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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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Reflecting on Le Duel - Tolstoy's Influences
Episode 8
Friday, 21 August, 2026
This episode examines some likely influences in Tolstoy’s writing of the Duel between Pierre & Dolokhov.Dueling is a romanticized part of aristocratic life that stemmed from Western Europe, where the precursor were the jousts and mêlées of medieval knights. With the later development of militaries, there were where occasions were tribunals & commanders could order disputing officers to fight it out in organized affairs.In Moscow of the early 19th century, engaging in a duel was a mark of sovereignty among the nobility. Just like in Western Europe and America, the practice was carried out with secrecy, explaining why Pierre’s duel was held around 8 a.m in the outskirts of a forest. Some of the Decembrists, who rebelled against the Czar in 1825 and were veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, built a reputation for dueling. The affairs themselves could be quite full of pageantry and tension. Only on the rare occasion would duels result in permanent injury or death. Alexander Pushkin, Russia’s national poet, was in 20+ duels yet never killed anyone. He ultimately lost his life in his final duel, in 1837, with George D’Anthès, over the French officer’s pursuit of Pushkin’s wife. Pushkin was shot in the stomach and died two days later. Like America’s Alexander Hamilton, great sympathy lied with the loser.It also appears that one of Tolstoy’s uncles , Fyodor Tolstoy, contributed to the characterization of Pierre’s adversary, Fyodor Dolokhov. The uncle was this wild man and adventurer of the 19th century, who died in 1848. He was born to a so-called poorer branch of the family and made the most of the opportunities his military service presented. A Polish friend, Faddey Bulgarin, once said: “Count Tolstoy was reckless to the point of frenzy.”Fyodor holds a reputation as a successful duelist. Though there is little proof of victims, there are reports Fyodor defeated over 10 adversaries, either wounding or killing them – or at least claiming credit for same. Leo Tolstoy relayed that when a close friend of his uncle was challenged, his uncle eagerly stepped up to take his friend's place. There are accounts that Fyodor came close to dueling the aforementioned Alexander Pushkin, after the writer accused Fyodor of cheating at cards. This matter was resolved amicably and the two became close friends.Fyodor really lived against the grain for a nobleman. Notably, he was bailed out of a massive gambling debt by a gypsy singer. He felt indebted and married her. From his travels, he even acquired a number of tattoos, which were exotic for one of his status. He would display these designs (reportedly of a gaudy bird, snakes and various patterns) to ladies and men in awe. He held the nickname, The American or Amerikanets, which appears to be based on his tales of traveling to Alaska, ventures which have been questioned by scholars.Part of early fun of W&P was Dolokhov leading his friends, including Pierre, in a night out in Petersburg, which led to tying a hapless police officer to a small bear and throwing them both into a River. The real Fyodor is reported to have done something similar. Fyodor let either a small bear or monkey loose in the Captain’s quarters of a military vessel. For that he was exiled at the next stop. Tolstoy's uncle was also a notorious gambler, which further influenced the character of Dolokhov. The uncle would take any occasion to gain an angle or cheat and Leo Tolstoy knows his relative to have said something like: “only fools rely on luck.”Leo Tolstoy likely crafted his famous duel involving Pierre, in part, through his own experience in with a fellow nobleman and writer. The only notable instance of any such Demand of Satisfaction is his well-known affair with Ivan Turganev, who was ten years Tolstoy's senior. The challenge came around May of 1861 when Tolstoy was working on W&P. His rage over what was a fairly silly dispute likely helped frame Pierre’s mindset.The quarrel was over a comment about childrearing within a years-long relationship that often involved debate. Turgenev relayed how proud he was that his only daughter was doing a salt-of-the-earth chore, mending clothes that the peasants could use. Tolstoy labeled the act "theatrical." Turgenev was insulted and threatened to slap Tolstoy. The two then sent caustic letters to one another, which resulted in Tolstoy issuing a challenge to Duel with rifles. They didn’t speak for 17 years but reconciled after some friendly missives and would meet at each other’s estates until Turgenev died in 1883.
