There is a large and very lavish dinner party at the Rostóv’s for Natásha and the Countess’ name day.
Summary:
Little happens in this chapter related to plot development; it consists mostly of a description of the lavish party given by Count Rostóv for his wife and daughter’s name day, and how various guests interacted. Many people have been invited to the party, and a few of the more significant guests are mentioned by name. These include Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova, a lady distinguished for her common sense and frank plainness of speech, who upon meeting Pierre chides him for the affair with the bear in Petersburg. Another guest is Shinshín, a cousin of the countess’ well-known for a sharp tongue. Conversation touches on the war that had been announced in a manifesto, and about military recruiting. Véra’s intended, Lieutenant Berg, is there. There is lively but friendly conversation. Berg and others talk about the most advantageous ways to join the military. The Countess talks with Pierre, who is unskilled in conversation. All in all, the splendid party comes off well and without incident.
quote from the chapter:
The count went in first with Márya Dmítrievna, the countess followed on the arm of a colonel of hussars, a man of importance to them because Nicholas was to go with him to the regiment; then came Anna Mikháylovna with Shinshín. Berg gave his arm to Véra. The smiling Julie Karágina went in with Nicholas. After them other couples followed, filling the whole dining hall, and last of all the children, tutors, and governesses followed singly. The footmen began moving about, chairs scraped, the band struck up in the gallery, and the guests settled down in their places. Then the strains of the count’s household band were replaced by the clatter of knives and forks, the voices of visitors, and the soft steps of the footmen.
Book 1, Chapter 18
There is a large and very lavish dinner party at the Rostóv’s for Natásha and the Countess’ name day.
Summary:
Little happens in this chapter related to plot development; it consists mostly of a description of the lavish party given by Count Rostóv for his wife and daughter’s name day, and how various guests interacted. Many people have been invited to the party, and a few of the more significant guests are mentioned by name. These include Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova, a lady distinguished for her common sense and frank plainness of speech, who upon meeting Pierre chides him for the affair with the bear in Petersburg. Another guest is Shinshín, a cousin of the countess’ well-known for a sharp tongue. Conversation touches on the war that had been announced in a manifesto, and about military recruiting. Véra’s intended, Lieutenant Berg, is there. There is lively but friendly conversation. Berg and others talk about the most advantageous ways to join the military. The Countess talks with Pierre, who is unskilled in conversation. All in all, the splendid party comes off well and without incident.
quote from the chapter:
The count went in first with Márya Dmítrievna, the countess followed on the arm of a colonel of hussars, a man of importance to them because Nicholas was to go with him to the regiment; then came Anna Mikháylovna with Shinshín. Berg gave his arm to Véra. The smiling Julie Karágina went in with Nicholas. After them other couples followed, filling the whole dining hall, and last of all the children, tutors, and governesses followed singly. The footmen began moving about, chairs scraped, the band struck up in the gallery, and the guests settled down in their places. Then the strains of the count’s household band were replaced by the clatter of knives and forks, the voices of visitors, and the soft steps of the footmen.
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