War and Peace, Book 2: 1805, Chapter 8 summary
Book 2: 1805, Chapter 8 of 365 · 14 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 8, Nicholas Rostóv faces French artillery as the hussars retreat across a bridge and then return to burn it after confused orders. The bridge catches fire, but casualties shatter his cheerful confidence, while the colonel celebrates success and Rostóv privately mistakes his fear of death for cowardice.
What happens
- Denísov’s squadron waits under French cannon fire, and Rostóv takes pride in appearing calm.
- The colonel refuses Denísov’s request to attack and orders the hussars across the bridge.
- Several messengers demand that the bridge be burned, and the colonel disputes what his earlier orders mean.
- Denísov’s squadron returns to the bridge, while Rostóv imagines that the colonel means to test his courage.
- The hussars ignite the bridge under grapeshot, and Rostóv sees a wounded man carried away.
- Rostóv fears death and calls himself a coward, while the colonel reports success and minimizes the losses.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The narrator separates Rostóv’s private shame from his comrades’ understanding. His fear does not mark him out as unusually cowardly.
Quick check
Why can Rostóv not help ignite the bridge?
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