War and Peace: Volume 3, Part 2: Chapters 15–18 Summary & Analysis

After Kutuzov takes command of the armies, he orders Prince Andrei to headquarters. While Prince Andrei waits for Kutuzov to return from a review of the troops, a hussar lieutenant with bristling mustaches rides up and introduces himself as Denisov. He’s heard of Bolkonsky’s misfortunes and greets him sympathetically. Andrei heard of Denisov from Natasha’s stories—he was her first suitor. What with Smolensk and his father’s death, Andrei hasn’t thought about Natasha for a long time. Denisov, for his part, thinks briefly of his silly proposal to 15-year-old Natasha. His purpose now, however, is to present a campaign plan to Kutuzov. He thinks the Russians ought to break through the French communications, using the French’s overextended line to their advantage.

Kutuzov, heavier than before and breathing hard, rides into the yard, attended by a crowd of fawning generals and officers. He tiredly greets Prince Andrei and, when Andrei mentions he’s just learned of his father’s death, Kutuzov embraces him tenderly, his eyes filling with tears. Denisov boldly approaches at this moment, unaware of the adjutants’ annoyance, and explains he has a plan for the good of Russia. The plan, to cut the enemy’s line of operations between Smolensk and Vyazma, is a sensible one. When Kutuzov learns that the commissary general is Denisov’s uncle, he cheerfully invites Denisov to stay at headquarters and to talk more tomorrow.

Prince Andrei is invited to stay while Kutuzov signs some papers. In the meantime, Kutuzov listens patiently to the general who’s speaking to him, yet it’s evident that he doesn’t care about even the most intelligent reports, as if, in his old age and experience, he knows that intelligence won’t ultimately decide matters. Later, while talking in the commander in chief’s quarters, Kutuzov invites Prince Andrei remain with his staff. Prince Andrei thanks him for the honor, but he explains that he’s grown used to regimental life and is attached to his men there. Kutuzov understands that the regiments need good men, too, and he remembers seeing Andrei carrying the standard on the day he was injured at Austerlitz. Andrei is flattered.

Before Andrei goes, Kutuzov talks with him about criticisms he sustained for his actions in the Turkish war, concluding that everything comes at the right time to the one who knows how to wait. He reflects that to win a campaign, it’s not necessary to attack; one just needs patience and time. He believes the same will hold true with the French, though the younger advisers don’t want to hear that. Kutuzov says goodbye to Prince Andrei, reminding him to regard him as a father.

When Prince Andrei returns to his regiment, he feels calmer. He believes that Kutuzov understands that there’s something more powerful than his own will— “the inevitable course of events.” He also trusts Kutuzov because he’s Russian, as his deep emotion indicates.

Life in Moscow flows much as before; it’s easy to forget that Russia is in danger. The patriotic fervor of recent days has faded. In the face of the coming danger, people are torn between self-preservation and the desire to not think of anything unpleasant. While the former is usually considered in solitude, the latter is expressed in company: Moscow is filled with merrymaking that year. People enjoy discussing Rastopchin’s propaganda posters, which insult the French. Some find them humorous, while others think they’re stupid.

In Julie Drubetskoy’s circles, people have taken to speaking Russian only; if someone utters French by mistake, they have to make a donation to the war effort. Julie is leaving Moscow shortly, and Pierre comes to her farewell soirée, where people have just been joking about the militia he is outfitting. Pierre laughs at this idea himself, saying he’s too big to ride a horse.

The conversation turns to the Rostovs’ struggles. Natasha is better, and the Count wants to return to the country, but the Countess insists on waiting for Petya, who’s joined the Cossacks but is soon to be transferred to Pierre’s regiment. Julie teases Pierre about Natasha, calling him her “knight,” and Pierre gets annoyed. Julie changes the subject to Marya Bolkonsky, who’s soon arriving in Moscow after the death of her father. She tells the story of Nikolai Rostov rescuing Marya from the Bogucharovo peasants and hints that Marya might be in love with Nikolai.

When he gets home, Pierre looks at some of Rastopchin’s posters. One of the posters insists that the enemy will never enter Moscow. This convinces him that the French actually will reach Moscow. Pierre wonders, for the hundredth time, if he should enter military service. He shuffles a deck of cards for a sign that he should enter the service. Even after the cards turn up the sign he’d been hoping for, he remains irresolute.

By this time, most of Pierre’s acquaintances have left Moscow. He has other troubles—in order to fund a regiment, he’ll have to sell one of his estates. To distract himself, he goes to a nearby village to see a hot-air balloon. On his way back into the city, he sees two Frenchmen being publicly flogged, one of them a cook accused of spying. Pierre hurries back to his coach. Suddenly, he feels utterly resolved to leave Moscow and join the army.

The next day Pierre sets out for Mozhaisk, which is filled with troops of every kind. He feels both restless and joyful, longing to sacrifice something. The everyday comforts of life, he realizes, are nothing compared to…something else. Pierre isn’t sure what he wants to sacrifice for—yet the idea of sacrifice delights him.