Pierre’s diary entries, his internal struggles, and his efforts towards self-improvement.
Summary:
This chapter consists of five entries taken directly from Pierre’s recently begun diary. Through it, the reader sees into Pierre’s struggles at this time, and how Pierre is attempting to understand and pass through these struggles. In the diary, Pierre talks about the events of his days, and reflects on is feelings and how he might live better. We learn that Borís has joined the Freemasons with Pierre’s help, but Pierre doubts his sincerity and in fact feels a deep hostility for Borís. He recounts several dreams and events suggesting to him that he should resume conjugal relations with his wife, who although she has been living again in his house, he has been living apart from. In the diary, Pierre also recounts several dreams he has had lately related to Joseph Alexéevich, which dreams generally seem to relate to a theme of regeneration. In general, in these five diary entries, Pierre reflects on problems he is experiencing in his daily life, and how he might overcome these problems.
quote from the chapter:
It was Borís Drubetskóy who was admitted. I nominated him and was the Rhetor. A strange feeling agitated me all the time I was alone with him in the dark chamber. I caught myself harboring a feeling of hatred toward him which I vainly tried to overcome. That is why I should really like to save him from evil and lead him into the path of truth, but evil thoughts of him did not leave me. It seemed to me that his object in entering the Brotherhood was merely to be intimate and in favor with members of our lodge. … I had no cause to doubt him, but he seemed to me insincere, and all the time I stood alone with him in the dark temple it seemed to me that he was smiling contemptuously at my words, and I wished really to stab his bare breast with the sword I held to it. I could not be eloquent, nor could I frankly mention my doubts to the Brothers and to the Grand Master. Great Architect of Nature, help me to find the true path out of the labyrinth of lies!
Book 6, Chapter 10
Pierre’s diary entries, his internal struggles, and his efforts towards self-improvement.
Summary:
This chapter consists of five entries taken directly from Pierre’s recently begun diary. Through it, the reader sees into Pierre’s struggles at this time, and how Pierre is attempting to understand and pass through these struggles. In the diary, Pierre talks about the events of his days, and reflects on is feelings and how he might live better. We learn that Borís has joined the Freemasons with Pierre’s help, but Pierre doubts his sincerity and in fact feels a deep hostility for Borís. He recounts several dreams and events suggesting to him that he should resume conjugal relations with his wife, who although she has been living again in his house, he has been living apart from. In the diary, Pierre also recounts several dreams he has had lately related to Joseph Alexéevich, which dreams generally seem to relate to a theme of regeneration. In general, in these five diary entries, Pierre reflects on problems he is experiencing in his daily life, and how he might overcome these problems.
quote from the chapter:
It was Borís Drubetskóy who was admitted. I nominated him and was the Rhetor. A strange feeling agitated me all the time I was alone with him in the dark chamber. I caught myself harboring a feeling of hatred toward him which I vainly tried to overcome. That is why I should really like to save him from evil and lead him into the path of truth, but evil thoughts of him did not leave me. It seemed to me that his object in entering the Brotherhood was merely to be intimate and in favor with members of our lodge. … I had no cause to doubt him, but he seemed to me insincere, and all the time I stood alone with him in the dark temple it seemed to me that he was smiling contemptuously at my words, and I wished really to stab his bare breast with the sword I held to it. I could not be eloquent, nor could I frankly mention my doubts to the Brothers and to the Grand Master. Great Architect of Nature, help me to find the true path out of the labyrinth of lies!
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