Notes

This last part of Book I analyzes the personality of many characters in the novel. At home, it is Prince Vasily, Pierre and Count Bolkonsky who come under focus. In the battlefield, emperor Aleksandr, Napoleon Bonaparte and Nikolai Rostov come under scrutiny.

The novel opens with Prince Vasily attending Anna PavlovnaÂ’s party and seeking her help to fix a matrimonial alliance for Anatol. In this part of the Book I, the readers are shown Vasily pursuing his plan. Vasily is a man of the world, always acting for his benefit. After Pierre inherits the title and property of Bezukhov, Vasily decides to make the youth his son-in-law. With this intention, he befriends Pierre and acts as his guardian. He persuades Pierre to stay with him and thus, facilitates a relationship between Pierre and Ellen. When Pierre wavers in his decision to marry Ellen, Vasily induces him to propose to his daughter. With tact and cunning, Vasily succeeds in marrying Ellen to Pierre.

After settling down his daughter in comfort, he gets down to the business of arranging a match for his errant son, Anatol. With this intention, he makes a trip to the home of Bolkonskys. He prepares Anatol for the meeting with Prince Bolkonsky and his daughter. Reaching Bald Hills, he puts forth his proposal to the old Prince. Anatol charms everyone with his presence but tries to flirt with the beautiful, Madam Bourienne. However, when Marya discovers the affair between Anatol and Bourienne, she turns down the proposal. Thus, despite all his efforts to settle down his son, VasilyÂ’s plan backfires. Unlike Pierre, Prince Bolkonsky and Marya are too clever to fall into the trap of Vasily.

Pierre shows himself up in the introductory part of novel; in this part he unfurls his personality. PierreÂ’s status undergoes transformation; from anonymity to importance. In the beginning, he was looked down upon as the illegitimate son of Bezukhov; now he is looked up with respect and considered the most suitable bachelor in town. With wealth, position and power, Pierre gains a special status. People conveniently ignore his questionable birth and treat him as a super human being. Pierre is unable to handle his new position in society and feels embarrassed by the attention paid to him. He is still as insecure as before and is easily influenced by others. Thus, he follows the advice of Vasily on all matters and comes to live in his house. He allows himself to be tied into an alliance with Ellen, even though he is not sure of his feelings for her. Unconsciously Pierre falls into the trap laid by Vasily.

The latter part of Part III concentrates on the battle leading to Austerlitz. The French lead by Napoleon Bonaparte defeat the Russian forces at Austerlitz. Napoleon Bonaparte is observant and cunning. He takes advantage of the indecisiveness of the Russians and their allies and attacks them at Wischan. With this unexpected move, he shatters the morale of the Russian army. The Russian soldiers put up a weal resistance and surrender to the enemy. Napoleon proves himself to be superior in tactics to his enemy. After the victory, he feels proud of his army but shows consideration towards the Russian prisoners. The positive and negative side of NapoleonÂ’s character comes into focus in this part.

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