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War & Peace Podnotes, A Study GuideAuthor: Sean Roman Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Bk 2, Pt. 1, Ch. 4: Mad As Hell And Not Going To Take It!
Episode 4
Thursday, 4 June, 2026
Pierre was stewing over his wife’s perceived infidelity with Dolokhov, who was sitting right across from him at the celebration for Bagration. As too often of late, Pierre was a glutton - eating and drinking in excess. He sensed what marrying into the Kuragin family would devolve into -- but could not resist that Siren’s call of Hélène. Pierre’s suspicions were roused by rumor as well as an anonymous letter informing him that his wife’s connection with Dolokhov was a secret to no one but himself. Pierre reflects while others give toasts. He recalled how Dolokhov arrived from Austerlitz, injured and need of a place to recover; and how he housed him and lent him money. It now made sense as to why Dolokhov would so often praise Hélène’s beauty. He senses Dolohkov gets a kick out of cuckolding him. He sees Dolokhov wearing a familiar & sadistic look, such as when he tied a policeman to the bear in Petersburg or when he shot some mail-carrier’s horse. Pierre considered, “to kill a man means nothing to him.” Yet Pierre felt a prideful need to make a stand. His mind was scrambling and did not even recognize Nicholas, who chides the Count when Pierre failed to toast Alexandr. Dolokhov suggests for Nichols to be nicer and renew their acquaintance. Denisov then suggests that Rostov should flatter the man with the biggest estate and most striking wife. Pierre sensed he was being talked about. Dolokhov directs himself to Pierre and makes a toast inadvertently funny or intentionally cutting: “Here’s to the health of lovely women, Peterkin—and their lovers!” Is he honoring Pierre or rubbing the whole matter in his face? Just then a footman was distributing leaflets of a vocal composition for guests to sing along with. One was laid one before Pierre. Dolokhov decided to take what was Pierre’s and perhaps Tolstoy is being symbolic. Dolokhov grabs the paper and began to peruse it, which was the straw that broke the camel’s back. We are not told if Dolokhov is being insolent or his rascal self nor whether there was any affair. We just know Pierre’s perceptions. Pierre looked at Dolokhov and with a ferocity he never demonstrated, yelled “How dare you take it, You shan’t have it!” The outburst alarmed those near, including Prince Nesvítski. Dolokhov returns a look which seemed to say “Ah! This is what I love!” Pierre continues, “You...! You Villain! I challenge you!” He is demanding satisfaction. In Pierre’s mind the question of his wife’s guilt was resolved. Within that gigantic heart, he hated his wife and was separated from her. Formal arrangements were made for the duel to take place the next day in the Sokolnik Forest. Rostov agrees to be Dolokhov’s second and Pierre choses Nesvitski. Pierre quickly goes home but Dolokhov stays at the English club, admiring the entertainment. When Rostov asked Dolokhov how he felt, the latter responded: “I’ll tell you the whole secret of dueling. If you make a will and write affectionate letters to your parents and think you may be killed, you are a fool and are lost. But if you go with the firm intention of killing your man as quickly and surely as possible, then all will be right…. À demain, mon cher.” We are brought to the next morning at the forest. Dolokhov, Denisov and Rostov arrive first. When Pierre appears, he carried the air of a man who already lost. He was absorbed by his wife’s guilt and thought his adversary had no reason to preserve the honor of a man who meant nothing to him. Pierre ponders "Either I shall kill him or he will me." There were moments he felt like running away and burying himself. He realized there was no getting out of this and considered “Will it be long before this begins? Is all ready?” The pistols were loaded and sabres stuck in the snow to mark the barriers by which the duelists could not pass to shoot. Nesvitski tries to talk Pierre down, saying there is no sufficient grounds for mortal conflict and that Pierre was impetuous. Pierre agrees the whole thing is horribly stupid but feels compelled to proceed. Pierre is almost wishing to be put out of his misery. This includes the gloom over his marriage, the wealth he cannot manage and his directionless life. He took the pistol and inquired about its working, as he had never even held a pistol. This as he was to face a man who been in various duels and acquitted himself well at Austerlitz. The spot chosen was some 80 paces from the main road, in a clearing in the pine forest that was still covered with snow. The duelists would start 40 paces apart from separate edges and walk to each other and fire at will. At this time of day, it was misty and neither belligerent could see the other. This delayed the ability to commence for a few minutes.
