BOOK 5, Chptr. 1, P&V pg. 347

Book 5, Chapter 1

Delayed at a roadside station en route to Petersburg, Pierre listlessly wonders what is the purpose of life. Then, a strange old man enters the station.

Summary:

After his angry meeting with Hélène, Pierre left for Petersburg. En route, Pierre is delayed at the Torzhók post station, either because there were no horses or the postmaster would not supply them. Pierre anxiously ponders the meaning of life, and that we all must die. Not only was he indifferent as to whether he got to Petersburg earlier or later, or whether he secured accommodation at this station, but compared to the thoughts that now occupied him it was a matter of indifference to him whether he remained there for a few hours or for the rest of his life. While lost in these existential musings, a wrinkled old man enters the room followed by an old servant. After a while, the mysterious old man looks directly at Pierre. Pierre felt confused and wished to avoid that look, but the stranger’s bright old eyes attracted him irresistibly.

quote from the chapter:

Is this good or bad? Pierre asked himself. It is good for me, bad for another traveler, and for himself it’s unavoidable, because he needs money for food; the man said an officer had once given him a thrashing for letting a private traveler have the courier horses. But the officer thrashed him because he had to get on as quickly as possible. And I, continued Pierre, shot Dólokhov because I considered myself injured, and Louis XVI was executed because they considered him a criminal, and a year later they executed those who executed him-also for some reason. What is bad? What is good? What should one love and what hate? What does one live for? And what am I? What is life, and what is death? What power governs all?

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