The second volume of war and peace read a short. Description of the second part of the second volume of Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace

Pierre, after an explanation with his wife, goes to Petersburg. On the trip, he reflects on what life and death are, what power controls everything on earth. Stop at the station in Torzhok. Dark thoughts of Pierre. He thinks that he has a lot of money, but they do not give him happiness, peace of mind. Arrival at the station mason Bazdeeva. He was a squat, broad-boned, yellow, wrinkled old man with gray eyebrows and eyes of an incomprehensible color. Pierre wants to talk to Bazdeev, but he falls asleep. Pierre is irresistibly drawn to this mysterious man.

Bazdeev's conversation with Pierre. Bazdeev is the first to speak to Pierre, saying that he knows about the misfortune that has befallen him and the desire to help him. Pierre is interested in whether Bazdeev is a Mason, and is afraid that they have too different views on life, and therefore they will not understand each other. Pierre confesses that he does not believe in God. The Mason says that Pierre simply does not know him and is therefore unhappy. Bazdeev preaches Freemasonry. Pierre listens to this man and begins to believe, experiencing a joyful feeling of renewal and return to life. Pierre asks Bazdeev to help him, to teach him. The Mason advises Pierre, upon his arrival in St. Petersburg, to devote all his time to solitude, to discussing himself, and in no case to embark on the former path of life. Pierre firmly believed in the possibility of a brotherhood of people united by the goal of helping each other. This is how he now considered Freemasonry.

Pierre in Petersburg. His retreat and his reading of Masonic books. He does not know who delivered the book of Thomas a Kempis. The arrival of the Count of Villarsky. He informs Pierre that they want to accept him into the brotherhood of Masons ahead of time and he, Count of Villars, will be his guarantor. Before leaving, the count asks Pierre if he has renounced his former convictions and increased

did you dig at God. Pierre says yes. Pierre's trials and the ceremony before entering Masonic Lodge. Pierre is warned that he must endure with courage whatever happens to him. The goals of Freemasonry are explained to him, which consist in the correction of mankind and the eradication of evil by any means. Pierre is then given the virtues of the Freemasons and told what he must now do to become a full member of the Freemasons. He must turn his attention to himself and look for the source of bliss in his heart.

The meeting of the Masonic Lodge on the entry of Pierre into Freemasonry. Pierre suddenly finds doubt whether he is doing the right thing. But he is horrified by this feeling and again believes in brotherhood. Pierre is wearing the same white leather apron, as well as on others, they give a shovel and three pairs of gloves in their hands. Pierre listens to the charter of the brotherhood. Pierre sees only brothers in all these people. He wants to donate all the money he had to charity, but he is afraid to appear proud and gives as much as everyone else.

Arrival of Prince Vasily to Pierre to settle his break with Helen. Prince Vasily assures Pierre that Helen is innocent before him. He suggests that Pierre write to Helen to come and everything will be settled, otherwise, Vasily threatens, Pierre may suffer very much. Pierre feels that he cannot resist Vasily, but at the same time he understands that his whole life will depend on what he says now. future life. Pierre expels Prince Vasily. Pierre's departure to his estates. Freemasons give Pierre letters to the brothers in Odessa and Kiev, who will guide Pierre in his new life.

The condemnation of Pierre by secular society for breaking up with his wife and the warm welcome of Helene upon her return to St. Petersburg. Pierre was accused of being "a stupid jealous man, subject to the same fits of bloodthirsty rage as his father." Helen took such a position that the husband sent to her by God is her cross, and she will endure her misfortune without complaining. Evening of Anna Pavlovna Scherer at the end of 1806 Anna Pavlovna collected the cream of the real good company, where she "treated" everyone with Boris Drubetsky. Arrival for the evening of Boris Drubetskoy. His characteristic. He is now an adjutant to a very important person. He is not rich, but he spends all his money on being well dressed and riding in the best carriages. He approaches only those people who would be useful to him. He remembers Natasha and his childhood in her house with dislike and never goes there. Boris joined the society and told a lot of interesting things about the army, about the court, etc. Helen's attention to Boris's story. She invites Boris to visit her.

The story by Ippolit Kuragin of a joke about the Prussian king, in which there were the words: "We are fighting for the Prussian king in vain." Talk about awards. Debate over whether a snuffbox with a portrait is a reward. At the end of the evening, Helen once again invites Drubetskoy to her place. Rapprochement of Boris with Helen.

Chapter VIII.

The activities of the old prince Bolkonsky as commander-in-chief of the militia. He performs his duties strictly and even cruelly, going to every detail. The life of Prince Andrei after the campaign of 1805. Now he most spends time in Bogucharovo, part of the Bolkonsky estate, which his father assigned to him. He decides never to serve again and accepts a position under his father to raise the militia. Illness of little Nikolushka. The boy has been delirious for several days, and Prince Andrei and Princess Marya are trying by all means to cure him. Prince Andrei and Princess Mary in the nursery. Letter from the old prince to his son. He orders his son to ride to Korchevo for provisions.

Bilibin's letter to Prince Andrei about the 1806 campaign. He writes that Napoleon defeated the Prussians and settled in the Potsdam Palace. The Russians are involved in a war on their own border, and for the Prussian king. The Russians don't have a commander in chief. There are marauders who worsen the position of Russia. The crisis in the illness of Nikolushka and the joy of Prince Andrei. The crisis passed, although Bolkonsky was afraid that he would lose the boy. Prince Andrei decides that all that is left to him now is his son.

Pierre in Kyiv. He called all the managers of the estates and explained his intention to free the peasants from serfdom. Women and children will no longer be sent to work, punishments will not be corporal, but exhortations, hospitals, shelters, schools must be established. Pierre's budget. Pierre feels that he is now less rich than when he received the inheritance. His occupations with the chief of affairs. He did not have the tenacity that would allow him to get down to business, and therefore Pierre only pretends to be busy with business. The scattered life of Pierre in Kyiv. Many acquaintances were found in Kyiv, and Pierre's life again flows between evenings, balls, lunches, dinners. Pierre in the spring of 1807 travels around his estates. Pierre's manager, believing that the release of the peasants would only bring losses, suspended its implementation, but ordered only to build schools and hospitals and arrange meetings for Pierre. Pierre's meetings with the peasants, arranged by the chief administrator. The people in all the estates seemed to Pierre touching and grateful. Pierre's naive admiration for the good he has done for the peasants. Pierre did not know how hard life really is for the people.

Pierre in Bogucharov near Bolkonsky. Pierre is struck by the modesty of that little house where Prince Andrei now lives. His meeting with Prince Andrei. The change that has taken place with Prince Andrei also strikes Pie-

ra. He had an extinct, dead look, in which there was concentration and death, and to which Prince Andrei, no matter how hard he tried, could not give shine. A heartfelt conversation between Pierre and Andrei about the life and purpose of a person. Pierre says that he realized that happiness is to live for others. Prince Andrei objects that one must live for oneself, avoiding two evils: remorse and illness. It is necessary to live to death without interfering with anyone - such is the destiny of man. Pierre never wanted to agree with Bolkonsky.

Bolkonsky says that Pierre's thoughts are similar to those of Princess Marya, and wants to introduce them. The trip of Prince Andrei and Pierre to the Bald Mountains. Pierre expounds Freemasonry to Prince Andrew. He says that Freemasonry is not a sect, but "the best, the only expression of the best, eternal aspects of humanity." Conversation of friends on the ferry. Pierre tries to convince Andrei of the existence of God and eternal life. We must believe that we live not only now, but have always lived, and will live forever. "Yes, if it were so!" exclaims Bolkonsky. He did not understand that from this meeting on the ferry, a change began in him for the better that lived in him and about which he did not guess.

Chapter XIII.

Prince Andrei and Pierre in the Bald Mountains. On the back porch at their entrance, confusion occurs: “God's” people run out from there, who are received by Princess Marya. They take Pierre and Andrei for the old Prince Bolkonsky. Their visit to Princess Mary and a conversation with "God's people." Marya immediately treated Pierre well. Prince Andrei mockingly refers to the pilgrims, and Princess Marya protects them. The old woman talks about the radiance from the icon, and Pierre says that this is a hoax.

The story of a wanderer, the judgment of Princess Marya about Prince Andrei. She tells Pierre that she is afraid for Prince Andrei, who carries his grief inside, in himself. Asks Pierre to

he persuaded Bolkonsky to go abroad. He needs activity otherwise quiet life will destroy him. The arrival of the old prince. Pierre's dispute with the old prince. Pierre proves that the time will come when there will be no war. The old prince disputes this opinion, but is not angry. Pierre's friendly relations with the entire Bolkonsky family. Everyone in this family fell in love with him, even little Nikolenka went to his knees. After Pierre's departure, everyone spoke only good things about him.

The return of Nikolai Rostov to the regiment. Already approaching the regiment, Rostov experiences the same feelings as when approaching home. The feeling of calming Rostov after entering into the usual conditions of regimental life. He felt that he was at home here, under his parents' roof. After losing to Dolokhov, Nikolai decides to serve well, to be an excellent comrade and officer, that is, a wonderful person. Parking lot of the Pavlograd regiment near Bartenstein. Hunger and disease of soldiers in the Pavlograd regiment. From them, the regiment lost almost half of the people. Soldiers eat masha's root. And in the spring, a disease begins among the soldiers, which manifests itself in swelling of the legs, arms and face. Doctors believe that the cause of everything is Mashkin's root. Friendship between Rostov and Denisov. Nikolai feels that Denisov's unhappy love for Natasha helped in no small way to such a friendship. An episode of Nikolay saving an old Pole man and his daughter with a child from starvation. He brings the family to his apartment and provides until the old man recovers. Some comrades say that Rostov is cunning: under the guise of help, he lives with a polka. Rostov flares up, it comes almost to a duel. Rostov explains to Denisov that the polka is like a sister to him. Denisov exclaims: “What a stupid Rostov breed of yours,” implying, of course, Natasha’s attitude towards him as a brother.

Denisov and Rostov with their regiment at outposts. Officer dugout. Denisov by force beats off the transport of food intended for the infantry regiment from his own

Chapter XVII.

Truce between Russians and French after the Battle of Friedland. The trip of Nikolai Rostov to Denisov in the hospital. Nikolay's conversation with the doctor. The doctor does not let Rostov into the hospital, as there is typhus. Rostov asks about Denisov, the doctor says that he is dead, but still lets Rostov himself look for a friend, maybe he is alive. Rostov inspects the soldiers' chambers. A heavy impression of Rostov at the sight of the sick and wounded. The soldiers lie on the floor, on straw and overcoats, most of them in oblivion. Those who were conscious look at Rostov with a request for help and with envy of someone else's health. Among the living were the dead, who did not have time to remove. Rostov quickly leaves from there.

Chapter XVIII.

Rostov in the officers' chambers. Meeting him with the wounded Tushin. Tushin's hand was cut off, but he accepts this event with the same humility. The position of Denisov's wound. Although the wound was small and was inflicted six weeks ago, it did not heal. Reading Denisov's answer to the boom

gu of the commission of inquiry on the case with food officials. In the middle of the reading, the lancer advises Denisov to ask for pardon from the sovereign. But Denisov at first resists, says that he did not steal. But in the end, Denisov decides to file a request through Rostov addressed to the sovereign for clemency.

Rostov's trip to Tilsit on the Denisov case. Tilsit meeting of Alexander I with Napoleon. Napoleon gives Emperor Alexander a hand, both of them hide in a tent. Boris Drubetskoy in the suite of the emperor. His career success. Boris is with the retinue of the sovereign, twice he travels with instructions to the sovereign himself, so that he knew him by sight. Boris becomes his own. Boris's friend Count Zhilinsky arranges a dinner for his French acquaintances. The arrival of Rostov to Boris during dinner. Rostov, like most people in the army, is not yet used to the fact that a truce has been concluded and the French are now friends. Boris and Zhilinsky are not very happy about the arrival of Rostov. Nikolai's conversation with Boris about the Denisov case. Boris twists and turns, it is clear that he does not want to take on Denisov's case. Rostov says that if he does not want to, then let him say so directly. Boris replies that he will help in any way he can.

Nikolai Rostov in civilian clothes wanders the streets of the city. His thoughts about the meeting with the sovereign and the submission of Denisov's letter to him. Nikolai thinks that Boris does not want to help him and that there is no need, everything is over between them, but Rostov will not leave until he decides with Denisov's letter. Now he will not miss the opportunity to approach the emperor himself, as was the case after Austerlitz. Rostov in the waiting room of the emperor. Nikolai Rostov's meeting with a familiar cavalry general and his request to hand over the letter. The general was the former chief of Rostov. In this campaign, he earned the special favor of the sovereign. The general takes Denisov's letter. Exit of Alexander I. Rostov's delight at the sight of the Tsar. The general says something to the emperor for a long time. The sovereign replies that he cannot, since the law is stronger than him.

Friendly meeting of the Russian and French emperors. Both emperors communicate with each other on equal terms. Napoleon awards the Transfiguration Soldier Lazarev with the Order of the Legion of Honor. The battalion of the French guards gives dinner to the Preobrazhensky battalion. Nicholas is tormented by strange thoughts about the futility of the war, in which so many people suffered. After all, now Napoleon is a friend of Alexander, he behaves arrogantly, he is respected and loved by the emperor. Nikolay's lunch in a tavern. Rostov's hot outburst about the officers' opinions about peace and about an alliance with the French. The officers in the tavern were unhappy with the world. Nikolai is indignant that the soldiers do not have the right to talk about the decisions of the sovereign. But the soldiers do not agree with Nikolai, they are ordered to cut down, they cut down, and it’s not their business to think.

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After parting with Helen, Pierre Bezukhov went to St. Petersburg. At one of the stops on his way, at the post station, he plunges into serious thoughts about life and death, about himself and the people around him, about wealth and poverty, about love and hate. Pierre is confused, everything around him seems disgusting, but at the same time it attracts, does not let go. On the way he meets a strange old man, with whom for some reason he wants to talk, but all attempts to start a conversation run into an indifferent pose in which this person is. On his hand is a massive ring.

The fellow traveler nevertheless spoke to Pierre himself, saying that he knew about his misfortune and wanted to help him. He belongs to the Masons, is a member of the brotherhood of free masons, as evidenced by his ring. He calls Pierre's way of thinking "the monotonous fruit of pride, laziness and ignorance", "a sad delusion". They talk about God, in which Pierre does not believe. “You don’t know him, that’s why you are unhappy ... He is here, in my words, he is in you, and even in those blasphemous speeches that you uttered now ... If he weren’t there, we wouldn’t talk about him, my lord . What, who were we talking about? Who did you deny? Who invented it, if it does not exist? Why did the assumption arise in you that there is such an incomprehensible being? Why did you and the whole world assume the existence of such an incomprehensible being, a being omnipotent, eternal and infinite in all its properties? »

Pierre believed his fellow traveler with all his heart. He believed that there is only one science in the world that explains the universe and man's place in it, and in order to understand this science, you need to improve your inner self, and also not forget about God's light - about conscience. The Mason advises Pierre to change his life, cleanse it and learn wisdom, ceasing to hate everything around.

Pierre decides to become a follower of the Masonic movement. A fellow traveler - and this was Osip Alekseevich Bazdeev, one of the most famous Freemasons and Martinists - gives him letter of recommendation to the Count of Villars. In St. Petersburg, Pierre did not inform anyone of his arrival. He leads a hermit life, spends whole days at home reading the works of the medieval mystic Thomas of Kempis, who preached asceticism and humility.

After some time, Pierre is visited by the Count of Villars. The purpose of his visit is to inform that, thanks to the petition of a high-ranking official, Bezukhov can be accepted into the brotherhood ahead of schedule. Pierre assures Villarsky that he has renounced his former life and believes in God.

Villarsky and Pierre are going to the initiation ceremony. During the procedure, he sees his acquaintances from high society.

The next day, Prince Vasily suddenly appears at Pierre's house, having arrived to persuade him to make peace with Helen. Pierre did not speak to him. A week later, Bezukhov said goodbye to his new brotherhood friends, left them large donations, and left to spread the Masonic faith. Members of the brotherhood gave him letters of recommendation to the Freemasons of Kiev and Odessa.

In the same society full swing discuss the history of the duel between Pierre and Dolokhov. Pierre is called a stupid jealous, compared with his father, who also had a tough temper. None of the participants in the duel was punished by law, but high society people had a topic for conversation. Helen is still the star of fashion salons, only now the reputation of an unfairly offended wife is added to her image. In the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer Helen meets Boris Drubetskoy. He had just returned from the Prussian army, where he was adjutant to a high-ranking person. Helen clearly sympathizes with him. As for Boris, he had long forgotten about Natasha and those childhood feelings that supposedly connected them.

Helen invites Boris to visit. After a reception at which there were many guests, the hostess of the evening invites Boris in a whisper to come to her in the evening of the next day. They are getting closer.

Meanwhile, the war rages on. Russia's borders are at great risk.

The Bolkonskys have big changes, the old prince was appointed by the sovereign as one of the eight commanders-in-chief of the militia.

The elder Bolkonsky is extremely pleased with this activity, he no longer spends time exclusively on his estate, on the contrary, he travels all over Russia.

Little Nikolai, the son of Prince Andrei, lives with a nurse and a nurse. Princess Marya takes care of him, trying to replace her dead mother.

Prince Andrei mostly lives on his own estate, Bogucharovo, forty versts from Lysy Gory. The estate after his return was given to him by his father. After the Battle of Austerlitz, Andrei decided never to return to the army.

With the outbreak of war, this promise to himself becomes difficult to fulfill, and Andrei, choosing between two evils, accepts a position under the command of his father to collect the militia.

February 26, 1807 the old prince goes to Once again ride. Prince Andrei remains in the Bald Mountains. His son has been ill for the fourth day now, his fever does not subside. The old prince in a letter demands that Andrei go on a business trip, but he does not go. His attitude to the service does not change over time.

Once in his estate in Kyiv, Pierre gathered all the managers and announced his will to them. First of all, he wished to immediately take measures for the complete liberation of the peasants from serfdom. According to his will, the peasants should no longer be burdened with work, women with children should not be sent to work at all, assistance should be provided to the peasants, punishments should be used persuasive, not corporal, hospitals, shelters and schools should be established on each estate. From his words, the managers understood almost nothing, and those who understood immediately saw the possibility of their own enrichment.

Pierre is very rich, but he does not feel this wealth. Money is flowing in an unknown direction, he is constantly informed about fires and crop failures, and even at a time when his father gave him ten thousand a year, he felt better off. There is an urgent need to take care of things on their own, but Pierre does not have the necessary inclinations of a manager, and is not eager to become a real owner.

In the spring of 1807, Pierre decides to return to St. Petersburg, visiting all his estates along the way. By order of the chief manager in each estate, preparations were made with religious coloring and modest treats. The cunning manager knows that Pierre does not like the chic celebrations in honor of his arrival. But Bezukhov really liked how they met him on the estates at the behest of the manager. Extremely pleased, he stopped by the Bolkonskys on the way. Not finding Andrei on the estate, he went to the indicated address. Prince Andrei is glad for the arrival of a friend, but he fails to deceive him, he sees that Bolkonsky looks with an extinct look and nothing pleases him.

Andrei says that only two things in life interfere with happiness: remorse and illness. Their absence is already happiness. To live, according to him, is necessary for oneself, avoiding only two evils. Pierre does not agree with this, he asks, what about love for one's neighbor, self-sacrifice? He gives examples from his own life, says that he lived for himself, without doing evil, by which he almost ruined his life, and only now, when he tries to live for others, did he feel all the happiness of life.

It seems to Andrei that Pierre's thoughts are similar to those of his sister. He himself "lived for glory", for others and "not almost, but completely ruined his life." Since then, he has become calm, as he began to live for himself alone. Regarding the reforms initiated by Pierre, Prince Andrei speaks negatively, he believes that a peasant, free from physical labor, is deprived of the conditions of existence; that the cripple does not recover from treatment, but only gets additional time for torment. When asked about the abandoned service, Andrei says that even if Bonaparte had stood at Smolensk, threatening the Bald Mountains, he would not have served in the Russian army even then.

The prince himself believes that the peasants should be given freedom not for their own sake, but for the sake of themselves and those noble people who are spoiled by power over others. He listens with interest to Pierre's stories about Freemasonry, he does not really understand this trend, but strives for it. For the first time since that battle

Bolkonsky becomes joyful, for the first time a high and clear sky opens up to him. Andrey is changing again, this time for the better. Princess Mary, when meeting with Pierre, says that her brother is dying from idleness, he needs to be constantly busy.

A visit to the Bolkonskys has an extremely beneficial effect on Pierre. He leaves in a great mood.

Upon returning from vacation, Rostov realizes how much the army means to him. It is like home to him. At the same time, he is embarrassed by the circumstances under which he left his parental home. Nikolai decides from now on to save money and pay off the debt to his parents in five years.

The arrival of the sovereign is expected in the army. A new military campaign is being prepared, but the conditions for it are not the best: the weather is bad, the roads are lucky, there is not enough food. In abandoned villages, people are looking for potatoes. Hunger and disease crippled the soldiers.

The friendship between Rostov and Denisov is growing stronger. Denisov takes care of Rostov and other people in his regiment, even recapturing someone else's food transport to feed people. Denisov started having problems, he is accused of looting. He was ordered to report to the headquarters of the division. However, before the appointed date, Denisov was wounded on a mission and sent to the hospital.

Rostov goes to the hospital to visit his friend. He sees the conditions in which the seriously wounded soldiers are: they lie on the straw, there is no one to take care of them. At the request of Denisov, Nikolai goes with a letter to the sovereign in Tilsit. There are French and Russian emperors. Among the few officers present at the meeting of the emperors is Boris Drubetskoy. He is now in good standing, the emperor himself knows him by sight. Rostov arrived with a letter in which he asked for a pardon for Denisov, but when meeting with Drubetsky it becomes clear that he will not help in this matter. You can’t break through to the sovereign either, he is constantly at negotiations or dinner parties. Rostov sends a letter to the former head of the division. He spoke with the sovereign and received from him a refusal to pardon.

Rostov lashes out at one of the officers, who is discussing the truce concluded with Napoleon. Nikolai is sure that it is impossible to discuss the motives of the emperor, otherwise nothing sacred will remain.

Meanwhile, the rapprochement between the Russian and French emperors is obvious. In 1808, the Russian corps comes out to assist its former enemy against Austria.

Prince Andrei has been living in the village for two years now, practically without leaving. He became Pierre's attorney in the affairs of the estate and leads them quite successfully. In addition, he reads a lot, analyzes why the last two military campaigns ended in failure, and also draws up a project to change military regulations and regulations.

In the spring of 1809, Prince Andrei went to the Ryazan estates of his son. On the way, he thinks a lot about life, about love, and comes to the conclusion that love is the destiny of the young, to whom he no longer applies. He looks at an old ugly oak standing among cheerful birches. He seems to be telling Bolkonsky that love is a deception that he should not succumb to. (The tree in this case is an image with which Andrei can be compared, who has enclosed himself in the shackles of indifference, apathy, spiritual anguish.) He once again decides that he can no longer create anything new, he should just live out his life without doing evil and don't worry.

In mid-May, Andrei goes to the district marshal, Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov. Near the estate, cheerful, laughing girls rush to meet him, a thin black-haired and black-eyed girl in a yellow cotton dress ran ahead. Seeing her, Andrei experienced a strange feeling, he suddenly felt pain, and he thought in bewilderment: why is she so happy?

Yielding to the persuasion of the owners, Andrei remained in the estate. In the evening he cannot sleep for a long time. Looking into the night sky, he suddenly heard female voices. Sonya and Natasha spoke. Natasha admires the beauty, wonders at the beauty of the night, wonders how one can sleep. Her words instill in Andrei a strange feeling, as if he suddenly wanted the same attitude to life, opposite to his own.

The next day, the prince leaves without saying goodbye to the girls. On the way back, he again sees the same old oak tree. And what? There is no ugly look at all.

The oak has changed, it is drowning in greenery, boastfully showing soft green leaves. Andrei suddenly feels causeless fun. Perhaps life is not at all as meaningless as he thought it was in his early thirties.

In August 1809, Prince Andrei went to St. Petersburg. He had a goal - he was carrying his draft of a new charter to the sovereign. He is invited to Arakcheev, who says that he does not approve of the new laws, because there is no one to fulfill the old ones. He considers Bolkonsky’s project to be written off from French, but recommends Andrei as a member of the Military Regulations Committee, however, without paying him a salary.

Prince Andrei is interested in the personality of Speransky, who at that time was at the peak of his popularity. The liberals are trying to attract the smart and well-read Bolkonsky into their ranks, his goals and actions are close to them, in particular those relating to the liberation of the peasants. Everyone notices how Andrei has changed: he no longer has the former pretense and pride. Having become acquainted with Speransky, the prince is imbued with respect for him, as for a person corresponding to his new ideas about the ideal. Andrey involuntarily agreed with him in everything, he is only embarrassed by "the cold, mirror-like look of Speransky, not letting himself into his soul, and his white, tender hand."

A week after the conversation with Speransky, Prince Andrey becomes a member of the Commission for drafting military regulations and, which he did not expect, the head of a department of the Commission for drafting laws.

At the request of Speransky, Andrei took the first part of the civil code being compiled and, with the help of the Napoleonic Code and the Code of Justinian, worked on compiling the section “Rights of Persons”.

In 1808 he returned from his trip to the estates of Pierre. He becomes the head of St. Petersburg Freemasonry. Pierre recruits new members, takes care of connecting various lodges and acquiring genuine deeds, gives money for the construction of temples and replenishes alms as far as possible. At his own expense, he supported the house of the poor, arranged by the Order in St. Petersburg. As for him privacy she hasn't changed much. As before, Pierre eats and drinks a lot, having fun as a bachelor. The more he looks at his brothers in Freemasonry, the more clearly he understands that they strive for ranks, that they are stingy with alms.

Doubts rise in Pierre's soul, he feels dissatisfaction with the activities of society, he suspects that Russian Freemasonry is moving along the wrong path.

To dedicate yourself to higher secrets Order Pierre goes abroad, where he stays until the summer of 1809.

Upon Bezukhov's return, St. Petersburg Freemasons constantly visit him. It seems to them that Pierre has some plans for the brotherhood. Appointed ceremonial meeting, where Bezukhov should speak on behalf of the top leaders of the order. Terribly embarrassed, he proclaims that action must be taken, not sleep. It is necessary to connect worthy people to the order, spread a special way of life, find allies around the world. These hot words do not find support, Pierre understands this bitterly.

After some time, Pierre receives a letter from Helen. She writes that she is going to Petersburg and begs for a date.

A certain representative of the order, in a conversation with Pierre, notices that he is unfair to his wife. The wife of Prince Vasily invited him to her place for an important conversation. In order to think things over and consult with Osip Alekseevich Bazdeev, whose opinion he respects very much, Pierre goes to Moscow. The Mason advises him to strive for perfection and self-knowledge, and upon his return to St. Petersburg, Pierre reconciles with his wife.

During the separation, Helen gained a reputation as a rare woman who is not only beautiful, but also smart. To take advantage of her favor, to visit her salon meant to have a pass to the world of intellectuals. Pierre is surprised by this state of affairs and waits with fear for everyone to realize that Helen is really stupid. However, this does not happen. At receptions, Pierre often meets Boris Drubetskoy, for some unknown reason, this person annoys Bezukhov.

In the Rostov family, the financial situation did not improve at all during the years that they spent in the village. The affairs of the estate are not going well, debts are growing. To avoid the crisis, the old count decides to enter the service. The family moves to Petersburg.

Berg proposes to Vera, the eldest daughter of the Rostovs. He everywhere tells how he distinguished himself in the battle of Austerlitz, how, the wounded, continued to fight in the thick of things, boasts of his awards, distinctions in the Finnish War. In Petersburg, he held some important post. With the Rostov family, Berg negotiates for himself a dowry of twenty thousand cash, as well as a bill of exchange for eighty thousand rubles.

Sixteen-year-old Natasha is waiting to meet Boris, whom she has not seen for four years. He wants to immediately indicate that there is no place for children's passion. He currently occupies a prominent place in society due to the location of Helen. However, when he meets Natasha, he is amazed at the changes that have taken place in her and is again carried away by her. His visits to the Rostovs become longer and more frequent, while Helen, on the contrary, sees Boris less and less, which she never ceases to reproach. The countess, in a conversation with Natasha, notices that she does not love Boris, and after the conversation between the countess and Drubetsky, he ceases to visit the Rostovs.

A grandiose ball is coming at the Catherine's grandee, the first big ball for Natasha. It must take place in last days old, 1809. The entire diplomatic corps and the sovereign himself are expected. Natasha spends the day before the ball in terrible excitement. She tries to make herself look decent, arrives late when everyone is already gathered, is nervous and feels absolutely happy.

The ball is attended by a huge number of guests. Natasha is worried that no one will invite her to the dance and that she will have to stand at the wall for the whole ball. Pierre asks Bolkonsky to invite Natasha to dance. Spinning with her in a waltz, Andrei feels rejuvenated and happy. Natasha is also happy, she dances excellently with a wonderful gentleman. After the dance with Bolkonsky, invitations rained down on her, Natasha passes some of them on to Sonya. The next time Prince Andrei turned out to be Natasha's cavalier, he said that he had heard Natasha's night conversation in Otradnoye. Bolkonsky is surprised by his feelings, he definitely likes Natasha, and so much so that he even wonders if she will be his wife.

Pierre at the ball is unhappy with how Helen is perceived in high society. Natasha pities him, wants to help, suffers from injustice - such a good person suffers.

After the ball, Andrei constantly thinks about Natasha. She so captured his mind that even the views of Speransky, who had previously had a great influence on the prince, faded for him. Bolkonsky leaves early from the guests, at home he recalls how he created his draft military charter, recalls committee meetings, his legislative work and other affairs that he abandoned. He feels ashamed that he stopped burning with ideas. The next day, Prince Andrei goes to the Rostovs to see Natasha.

After spending time in the Rostovs' house, Andrey suddenly felt happy. For the first time in for a long time he began to make plans. Andrei imagines Natasha, and his soul is filled with a feeling of happiness and contentment with what is happening. Pierre feels that something is happening between Prince Andrei and Natasha. Both of them behave strangely at a family evening in honor of Berg's marriage to Vera Rostova. This evening was like two drops of water similar to similar ones: the same people, the same conversations, mostly on political topics, there was light and cleanliness around. Natasha is silent, Andrei tries to talk to her and catches the light of some kind of inner fire that burns in her. She has completely changed.

The next day, Prince Andrei again came to the Rostovs. He spent the whole day with them, and they understood in the house what motivated him to come so often. The family is waiting, but Prince Andrei is strangely timid, as if he wants to say something to Natasha, but cannot make up his mind. She is amazed.

Prince Andrei confesses to Pierre that he is in love. This message plunges Bezukhov into sadness - his own fate against the backdrop of the bright future of Bolkonsky looks dark and unpromising.

The next day, Andrei goes to the old prince to ask his consent to marry Natasha. The father listens to him with imaginary calm, but anger boils inside him. He does not want any changes to take place in his life, in that probably small segment that he has left. Life for him was already ending, so "they would only let me live the way I want, and then they would do what they wanted."

Nevertheless, he does not express all this to his son, but gives reasonable, as it seems to him, arguments in order to dissuade his son from marrying. In his opinion, firstly, this party is by no means remarkable in relation to kinship, wealth and nobility.

Kinship with Natasha's family seems to the elder Bolkonsky a kind of misalliance. Secondly, Prince Andrei is far from being as young as Natasha. In addition, he is in poor health. Thirdly, he has a son, will a young girl become a good mother to him? And, summing up his arguments, the old prince, looking mockingly at his son, asks him to put off thoughts of marriage for a year. “Go abroad, get medical treatment, find, as you want, a German for Prince Nikolai, and then, if love, passion, stubbornness, whatever you want, are so great, then get married.” This the last word father, whom Prince Andrei decides to follow.

Three weeks after his last evening at the Rostovs, Prince Andrei returns to St. Petersburg.

All this time, Natasha waited in vain for him, worried and extremely worried. She felt very unhappy, but finally Bolkonsky arrives. He explained his absence by a trip to his father and asked for Natasha's hand in marriage.

The Countess accepts the offer. Upon learning that Andrei's father wishes to postpone the wedding for a year, the countess calls Natasha, and the prince declares his love for her. When asked if she loves him, Natasha replies: “Yes!”

“Prince Andrei held her hand, looked into her eyes and did not find in his soul the former love for her. Something suddenly turned in his soul: there was no former poetic and mysterious charm of desire, but there was pity for her feminine and childish weakness, there was fear of her devotion and gullibility, a heavy and at the same time joyful consciousness of duty that forever connected him with her. They decide to keep the engagement a secret, in a year the young people get to know each other, and even then it will be possible to announce the upcoming wedding.

From now on, Prince Andrei begins to go to the Rostovs as a groom. On the eve of his departure from St. Petersburg, he arrives with Pierre and punishes Natasha so that she turns to Bezukhov for help in any circumstances.

After leaving, Natasha plunged into very difficult experiences. Separation from Andrei made her silent, sad, but not for long - already two weeks after his departure, those around her noticed that she had again become as cheerful and carefree as before.

The old prince Bolkonsky in recent years has passed to hand over. His health deteriorated, he became irritable, prone to bouts of anger. Princess Marya suffers from his attacks, she is the only one who takes all the blows of the old man and cannot do anything to save herself from his attacks.

There are only two values ​​​​in her life - her nephew Nikolai and religion.

Nothing makes her happy anymore. The old prince, knowing this, tries to inject more painfully. Marya, in spite of everything, believes that he is right and fair, she finds excuses for him.

The only thing Princess Marya would like is to leave her family and home, change into the attire of a wanderer and go on a long journey. Without committing evil, she dreams of traveling and praying for everyone in the world. A wanderer named Fedosyushka described to her the charms of such a life, Marya consulted with her confessor and received his approval. However, until she decides to leave Father's house because, in spite of everything, he loves his father very much and does not want to leave his nephew.

Marya receives a letter from her brother, in which he asks her to ask her father if he will reduce the time given to him to consider marriage by three months. Half of the deadline has already passed. Now Andrei Bolkonsky is in Switzerland.

In response to such requests, the old prince orders Marya to write so that Andrei waits for his death, and only then gets married. Like, it won't be long now...

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• War and Peace 2 volume summary
• war and peace 1 volume 2 part summary
• war and peace summary vol 2

• Pierre Bezukhov- in the second part of the second volume, the fate of Pierre Bezukhov changes dramatically. He breaks up with his wife and first leaves for St. Petersburg. On the way, the hero of the novel meets a freemason, and under the influence of his beliefs enters this organization. Considering himself obliged to do good, he helps the peasants.
• Helen Kuragina- in this part of the work, the author shows her as a woman whom everyone, unlike Pierre, pities and sympathizes with, placing all the blame on her husband, who participated in a duel with Dolokhov.
• Andrey Bolkonsky is one of the main characters in the novel. In this part, he is shown as a father worried about his child (during the illness of little Nikolai, he sat by his bed and was very worried). He retired from military affairs and spent most of his time on an estate called Bogucharovo.
• Marya Bolkonskaya- daughter of Nikolai Bolkonsky. A virtuous girl who takes care of the poor wanderers whom she receives in her house. She took care of her nephew, little Nikolai, whom she loves very much.
• Nikolay Rostov- in this part is shown as a military officer. After the vacation, he returned to the regiment, which he considered his "second home". He loves his colleagues, but especially worries about his best friend - Vasily Denisov, who lives with him in the same house. When a comrade gets into trouble, Nikolai's goal is to help him out at all costs.
• Vasily Denisov- Captain of the regiment in which Nikolai Rostov serves. A kind person, but very short-tempered. Because of his struggle for justice and unwillingness to accept, he finds himself in a very unpleasant situation. He faces a military court. Being wounded in the leg, he goes to the hospital. Nikolai Rostov intercedes for a friend, deciding to file a petition addressed to the sovereign.
• Boris Drubetskoy- in the second part of the second volume, he is shown as a person for whom career advancement is a priority. Achieving his goal at all costs, he gets a place in the headquarters of the commander in chief, becoming an adjutant of an "important person".
• Napoleon Bonaparte- French emperor This section shows how acting character during the armistice between the French and Russian armies. The author describes him as a man with a fake smile on his face. Participates in awarding a soldier Lazarev with an order.
• Emperor Alexander- shown as acting according to the situation during the truce of the two armies - Russian and French. Gives a hand to Napoleon Bonaparte. Distinctive feature king - "... a combination of greatness and meekness ..."

Chapter first

The first chapter tells about the trip of Pierre Bezukhov to St. Petersburg, where he was forced to leave because of a difficult relationship with his wife. Incredibly sad thoughts overcame the hero of the story along the way, and it was not possible to focus on what was happening around. He was depressed: “Everything in him and around him seemed to him confused, meaningless and disgusting. But in this very disgust for everything around him, Pierre found a kind of annoying pleasure.

A strange state of mind, not knowing the answers to tormenting questions, did not give Pierre peace, and his outward behavior caused confusion among the people around. Suddenly a man entered, "who, with a gloomy-tired look, without looking at Pierre, was heavily undressing with the help of a servant." He “pointed his firm and stern gaze straight into the face of Pierre, who felt very embarrassed by this.

Chapter Two

The traveler spoke to Pierre and offered to help him as best he could. It turned out that it was a representative of Freemasonry who invited the young man to become a member of their organization. At first, Pierre hesitated and was a little skeptical about the words of the interlocutor, but then he began to agree with clever arguments, especially about the explanation of why one must be sure that God exists: “Who invented Him, if He does not exist? Why did the assumption arise in you that there is such an incomprehensible being? Why did you and the whole world assume the existence of such an incomprehensible being, a being omnipotent, eternal and infinite in all its properties? the Mason asked. He spoke, and Pierre took the information with all his heart and soul and understood that he agreed with everything. The traveler, whose name was Osip Alekseevich Bazdeev, having learned that Count Bezukhov was going to Petersburg, handed over to Count Villarsky a wallet with a sheet folded in four.

After Bazdeev's departure, Pierre thought for a long time over his words and "firmly believed in the possibility of a brotherhood of people united with the aim of supporting each other on the path of virtue, and this was how Freemasonry seemed to him."

Chapter Three

When Pierre arrived in Petersburg, he did not tell anyone about this, but he delved into reading the book of Thomas of Kempis, and as he got acquainted with the work, the confidence came that one could believe in the achievement of perfection and brotherly and active love between people.

A week after his arrival, the young Polish Count of Villarsky, having entered the room in the evening, closed the door behind him, turned to him: "I have come to you with a proposal and an assignment" to join the brotherhood of free masons. Pierre agreed and when asked if he believed in God, he answered yes. He now thought that he the highest goal- to resist the evil reigning in the world, and performed all the necessary rituals regarding entry into this organization.

Chapter Four

After the necessary rites of the Masons, some of which were strange, Pierre began to be overcome by doubts: “Where am I? What am I doing? Are they laughing at me?” but it only lasted for a moment. He was glad to be a member of such a society. When the meeting ended, Bezukhov felt as if he had come from some distant journey, where he had spent decades.

Chapter Five

The day after Pierre was accepted into the lodge, he sat at home. Recently he was informed that the rumor of a duel with Dolokhov had come to the attention of the tsar, and now it was desirable to leave Petersburg.

Moreover, the facts of treason were denied by Prince Vasily as having no basis. Pierre, in this conversation, could not even insert a word - firstly, because Prince Vasily did not give such an opportunity, and secondly, “Pierre himself was afraid to start speaking in the wrong tone of decisive refusal and disagreement, in which he firmly decided to answer to my father-in-law."

But suddenly, after Prince Vasily's next phrase regarding the reconciliation of the spouses, Pierre's mood changed and, angry, he put his father-in-law out the door.

A week later, Pierre left for his estate, leaving the Freemasons large sums for charity.

Chapter Six

The sovereign condescended to a duel between Dolokhov and Bezukhov, and the case was not given a go. However, rumors about this emergency spread in society, and Pierre's reputation suffered greatly. Only he was accused of what happened, saying "that he is a stupid jealous man, subject to the same fits of bloodthirsty rage as his father ..."

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But Helen, on the contrary, everyone sympathized with her, even treating her with a certain degree of respect.
When, in 1806, the second war with Napoleon began, Anna Scherer gathered an evening in her house. Boris Drubetskoy, who had just arrived by courier from the Prussian army, was also present. But how did he get such a promotion? This became possible, firstly, thanks to the care of his mother Anna Mikhailovna; secondly, the properties of his restrained character played a role; thirdly, before the promotion, he was an adjutant to a very important person, which also had a positive effect on circumstances.

Chapter Seven

At the evening at Anna Pavlovna Sherer's, they talked mainly on a political topic. The guests were especially inspired when it came to the awards presented by the sovereign. Hippolyte, who was present in this house, wanted to lighten the atmosphere by inserting a joke, but the hostess resolutely wanted to talk about what she herself considers necessary and what she wants to hear.

Finally, everyone got ready to leave, and Helen urgently asked Boris Drubetskoy to be with her on Tuesday. The young man agreed, and came to the salon to Kuragina at the appointed time, but did not understand why she called him. Saying goodbye, Helen suddenly said: "Come tomorrow for dinner ... in the evening," insisting on the need for this.

Chapter Eight

The war with Napoleon flared up, the most contradictory and often false news came from the front. It was from that time, 1806, that changes took place in the life of the Bolkonskys. They touched the old prince, and Andrei, and Princess Marya. Nikolai Bolkonsky, despite his old age, was appointed one of the eight commanders-in-chief of the militia, and in connection with this he traveled around the provinces and treated his new position very responsibly, sometimes being cruelly strict with his subordinates.

Princess Marya no longer took mathematical lessons from her father. She, if the prince was at home, entered his office in the morning, holding little Nikolai in her arms. kind girl, as she could, tried to replace the mother of her nephew.

As for Andrei Bolkonsky, he spent most of his time on the estate called Bogucharovo, which his father allocated, built there and tried to be in solitude. After the Austerlitz Company, the younger Bolkonsky no longer wanted to go to war.

On February 26, 1807, the old prince left for the district. Prince Andrei decided to stay in the Bald Mountains during this period. Unfortunately, little Nicholas he had been ill for the fourth day, and his father was very worried. Princess Mary, as best she could, tried to calm her brother, and urged him not to give the baby medicine while he fell asleep. Exhausted by the boy's illness, they quarreled and argued about it. Prince Andrei, in great agitation for his son, who had a high fever, still wanted to give him drops. Finally, Marya yielded to her brother and, “and, calling the nanny, began to give medicine. The child wheezed and screamed.

In the meantime, Andrey began to open the letters that the coachman had brought. One was with a joyful content, that “Benigsen near Preussisch-Eylau allegedly won a complete victory over Bonaparte”, in the other - an indication from his father that he galloped to Korchev and carried out the order. However, now that the child was sick, it was no longer so important.

Chapter Nine

The letter from Bilibin was in French. In it, he described in detail the entire military campaign, and poured out his dissatisfaction with what was happening in the army. However, Andrey was angry with this information, besides, he did not trust the author of these lines, the alien life did not excite him. Bolkonsky was worried only because of Nikolai's illness. He was very frightened that the child had died, because, going up to the nursery, he did not see, as usual, Princess Mary at the bed of his nephew. Then the subconscious began to draw creepy pictures: now he will not see the boy in bed, and his fears will be confirmed. Fortunately, the experience turned out to be false: Nikolushka slept in his place, the crisis passed, he began to recover. Princess Mary kissed her brother with joy.

Chapter Ten

Pierre Bezukhov left for the Kyiv province, where his peasants were. He had good intentions: firstly, to free them from serfdom, and secondly, not to exhaust them with hard work, and not to subject women with children to work at all. In addition, it is necessary to abolish corporal punishment and build shelters, hospitals and schools on every estate. However, no matter how much Pierre wanted the transformations, things were moving slowly in this direction, and the manager partly interfered with good undertakings, drawing attention to the fact that the debt to the Board of Trustees had to be paid first, and also offering to sell the forests of the Kostroma province.

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In 1807, Pierre decided to go to St. Petersburg again, and on the way he wanted to make sure that his instructions regarding the peasants were being fulfilled.

The chief manager, who considered all the undertakings of the young count almost madness, deceived him, creating the appearance that the transformations were taking place. Here is how the author describes it: “Pierre did not know that where they brought him bread and salt and built a chapel of Peter and Paul, there was a trading village and a fair on Peter's day, that the chapel had already been built long ago by the rich men of the village, those who had come to him, and that nine-tenths of the peasants of this village were in the greatest ruin. Alas, Pierre did not know that behind the mask of piety and charity, great lawlessness and oppression of the peasants were being created by the hands of the priest and manager. He was clearly seduced by what he saw outwardly, not caring to delve deeper into the matter and lead the deceivers to clean water.

Chapter Eleven

On the way back, being in a great mood, Pierre decided to call on his friend Andrei Bolkonsky, whom he had not seen for two years. Well, finally, Bogucharovo, which lay in an ugly, flat area. “The manor’s yard consisted of a threshing floor, outbuildings, stables, a bathhouse, an outbuilding and a large stone house with a semicircular pediment, which was still under construction. A young garden was planted around the house. After Pierre was dropped from the carriage, he entered the clean entrance hall. Andrey seemed to be delighted at the arrival of an unexpected guest, but at the same time his eyes were dead, dead, without a lively, cheerful gleam. And throughout the conversation with Andrei, Pierre observed this detachment in his eyes and smile. But Bezukhov, in turn, wanted to show that he had changed for the better, and was no longer the same as he was in St. Petersburg.

At dinner, the conversation turned to Pierre's marriage, and Andrei admitted that he was very surprised when he heard about it. Then the conversation smoothly turned into discussions about the meaning of life, and everyone defended his point of view.

Bolkonsky's position on the peasants was radically different from that which Pierre adhered to. Andrei argued that it was in the order of things to beat the peasants and send them to Siberia, because even there they would lead “the same bestial life” - and in the eyes of Pierre he was extremely wrong in his judgments.

Chapter Twelve

In the evening Andrey and Pierre went to the Bald Mountains. Now they seem to have reversed roles: Bolkonsky was in good location spirit, showing the fields along the way and talking about their improvements; Bezukhov, on the contrary, was gloomy silent and seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts.

Suddenly he began to exalt the teachings of the Freemasons, proving that this is not a sect, but the best expression best sides humanity. Prince Andrei did not interrupt and did not laugh, as usual, at his words. Did they resonate in his heart? It was incomprehensible, but Pierre's speech prompted new thoughts. “If there is a God and there is a future life, then there is truth, there is virtue; and the highest happiness of man is to strive to achieve them. One must live, one must love, one must believe,” said Pierre.

Chapter Thirteen

When Andrey and Pierre drove up to the main entrance of the house in Bald Mountains, they saw some strange turmoil. It turned out that it was the wanderers who, secretly from their father, were given alms by Princess Marya who were frightened. Andrew called them God's people and invited Pierre to look at them. Bolkonsky and Bezukhov entered Maria's room. It immediately became noticeable how mockingly Andrei treats these wanderers, and how his sister patronizes them. The woman's name was Pelageya, and the young boy's name was Ivanushka. Pierre did not agree with some of the views of the old woman, but his arguments aroused a storm of protest in the soul of the naive wanderer. She only calmed down when Pierre said he was joking. His eyes expressed sincere remorse.

Chapter Fourteen

The wanderers remained to finish their tea, and Princess Mary led Pierre into the living room. The girl expressed sincere concern for the life of her brother, who had not yet fully recovered from his wound. Finally, the carriage of Prince Nicholas arrived. He greeted Bezukhov, and then had a long conversation with him in his office.

Only now, in the Bald Mountains, Pierre appreciated the full importance and strength of friendship with Andrei Bolkonsky.

Chapter fifteen

Returning from vacation, Nikolai Rostov especially realized how closely he was connected with Denisov and with the entire regiment, which was his second home. When Rostov came to the regimental commander, was assigned to the former squadron, went on duty and forage, entered into all the small interests of the regiment, he experienced the same calm that he felt at home, in the circle loving family. “Here, in the regiment, everything was clear and simple. The whole world was divided into two uneven departments: one - our Pavlograd regiment, and the other - everything else. But, despite the enthusiastic attitude of Rostov to his comrades in the service, there were problems in the Pavlograd regiment, and quite serious ones. “In hospitals, they died so surely that soldiers, sick with fever and swelling that came from bad food, preferred to serve, dragging their legs in the front, rather than go to hospitals.” Due to the fact that the soldiers ate a harmful plant called "mashkin sweet root", many opened new disease- swelling of the arms, legs and face.

The officers lived in dilapidated houses, two or three people each. Rostov shared shelter with Denisov, and their friendship became even stronger after the vacation. “Denisov, apparently, tried to expose Rostov to danger as little as possible, took care of him and after the case especially joyfully met him safe and sound.”

Chapter Sixteen

In April, another review took place, “which the sovereign did in Bartenstein,” but Nikolai Rostov could not get there.

Denisov and Rostov lived in a dug-out dugout, which was "a ditch one and a half yards wide, two deep and three and a half long." Once, after duty, Nikolai returned home. A sleepless night made itself felt, and the young man, having drunk tea, packed his things and prayed to God, lay down to rest. Suddenly, Denisov’s cry was heard, addressed to the sergeant major Topcheenka: “I told you not to let them burn this kog’en Mashkin of some kind!” But Rostov was so tired that at first he did not pay attention to these words. Then, through his drowsiness, he heard Denisov ordering the second platoon to be saddled, as they were going somewhere.

Nicholas woke up only in the evening and joined the game of pile. Suddenly the wagons arrived. It turned out that provisions had arrived, and a heated Denisov was arguing about this with one of the officers. In the end, he forcibly recaptured the food transport so that the food would get to his soldiers.

Then the captain went to the headquarters, wanting to settle this matter, but returned from there in a terrible state: “Denisov could not speak and was suffocating. When Rostov asked him what was the matter with him, he only uttered incomprehensible curses and threats in a hoarse and weak voice. In the end, the captain said that the commissioner for provisions, whom he, having entered the headquarters, saw sitting at the table, was Telyatin, and he almost killed him in a rage. “But at noon the adjutant of the regiment with a serious and sad face came to the common dugout of Denisov and Rostov.” The case took a serious turn, and a military judicial examination was appointed. Everything could have ended, at best, with the demolition of Denisov, but one incident saved the situation. During the reconnaissance of the enemy with two Cossack regiments, one of the bullets fired by the French arrows hit Denisov in the flesh of the upper leg. At another time, Vasily Dmitrievich would not have paid any attention to such a slight wound, but now it was a chance to go to the hospital and avoid appearing in the division.

Chapter Seventeen

After the Friedland battle, in which the Pavlograd regiment did not participate, a truce was declared. Rostov saw this as a good chance to visit his friend. "The hospital was located in a small Prussian town, twice ruined by Russian and French troops, and was a miserable, gloomy sight." It turned out that typhus was rampant in this institution, but, condescending to the requests of the officer, the paramedic and the doctor began to help search for Denisov among the patients. On the way, Rostov looked into the soldiers' chambers and was horrified at the terrible conditions these people were in. They "rose or raised their thin, yellow faces, and all with the same expression of hope for help, reproach and envy of someone else's health, without taking their eyes off Rostov." Nicholas was also struck by the fact that the dead, who lay next to the still living soldiers, were not always removed here on time.

Chapter Eighteen

Conditions were better in the officers' wards: the patients lay on their beds. Finally, Rostov found his friend, who "covered himself with a blanket, slept on the bed, despite the fact that it was the twelfth hour of the day." Denisov was very happy to see Nikolai and greeted him: “Ah! G'ostov! Healthy, healthy!” His wound, though shallow, had not yet healed, although six weeks had already passed. The case against Denisov remained in force, and any exhortations, including asking the sovereign for pardon, were received by Vasily Dmitrievich with hostility. He considered himself right, because he was sure that he was leading the robbers to clean water.

But at the end of the day, he suddenly changed his mind and handed Rostov a large envelope, drawn up in the name of the auditor, which contained a request for pardon.

Chapter Nineteen

Rostov fulfilled the request of a friend and went to Tilsit with a letter to the sovereign. Meanwhile, Boris Drubetskoy sought the right to be included in the retinue, which was appointed to be in Tilsit - and luck smiled at the young man. His position was confirmed. “Twice he carried out orders to the sovereign himself, so that the sovereign knew him by sight, and all those close to him not only did not shy away from him, as before, considering him a new face, but would be surprised if he were not there.”

Count Zhilinsky lived with Boris in a room, who decided to arrange a dinner for his French acquaintances. Here was a guest of honor, Napoleon's adjutant, as well as several officers of the French army and a young boy of the old French surname. Nikolai Rostov also wished to be present there, but in order to remain unrecognized along the way, he took advantage of the darkness and arrived in Tilsit in civilian clothes.

When he appeared on the threshold of the house where Drubetskoy lived, Boris's face for a moment expressed annoyance, but he immediately pretended to be very pleased with the guest. However, Boris's first reaction to his arrival did not escape Nikolai's gaze, and he said: "I see that I am not on time." Drubetskoy at first took his friend to the room where dinner was laid, making excuses to him. But Rostov did not come just like that, but on a case that he wanted to present to Boris. Finally, at the urgent request of Nikolai, they retired, and Rostov told what a terrible and, it would seem, hopeless situation got Vasily Denisov. Drubetskoy promised to do what he could.

Chapter Twenty

Nikolai Rostov stubbornly pursued the goal of interceding for Vasily Denisov, and therefore came to Tilsit. But, as it turned out, he chose not the most convenient time, because "on June 27, the first peace conditions were signed." Everyone was busy preparing for the holiday on this occasion.

But Nicholas did not want to retreat: he only thought about how to convey the letter to Emperor Alexander himself, without intermediaries. However, to our great regret, they were not allowed to see the sovereign, and the frightened Rostov now cursed his courage and froze at the thought that at any moment he could be disgraced and even arrested for such a daring act. Suddenly a bass voice was heard: “You, father, what are you doing here in a tailcoat?” It turned out that he was a cavalry general who had earned special favor from the king.

Of course, Nikolai took advantage of the chance that fell to him, spoke about the difficult situation in which he best friend and handed over a letter with a petition addressed to the sovereign.

And then suddenly the opportunity arose to see Emperor Alexander himself: “The sovereign in the Transfiguration uniform, in white leggings and high boots, with a star that Rostov did not know, went out onto the porch, holding his hat under his arm and putting on a glove.” A feeling of delight and love for the Tsar with renewed vigor swept over Nicholas.

Chapter twenty one

The French Guard battalion and the Preobrazhensky battalion stood face to face.

Emperor Alexander and Napoleon Bonaparte met. “The cavalry eye of Rostov could not fail to notice that Napoleon sat badly and unsteadily on his horse. The battalions shouted "Hurray" and "Vive l'Empereur!" Napoleon said something to Alexander. Both emperors dismounted from their horses and took each other's hands. There was an unpleasantly feigned smile on Napoleon's face. Alexander was saying something to him with an affectionate expression.

Seeing the sharply changed attitude of Emperor Alexander towards Napoleon, watching the awarding of the soldier Lazarev with an order, Nikolai Rostov began to be tormented by terrible doubts about the meaning of this ridiculous and vile war. “What are the severed arms, legs, murdered people for?” he thought, and a storm rose in his soul. "Denisov is punished, and Lazarev is rewarded" - this thought brought the young man into an even more gloomy mood. Deciding to dine and being among the officers, Nikolai drank two bottles of wine, and either under the influence of alcohol, or convincing himself, he began to justify the actions of the sovereign. “How can you judge the actions of the sovereign, what right do we have to reason ?! We cannot understand either the purpose or the actions of the sovereign! he argued. The surrounding people were very surprised at such a temper, but condescended to the young man, thinking that he behaves in a similar way under the influence of alcohol. This concludes the second part of the second volume of the novel "War and Peace".

Description of the second part of the second volume of the novel by Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace"

• Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov – central character novel, is described as a real historical figure, the commander-in-chief of the Russian army. Maintains good relations with Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, which also affects the attitude towards his son Andrei, who is shown in the second part of the first volume of the novel as an adjutant to the commander in chief. On the eve of the Shengraben battle, he blesses Bagration with tears in his eyes. It is thanks to the talent of a military tactician, paternal attitude to the soldiers, as well as the readiness and ability to defend his opinion, the commander won the love and respect of the Russian army.
• Napoleon Bonaparte- a real historical figure, the French emperor. A narcissistic person, always confident in his rightness, he believes that he can conquer the peoples of his power. Possesses firmness of character, purposefulness, the ability to subdue, a sharp and precise voice. Spoiled, loves luxury, accustomed to the admiration that people express to him.

• Andrey Bolkonsky- in the second part of the first volume, he appears before the reader as an adjutant to the commander-in-chief Kutuzov. He fulfills orders with joy and devotion, desires to serve native Fatherland, passes tests with dignity, if it is necessary to choose between his own security and the opportunity to be useful to the Motherland, sacrifices himself for the good of others.
• Nikolay Rostov- in this part of the work is shown as an officer of the hussar regiment. Noble, honest and open in actions, he does not tolerate meanness, lies and insincerity. His attitude towards the war is gradually changing: the young man's joy that he will finally taste a real attack is replaced by confusion from a sudden pain (Nikolai is shell-shocked in his arm). But, having survived the test, Nikolai becomes stronger in spirit.
• Bagration- is also real character epic novel War and Peace. A well-known military leader who leads the battle of Shengraben and thanks to whom the Russian soldiers won this difficult battle. A courageous and steadfast man, uncompromising and honest, he is not afraid of danger, standing with ordinary soldiers and officers in one formation.
• Fedor Dolokhov- officer of the Semenovsky regiment. On the one hand, this is a very selfish and cynical young man, with considerable ambitions, but, nevertheless, capable of loving his loved ones dearly.
• Denisov Vasily Dmitrievich- captain, squadron commander. The boss and friend of Nikolai Rostov, burr in conversation. Described as "a nice nice person", despite some shortcomings.
• Tushin- an artillery captain, brave and steadfast, with a kind and smart face, although, at first glance, it seems timid and modest.
• Bilibin- Russian diplomat, an old acquaintance of Andrei Rostov. Lover of witty conversations, a person with high intelligence.

Chapter first

In the second part of the first chapter of Leo Tolstoy's work, the theme of war gradually develops. Russian troops are in Austria. The headquarters of Commander-in-Chief Kutuzov is located in the fortress of Braunau. The regiment is expected to be checked by the commander-in-chief, the soldiers are preparing, the company commanders are giving instructions. Everything is in order with the dress uniform, which cannot be said about the shoes, which are all worn out. However, this was to be expected, because the soldiers walked thousands of miles in these boots, and new ones were not issued.

One soldier named Dolokhov stood out from all because he was dressed in a bluish overcoat, which caused the wrath of the regimental commander.

Chapter Two

Finally, General Kutuzov arrived. "The regimental commander saluted the commander-in-chief, glaring at him, stretching out and getting up." Behind Kutuzov was a handsome adjutant. It was none other than Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, who reminded the commander of the demoted Dolokhov.

Kutuzov descended to the soldier. “I ask you to give me a chance to make amends for my guilt and prove my devotion to the sovereign emperor and Russia,” he said, although the expression of his gaze was mocking and defiant.

The check passed, and the commander and his retinue gathered in the city. Hussar cornet Zherkov, having caught up with Dolokhov, asked him a few questions. After a short conversation, they said goodbye.

Chapter Three

Returning from the review, the commander-in-chief, entering the office, ordered the adjutant Andrei Bolkonsky to bring some papers. Kutuzov and an Austrian member of the Hofkriegsrat were engaged in a dialogue. The Russian commander-in-chief claimed that the Austrian troops had won. This was confirmed by a letter from Mack's army, which reported the advantageous strategic position of the army.

Kutuzov handed Andrei several letters, from which he was to make a "memorandum" in French.

Further, the author describes what changes have taken place in Bolkonsky. “In the expression of his face, in his movements, in his gait, there was almost no noticeable former pretense, fatigue and laziness,” he was constantly engaged in a pleasant and interesting business, his smile, look became more attractive, more interesting.

It is noteworthy that Kutuzov singled out Andrei Bolkonsky among other adjutants, gave more serious instructions, and expressed the hope that in the future he would become an officer. Andrei "was one of those rare officers at headquarters who believed his main interest in the general course of military affairs ... ”But at the same time he was afraid of Bonoparte.

Chapter Four

Nikolai Rostov serves as a cadet in the Pavlograd Hussar Regiment. He lives under the same roof with captain Vasily Denisov. Once an unpleasant story happened: Denisov lost his wallet with money, which had previously been placed under his pillow. The captain at first attacked the poor footman Lavrushka, but Rostov realized who the real thief was and went to look for the warmaster Telyatin in the tavern, which was occupied by officers.

The assumptions turned out to be accurate: arriving at the place, asking Telyatin to look at the wallet and looking at it, Nikolai realized that he was right, and this thing belongs to Denisov. However, seeing the miserable condition of Telyatin, he did not take his money.

Chapter Five

Walked between the officers of the squadron animated conversation, the topic of which was a recent incident regarding the loss of a wallet. Rostov was urged to apologize to the regimental commander, he objected, feeling completely innocent of what happened, because he told the truth about who the real thief was, even with other officers. But the captain was afraid for the reputation of the regiment, so he continued to argue in favor of Rostov's apologies.

Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted by Zherkov, who came in and announced the disturbing news: Mack and his army had surrendered. It was necessary to prepare for the offensive.

Chapters six - eight

Kutuzov's army retreated to Vienna, the commanders-in-chief were ordered to destroy the bridges behind the army, Prince Nesvitsky was sent to monitor its implementation. The shelling of the crossing began. At this time, Denisov appeared and demanded that he be let through with the squadron.

The war intensified. The first wounded appeared, it was necessary to urgently set fire to the bridge so that the enemy would not do it. Finally, the denouement came. “The hussars managed to set fire to the bridge, and the French batteries fired at them no longer to interfere, but to ensure that the guns were pointed and there was someone to shoot at.”

Nikolai Rostov was very worried. He looked at nature pine forests, filled with fog, to the majestic sky - and so wanted to be there. There is so much grief and trouble on earth. Nicholas began to pray: “Lord God! He Who is there in this sky, save, forgive and protect me!”

Chapter Nine

Kutuzov with his thirty-five thousandth army had to retreat. The task of the commander-in-chief is to unite with the troops from Russia so that the army is not destroyed. On October 28, the commander-in-chief crossed to the left bank of the Danube and attacked Mortier's division, defeating the enemy. This victory lifted the morale of the troops.

Andrei Bolkonsky was sent by courier to Brunn to convey information about the victory to the Austrian court. However, the minister listened to this news with indifference, and offered to rest, staying until tomorrow. The prince felt himself beginning to lose interest in victory, and the entire recent battle now seems like a distant memory.

Chapter Ten

Andrei Bolkonsky was well received by his old acquaintance, a Russian diplomat named Bilibin, with whom he stayed in connection with recent events. Finally, after so many days of inconvenience, he again, as in childhood, found himself in a luxurious environment, for which he was very glad. In addition, the prince was pleased to talk with a Russian person. Andrei told Bilibin about the cold reception of the minister, which surprised the diplomat a lot, because Kutuzov, unlike others, really won a real victory over the enemy.

Before going to bed, Bolkonsky was thinking about the upcoming reception with the emperor.

Chapter Eleven

When Andrei Bolkonsky woke up the next day, he remembered the previous events. It was necessary to go to an appointment with the emperor, but before that he went into Bilibin's office. There were already gentlemen, young people from high society, diplomats, among whom was Prince Ippolit Kuragin. Bilibin began to give advice to Bolkonsky on how to behave properly with the emperor, and recommended that he speak as much as possible, since he loves audiences.

Chapter Twelve

Emperor Franz received Bolkonsky, standing in the middle of the room. The conversation consisted of questions and answers and was short. When Andrei left, he was surrounded by courtiers who were disposed towards the young man. Everyone rejoiced, expressed their recognition and desire to see him. The Minister of War approached him, congratulating him on the Order of Maria Theresa, 3rd class, from the Emperor.

So unexpectedly received the news brought by him. The commander-in-chief and the entire army received awards.

But suddenly, when everything seemed to be going so well, Bilibin said shocking news: "... The French crossed the bridge that Auersperg protects, and the bridge was not blown up ..." Andrei understands that the Russian army is in danger, but does not accept Bilibin's offer to go with him to Olmutz to save himself. On the contrary, he decides to go back ahead of time to help his people.

Chapter Thirteen

After driving a little time, Andrei saw the Russian army moving in disorder. Bolkonsky began to look for the commander in chief, but he was not among the troops. Finally, it became known that Kutuzov was in the village, and the prince turned his horse there. Arriving, he got off his horse with the intention of resting and putting his thoughts in order. Suddenly, the familiar voice of Nesvitsky was heard from the window of the house, inviting them to come in.

Andrei learned from him that the commander-in-chief was in a neighboring house and, perplexed about what was happening, hurried there.

Kutuzov, seeing Andrei, seemed to remain indifferent and almost did not pay attention to his devoted adjutant. He was occupied with completely different, disturbing thoughts.

Finally, he turned to Bolkonsky and, rejecting the objections of Prince Andrei, who wanted to remain in the Bagration detachment, with the words “I myself need good officers,” ordered him to sit in the carriage. And already on the way he began to ask the details of the visit to the emperor.

Chapter Fourteen

Kutuzov made a very difficult decision: "retreat along the road from Krems to Olmutz" in order to join the Russian troops. The French think that this army of four thousand - the entire army of Kutuzov and Murat concludes a truce for three days, in the hope of destroying the enemy later. He does not suspect that by doing so he gives the Russian soldiers to gather strength and rest. But Napoleon reveals the deception and writes a formidable letter to Murat with an order to immediately launch an offensive against the enemy. Meanwhile, Bagration's detachment warms up by the fire, cooks porridge and does not think that there will be a big battle very soon.

Chapter fifteen

Andrei Bolkonsky insisted on a request to return to Bagration's detachment. And now he is already met with a special chief distinction, and they give permission to find out how the troops are located. When walking around, Bolkonsky meets Staff Captain Tushin, and involuntarily imbued with sympathy for this unusual person, in whom "there was something special, not at all military." The further Andrei Bolkonsky moved forward, closer to the enemy, the more decent and more fun the appearance of the troops became ... "

Chapter Sixteen

Having traveled the entire line of troops from the right to the left flank, Bolkonsky begins an overview of the location of the Russians and French troops from the hill and draws a plan to report to Bagration, when suddenly a sudden shelling from the French army begins: “a whistle was heard in the air; closer, closer, faster and more audible, more audible and faster, and the core ... exploding spray with inhuman force, plopped into the ground not far from the booth ... "

Chapter Seventeen

"Began! Here it is!" - thought Bolkonsky, seeing how the French were advancing. The same phrase was written on the face of every soldier and officer ... Captain Tushin, not receiving instructions from Bagration and acting as he sees fit, begins to shell the village of Shengraben, occupied by the French.

Chapter Eighteen

The confrontation between the Russians and the French continues. Bagration orders to send reinforcements in the form of two battalions of the 6th Jaeger Regiment. “Bullets screeched, sang and whistled incessantly…” Prince Andrei, feeling that he was being drawn forward by an irresistible force, is happy that he can serve the Fatherland.

Chapter Nineteen

The commander of the regiment Bagration sees the need for a retreat, however, as it turns out, this is risky for the lives of the soldiers. In the squadron where Nikolai Rostov served, there was talk of an attack. The youth's joy at the fact that he would finally experience what a real battle was was premature. In the very first hours of the attack, he was wounded in left hand.

Nikolai was frightened, all the more, he thought that now he would be taken prisoner. But he miraculously managed to get to the Russian shooters.

Chapter Twenty

The regimental commander was seriously afraid that he might be guilty of a mistake before his superiors, because the infantry regiments, which were taken by surprise in the forest, ran out from there, "and the companies, mixing with other companies, left in disorderly crowds." Therefore, wanting to help and by all means correct the mistake, he urgently saddled his horse and galloped towards the regiment.

But the frustrated soldiers did not want to listen to the voice of their commander, which further aggravated the position of the regiment. Everything would have ended in failure if not for Timokhin's company, which alone remained in battle order. It was thanks to these courageous warriors that they managed to turn the enemy into a real flight.

Chapter twenty one

The cannonade gradually subsided, but the consequences of the recent hostilities were visible in everything. The wounded suffered especially, among whom was Nikolai Rostov, who tearfully asked to be put on a stretcher, because, shell-shocked in the arm, he could not go further. Finally, they heard him, and the young man received help, they even found a dressing station for Rostov.

Tushin strongly, but, as it turned out, in vain, was worried that he had lost two guns, because, as Andrei Bolkonsky said about him, “they owe the success of the day most of all to the action of this battery and the heroic stamina of Captain Tushin with his company.”

Nikolai Rostov suffered greatly: both from pain in his arm, and from the realization of loneliness and uselessness to anyone, and from his own delusions. Most of all, the question tormented me: "Why did he agree to go to war at all."

The next day, the French did not attack the Russian army.

"War and Peace". L.N. Tolstoy. 1 vol. 2 part. Description by chapter.

Nikolai Rostov comes home on vacation; Denisov goes with him. Rostov is everywhere - both at home and by acquaintances, that is, by all of Moscow - is accepted as a hero; he becomes close to Dolokhov (and becomes one of his seconds in a duel with Bezukhov). Dolokhov proposes to Sonya, but she, in love with Nikolai, refuses; at a farewell feast hosted by Dolokhov for his friends before leaving for the army, he beats Rostov (apparently not quite honestly) for a large sum, as if taking revenge on him for Sonin's refusal.

An atmosphere of love and fun reigns in the Rostovs' house, created primarily by Natasha. She sings and dances beautifully (at the ball with Yogel, the dance teacher, Natasha dances a mazurka with Denisov, which causes general admiration). When Rostov returns home in a depressed state after a loss, he hears Natasha's singing and forgets about everything - about losing, about Dolokhov: "all this is nonsense […] but here it is real." Nikolai admits to his father that he lost; when he manages to collect the required amount, he leaves for the army. Denisov, admired by Natasha, asks for her hand in marriage, is refused and leaves.

Prince Vasily visited the Bald Mountains in December 1805 with younger son- Anatole; Kuragin's goal was to marry his dissolute son to a wealthy heiress, Princess Marya. The princess was extraordinarily excited by the arrival of Anatole; the old prince did not want this marriage - he did not love the Kuragins and did not want to part with his daughter. By chance, Princess Mary notices Anatole, embracing her French companion, m-lle Bourienne; to her father's delight, she refuses Anatole.

After the battle of Austerlitz, the old prince receives a letter from Kutuzov, which says that Prince Andrei "fell a hero worthy of his father and his fatherland." It also says that Bolkonsky was not found among the dead; this allows us to hope that Prince Andrei is alive. Meanwhile, Princess Lisa, Andrey's wife, is about to give birth, and on the very night of the birth, Andrey returns. Princess Lisa dies; on her dead face, Bolkonsky reads the question: “What have you done to me?” - the feeling of guilt before the deceased wife no longer leaves him.

Pierre Bezukhov is tormented by the question of his wife's connection with Dolokhov: hints from acquaintances and an anonymous letter constantly raise this question. At a dinner in the Moscow English Club, arranged in honor of Bagration, a quarrel breaks out between Bezukhov and Dolokhov; Pierre challenges Dolokhov to a duel, in which he (who does not know how to shoot and has never held a pistol in his hands before) wounds his opponent. After a difficult explanation with Helen, Pierre leaves Moscow for St. Petersburg, leaving her a power of attorney to manage his Great Russian estates (which makes up most of his fortune).

On the way to St. Petersburg, Bezukhov stops at the post station in Torzhok, where he meets the famous Freemason Osip Alekseevich Bazdeev, who instructs him - disappointed, confused, not knowing how and why to live on - and gives him a letter of recommendation to one of the St. Petersburg Masons. Upon arrival, Pierre joins the Masonic Lodge: he is delighted with the truth that has been revealed to him, although the ritual of initiation into Masons confuses him somewhat. Filled with a desire to do good to his neighbors, in particular to his peasants, Pierre goes to his estates in the Kyiv province. There he very zealously embarks on reforms, but, having no "practical tenacity", turns out to be completely deceived by his manager.

Returning from a southern trip, Pierre visits his friend Bolkonsky at his estate, Bogucharovo. After Austerlitz, Prince Andrei firmly decided not to serve anywhere (in order to get rid of active service, he accepted the position of collecting the militia under the command of his father). All his worries are focused on his son. Pierre notices the "faded, dead look" of his friend, his detachment. Pierre's enthusiasm, his new views contrast sharply with Bolkonsky's skeptical mood; Prince Andrei believes that neither schools nor hospitals are needed for the peasants, and serfdom should be abolished not for the peasants - they are used to it - but for the landlords, who are corrupted by unlimited power over other people. When friends go to the Bald Mountains, to the father and sister of Prince Andrei, a conversation takes place between them (on the ferry during the crossing): Pierre sets out to Prince Andrei his new views (“we do not live now only on this piece of land, but we lived and will live forever there, in everything"), and Bolkonsky for the first time after Austerlitz sees the "high, eternal sky"; “something better that was in him suddenly woke up joyfully in his soul.” While Pierre was in the Bald Mountains, he enjoyed close, friendly relations not only with Prince Andrei, but also with all his relatives and household; for Bolkonsky, a new life (internally) began from a meeting with Pierre.

Returning from vacation to the regiment, Nikolai Rostov felt at home. Everything was clear, known in advance; True, it was necessary to think about how to feed people and horses - the regiment lost almost half of the people from hunger and disease. Denisov decides to recapture the food transport assigned to the infantry regiment; summoned to the headquarters, he meets Telyanin there (in the position of chief provisions officer), beats him and for this he must stand trial. Taking advantage of the fact that he was slightly wounded, Denisov goes to the hospital. Rostov visits Denisov in the hospital - he is struck by the sight of sick soldiers lying on straw and overcoats on the floor, the smell of a rotting body; in the officers' chambers, he meets Tushin, who has lost his arm, and Denisov, who, after some persuasion, agrees to submit a request for pardon to the sovereign.

With this letter, Rostov goes to Tilsit, where the meeting of two emperors, Alexander and Napoleon, takes place. At the apartment of Boris Drubetskoy, enlisted in the retinue of the Russian emperor, Nikolai sees yesterday's enemies - French officers, with whom Drubetskoy willingly communicates. All this - both the unexpected friendship of the adored tsar with yesterday's usurper Bonaparte, and the free friendly communication of the retinue officers with the French - all irritates Rostov. He cannot understand why battles were needed, arms and legs torn off, if the emperors are so kind to each other and reward each other and the soldiers of the enemy armies with the highest orders of their countries. By chance, he manages to pass a letter with Denisov's request to a familiar general, and he gives it to the tsar, but Alexander refuses: "the law is stronger than me." Terrible doubts in Rostov's soul end with the fact that he convinces familiar officers, like him, who are dissatisfied with the peace with Napoleon, and most importantly, himself that the sovereign knows better what needs to be done. And “our business is to cut and not think,” he says, drowning out his doubts with wine.

Those enterprises that Pierre started at home and could not bring to any result were executed by Prince Andrei. He transferred three hundred souls to free cultivators (that is, he freed them from serfdom); replaced corvée with dues on other estates; peasant children began to be taught to read and write, etc. In the spring of 1809, Bolkonsky went on business to the Ryazan estates. On the way, he notices how green and sunny everything is; only the huge old oak "did not want to submit to the charm of spring" - it seems to Prince Andrei in harmony with the sight of this gnarled oak that his life is over.

On guardian affairs, Bolkonsky needs to see Ilya Rostov, the district marshal of the nobility, and Prince Andrei goes to Otradnoye, the Rostov estate. At night, Prince Andrei hears the conversation between Natasha and Sonya: Natasha is full of delight from the charms of the night, and in the soul of Prince Andrei "an unexpected confusion of young thoughts and hopes arose." When - already in July - he passed the very grove where he saw the old gnarled oak, he was transformed: “juicy young leaves made their way through the hundred-year-old hard bark without knots.” “No, life is not over at thirty-one,” Prince Andrei decides; he goes to St. Petersburg to "take an active part in life."

In St. Petersburg, Bolkonsky draws closer to Speransky - secretary of state, an energetic reformer close to the emperor. For Speransky, Prince Andrei feels a feeling of admiration, "similar to the one he once felt for Bonaparte." The prince becomes a member of the commission for drafting the military regulations. At this time, Pierre Bezukhov also lives in St. Petersburg - he became disillusioned with Freemasonry, reconciled (outwardly) with his wife Helen; in the eyes of the world, he is an eccentric and kind fellow, but in his soul "the hard work of inner development" continues.

The Rostovs also end up in St. Petersburg, because the old count, wanting to improve his money matters, comes to the capital to look for places of service. Berg proposes to Vera and marries her. Boris Drubetskoy, already close person in the salon of Countess Helen Bezukhova, begins to go to the Rostovs, unable to resist the charm of Natasha; in a conversation with her mother, Natasha admits that she is not in love with Boris and is not going to marry him, but she likes that he travels. The countess spoke with Drubetskoy, and he stopped visiting the Rostovs.

On New Year's Eve there should be a ball at the Catherine's grandee. The Rostovs are carefully preparing for the ball; at the ball itself, Natasha experiences fear and timidity, delight and excitement. Prince Andrei invites her to dance, and "the wine of her charms hit him in the head": after the ball, his work in the commission, the speech of the sovereign in the Council, and the activities of Speransky seem insignificant to him. He proposes to Natasha, and the Rostovs accept him, but according to the condition set by the old prince Bolkonsky, the wedding can take place only after a year. This year Bolkonsky is going abroad.

Nikolai Rostov comes on vacation to Otradnoye. He is trying to put the household affairs in order, trying to check the accounts of Mitenka's clerk, but nothing comes of it. In mid-September, Nikolai, the old count, Natasha and Petya, with a pack of dogs and a retinue of hunters, go out on a big hunt. Soon they are joined by their distant relative and neighbor ("uncle"). The old count with his servants let the wolf through, for which the hunter Danilo scolded him, as if forgetting that the count was his master. At this time, another wolf came out to Nikolai, and the dogs of Rostov took him. Later, the hunters met the hunt of a neighbor - Ilagin; the dogs of Ilagin, Rostov and the uncle chased the hare, but his uncle's dog Rugay took it, which delighted the uncle. Then Rostov with Natasha and Petya go to their uncle. After dinner, uncle began to play the guitar, and Natasha went to dance. When they returned to Otradnoye, Natasha admitted that she would never be as happy and calm as now.

Christmas time has come; Natasha is languishing from longing for Prince Andrei - for a short time she, like everyone else, is entertained by a trip dressed up to her neighbors, but the thought that “her best time' torments her. During Christmas time, Nikolai especially acutely felt love for Sonya and announced her to his mother and father, but this conversation upset them very much: the Rostovs hoped that Nikolai's marriage to a rich bride would improve their property circumstances. Nikolai returns to the regiment, and the old count with Sonya and Natasha leaves for Moscow.

Old Bolkonsky also lives in Moscow; he has visibly aged, become more irritable, relations with his daughter have deteriorated, which torments the old man himself, and especially Princess Marya. When Count Rostov and Natasha come to the Bolkonskys, they receive the Rostovs unfriendly: the prince - with a calculation, and Princess Marya - herself suffering from awkwardness. Natasha is hurt by this; to console her, Marya Dmitrievna, in whose house the Rostovs were staying, took her a ticket to the opera. In the theater, the Rostovs meet Boris Drubetskoy, now fiancé Julie Karagina, Dolokhov, Helen Bezukhova and her brother Anatole Kuragin. Natasha meets Anatole. Helen invites the Rostovs to her place, where Anatole pursues Natasha, tells her about his love for her. He secretly sends her letters and is going to kidnap her in order to get married in secret (Anatole was already married, but almost no one knew this).

The kidnapping fails - Sonya accidentally finds out about him and confesses to Marya Dmitrievna; Pierre tells Natasha that Anatole is married. Arriving Prince Andrei learns about Natasha's refusal (she sent a letter to Princess Marya) and about her affair with Anatole; through Pierre, he returns Natasha her letters. When Pierre comes to Natasha and sees her tear-stained face, he feels sorry for her and at the same time he unexpectedly tells her that if he were “the best person in the world”, then “on his knees he would ask for her hands and love” . In tears of "tenderness and happiness" he leaves.