The guests at the reception argue about Napoleon. Pierre thinks Napoleon is a great man, many disagree.
Summary:
The conversation at the party turns to world politics. Most people in the group are very anti-Napoleon. But Bonaparte does have a few admirer’s in the group, especially Pierre. Anna wishes Pierre would keep quiet, but she can’t stop him from talking. Pierre jumps into the conversation on Napoleon’s side. Anna clearly despises Napoleon. She hates that other nations have allied themselves behind Napoleon. Even some European aristocrats have joined Napoleon’s side. On the other hand, some of Napoleon’s supporters have become disgusted by Napoleon’s extrajudicial executions. This has caused Napoleon to lose support across Europe. Pierre likes Napoleon. He thinks what Napoleon is doing is necessary and is what will be good for the people in the long run. Political feelings begin to boil over. Then, Hippolyte, to change the subject, tells what he claims is a very funny story. It’s a stupid story and not at all funny, but at least Hippolyte manages to put a stop to the unpleasant political argument which was starting to boil over.
quote from the chapter:
Won’t you come over to the other table? suggested Anna Pávlovna.
But Pierre continued his speech without heeding her.
No, cried he, becoming more and more eager, Napoleon is great because he rose superior to the Revolution, suppressed its abuses, preserved all that was good in it-equality of citizenship and freedom of speech and of the press-and only for that reason did he obtain power.
Yes, if having obtained power, without availing himself of it to commit murder he had restored it to the rightful king, I should have called him a great man, remarked the vicomte.
Book 1, Chapter 5
The guests at the reception argue about Napoleon. Pierre thinks Napoleon is a great man, many disagree.
Summary:
The conversation at the party turns to world politics. Most people in the group are very anti-Napoleon. But Bonaparte does have a few admirer’s in the group, especially Pierre. Anna wishes Pierre would keep quiet, but she can’t stop him from talking. Pierre jumps into the conversation on Napoleon’s side. Anna clearly despises Napoleon. She hates that other nations have allied themselves behind Napoleon. Even some European aristocrats have joined Napoleon’s side. On the other hand, some of Napoleon’s supporters have become disgusted by Napoleon’s extrajudicial executions. This has caused Napoleon to lose support across Europe. Pierre likes Napoleon. He thinks what Napoleon is doing is necessary and is what will be good for the people in the long run. Political feelings begin to boil over. Then, Hippolyte, to change the subject, tells what he claims is a very funny story. It’s a stupid story and not at all funny, but at least Hippolyte manages to put a stop to the unpleasant political argument which was starting to boil over.
quote from the chapter:
Won’t you come over to the other table? suggested Anna Pávlovna.
But Pierre continued his speech without heeding her.
No, cried he, becoming more and more eager, Napoleon is great because he rose superior to the Revolution, suppressed its abuses, preserved all that was good in it-equality of citizenship and freedom of speech and of the press-and only for that reason did he obtain power.
Yes, if having obtained power, without availing himself of it to commit murder he had restored it to the rightful king, I should have called him a great man, remarked the vicomte.
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