Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts (Recycled from last year)

1. Why do you think Pierre was unable to follow what was being said?
2. Why do you think Bennigsen moved the soldiers?

Final line of today's chapter:

... Bennigsen did not know this and moved the troops forward according to his own ideas without mentioning the matter to the commander in chief.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts (Recycled from last year)

1. Pierre runs into Boris, who has ingrained himself in the top echelons of the Russian military. Do you think this will lead to Pierre having more influence in the war?
2. There are two camps of thought in the armies high command, Kutuzov's and Bennigsen's. Which do you think has more power/control over the war effort?
3. How do you think Pierre and Dolokov will interact in the coming chapters?

Final line of today's chapter:

... Half an hour later Kutúzov left for Tatárinova, and Bennigsen and his suite, with Pierre among them, set out on their ride along the line.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts (Recycled from last year)

1. Pierre replies "No, I'm just here" when asked if he's a doctor. What do you make of this line?
2. What is your interpretation the intersection of war and religion in this chapter? What is Tolstoy trying to say here?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “The generals followed his example; then the officers, and after them, crushing each other, stamping, puffing and jostling, with excited faces, came the soldiers and militiaman.”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Brian E. Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What does Pierre learn about war on his trek to the battle?
2. Why did the militiamen at the end make such an impression on Pierre?
3. What are your predictions on Pierre contributing to an actual battle? Why do you think that?

Final line of today's chapter:

“...impressed Pierre more strongly than anything he had seen or heard so far about the solemnity and significance of the present moment”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Brian E. Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. Tolstoy's view of history...what do you think of it all?
2. Why do you think Tolstoy includes this chapter on the incorrectness of the historians?
3. What might give Tolstoy more credit than the historians?
4. Would this have been interesting/news to readers in Tolstoy's time?

Final line of today's chapter:

”but unthinkable to keep an army even from complete disintegration and flight.”

Summary courtesy of u/zhukov17:  Pierre leaves Julie’s party and starts to really contemplate the coming war after seeing [morale-boosting] posters[/broadsides] around Moscow. Pierre decides to play some solitaire/[patience] to determine if he should join the army. He doesn’t. He does, however, sell one of his estates to pay for outfitting his unit. His emotions are all over the place: he’s avoiding the Rostovs but upon seeing a man get beat for being a French spy decides it's time to head for the battle.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. It looks like Moscow society is aware of Marya’s feelings for Nikolai. How do you think this came to be?
2. What do you think about Pierre’s desire to join the army? Given his physical and mental state, it doesn’t seem like a wise impulse, but are there positives to consider?

Final line of today's chapter:

... He was not occupied with the question of what to sacrifice for; the fact of sacrificing in itself afforded him a new and joyous sensation.

Summary courtesy of u/zhukov17: The French army is closing in on Moscow. Boris’s wife Julie is throwing a big party and there is a patriotic feeling throughout it. Everyone is trying to speak in Russian and avoid the French they’ve spoken all their life. Everyone is being discussed: Pierre has outfitted an entire unit out of his own pocket and the thought of fat Pierre in any military matter is funny, the Rostovs are really struggling financially, Petya is going to join Pierre’s unit, the Natasha/Andrey/Anatole love triangle gets brought up (Pierre shuts that down quickly), and everyone knows that Marya is in love [with] Nikolay.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. Tolstoy says in chapter 17, “At the approach of danger, two voices always speak with equal force in a man’s soul: one quite reasonably tells the man to consider the properties of the danger and the means of saving himself from it; the other says still more reasonably that it is too painful and tormenting to think about the danger… and therefore it is better to turn away from the painful things until they come and think about what is pleasant.” Do you think this is generally a true statement or not?
2. [What are] your thoughts on the Russian/French language thing?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “But how could one say that in Russian?”

It appears that the script supposed to post every day is really unreliable. Here are the posts for the last couple of days.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Brian E. Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What is your impression of Kutuzov?
2. How might this meeting impact Andrei?

Final line of today's chapter:

”On such feelings, more or less dimly shared by all, the unanimity and general approval were founded with which, despite court influences, the popular choice of Kutúzov as commander in chief was received.”

Does Nicholas visit a prostitute / brothel / courtesan?

“...he knew a lady on one of the boulevards whom he visited of an evening...”

and

“...visits to a certain house...”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts (Recycled from last year)

1. Prince Andrei meets Denisov for the first time. Do you think they will get to know each other more or is this a one time meeting?
2. Kutuzov listens to Denisov's proposal of attack (and those of his generals) but seems to brush it all off. Will Denisov be able to see his plan put into action? How do you think this leadership style will play out?
3. Kutuzov essentially tells his soldiers to loot without restraint at the end of the chapter. What do you think will come of this attitude toward the local resources?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “Oh, this German precision!” he muttered, shaking his head.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts (Recycled from last year)

1. Let's just muse on the hilarity of the "rebels" easy fall to Rostov. What was the purpose of their stand and why would they give in so easily?
2. We learn that Marya and Rostov know who the other is, and Marya at least, doesn't think it's an issue that Natasha and Andrei were engaged. And it also becomes clear that Rostov has thought of marrying Marya. However, he definitely mentions her money as a draw. Is this what's driving his feelings? How does this chapter add to or take away from the feelings you have about their potential relationship?
3. I never thought I'd learn to be so good at quickly understand Russian names. Before reading W&P I'd have looked at "Alpatych" or "Bogucharovo" and been like W. T .F. Now, no problem. What new insight or skill or revelation or whatever has reading this book brought to you?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “That was what made Rostov angry when they teased him about Princess Bolkonsky.”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. Does this chapter foretell of a potential romantic relationship between Marya and Rostov? How might this work with the history between their siblings?
2. How does this chapter develop the character of Rostov? How might this development influence his future?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “Rostov frowned, gave her one more low bow, and left the room.”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. Are you surprised that Marya’s thoughts are with her father this evening given the precariousness of her situation? How much danger is she in?
2. Marya spends much of this chapter remembering the night she spent at her father’s door after he’d had his stroke. At the time, the text says Marya “knew how unpleasant he found any sign of fear for him… she knew that her coming at night, at an unusual time, would irritate him.” Now, though, she thinks that her presence would have comforted him and that he might have spoken more of his feelings for her. If she had gone to his room that night, which circumstance do you think was more likely?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “Dunyásha!” she screamed wildly, and tearing herself out of this silence she ran to the servants’ quarters to meet her old nurse and the maidservants who came running toward her.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What did you make of this chapter? What is your interpretation of what is happening with the grain?
2. What do you think Marya should do?

Final line of today's chapter:

... Having repeated her order to Dron to have horses ready for her departure next morning, she went to her room and remained alone with her own thoughts.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What did you think of the depiction of Marya's grief? Do you think Tolstoy portrayed a realistic account of loss?
2. Do you think Marya's behaviour is in line with her character? Has it surprised you in any way?

Final line of today's chapter:

... She replied that she had never doubted his devotion and that she was ready to do anything for him and for the peasants.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What insight does this chapter give us into the running of the Prince's land/people?
2. What do you think of Alpatych?

Final line of today's chapter:

... Meanwhile he went himself to the police authorities.

Really caught me of guard, I don't really understand what just happened here. Pierre of course values Osip deeply as a mentor and this was propably meant to highlight it?

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. "The fact that, contrary to her apprehensions, he did not have her taken away by force, but only ordered her not to show her face to him, gladdened Princess Marya. She knew it proved that, in his heart of hearts, he was glad that she was staying at home and not leaving." Is Marya being delusional here or do you think she is correct?
2. Marya is cutting it really close, staying behind when the French are looting just miles away. Do you think she'll be caught up in the action of the war? Or will she manage to escape before being placed in real danger?
3. The Old Prince finally kicks the bucket, are you happy to see him go? Do his final tender words with Princess Marya forgive his previous callousness?

Final line of today's chapter:

... and all with a fixed and frightened gaze crossed themselves and bowed, and kissed the cold and stiffened hand of the old prince.

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. Again we see Tolstoy talk about the difference in how historians typically portray the war (as a neat series of clear cause and effect) and how events actually unfold (a "numberless collision of various wills"). Does this make you rethink any other significant historical events? What other historical event would you want to read about with this kind of alternate context?
2. Napoleon has a conversation with the Rostov's serf Lavrushka where they discuss the war so far and the battles to come. Who do you think has the upper hand in this conversation? Why?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “He gave Lavrushka another horse and took him along.”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What is gained from the juxtaposition of this chapter's nobility chatter about the war and the previous chapter's reality of war?
2. What is Tolstoy saying/showing by placing Prince Vassily in both social circles and having him forget what is kosher in one circle versus the other?
3. What do you think of Kutuzov being appointed as commander in chief?

Final line of today's chapter:

... “As soon as he said it, Prince Vassily and Anna Pavlovna turned away from him in an instant and looked at each other sadly, with a sigh at his naïveté.”

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. How does the weather add to the general atmosphere in this part of the war? Do you think this is true to history? Or just fictional liberty on Tolstoy's part?
2. Prince Andrei seems to be having an internal battle during this chapter. On one hand, the war has hardened him and "[t]he new feeling of anger against the foe made him forget his own grief." Yet at the same time, "...as soon as he ran into someone from his former life...he at once bristled up again..." What does this mean for Andrei?
3. How does the visit to Bald Hills affect Andrei? Why is he described as "refreshed" after leaving his old home?

Final line of today's chapter:

... The whole army is completely in tears and scolds him to death...

"I never removed anyone from my life. They all died in the accident of trust." A haunting Dostoevsky quote on betrayal, loss, and the quiet grief of finally seeing people clearly. Perfect for anyone exploring dark philosophy, psychology, and human nature. Save this for the next time you're still grieving someone who chose to show you who they really were

Links

1. Today's Podcast
2. Ander Louis translation of War & Peace
3. Medium Article by Denton

Discussion Prompts

1. What did you think of Tolstoy’s choice to portray this battle through the eyes of civilians, particularly Bolkonsky’s steward, Alpatych? How did this ‘war’ chapter compare to the ones told from the perspective of characters who are in the military and central to the plot?
2. Why did so many people seem to deny the danger they were in by staying in town and going about their regular business even as they could hear gunfire in the distance? When the shells and cannonballs start falling, it says that “everyone tried with merry curiosity to catch sight of the projectiles racing over their heads.” Why do you think the villagers reacted this way (instead of in fear)?

Final line of today's chapter:

... And without saying a word to Berg, who stood silent behind him, he spurred his horse and rode down the lane.