This is a chapter with little plot development. It describes Natásha and her family preparing to attend a fabulous New Year’s Eve a ball and midnight supper for elite society. As one would imagine, Natásha’s excitement on this special day is palpable, and no detail of the preparation can be overlooked. Several maids are helping with last minute adjustments to her gown and hair. All of the Rostóv’s are elegantly attired. On the way to the ball, the Rostóv’s stop to pick up an elderly maid of honor who Tolstoy tells us “in spite of her age and plainness she had gone through the same process as the Rostóvs, but with less flurry”. Then, at eleven o’clock, being careful of their coiffures and dresses, they all settled themselves in their carriages and drove off to the ball.
quote from the chapter:
Natásha was going to her first grand ball. She had got up at eight that morning and had been in a fever of excitement and activity all day. All her powers since morning had been concentrated on ensuring that they all-she herself, Mamma, and Sónya-should be as well dressed as possible. Sónya and her mother put themselves entirely in her hands. The countess was to wear a claret-colored velvet dress, and the two girls white gauze over pink silk slips, with roses on their bodices and their hair dressed à la grecque.
Everything essential had already been done; feet, hands, necks, and ears washed, perfumed, and powdered, as befits a ball; the openwork silk stockings and white satin shoes with ribbons were already on; the hairdressing was almost done. Sónya was finishing dressing and so was the countess, but Natásha, who had bustled about helping them all, was behindhand.
Book 6, Chapter 14
Natásha prepares to attend her first grand ball.
Summary:
This is a chapter with little plot development. It describes Natásha and her family preparing to attend a fabulous New Year’s Eve a ball and midnight supper for elite society. As one would imagine, Natásha’s excitement on this special day is palpable, and no detail of the preparation can be overlooked. Several maids are helping with last minute adjustments to her gown and hair. All of the Rostóv’s are elegantly attired. On the way to the ball, the Rostóv’s stop to pick up an elderly maid of honor who Tolstoy tells us “in spite of her age and plainness she had gone through the same process as the Rostóvs, but with less flurry”. Then, at eleven o’clock, being careful of their coiffures and dresses, they all settled themselves in their carriages and drove off to the ball.
quote from the chapter:
Natásha was going to her first grand ball. She had got up at eight that morning and had been in a fever of excitement and activity all day. All her powers since morning had been concentrated on ensuring that they all-she herself, Mamma, and Sónya-should be as well dressed as possible. Sónya and her mother put themselves entirely in her hands. The countess was to wear a claret-colored velvet dress, and the two girls white gauze over pink silk slips, with roses on their bodices and their hair dressed à la grecque.
Everything essential had already been done; feet, hands, necks, and ears washed, perfumed, and powdered, as befits a ball; the openwork silk stockings and white satin shoes with ribbons were already on; the hairdressing was almost done. Sónya was finishing dressing and so was the countess, but Natásha, who had bustled about helping them all, was behindhand.
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