We now get taken from March of 1806, through the warmer months and then to the end of the year. Quite the fast-forward!

This chapter provides insight into the surprise loser of the duel, Feydor Dolokhov, through the Book’s closest examination of his psychology. We also get rare insight into his poor mother, Mary Ivánovna.

There is a note that the Duel remained matter of scandal. If Dolokhov would have won, he likely would have faced the wrath of the Czar. Since the new Count won, there is a wisdom in the authorities ignoring the aftermath. Rostov’s participation was swept under the rug by efforts from his wealthy father. He avoided demotion and was appointed as adjutant to the governor general of Moscow, which kept him in the city for the duration of that Summer.

As Dolokhov convalescences at this mother’s home in Moscow, Rostov visited often and the two developed a close friendship. Mary Ivánovna grew fond of Rostov and reveals her feelings to him: “My Fedya is too noble and pure-souled for our depraved world.” She holds great animosity toward Pierre and is convinced he acted without Honor. She notes how Pierre, along with her son and group of friends, tied a policemen to a bear and threw them into the Moyka River. While Pierre was just told to leave town, her son stoically bore the burden and suffered demotion in the ranks.

There is legitimacy to Ivánovna’s perspective. She laments how is not honorable to make such a challenge and shoot to kill. The challenger of such an affair would be expected to do something like fire up into the air. She speaks in a timeless way over the possible marital affair, saying: “Who doesn’t have intrigues nowadays?” She feels Pierre is responsible for letting his jealousy go on for months. She believes Pierre challenged her son because he owed Pierre and his wife money, and therefore counted on Fedya not even fighting. She finds Pierre evil and mean-spirited.

Dolokhov also opens up to Nicholas. “I know people consider me an evil man! Let them! I don’t care about anyone -- but those I love. And those I love….. I love such that I would give my life for them. The others……. I would just kill them if they stood in my way.”

He notes having a priceless mother and a few friends—Nicholas among them. As for the rest, he only cares about them in so far as they are useful or harmful. He speaks of women, who he finds toxic. He complains of never being able to find a pure soul worth devoting himself to. He aims to possess a divine creature who will elevate him.

Then Tolsoty moves to late 1806. The start to the Winter becomes one of the happiest times for the Rostovs. Denisov also stayed with the family around this Christmas season. Tolstoy notes how there prevailed a romantic ambiance where every young man who came to the house was thrilled to be around the young Rostov women, who shared a readiness to fall in love and expectation of happiness. The household atmosphere included bursts music and friendly prattle of girls.

Nicholas invites many friends to his estate, including Dolokhov, who brings this newfound attitude and develops an affection for Sonya. All in the house took an immediate liking to Dolokhov except Natasha. She recognized the darkness that lurks within. She feels Dolokhov is “wicked and heartless.” She favors Denisov, who she finds more honest and good-natured. Nicholas defends his new friend as having an incomparable heart and soul, noting how he helps his poor mother and crippled sister. That is when Natasha reveals how Dolokhov has fallen for Sonya. Sonya was a bit embarrassed by the attention – but not altogether repulsed. Nicholas does not think much of it, at first feeling Sonya and his sister are always (and temporarily) in love with something. Yet the more his new friend pursued Sonya, the less at ease Nicholas became.

We move to the historically important part of this chapter. Tolstoy describes that in the autumn of 1806, the nobles once again started fervently talking of another war with Napoleon. From Czar Alexander and his circle, orders emanated to raise recruits. Bonaparte was the Anti-Christ in Society’s eyes but had this dark appeal. He was a power that would never again be underestimated. It was felt through better planning, a different military result in could be obtained. Perhaps with help from the Prussians.

Nicholas was excited and eager to return to his regiment after Christmas. With such a return to confrontation on the horizon, a special zest was given to every remaining moment at home.

We have reached the pivotal chapter involving the death of the Little Princess and birth of the Andrei’s son.

Andrei was the one thought lost. Yet Tolstoy has him return home as his wife endures child labor. Her suffering is a subject personal to Tolstoy as his own mother succumbed five months after the birth of his sister, when Tolstoy was nearly two years old.

This loss can be viewed as a punishment for Andrei’s vanity even though Andrei acknowledged and is trying to overcome his impiety. A lesson may be: there is no sin without consequence.

The Bolkonsky household had been overwhelmed with despair by Andrei’s status –– he is a symbolic good man, who was thought lost in a vain war.

When Andrei has the brief opportunity to see his wife, they dramatically take one another in. Lise is ailing. She is in need of the Lord’s grace and a medical miracle. To her, Andrei must appear out of a vision. Andrei, who has rarely been affectionate to Lise, recognizes what he should have valued is right before him.

He is finally there for her – at her final moment. He addresses her as Ma chérie (My Darling). He tries to comfort her by referencing the “mercy of God.” When the birth pangs resumed, Andrei was asked to exit. The German doctor hoped he could get Lise through the ordeal but the medical situation worsened. There came a point where the Lise sounded like a piteous and moaning animal.

Andrei tried to get back to her, but the room was locked. Soon, his wife’s screaming ceased and there was a terrible shriek of another woman. This was a reaction to Lise succumbing. Thereafter, arose heard the wail of an infant. Andrei was filled wonder and bewilderment. He realizes he is a father and breaks down.

The doctor came out and walked by Andrei without a word. Andrei went to see his wife, but she was no longer. She lied there with fixed open eyes and a staid expression. Her charming countenance revealed: “I love you all and have done no harm to anyone; and what have you done to me?” She is presented as taking on the sins of those around her.

Three days later the Little Princess was buried and Andrei knew in all of his soul that he was guilty of something he could neither remedy nor forget. This included pursuing military glory when he could have remained closer to her. Another five days passed and then the baby, the young Prince Nicholas Andréevich (which means son of Andrei) was baptized.

As referenced, Tolstoy never knew his own mother, Marya Volkonskya. His mother died roughly five months after the birth of his sister, Marya Nikolaevna Tolstaya, due to complications from the birth. You can see how the name of his mother and sister made its way into what you are reading. Tolstoy appears to be putting all this pathos from his family history into this moment. One could envision the author imagining how his mother looked in death.

Many scholars assert that Tolsoty placed an idealized view of his mother upon the character of Andrei’s sister -- Marya. There is substance to that. Nevertheless, some of this historical influence also likely made it into this final scene with Lise. It is understood that Tolstoy heard family stories and develop affection for his mother. In this chapter, the author saints his mother, in some respect, in having a character who shared his mother's fate take on the sins of her time while bringing forth new life who will have the chance to make the world better.

Lastly, Tolstoy’s mother was from the wealthier side of his family, with a surname that will look familiar to you – Volkonsky. It was Tolstoy's mother who was the heiress to the vast country estate of Yasnaya Polyana, a land which has been compared to the estate of the fictional Bolkonsky family estate of Bald Hills.