War and Peace – Part 1 – Russian society and our “heroes” situations

check out the translation at a Russian / US "friendship" site

Why does the story start with a boring party? It opens with Anna Pavlovna Scherer holding a “soiree” even though she has the “grippe”. What are we to make of these social affectations, as even the characters seem bored or “out of place” at the gathering?
The aristocracy of Russians sees itself as European nobility – but in effect, they are but its step-children perhaps – the “French” is ingrained in the language of the upper class of Moscow society but is still almost as foreign to the Russian soul as to the American. Indeed, the 2 leading male characters of this story show themselves to be uncomfortable in these surroundings – Prince Andrey Bolkonsky and Pierre, bastard, but I guess only, son and heir to become Count Bezuhov.

Russia and America in some ways look like mirror images especially in the 19th century – continental powers in scope, multiethnic, rich in resources if it can harness them, both struggling with gross inequities, but both with a heart for their land and a belief in progress. But Russia is burdened with an autocratic and feudal system of government and economics, their patriotism and their faith is stronger but more paranoid than typical in the West because of the multitude of powers, both European nations and Asian hordes that have always surrounded them. Upon the historical background where the Russians have felt that they and their Orthodox tradition have truly been the Holy empire dating from Constantine that have fought the heathens and preserved the West for nearly a thousand years. Then comes Peter the Great. While east Asia had to be forced to be open by colonial powers, and only then did Japan most famously adopted modern culture and technology, Peter the Great as all powerful Tsar pushed his own people (from strength and not from being weak from outside pressure) to become a modern European power.

But now as the 19th century (1805) begins -- what to make of Russia? And what to make of Europe? Revolution, the reign of Terror, and the rise of Bonaparte have made France a radically different nation than the one they were trying to emulate. The Tsar of course makes common cause with the other monarchs trying to defeat Napoleon or at least bring him under control. But while England still rules the seas, no one seems to be able to stand up to Napoleon in central Europe. Ironically enough then, the stage is set for Russia alone, the stepchild of European culture to defend the traditional monarchical values against Napoleon, a “pretender” to be Emperor. But there is envy and admiration for this Napoleon who does create his own Empire. And built on ruins of the French revolution this new kind of empire, led by a “great man” not a royal, still offers ideas, at least for Pierre and some of his generation, of progress and even “liberty, fraternity, equality”.

Pierre, though, will inherit the title “Count” and wealth and land and responsibility. How will he handle this? From what sources will he find wisdom – from the French revolution, from the Orthodox faith, from Freemasonry? For Andrey, even with a pregnant wife, life seems to have no fulfillment – but then he goes off to war and we may see his true nobility begin to shine. So consider again Anna Pavlovna’s opening words: “the atrocities of this Antichrist, upon my word, I believe, he is” and see how Russia and these Russians must confront their enemy as well as the limitations of their own society.