War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

This episode provides analysis of Book 1, Part 1, Chapter 1. Podnotes by Sean Roman are intended as a study guide and to provide context to the great work by Leo Tolstoy.Chapter 1 introduces the antagonist, Napoleon, who is being discussed at an evening soirée as a threat to all Europe. The hostess, Anna Pavlovna Scherer, an unmarried socialite, around 40 years of age, posits that only Emperor Alexander can save Europe from the legendary general.  An early guest arrives, the Count Vasili Kuragin, who turns the conversation to something more relatable, his unmarried children. There is the beautiful Helene, the prodigal Anatole, and the dull Hippolyte. Anna proposes to be matchmaker for Anotole, who has the reputation of a playboy. Anna believes that Princess Mary, the soulful daughter of old General Nicholas Bolkonsky would be a perfect match. As Princess Mary is rich and from a good family, Count Vasili is encouraged by the idea.