War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

Before the Rostov dinner, the men get together to talk politics and smoke cigars. We get a look at Count Rostov’s personality among the boys. He earns a cheap thrill in getting his intimates to debate the issues of the day. Seated on each side of him is Shinshin (Pyotr Nikolaitch) and Lt. Alphonse Berg. Both think they are quite charming. Shinshin is described as on old bachelor with a sallow complexion who tries to look much younger and dresses in the height of fashion. He is a relative of Countess Rostova. Berg is talking about how he plans to profit off his position in the Army and notes that with war on the horizon, he may merit a promotion if one of his superiors should be killed. He seems oblivious that he would be next in line to perish. Berg loves to talk about himself and is pursuing Vera Rostov, more for the connection than for any type of love for her. The political talk then centers on the Manifesto of War issued by Emperor Alexander, where Russia joined the Coalition against Napoleon. The Manifes