War and Peace · Chapter
XXV explained
At Bald Hills, the household of Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky awaits the arrival of Prince Andrei and his wife.
What happens
At Bald Hills, the household of Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky awaits the arrival of Prince Andrei and his wife. The chapter details the rigid, disciplined routine of the old prince and his relationship with his daughter, Princess Marya. The core of the chapter is Marya reading a letter from her friend Julie Karagina, which contains Moscow gossip about the war, Pierre Bezukhov's inheritance, and Julie's romantic feelings for Nikolai Rostov. Marya then writes a thoughtful reply, expressing her religious views on love and her pity for Pierre.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Legacy
Central to the chapter. Explored through Pierre's sudden inheritance and the societal scramble around it, and through the rigid, educational relationship between Prince Bolkonsky and his daughter Marya.
Love and Courtship
Discussed theoretically in Marya's reply (Christian love vs. romantic love) and practically in Julie's letter, which details her feelings for Nikolai Rostov and the marriage schemes targeting Pierre and Marya herself.
Social Class and Privilege
Evident in the immediate change in society's attitude toward Pierre after his inheritance, and in the calculated marriage plans of the Kuragins, seeking to use marriage to wealth to 'reform' Anatole.
Characters to notice
- Princess Márya Nikoláevna Bolkónskaya
Reads Julie's gossip-filled letter and writes a pious, thoughtful reply. She lives under the strict, regimented rule of her father at Bald Hills.
- Count Pyotr Kirílych Bezúkhov
Discussed in Julie's letter. He has inherited Count Bezukhov's vast fortune, making him a central figure in Moscow society's marriage schemes. Marya defends his good heart.
- Count Nikoláy Ilyítch Rostóv
Mentioned in Julie's letter. He has left university to join the army, causing Julie poignant sorrow due to her romantic feelings for him.
- Prince Borís Drubetskóy
Implied to be one of Julie's 'two brothers' who is 'already abroad' with the army, as part of the war news.
- Prince Vasíli Sergéevich Kurágin
Mentioned in the letter. Played a 'despicable part' in the Bezukhov inheritance affair and returned to Petersburg 'crestfallen.' Also, plans to marry his son Anatole to Marya are revealed.
- Anna Pávlovna
Referred to indirectly as 'that universal auntie Anna Mikháylovna' who revealed the secret plan to marry Anatole Kuragin to Princess Marya.
Key passages
“All Moscow talks of nothing but war... Our dear Emperor has left Petersburg and it is thought intends to expose his precious person to the chances of war.”
Julie reports that war is the sole topic in Moscow, and the Tsar may be heading to the front.
Establishes the historical wartime setting.
“It is Monsieur Pierre who has inherited all the property and has besides been recognized as legitimate; so that he is now Count Bezúkhov and possessor of the finest fortune in Russia.”
Pierre has been legitimized and inherited the immense Bezukhov fortune, transforming his social status overnight.
The pivotal news of Pierre's inheritance that drives much of the novel's plot.
“I pity Prince Basile but am still more sorry for Pierre. So young, and burdened with such riches—to what temptations he will be exposed!”
Marya expresses more pity for Pierre than for Vasili, fearing the corrupting influence of sudden wealth on a young man.
Highlights Marya's moral and religious perspective on wealth and corruption.
“He used to say that there are only two sources of human vice—idleness and superstition, and only two virtues—activity and intelligence.”
Old Prince Bolkonsky believes idleness and superstition cause all vice, while activity and intelligence are the supreme virtues.
Encapsulates the old prince's rigid, Enlightenment-inspired philosophy governing life at Bald Hills.
