War and Peace

Nikolai hunts wolves. Most of the Rostovs take part in the hunt, including Natasha and Nikolai’s younger brother Petya. Nikolai loves charging across the open fields on horseback. He plays a key role in catching an old female wolf while the rest of the party kills her cubs. The long hunt leads the party to the edge of their property. A neighbor named Ilagin crosses their path and, after a brief misunderstanding, they hunt hares together. Nikolai tests his favorite dogs against Ilagin’s own pack. Later, Nikolai and his siblings visit the home of a different set of neighbors who are distant relatives. The patriarch of that family entertains them with his guitar playing. Later that evening, Nikolai and his siblings wrap themselves up in furs and take a sleigh ride back to their home. Nikolai and Natasha talk while they look at the starry sky. Natasha confesses that she will never be as happy as when she is with her brother. Nikolai secretly worries that he will never find anyone whom he loves as much as Natasha.

Count Rostov must resign from the local government due to his financial troubles. He cannot afford the lavish dinners needed to entertain others, a key requirement for any politician. The family’s debts continue to pile up, and the Rostovs place all their hope on Nikolai. They want him to marry a woman from a wealthy family. A match with one of Vasili’s daughters comes to nothing. Natasha pines for Andrei, who is not expected to return for months. A sad mood affects everyone in the Rostov house.

At Christmas, Natasha quickly becomes bored with the festivities and tells her mother how much she misses Andrei. She reminisces about the past with Nikolai and Sonya. Her mother cries, worried that something deep in her daughter’s personality means Natasha will never truly be happy. One day, the children dress up in elaborate costumes to visit their neighbors. Nikolai finds himself increasingly attracted to Sonya. He tells her that he intends to marry her.

Sonya and Natasha talk about their marriage prospects. They play a game with mirrors that is supposed to show them their future husband. The girls are confused when Natasha does not see anyone and Sonya sees Andrei. Sonya tries to comfort a distressed Natasha.

Nikolai tells his parents of his intention to marry Sonya. His parents reject the proposal. Nikolai’s father feels guilty that he cannot afford for his son to marry the woman he loves, but his mother blames Sonya for seducing her son. Sonya feels conflicted. She feels a duty to the family that took her in but cannot deny her love for Nikolai. Natasha feels compelled to step in and find a diplomatic solution to the situation. Nikolai returns to his army unit with plans to retire from the service, while his father arranges to sell the family estates. Natasha is sad that Andrei cannot be with her and resents that he does not have to endure the unpleasantness faced by her family. She travels to Moscow with her father and Sonya, hoping to see Andrei again.