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Personification
Definition of Satire
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of satire, but satirists can take... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians... read full definition
Volume 1, Part 3: Chapters 1–5
Explanation and Analysis—Russian High Society:
In a highly satirical passage, Pierre finds that he has become much more socially desirable after inheriting the substantial fortune of his deceased father, Duke Bezukhov.
All these various persons—business connections, relations, acquaintances—were equally well and benignly disposed towards the young heir; they were all obviously and indubitably convinced of Pierre’s high merits. He so constantly heard the words: “With your extraordinary kindness,” or “With your excellent heart,” or “You yourself, Count, are so pure …,” or “If he were as intelligent as you are,” and so on [...] Even people who had formerly been wicked and obviously hostile became affectionate and loving with him.
Previously, Pierre was met with a cold reception in Russian high society. Despite his fashionable clothes, he was not raised in Russia and commits several faux pas at a soiree held by Anna Pavlovna. Further, the three princesses and Prince Vassily at first resent Pierre, mistakenly believing that he intends to obtain his father's fortune by scheming.
Now, however, Pierre is the undisputed inheritor of a vast fortune and the title of Duke Bezukhov. Satirizing what he regards as the shallow, greedy, and elitist aspects of Russian high society, Tolstoy notes wryly that the society that once rejected Pierre now praises his "high merits." Now that he is wealthy, those who had been "obviously hostile" to Pierre in the past have become "affectionate and loving with him." Nothing about Pierre's character or behavior has changed in this short time, of course. Instead, Tolstoy implies, people treat Pierre better simply because he is now a rich man.
Related Themes:
Volume 3, Part 2: Chapters 6–12
Explanation and Analysis—St. Petersburg at War :
At various points in the novel, Tolstoy satirizes the high society clubs and soirees of St. Petersburg, a comparatively modern and fashionable city that, Tolstoy suggests, largely follows trends imported from Europe, particularly France. As Napoleon's invasion of Russia kicks into high gear, Tolstoy offers a satirical portrait of the "salon circles" of St. Petersburg:
Recently, after the sovereign’s arrival from the army, some sort of flurry had gone on in these opposing salon circles, and there had been some sort of demonstrations against each other, but the tendencies of the circles remained the same. [...] Prince Vassily, who occupied all the same important posts, was the connecting link between the two circles. He visited ma bonne amie Anna Pavlovna, and he visited dans le salon diplomatique de ma fille, and often, in his ceaseless moves from one camp to the other, became confused and said at Anna Pavlovna’s what ought to have been said at Hélène’s [...]
Here, Tolstoy's satirical description emphasizes what he regards as the frivolity of the upper classes in St. Petersburg in the early 19th century. While tens of thousands of men endure unbearable conditions and face death in the battlefield, those who have remained in St. Petersburg set up "opposing salon circles," some of which, such as that run by Anna Pavlovna, are pro-Russia, and others of which, such as Hélène's, are sympathetic to France. Though the participants of these rival salons take their political activities seriously, even organizing "demonstrations against each other," their actions have virtually zero impact on the outcome of the war.
Further, Tolstoy directs a good deal of his satire here at Prince Vassily who, always eager to advance up the social ladder, has been attending both salons, occasionally forgetting where he is and inadvertently praising the wrong party in front of the wrong group. For the scheming Vassily, the conflict is just another means to personal gain, as he has few firm beliefs or commitments.
Related Themes:
