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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. 11-12: Only Have Eyes For You
Episode 13
Friday, 6 November, 2026
During Christmas week of 1806, a Christmas ball was presented by Iogel, the Dancing Master. He is based on the historic Pytor Iogel, a French-born figure who taught generations of nobles their waltzes and proper etiquette. Iogel was renowned for his "formal balls." This fictional version will serve as a farewell to Nicholas. Tolstoy presents the Rostov home as a center of Christmas Joy, with love in the air. Tolstoy describes the spirit of the House as if it were sentient. It called out “Seize happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality. All else is folly.” When Nicholas returns home from gallivanting on one of those joyful days at the end of his leave he becomes aware Dolokhov asked for Sonya’s hand in marriage. Sonya was forthright in rejecting the proposal, telling Dolokhov she loves another. He knows she favors Nicholas and exits full of resentment. The proposal shocks Nicholas, who was not paying mind to Sonya. Jealous feeling could not help but surface. He became sober and realizes Sonya should accept as she lacks any type of dowery. This was her chance at becoming a wife and mother in some aristocratic circle. Countess Rostova pressed her to accept but Sonya held firm given her unspoken love for Nicholas. Nicholas rushes to be with Sonya. He formally presents himself, kissing her hand. Nicholas holds up Dolokhov as a noble soul, brilliant fellow and advantageous match. He implores her not to refuse for his sake. Nicholas concedes that he will not be able to marry Sonya but reveals he loves her more than anybody else. She responds with a stoic delight. “That is enough for me. I love you as a brother and always shall and want nothing more.” In this simple dialogue, we have an expression of True Love. The next chapter brings us to Iogel’s ball. As master of ceremony, he would fly about the gallery, bringing his guests into a sphere where they danced until they dropped. Marriages could be a product of the fun. The various debutantes, described as having sparking eyes and rapturous smiles, were relatively young. Sonya was proud of being the recipient of Dolokhov’s proposal and her own refusal as well as how she interacted with Nicholas. This was her night! In getting ready, she twirled about the Rostov house dancing on air. The moment Natasha entered the ballroom, she fell in love with everything she set her eyes on. She loved everyone! Denisov noticed how well she presented and points it out, politely, to her brother. Nicholas and Denisov, both former pupils of Iogel, were encouraged to dance by their former master. The band struck up a mazurka (a traditional Polish folk dance with a lively tempo) and Nicholas accepted Iogel’s instruction to dance with Sonya. They were in this idealistic realm -- two who love one another dancing before Society when they will never be together. Sonya was visibly ecstatic, which infuriated Dolokhov. Iogel joined Natasha for a dance and Denisov could not keep his eyes off her. Nicholas then encourages his sister to ask Denisov for a dance. Natasha obliges and with many eyes on her, goes over to the Captain and asks him for the courtesy. He agrees after some perfunctory refusals and the Captain Denisov Show begins! Denisov unhooks his saber, comes from behind the chairs, takes Natasha’s hand, throws back his head and becomes absorbed in beat. He bounds from the floor like a ball that was shot from a cannon and flies around the room. Natasha could not keep up and became near stationary while transfixed. He spun her round, then falling on one knee, effortlessly twirls her around. The dance ended with Denisov suddenly stopping and bowing to his partner. The crowd was delighted and Denisov’s was asked again and again to serve as partner. Yet Denisov sat down by Natasha and did not leave her for the rest of the evening.
