  The French soldiers die from exposure, starvation, and exhaustion.  There are not many battles, as the retreat is so rapid that the Russians have a problem catching the French foes.  While the French leaders continue to plan battles, they do not happen. 

Both Petya and Karataev’s deaths are treated with a lack of feeling.  This is not due to indifference about their deaths, but is actually intended to convey a positive message about the universal nature of God’s love.  Petya’s self-sacrifice is contrasted with Napoleon’s sacrifice of his men.  Tolstoy argues that Napoleon’s inability to see the soldiers as individuals, but merely as tools, is what keeps him from being considered a great man. 

Book XV

Despite nursing him together as he was dying, Marya and Natasha do not discuss Andrey after his death.  Marya emerges from mourning because of her obligations to Nikolushka, but Natasha wallows in her grief.  She is finally brought out of her grief because she must care for her mother.  The Countess is heartbroken over Petya’s death and only Natasha’s presence can calm her.  Natasha is depleted after nursing her mother, and Marya spends the time to nurse Natasha back to health.  The women become extremely close during this time period. 

At Vyazma, the Russian soldiers are eager to fight, so Kutuzov engages in a battle that he did not intend to fight.  He believes that fighting is unnecessary, since the French are in full retreat.  His generals order the Russians to maneuvers that they cannot carry out, since they are also exhausted.  The generals begin to question Kutuzov’s competency and his nerve, but Tolstoy believes that he is the only one who was seeing things accurately.  After Vyazma, Kutuzov addresses the troops and announces that Russia has been delivered and asking them to have pity on any prisoners of war.  He essentially wants the Russian troops to escort the French out of Russia without further aggression, while his generals want him to take a more aggressive approach.  Once Russia is free, Alexander recognizes Kutuzov for his role in the war, but appoints another more aggressive leader for the campaign to free Europe.

Pierre has been changed by his imprisonment and is more compassionate.  He also finds it easier to make decisions.  Pierre goes to visit Marya, who is accompanied by Natasha.  He learns about Andrey’s death.  Pierre shares his newfound faith with Marya.  Natasha discusses her last days with Andrey and her love for him, though she has not talked about it at all with Mayra up to this point.  Natasha later tells Marya that Pierre seems as if he has taken a moral bath. 

First Epilogue

Seven years pass, marking a significant change in Russia.  Pierre and Natasha marry.  Count Rostov dies, leaving Nikolay with the burden of his debts.  Nikolay struggles to maintain the household and feels guilty about Sonya.  Nikolay marries Marya and they move, along with Sonya and the Countess Rostov, to Bleak Hills.  Nikolay manages to repay his father’s debts, grow their estate, and repurchase his family’s lands.  He establishes a great rapport with the peasants, who show him tremendous respect.  He and Marya are very happy together.  Sonya is happy with them and continues to play a role in the family.  Andrey’s child Nikolinka (he is called this later in the book, a change from his earlier name and probably a nickname), lives with Marya and Nikolay, but considers Pierre his hero.  Natasha and Pierre have four children and she is devoted Pierre and her children.  Pierre becomes somewhat henpecked, but is happy.

Second Epilogue

After wrapping up the stories of his characters, Tolstoy once again discusses history and the role of great men in history.  He believes that underlying forces ar