War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

Note: There are NO spoilers in the the infamous 2nd Epilogue to War & Peace, which is analyzed in bonus chapters. This final part of the novel involves a metaphysical exploration of the philosophy underlying the book.As Tolstoy (through Marya Bolkonskaya) expressed early in the novel, it is preferable to abide by the laws described by Christ rather than academic sources. Tolstoy posits that history cannot take a step forward {what he means is that an understanding of history can’t be approached} until there is a return to belief in a divinity that interferes in human affairs. Though Tolstoy wants to advance his Faith in an all-knowing and omni-benevolent God, he realizes that within the age of Enlightenment, such a switch is not possible. The subtext of this chapter is to trust the wisdom of God more than “enlightened minds” trying to interpret history.Tolstoy attempts to come to an understanding of the concept of power; and what he means is the force that produces historical events, a province formerly a