One day at Bald Hills during one of her pregnancies, Nicholas seems cross with Mary. She worries he is mad at her. But later, playing with their young daughter Natasha brings them joy and reminds Mary of the happiness that awaits them in the life to come.
First Epilogue Chapter 9
One day at Bald Hills, during one of her pregnancies, Nicholas seems cross and Mary worries he is mad at her. But later, play with their young daughter Natasha restores awareness of a sense of the joy of life between them. Mary wonders that she could be so happy, and yet she senses there is another sort of happiness unattainable in this life that awaits her in the next.
Summary:
One busy day at Bald Hills, when 20 people are seated at the dining table, Mary notices that Nicholas seems a little cross with her. It is December 5, 1820, the eve of Nicholas’ saint day, and the now retired General Denisov and Natasha are visiting. Pierre is expected any minute, and there will be many more guests and well-wishers the next day. Mary does not ask Nicholas what is bothering him, but she wonders what it could be. Normally they were a very happy couple, but occasionally, after they had been happiest together, they suddenly had a feeling of estrangement and hostility, which occurred most frequently during Mary’s pregnancies, as she was now. She asks him after dinner why he is angry with her, but he denies it. He complains of being tired and busy, and goes to take a nap on a sofa. Mary thinks he finds her repulsive, especially when she is pregnant. She became a bit irritated with everyone in the house. Later, she goes to speak with Nicholas, but finds him still asleep. When a child accidently wakes Nicholas, Mary worries he will be angry. They have a little talk and Nicholas tries to tell Mary that his feeling for her is that she is a part of him and he could never live without her. Nicholas plays a bit with their daughter Natasha, their mutual sense of domestic happiness restored. Mary senses that this is just a foreshadowing of the happiness that awaits them in the life to come.
quote from the chapter:
I don’t know why you think I am cross,” said Nicholas, replying to the question he knew was in his wife’s mind.
“You have no idea how unhappy, how lonely, I feel when you are like that. It always seems to me…”
“Mary, don’t talk nonsense. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” he said gaily.
“It seems to be that you can’t love me, that I am so plain… always… and now… in this cond…”
“Oh, how absurd you are! It is not beauty that endears, it’s love that makes us see beauty. It is only Malvínas and women of that kind who are loved for their beauty. But do I love my wife? I don’t love her, but… I don’t know how to put it. Without you, or when something comes between us like this, I seem lost and can’t do anything. Now do I love my finger? I don’t love it, but just try to cut it off!”
Click here to read full text of this chapter.
Please help improve this shared document by posting your suggested corrections, clarifications, and changes below. Thank you!