War and Peace, Book 11: 1812, Chapter 25 summary
Book 11: 1812, Chapter 25 of 365 · 15 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 25, Theodore Vasílyevich Rostopchín directs a waiting crowd against Vereshchágin, whose killing briefly restores his sense of authority but leaves him shaken by guilt. He defends the act as service to the public, then confronts Kutúzov over abandoning Moscow and ends by directing traffic at the bridge.
What happens
- With his authority slipping away, Rostopchín faces a crowd expecting to fight the French and seeking explanations for apparent treachery.
- Rostopchín accuses Vereshchágin of ruining Moscow and orders violence; a dragoon strikes him, and the crowd kills him.
- Rostopchín leaves in distress, then reassures himself that the killing both punishes a criminal and satisfies the crowd.
- A released asylum inmate runs beside his carriage, and the encounter brings back Vereshchágin’s frightened face and Rostopchín’s remorse.
- At the Yaúza bridge, Rostopchín blames Kutúzov for Moscow’s abandonment, falls silent before his response, and begins clearing blocked carts.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The narrator identifies the excuse behind Rostopchín’s temporary calm. His claim to serve others conceals his personal anger and responsibility.
Quick check
What sentence does the Senate actually impose on Vereshchágin?
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