# Chapter XVIII explained — War and Peace

> Chapter companion for War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

A large dinner party at the Rostóvs' home, featuring the formidable Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova. The men discuss the war and recruiting in the study, while the dinner reveals various social dynamics, romantic tensions, and character traits among the assembled guests.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Privilege

The entire scene is a display of aristocratic society, from the collection of Turkish pipes to the formal dinner seating. Characters like Berg meticulously calculate social and financial advancement through military rank.

### Love and Courtship

Multiple romantic threads: Natasha's infatuation with Boris, Nikolay's attention to Julie Karágina and Sonya's jealous reaction, and Berg's tender, theoretical discussion of love with Véra.

### Family and Legacy

The Rostóv family hosts the event, showcasing their social standing. Márya Dmítrievna feels a duty to scold Pierre based on her past relationship with his father, invoking familial responsibility.

## Character check-ins

### Count Pyotr Kirílych Bezúkhov

Attends the dinner, eats and drinks heartily, observes the new faces, and is the target of Márya Dmítrievna's scolding for the bear incident.

### Countess Natálya Ilyínichna Rostóva

Beams with pleasure at receiving ruby earrings for her saint's-day; gazes adoringly at Borís across the table.

### Count Nikoláy Ilyítch Rostóv

Talks and smiles with Julie Karágina, causing visible jealousy in Sónya, who sits at a distance.

### Prince Borís Drubetskóy

Sits beside Pierre, informing him about the guests, and exchanges glances with Natasha.

### Sófya Alexándrovna

Tormented by jealousy as she watches Nikoláy flirt with Julie Karágina, her smile forced, her color changing.

### Prince Vasíli Sergéevich Kurágin

Not present in the provided excerpts.

## Key lines

> Berg always spoke quietly, politely, and with great precision. His conversation always related entirely to himself...

Berg's conversations are self-centered and precise, focusing solely on his own position and advantages.

_Highlights Berg's pedantic and self-absorbed character._

> "A fine lad! My word! A fine lad!... His father lies on his deathbed and he amuses himself setting a policeman astride a bear!"

Márya Dmítrievna publicly scolds Pierre for his irresponsible prank while his father is dying.

_Demonstrates societal judgment and the expectation of familial duty._

> Natásha... was looking at Borís as girls of thirteen look at the boy they are in love with and have just kissed for the first time.

Natasha gazes at Boris with the intense, infatuated look of a young girl in love.

_Captures Natasha's youthful, romantic innocence._

> Sónya wore a company smile but was evidently tormented by jealousy...

Sonya maintains a polite smile but is inwardly suffering from jealousy as she watches Nikolay.

_Reveals Sonya's hidden emotional turmoil in a social setting._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/chapters