Show Notes
Nicholas Bolkónski receives a letter from Vasíli Kuragin, who would be visiting with his prodigal son, Anatole. This is a suitor for Marya. Bolkónski always held a poor opinion of Vasíli, but this view converted into an utter contempt.
On the morning Vasíli was to arrive, the head serf, Alpátych, deferentially explained that he had the path swept of snow after being informed a “minister” was arriving. Bolkónski exploded, “A minister? Who gave orders to sweep? For me, there are no ministers!” He does not want Vasíli to receive special treatment. Bolkónski swung a walking stick near Alpátych and shouted, “Throw the snow back on the road!”
At mealtime, Amélie Bourienne brings up the impending visit and Bolkónski references how he got Vasíli his initial governmental position. He alludes, with disdain, to the obvious reason for the visit. Bourienne changes the subject to flowers in the conservatory. This, along with the soup, placated Bolkónski. Later Bolkónski went to check on Lise, who avoided the meal under the pretense of her pregnancy. He asked how she was feeling. Lise, who pregnancy made plain, lived in trepidation, but grew accustomed to life and took a fancy to Bourienne.
Bolkónski then visited his head serf. Alpátych relayed the snow was shoveled back and pleaded, “Forgive me..... It was only my stupidity.” “All right,” responded Bolkónski and stretched out his hand to be kissed.
Vasíli and Anatole arrived that evening and were met by servants, who had to drag the sleighs and baggage over re-laden snow. Once settled, Anatole became at ease. He regarded life as a continual round of amusement and realized, why not marry her if she has so much money? He shaved, scented himself and held his head high as he approached his father. He asks, “Father, is she truly hideous?” He is rebuked, “Enough! Remember, for you everything depends on this.”
Marya, in contrast, sat alone in her room, forlorn. Lise and Bourienne had a better sense of how to make an elegant presentation and put heartfelt effort into preparing Marya, acting with the naïve conviction that dress or hairstyle could make a face pretty. Marya was so plain that nothing helped. Neither thought of her as a rival in terms of beauty. Marya remained piteous and her companions eventually retreated.
Alone, Marya let her mind wander and dreamed of a husband, a dominant attractive man. She dreamed of the joy of physical relations and fancied nursing her own child, with her husband gazing tenderly. However, the visualization broke and she realized, “I am too unattractive.” She was soon summoned to meet Anatole. She felt appalled at what she had been thinking and went to the nearby prayer room, where she fixed her eyes on an icon of her Savior. A painful thought filled her soul, Could the joy of love, earthly love for a man, be for her? With a handsome guest invading the threshold, this deeply hidden longing revealed itself.
Instead of trying take steps to satisfy her desire, she appeals in prayer: Oh Lord… How am I to renounce these vile fancies, so as peacefully to fulfill Thy will?” God placed the answer in her heart, revealing that she was to focus on divine love, that selfless love motivated by commitment to others, as demonstrated by God being willing to sacrifice his Son. The Lord continues, Desire nothing for thyself… be not envious or fearful. The future and thy own fate must remain hidden, but live so that thou mayest be ready for anything. If it be God’s will for thee to marry, be ready to fulfill His will.
With this consolation, Princess Marya crossed herself and was mentally prepared to present herself, thinking no more of superficialities, as nothing could matter in comparison with the will of God.
More from War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide
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