In this chapter, Tolstoy talks about why he thinks many people unfairly criticize Alexander’s actions during the historical period known as the reaction. Tolstoy’s basic argument here is that the critics shouldn’t assume they could have made any better choices.
Category: First Epilogue, P&V pgs. 1129-1178
Historians often err by treating chance or genius as causal forces in nature. Historical events, have specific real-world causes, but frequently the historian can’t possibly know them all. Still, it’s wrong to these tiny real-world causes as merely chance or genius.
It’s said, the times make the man. In this chapter, Tolstoy describes how conditions existing at that time made a successful military invasion of Russia led by Napoleon possible, and how when conditions changed it all fell apart. Through it all, Napoleon was merely a pawn of history.
In this chapter Tolstoy briefly describes Napoleon’s and Alexander’s final careers after the war of 1815. And he tells us the ultimate purpose of history is beyond human comprehension.
In the Rostov family, Natasha has married Pierre. The old Count has died. Nicholas struggles and suffers under the tremendous burden of his father’s debts, while trying to preserve as best he can a few small comforts for his grieving mother. Sonya and Nicholas are no longer close.
His family’s straitened circumstances cause Nicholas to take a very cold and aloof tone with Princess Mary. But, when he sees how sad this makes Mary, he apologizes and the two reestablish their former closeness.
Nicholas marries Princess Mary and they move to Bald Hills with the Countess and Sonya. Nicholas becomes an enthusiastic farmer who has good relations with his serfs. They pay off their debts and the family prospers.
Mary’s influence helps Nicholas realize it’s wrong to beat the peasants. Socializing little with the local gentry, Nicholas hunts, and reads in Winters. Sonya settles into a helper role in the household. Occasionally, many people visit Bald Hills and stay in a restored dwelling.
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.
This chapter describes the married Natasha. (Perhaps she represents to Tolstoy the ideal Russian wife.) By 1820, she has four children. The changes in Natasha were profound. The entire focus of her life has changed. She seemed, on the surface, like a different person.