Wednesday, March 19, 2014

What is thepoint of the long hunting scene in War and Peace?

War and Peace, by Tolstoy. Starting in Volume II, part IV, chapter 3, Nikolay Rostov decides to take the dogs out hunting for wolves and hares. A small army of Rostovs, dogs, handlers, serfs, neighbors, a taciturn "Uncle" and all their horses swarm into the forest to catch these unfortunate animals. It's interesting because Tolstoy wrote it. It goes on for five chapters! Twenty five pages. They catch a wolf and a hare, serfs fight with neighboring serfs, "Uncle" treats Nikolay, Natasha, and Petya to roast chicken, tasty things, and vodka. It's all fun. It's all an exhausting day for the Rostovs. I was getting a little annoyed. What's the  purpose of this lengthy scene? Is it to show Natasha's still-girlish spirits while she waits for the year to pass so she can marry Prince Andrey? Is it to show what happens in the peacetime of "Peace" from the title?