War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

The magnificent banquet honoring General Bagration was held in Moscow on March 3, 1806 at the English Club, a great marble hall with a series of smaller saloons. This celebration is remembered for its fervor amidst defeat. A source Tolstoy used for this was the first-hand account by the English writer & diplomat, Robert Ker Porter, who ironically notes that by 1806, there were not three English members of this social club.  Tolstoy has all the rooms humming with conversation, like bees swarming in Spring. Many guests were elderly and respected personages who could be found at their usual places. A smaller set were younger, some returning from Austerlitz. This is symbolized by Denísov, Rostov and Dolokhov— the latter who is said to be having an affair with Pierre’s wife. The faces of youth expressed “We honor and respect you, our elders, but remember, the future belongs to us.” Pierre was surrounded by subservience to his wealth. He now belonged to a class he quickly grew contemptuous of. He was no longer