Originally a novel created for entertainment, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace has gained a new purpose helping people understand just how vast the social gaps of the past were.
1803 – To understand Tolstoy’s War and Peace one must understand what was happening at the time. Napoleon’s dream of a European empire had been revealed through the conquering of different European countries such as Holland. This made 5 countries – Prussia, England, Austria, Russia, and Sweden – think it necessary to create a third coalition to prevent the conquering of their countries and Europe. Although the coalition was created in 1803 it didn’t actually do anything until the year 1805, which is when the first chapter is set.
1805 – The book starts with Anna Pavlovna Scherer speaking to her old friend Prince Vasili Kuragin about the threat Napoleon poses to Russia and Europe providing her strong opinion of Napoleon by telling Vasili: “I warn you… if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that antichrist -I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you.” Pavlovna then proceeds to tell Vasili that Russia alone can save Europe from the hands Napoleon. Anna then makes the conversation more personal by talking about the Prince’s children -especially the beautiful Helene- with the exception of Anatole whom she dislikes. Vasili then asks her to arrange a meeting between his Anatole and Mary Bolkonskaya; daughter of the wealthy Prince Bolkonski.
As the evening progresses Helene Kuragina, Lise, Prince Andrew, Pierre, and Hippolyte Kuragin arrive. Lise, the daughter in law of Bolkonsky, is married to Prince Andrew, son of Bolkonski. Pierre, a friend of Andrew, has just returned from studying abroad. He is the illegitimate son of the wealthy Count Bezukhov. Prince Vasili is leaving for the English Ambassador’s ball when Princess Anna Mikhaylovna begs him to consider asking the czar to give a promotion to her only son Boris. After asking multiple times and even trying to prevent him from leaving, she gets him to promise helping Boris get a promotion by asking a favor of the Czar. Later on in the evening, Pierre voices his belief that Napoleon and the French revolution are not all bad. The chapter ends with Anna Pavlovna scolding Pierre for voicing his opinion and supporting the revolution.
