Chapter Summaries: Dole: Nikolai tries to present Denisof's petition. Rebuffed. The Emperor. The Emperor's decision.
Briggs: Nikolay manages to get the petition to the Emperor, but it is rejected.
Maude: He tries to present Denisov's petition at the Emperor's residence, but fails
Translation:
XX. Rostov had arrived in Tilsit on a day that was the least handy for petitions for Denisov. Most of all he could not go to the duty officer general, as he was in a tailcoat and without the approval of superiors had arrived at Tilsit, but Boris, should he had even wanted to, could not do this on the next day after the arrival of Rostov. On this day, the 27th of June, were signed the first conditions of peace. The emperor changed orders: Aleksandr received the Legion of Honor, but Napoleon Andrey of the 1st extent, and on this day was assigned a dinner of the Preobrazhensky battalion, which gave him a battalion of French guards. The sovereigns had a must have presence at this banquet. Rostov was so awkward and unpleasant with Boris that when after dinner Boris looked in to him, he pretended to be sleeping and on the next day in the early morning tried to not see him, and went from his home. In a tailcoat and round hat Nikolay wandered by the city, looking at the French and their uniforms, looking at the streets and at the home where lived the Russian and French emperors. In the square he saw placed tables and preparations for dinner, on the street he saw thrown across drapery from the banners of the Russians and French colors and huge monograms of A. and N. In the windows of the houses were also banners and monograms. "Boris does not want to help me, and I do not want to handle him. This business is decided — thought Nikolay — between us all is over, but I will not leave from here until I have done all that can be done for Denisov and the main thing is delivering the letters to the sovereign. The sovereign?!... He is here!" thought Rostov, coming up unwittingly again to the home occupied by Aleksandr. In this home were standing riding horses and the moved in suite, apparently getting ready to leave the sovereign. "All this moment I can see him, — thought Rostov. — if only I could deliver his letter and say everything... is it real that I would be arrested for a tailcoat? Maybe not! He would get on whose side is just. He understands all, knows all. Who again may be fairer and more generous than him? Well, and should they arrest me for that I am here, for what trouble?" — he thought, looking at the officer emerging from the house occupied by the sovereign. —"Because here they rise already. Eh! It’s all nonsense. I will go and serve myself the letter to the sovereign: by that it will be worse for Drubetskoy, who led me to this." And suddenly, with determination, which he himself was not waiting from himself, Rostov, feeling the letter in his pocket, went to the home occupied by the sovereign. "No, now I will not miss the case, as after Austerlitz," he thought, expecting every second to meet the sovereign and feeling the flow of blood to his heart at this thought. —"I will fall on my knees and ask him. He will be lifted, will listen and still thank me." "I am happy when I can do good, and to correct injustice is the greatest happiness," Rostov imagined the words that the sovereign would say to him. And he went past the curious watching him, onto the porch of the occupied by the sovereign home. From the porch the wide stairs led upstairs; to the right was a visibly shuttered door. Downstairs below the ladder was a door to the lower floor. — Who are you? — asked someone. — I am giving a letter, a request to his majesty, — said Nikolay with a trembling voice. — A request — to the duty officer, please here (he indicated to the door downstairs). Only it will not be accepted. Upon hearing this indifferent voice, Rostov was scared of what he did; the idea of meeting the sovereign in a moment was so seductive and so scary for him that he was ready to run, but the fourrier office met him, opened his door to the on duty officer and Rostov entered. A not tall, full person of 30 years-old in white trousers, jackboots and it was seen he was only wearing a cambric shirt, stood in this room; the valet buttoned up his back and his silk-sewn beautiful new belt, which for some reason was seen by Rostov. This person talked with someone formerly in a different room. — Well constructed and fresh,466 — spoke this person and seeing Rostov ceased speaking and frowned. — What for you, anything? A request?... — What is this?467 — asked someone from the other room. — More petitioners,468 — was the response of the person in the belt. — Say to him, after. Now come, we need to go. — After, after, tomorrow. It is late... Rostov turned and wanted to exit, but the person in the belt stopped him. — From whom? Who are you? — From Major Denisov, — was the response of Rostov. — Who are you? An officer? — Lieutenant, Count Rostov. — How courageous! By the command serve. But themselves go, go... — and he began to put on his serving valet uniform. Rostov got out again at the canopy and saw that on the porch were now many officers and generals in complete parade form, past which he needed to take. Cursing his courage, freezing from the thought that any moment he may meet the sovereign and by him be disgraced and sent out for arrest, understanding quite all of the indecency of his acts and repenting in it, Rostov, lowering his eyes, made his way out of the home, surrounded by a crowd of brilliant suites, when a familiar to him voice called out to him and whose hand stopped him. — You, father, for what are you here in a tailcoat? — the bass voice asked him. This was a cavalry general, in this campaign deserving the particular mercy of the sovereign, the former chief of the division in which Rostov served. Rostov scaredly started to justify, but seeing the good-natured and joking face of the general, walked away to the side, in a thrilled voice delivered him all the business, asking for intercession for the famous to the general Denisov. The general, listening to Rostov, seriously shook his head. — Pity, pity for a fine fellow; come on, the letter. Barely did Rostov have time to deliver the letter and say all of the business of Denisov, as from stairs pounded quick steps with spurs and the general, walking away from him, moved to the porch. The gentlemen of the suites of the sovereign fled from the stairs and went to the horses. The horse trainer Ene, the very one that was in Austerlitz, let down the horse to the sovereign, and on the stairs was heard the light creak of steps which now found Rostov. Forgetting the danger of being recognized, Rostov moved with several curious inhabitants to the porch and again, after two years, he saw again those adored features, that same face, that same look, that same gait, that same compound of greatness and meekness... and the feeling of delight and love to sovereign with the same force resurrected in the soul of Rostov. The sovereign in a Preobrazhensky uniform, in white leggings and high jackboots with stars that Rostov did not know (this was the Legion of Honor Star)469 got out onto the porch, held his hat below his hand and put on a glove. He stopped, looking back and illuminated everything around himself with his look. Someone out of the generals said a few words. He also found the former chief of Rostov’s division, smiled at him and called upon him to himself. All of the suite retreated, and Rostov saw how this general said something quite long to the sovereign. The sovereign said a few words to him and made a step, so that to come to the horses. Again the crowd of the suites crowded the streets, where Rostov was, and moved up to the sovereign. Stopping at the horses and taking a hand behind the saddle, the sovereign turned to the cavalry general and said loudly, obviously with desire, so that all heard him. — I cannot, general, I cannot, because the law is stronger than me, — said the sovereign and brought in his leg to the stirrup. The general respectfully tipped his head, the sovereign sat down and went galloping by the street. Rostov, not remembering himself from delight, with the crowd ran for him. 466 Bien faite et la beauté du diable, (Well made and the beauty of the devil,) 467 Qu’est ce que c’est? (What is this?) 468 Encore un petitionnaire, (Again a petitioner,) 469 légion d’honneur (legion of honor) Time: 27th of June (ninth of July in Dole. Bell puts both dates.)
Mentioned: to-morrow
Locations: Tilsit
Mentioned: French, Austerlitz
Pevear and Volkhonsky Notes: Rostov could not go to the general on duty himself “because he was wearing a tailcoat and had come to Tilsit without permission”.
Briggs: Nikolay manages to get the petition to the Emperor, but it is rejected.
Maude: He tries to present Denisov's petition at the Emperor's residence, but fails
Translation:
XX. Rostov had arrived in Tilsit on a day that was the least handy for petitions for Denisov. Most of all he could not go to the duty officer general, as he was in a tailcoat and without the approval of superiors had arrived at Tilsit, but Boris, should he had even wanted to, could not do this on the next day after the arrival of Rostov. On this day, the 27th of June, were signed the first conditions of peace. The emperor changed orders: Aleksandr received the Legion of Honor, but Napoleon Andrey of the 1st extent, and on this day was assigned a dinner of the Preobrazhensky battalion, which gave him a battalion of French guards. The sovereigns had a must have presence at this banquet. Rostov was so awkward and unpleasant with Boris that when after dinner Boris looked in to him, he pretended to be sleeping and on the next day in the early morning tried to not see him, and went from his home. In a tailcoat and round hat Nikolay wandered by the city, looking at the French and their uniforms, looking at the streets and at the home where lived the Russian and French emperors. In the square he saw placed tables and preparations for dinner, on the street he saw thrown across drapery from the banners of the Russians and French colors and huge monograms of A. and N. In the windows of the houses were also banners and monograms. "Boris does not want to help me, and I do not want to handle him. This business is decided — thought Nikolay — between us all is over, but I will not leave from here until I have done all that can be done for Denisov and the main thing is delivering the letters to the sovereign. The sovereign?!... He is here!" thought Rostov, coming up unwittingly again to the home occupied by Aleksandr. In this home were standing riding horses and the moved in suite, apparently getting ready to leave the sovereign. "All this moment I can see him, — thought Rostov. — if only I could deliver his letter and say everything... is it real that I would be arrested for a tailcoat? Maybe not! He would get on whose side is just. He understands all, knows all. Who again may be fairer and more generous than him? Well, and should they arrest me for that I am here, for what trouble?" — he thought, looking at the officer emerging from the house occupied by the sovereign. —"Because here they rise already. Eh! It’s all nonsense. I will go and serve myself the letter to the sovereign: by that it will be worse for Drubetskoy, who led me to this." And suddenly, with determination, which he himself was not waiting from himself, Rostov, feeling the letter in his pocket, went to the home occupied by the sovereign. "No, now I will not miss the case, as after Austerlitz," he thought, expecting every second to meet the sovereign and feeling the flow of blood to his heart at this thought. —"I will fall on my knees and ask him. He will be lifted, will listen and still thank me." "I am happy when I can do good, and to correct injustice is the greatest happiness," Rostov imagined the words that the sovereign would say to him. And he went past the curious watching him, onto the porch of the occupied by the sovereign home. From the porch the wide stairs led upstairs; to the right was a visibly shuttered door. Downstairs below the ladder was a door to the lower floor. — Who are you? — asked someone. — I am giving a letter, a request to his majesty, — said Nikolay with a trembling voice. — A request — to the duty officer, please here (he indicated to the door downstairs). Only it will not be accepted. Upon hearing this indifferent voice, Rostov was scared of what he did; the idea of meeting the sovereign in a moment was so seductive and so scary for him that he was ready to run, but the fourrier office met him, opened his door to the on duty officer and Rostov entered. A not tall, full person of 30 years-old in white trousers, jackboots and it was seen he was only wearing a cambric shirt, stood in this room; the valet buttoned up his back and his silk-sewn beautiful new belt, which for some reason was seen by Rostov. This person talked with someone formerly in a different room. — Well constructed and fresh,466 — spoke this person and seeing Rostov ceased speaking and frowned. — What for you, anything? A request?... — What is this?467 — asked someone from the other room. — More petitioners,468 — was the response of the person in the belt. — Say to him, after. Now come, we need to go. — After, after, tomorrow. It is late... Rostov turned and wanted to exit, but the person in the belt stopped him. — From whom? Who are you? — From Major Denisov, — was the response of Rostov. — Who are you? An officer? — Lieutenant, Count Rostov. — How courageous! By the command serve. But themselves go, go... — and he began to put on his serving valet uniform. Rostov got out again at the canopy and saw that on the porch were now many officers and generals in complete parade form, past which he needed to take. Cursing his courage, freezing from the thought that any moment he may meet the sovereign and by him be disgraced and sent out for arrest, understanding quite all of the indecency of his acts and repenting in it, Rostov, lowering his eyes, made his way out of the home, surrounded by a crowd of brilliant suites, when a familiar to him voice called out to him and whose hand stopped him. — You, father, for what are you here in a tailcoat? — the bass voice asked him. This was a cavalry general, in this campaign deserving the particular mercy of the sovereign, the former chief of the division in which Rostov served. Rostov scaredly started to justify, but seeing the good-natured and joking face of the general, walked away to the side, in a thrilled voice delivered him all the business, asking for intercession for the famous to the general Denisov. The general, listening to Rostov, seriously shook his head. — Pity, pity for a fine fellow; come on, the letter. Barely did Rostov have time to deliver the letter and say all of the business of Denisov, as from stairs pounded quick steps with spurs and the general, walking away from him, moved to the porch. The gentlemen of the suites of the sovereign fled from the stairs and went to the horses. The horse trainer Ene, the very one that was in Austerlitz, let down the horse to the sovereign, and on the stairs was heard the light creak of steps which now found Rostov. Forgetting the danger of being recognized, Rostov moved with several curious inhabitants to the porch and again, after two years, he saw again those adored features, that same face, that same look, that same gait, that same compound of greatness and meekness... and the feeling of delight and love to sovereign with the same force resurrected in the soul of Rostov. The sovereign in a Preobrazhensky uniform, in white leggings and high jackboots with stars that Rostov did not know (this was the Legion of Honor Star)469 got out onto the porch, held his hat below his hand and put on a glove. He stopped, looking back and illuminated everything around himself with his look. Someone out of the generals said a few words. He also found the former chief of Rostov’s division, smiled at him and called upon him to himself. All of the suite retreated, and Rostov saw how this general said something quite long to the sovereign. The sovereign said a few words to him and made a step, so that to come to the horses. Again the crowd of the suites crowded the streets, where Rostov was, and moved up to the sovereign. Stopping at the horses and taking a hand behind the saddle, the sovereign turned to the cavalry general and said loudly, obviously with desire, so that all heard him. — I cannot, general, I cannot, because the law is stronger than me, — said the sovereign and brought in his leg to the stirrup. The general respectfully tipped his head, the sovereign sat down and went galloping by the street. Rostov, not remembering himself from delight, with the crowd ran for him. 466 Bien faite et la beauté du diable, (Well made and the beauty of the devil,) 467 Qu’est ce que c’est? (What is this?) 468 Encore un petitionnaire, (Again a petitioner,) 469 légion d’honneur (legion of honor) Time: 27th of June (ninth of July in Dole. Bell puts both dates.)
Mentioned: to-morrow
Locations: Tilsit
Mentioned: French, Austerlitz
Pevear and Volkhonsky Notes: Rostov could not go to the general on duty himself “because he was wearing a tailcoat and had come to Tilsit without permission”.
Meanwhile, Alexander and Napoleon are bestowing honors on each other, which is why Rostov would not be heard anyway. Rostov is “awkward” around Boris and tries to get away from him as soon as he can in language
that might strike the reader as similar to someone trying to leave after sleeping with a partner they no longer want to have contact with. Rostov decides to deliver the letter himself.
that might strike the reader as similar to someone trying to leave after sleeping with a partner they no longer want to have contact with. Rostov decides to deliver the letter himself.
“He would understand whose side justice is on. He understands everything, knows everything.”
He remembers whenever he had a chance to approach Alexander at Austerlitz and doesn’t want this chance to pass him by too.
The men he has to go through make it obvious that Denisov’s petition is just one in a long line of petitions. Rostov has also broken another “understood” rule by doing what he thinks is right, as he should have appealed
through the chain of command others tell him.
through the chain of command others tell him.
He has too much “boldness”.
However, when he meets a cavalry general that was his former commander and is able to give the story, the general understands and takes the letter.
Rostov sees the sovereign and his love for the sovereign reappears.
“He stopped, looked about, and illuminated everything around him with his gaze.”
Alexander ends the chapter by rather audibly rejecting the petition:
"I cannot, General, and the reason why I cannot is that the law is stronger than I" but noticeably, Rostov's emotion at the end of the chapter is not rejection or disappointment, but "beside himself with rapture".
Characters (characters who do not appear, but are mentioned are placed in italics. First appearances are in Bold. First mentions are underlined. Final appearance denoted by *):
Major Denisof
lieutenant Count Nikolai Rostof
Boris Drubetskoi (you can make the argument that since Rostof is around him early in the chapter, he actually appears in the chapter rather than just being mentioned.)
Emperor Alexander (also "the sovereign". His suite also appears undifferentiated)
Napoleon (though his actual appearance is much less obvious in this chapter than the next one, you could make the argument that the summation of Alexander and Napoleon trading decorations counts as Napoleon being
inside the chapter rather than just being mentioned)
Hayne (this is slightly confusing, as Dole, who calls him (as does Bell) "the equerry", says he is "the same one who had accompanied the sovereign at the battle of Austerlitz", but of course, there has been no Hayne in
the book before him. Perhaps he is the "denschchik or the groom of some person of consequence" in chapter 65. There was also a conversation with someone when Rostov was looking for the sovereign that
talked about Alexander's driver Ilya. Maude and Mandelker call Hayne a "groom". Wiener does as well, but calls him "Ennet." Bell calls him "Heine.")
(There a collection of characters that I am not either entirely sure of their identities or am uncertain as to whether they should be counted as undifferentiated characters rather than pop-up characters that have no
real differentiation: the general-in-charge Rostov couldn't appear to; an officer Rostov sees going in Alexander's living quarters; some one who asks Rostov "What do you wish" and turns him down; the kammer-
fourrier (as in Dole, "harbinger" in Wiener, "sergeant in waiting" in Bell, "official" in Mandelker, "attendant" in Briggs, Garnett, and Edmonds, "chamberlain" in Dunnigan, some translations make it sound like this
is the same some one, while others make it sound like it is someone else who comes up, using some variation of "now"); the short, stout man, thirty years of age; his valet; and most importantly, the general of
cavalry, formerly commander of the division in which Rostof served, who helps him (this is most confusing to me, is he the regimental commander in the Rostov part of the story, the captain Kristen, or a new
character?)
real differentiation: the general-in-charge Rostov couldn't appear to; an officer Rostov sees going in Alexander's living quarters; some one who asks Rostov "What do you wish" and turns him down; the kammer-
fourrier (as in Dole, "harbinger" in Wiener, "sergeant in waiting" in Bell, "official" in Mandelker, "attendant" in Briggs, Garnett, and Edmonds, "chamberlain" in Dunnigan, some translations make it sound like this
is the same some one, while others make it sound like it is someone else who comes up, using some variation of "now"); the short, stout man, thirty years of age; his valet; and most importantly, the general of
cavalry, formerly commander of the division in which Rostof served, who helps him (this is most confusing to me, is he the regimental commander in the Rostov part of the story, the captain Kristen, or a new
character?)
Abridged Versions: End of Chapter 23 in Bell.
Gibian: Chapter 17.
Gibian: Chapter 17.
Fuller: Entire Chapter is cut
Komroff: Some detail and description is removed, but the chapter is preserved overall.
Kropotkin: Some detail and description is removed, but the chapter is preserved overall. End of Part Fifth.
Bromfield: Rostov's immediate contempt for Napoleon, or at least his presupposition of contempt, is changed to seeing him and realizing he is a mortal, very similar to Andrei's impression of Napoleon earlier
in the novel. Emphasis on him still being "Buonaparte" for Rostov. "He still felt that Napoleon and indeed any Frenchman could only ever be a teacher or an actor." The Kozlovsky/Lazarev episode is here,
not following Rostov's attempt to hand in the letter. After the medal episode, Boris and Berg talk briefly, with Rostov feeling the whole celebration being "a cheap farce." Boris and Rostov part with Rostov
(in letter form) telling him that they must part for good and he needs to turn in Denisov's letter. End of Part Three.
Simmons: Chapter 17: other than the short episode where he reveals he is a lieutenant and is cursed for it, the chapter is preserved.
in the novel. Emphasis on him still being "Buonaparte" for Rostov. "He still felt that Napoleon and indeed any Frenchman could only ever be a teacher or an actor." The Kozlovsky/Lazarev episode is here,
not following Rostov's attempt to hand in the letter. After the medal episode, Boris and Berg talk briefly, with Rostov feeling the whole celebration being "a cheap farce." Boris and Rostov part with Rostov
(in letter form) telling him that they must part for good and he needs to turn in Denisov's letter. End of Part Three.
Simmons: Chapter 17: other than the short episode where he reveals he is a lieutenant and is cursed for it, the chapter is preserved.
Additional Notes:
The Forged Coupon: Page 181: “The Emperor sighed, shrugged his shoulders, adorned with epaulettes. “The law,” he said; and raised his glass for the groom of the chamber to pour out some Moselle.
All those present pretended to admire the wisdom of the sovereign’s words. There was no further question about the telegram.”
Davidov: Page 61: "the desire to gawk at Napoleon overcame all these obstacles. Many of our generals, staff officers and others dressed themselves (Page 62) in civilian clothes and managed to stay in Tilsit for several days....
It is worth noting that despite the small distance to Tilsit, the corps under the command of Marshal Lannes was never presented to and reviewed by Emperor Alexander because it consisted only of fragments that were left
after the losses incurred at Heilsberg and Friedland."
Rey: Page 185: "The balance sheet of the Tilsit treaties appears deeply ambivalent on the Russian side. Admittedly, Alexander had saved the peace, and without ceding any part of imperial land, two crucial points for him.
He had saved his Prussian ally and avoided its worst fate, a protectorship of the kingdom of (Page 186) Prussia. And by accepting the principles of zones of influence dictated by Napoleon, he had raised the geopolitical
status of the Russian Empire. But he had to recognize French hegemony in central Europe and accept evacuating the Balkan principalities--without getting any acknowledged legitimacy for Russia to supervise Turkish affairs
(except verbally), and he had to promise to enter into an alliance that made England the new enemy of the Russian Empire, thereby contravening years of bilateral friendship."
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