Jireh G.

Cabasag

BSEd – Mathematics 2

Great Books

Elaborate

War and Peace

Activity 1

Intellectual Discussion

Literal Questions and Discussions.

1. What was the agenda of Anna Pavlovna Schere in meeting with Prince Vasili Kuragin? B-
1.
 Anna Pavlovna Schere spoke to her old friend Prince Vasili Kuragin about the
threat Napoleon brings to Russia, calling him an Antichrist and declaring that
Russia will save Europe alone.
2. What favor did Prince Vasili Kuragin asked from Anna in return?
 He asked Anna to arrange a meeting between his son Anatole with the daughter
of the rich Prince Bolkonski, Mary Bolkonski.
3. Who believes that peace is still possible at that time?
 The one who believed that peace was still possible at that time is Pierre.
4. What nations were allies and at war with what nation during the war in 1805? B-2.
 The nation that were allies are Russia and Austria.
5. Identify the illegitimate son and heir to the fortune of count Bezukhova.
 The illegitimate son and heir to the fortune of count Bezukhova is Pierre.
6. Why do you think that the critics of Pierre suddenly becomes very friendly to him? B-3.
 One of the critics of Pierre is Vasili Kuragin who has an ulterior motive of marrying
his daughter Helene to him and borrowing forty thousand rubbles.
7. Explain what happened to Pierre and Dolokhov during the duel.
 During the duel, Pierre wounds Dolokhov severely, and wrongly assumes that he
killed him. With this thing happens, it leads to the separation of Pierre and Helene
agreeing that the latter will receive a part of Pierre’s fortune and because of this
Pierre departs alone for St. Petersburg.
8. What was the greatest transformation in the life of Pierre after he left his unfaithful
wife, Helene? B-5.
 He met a stranger wearing a Masonic ring. After knowing the stranger, Pierre
decided to join the Freemason which influenced his personal and fortunes greatly.
9. Discuss the significance of the old oak tree to Prince Andrey’s realization of “Life”. B-6.
  Prince Andrei is unable to overlook the oak's obnoxious ugly appearance. He
ponders its significance and comes to the conclusion that he is the oak, serving as
a sobering reminder that, in spite of the Spring's fake joy and vigor, everyone is
helpless and that the only things that are constant in life are old age and death.
10. Discuss the reasons why Pierre discontinued his affiliation with the Freemasonry Society.
 Being frustrated with Freemasonry's mysticism and passivity, Pierre becomes
aware of its limitations. After giving a speech at the Masonic lodge, his discontent
turns to open disobedience, and his religious faith nearly completely vanishes.
11. Explain the changes that Pierre had noticed in his wife after they were reconciled as
husband and wife.
 He noticed that she is always amazing at how her stupidity can be considered the
expression of intelligence, how her least remark gains rapt attention.
12. Examine and explain the effect of Bazdyev on Pierre’s spirituality. B-8.
 After Bazdyev’s death, Pierre lost his interest in religious life. He only sees the evil in
every human activity.

Inference

1. What does Tolstoy mean with this, “ inspite of the war, inspite of all the self-
sacrificing, people continue with their personal lives, these daily human
activities are more significant than the public ones we know. Those who are
concerned with their immediate problems, has the most utilized role in history,
while those who tries hard to hold the general flow of events, and try by
heroism and self-sacrifice to take a hand in it, are the most useless in society."?
 It expresses Tolstoy belief that the daily human interests and activities of ordinary
people are more important than the public events and heroic actions that are
often celebrated in history books. Tolstoy argues that people who are focused on
their immediate problems and concerns, such as providing for their families or
pursuing their personal goals, are playing a more useful role in society than those
who are striving to influence the course of history through acts of heroism and
self-sacrifice. Tolstoy's view reflects his belief in the importance of individual
agency and the idea that history is shaped not just by great leaders and events,
but also by the actions and choices of ordinary people. He suggests that the most
meaningful contributions to society are made through the small, everyday actions
of individuals, rather than through grand gestures or attempts to shape the course
of history.
2. Expound this statement, “ Happiness is merely the absence of suffering”.
 The statement "Happiness is merely the absence of suffering" implies that
happiness is simply the relief of suffering, and that if we are not experiencing pain
or discomfort, we can be considered happy. While this view has some merit, it is
limited in that it ignores the active pursuit and creation of positive experiences
and meaning, as well as the fact that happiness can coexist with suffering.
 3. Pierre was happy despite cruelty and deprivation he experienced in the hands of
the French army while in prison.
 The character of Pierre is optimistic and he considered everything that happened
in his life good and able to turn it into positive.
4. Explain this, “ Life is God, and to love life is to love God”, Pierre Bezuhov.
 When we say life, it refers to our daily experiences, bad and good. But there is no
such thing as bad, when we trust God in His ways. We only suffers bad
experiences because of our poor decisions, and sometimes, God allows us to face
the consequences of our poor decisions to teach us.
 So if we love life, we must care of it through our decisions (mental), actions
(physical), and by choosing healthy peers (social and emotional), and by reading
God’s word (spiritual).
 Life is God because He is the author of life, and when we know God, we know how
to love for God is love. So, choose God as we care of our life for we can only find
Eternity of Life and Love in His presence.

Evaluation

War and Peace Book 1 Characters

 Anna Pavlovna Scherer – Old friend of Prince Vasili Kuragin, the one that spoke to Prince Vasili
about the threat Napoleon brings to Russia.
 Prince Vasili Kuragin – A self-seeking man who has a low opinion of his children but seeks to
further their interests. Convinces Pierre Bezukhov to marry his daughter Helene despite Pierre's
reservations.
 Helene Kuragin – Beautiful but shallow and self-serving woman, daughter of Prince Vasili. She
accedes to parental pressure and marries Pierre.
 Pierre Bezukhov – Illegitimate son of Count Bezukhov. He inherits his father's enormous fortune
and, passively obeying the desires of others, marries the beautiful but shallow Helene Kuragin.
 Marya Fedorovna – Empress of Russia.
 Anatole – One of Prince Vasili’s sons.
 Prince Bolkonski – Father of Marya Bolkonski.
 Marya Bolkonskaya – Daughter of Prince Bolkonski.
 Lise Bolkonski – Bolkonski’s daughter-in-law who is married to his military son Andrew.
 Andrew Bolkonski – Son of Prince Bolkonski.
 Hippolyte Kuragin – Son of Prince Vasili.
 The Rostovs – Anna’s wealthy relatives in Moscow.
 Natasha Rostov – Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov.
 Nicholas Rostov – Brother of Natasha Rostov.
Book 1. Plot of the Story

Exposition

 It was in July, 1805 at a society party in St. Petersburg, Anna Pavlovna Scherer speak to her old
friend Prince Vasili Kuragin about the threat Napoleon brings to Russia, calling him an Antichrist
and declaring that Russia will save Europe alone.

Initial Action

 Prince Vasili Kuragin asks a favour from Anna to arrange a meeting between his son Anatole
with the daughter of the rich Prince Bolkonski, Mary Bolkonski.

Rising Action

 The simple and ungainly son of Count Bezukhov who studied abroad and just came back to
Russia arrived in the party, his name is Pierre Bezukhov.

Climax

 After the party, Pierre visited Andrew’s house where they talked about the idea of peace that
Pierre really believed it is possible.

Falling Action

 Anna went to her wealthy relatives in Moscow, the Rostovs. There they discussed Pierre’s
uncivilized lifestyle.

Resolution

 Anna visited her dying godfather Cyril Bezukhov, there they were greeted by Vasili Kuragin heir
to the Bezukhov’s fortune due to Pierre’s illegitimacy.