War and Peace, Book 10: 1812, Chapter 8 summary
Book 10: 1812, Chapter 8 of 365 · 14 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 8, Princess Mary refuses to abandon her father, who suffers a stroke and is moved to Boguchárovo as the French approach. During his illness, she struggles with wishes for freedom, receives his affection and plea for forgiveness, and confronts his death after a second stroke.
What happens
- The old prince prepares to defend Bald Hills, but Princess Mary refuses his order to leave him.
- He suffers a stroke, and the household moves him to Boguchárovo, where he remains paralyzed for three weeks.
- Mary nurses him while struggling with thoughts of freedom and guilt about wishing his suffering would end.
- As French forces approach, Mary prepares to leave, but her father becomes clearer and asks for her.
- He thanks Mary, asks forgiveness, grieves for Russia, and suffers another stroke after she leaves his room.
- Mary discovers that he is dead, recoils from his body, and the household prepares him for burial.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Mary openly recognizes the wish beneath her anxious waiting. Her self-disgust exposes the conflict between devotion to her father and longing for release.
Quick check
What request does Tíkhon finally understand during the prince’s conversation with Mary?
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