War and Peace · Chapter
Chapter XV explained
Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáya arrives at the dying Count Bezukhov's house with her son Boris.
What happens
Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáya arrives at the dying Count Bezukhov's house with her son Boris. She manipulates her way past the porter to see Prince Vasíli Kuragin, who is in attendance. She appeals to Vasíli, emphasizing Boris's status as the Count's godson, and insists on seeing the Count to perform his 'final duty,' positioning herself amidst the rivals for the inheritance. She sends Boris to visit Pierre Bezukhov.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Legacy
The entire chapter revolves around the impending death of Count Bezukhov and the intense, unspoken competition among his relations (like Vasíli and Anna Mikháylovna) to secure his fortune and influence.
Social Class and Privilege
Anna Mikháylovna's desperate efforts to use her tenuous familial connection to advance Boris's career highlight the mechanics of patronage and the importance of connections over merit.
Corruption and Morality
Anna Mikháylovna's manipulation under the guise of Christian duty and family affection reveals the moral compromises made in the pursuit of social and financial gain.
Characters to notice
- Prince Borís Drubetskóy
Accompanies his mother reluctantly; is coldly polite to Prince Vasíli; is sent by his mother to visit Pierre.
- Prince Vasíli Sergéevich Kurágin
Present at the dying Count's house; assumes an air of importance; is wary of Anna Mikháylovna's motives regarding the inheritance.
- Count Pyotr Kirílych Bezúkhov
Mentioned as being in his rooms; Vasíli expresses relief at Anna Mikháylovna sending Boris to see him, indicating Pierre's isolation.
- Anna Pávlovna
Mentioned in comparison; Vasíli's manner with Anna Mikháylovna in Moscow is more important than it was at Anna Schérer's Petersburg reception.
Key passages
“"Be affectionate and attentive to him. Count Kiríl Vladímirovich is your godfather after all, and your future depends on him."”
Anna Mikháylovna explicitly tells Boris that his career prospects are tied to currying favor with his dying godfather, Count Bezukhov.
Highlights the transactional nature of family relations and patronage.
“"I am glad I was able to do you a service, my dear Anna Mikháylovna... Try to serve well and show yourself worthy,"”
Prince Vasíli acknowledges a past favor but immediately adopts a stern, superior tone with Boris, reinforcing the power dynamic.
Shows Vasíli asserting his position as a patron.
“"If it were not for my sincere affection and devotion to Uncle... I know his character: noble, upright..."”
Anna Mikháylovna claims pure motives for wanting to see the dying Count, while Vasíli (and the reader) understands she is angling for a share of the inheritance.
Exemplifies the hypocrisy and calculated performance around the deathbed.