War and Peace, Book 3: 1805, Chapter 10 summary
Book 3: 1805, Chapter 10 of 365 · 8 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 10, Nicholas Rostóv spends a successful engagement in reserve, buys a captured French horse, and loses his disappointment when the Emperor approaches. Seeing Alexander’s distress over a wounded soldier deepens Rostóv’s devotion, and the evening celebrations turn military confidence into an intense desire to die before the sovereign’s eyes.
What happens
- On November sixteenth, Rostóv’s squadron remains in reserve while other troops capture Wischau and a French cavalry squadron.
- Rostóv buys a captured horse from Cossacks and gives money to its anxious French rider.
- The Emperor approaches, briefly meets Rostóv’s eyes, and replaces his disappointment with overwhelming happiness.
- In Wischau, Rostóv watches the Emperor react with tears and distress to a wounded soldier.
- The troops celebrate their success, Denísov marks his promotion, and Rostóv leads an enthusiastic toast to Alexander.
- After Denísov compares his devotion to love, Rostóv wanders among campfires imagining death before the Emperor’s eyes.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The Emperor responds to the wounded soldier with visible distress. His response places suffering beside the army’s celebration of victory.
Quick check
What immediately ends Rostóv’s disappointment about missing the fighting?
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