Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Volume II, Book II, Chapter XVI

It's April.

There's a long description of the dugouts they're living in. Rostov and Denisov are lucky, and Denisov gets great treatment because his men love him so much.

The next thing that we see is Rostov coming back from a night of duty, and seeing Denisov in a huff. He comes in, angry about something, and leaves again. When Rostov wakes, Denisov is coming back with provisions, followed by two captains who are angry with him for seizing a transport of provisions, saying that they're soldiers haven't eaten in two days. Denisov says his haven't eaten in two weeks, and they can say whatever they like.

The regimental commander advises him to go and take care of it, before proceedings can be started. He goes to see the staff, but is not immediately recieved. He storms in and sees Telyanin, and is so upset about being accused that he punches Telyanin.

Of course, when the story is retold, Denisov is said to have been drunk, stormed in, and attacked. A summons arrives. When they go into battle, Denisov gets hit in the thigh, and decides to go to the hospital.

I hope this is the end of him. I hope they haven't broken him. Tolstoy is great at illustrating the ridiculousness of heirarchy in the army, more specifically in the unequal treatment. Denisov is treated well by his men as he looks out for them. The army, though, looks out for no one but itself. And for the care of those at the top. Denisov, I fear, does not stand a chance. I do love Denisov's "ghr" dialect.

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