Elisabeta Karlovna Bolkonskaya

"The little princess"

Princess Elizaveta Karlovna, née Meinen
Also known as: Lise, Liza, “the little princess”

BOOK ONE

Part One

Chapter 1

We learn of her first as Lise Meinen, the newly-wed wife of the promising young officer Andrei Bolkonsky.

Chapter 2

And here she is: “the most seductive woman in Petersburg”. She is pregnant and no longer goes out in high society, only to “small receptions” like this one. We are introduced to her downy upper lip, a “defect” that was “her own special and peculiar form of beauty”. She has brought her needlework, and her presence lights up the room. She says her husband Andrei is deserting her to get himself killed in this wretched war.

Chapter 3

The little princess is a “lively” contrast to her “quiet” and “weary” husband, Andrei. She goes everywhere with his needles and workbag, prompting the men to lead the conversation.

Chapter 5

On leaving the soirée, she lets Anna Pavlovna know that she will write to her sister-in-law, Marya Bolkonskaya, about the proposed match between the rich heiress and the rake Anatole Kuragin. She makes it to her carriage despite the awkward and lecherous Prince Ippolit.

Chapter 6

Lise speaks for all humanity when she says, “I don’t in the least understand why men can’t live without wars.” And then she speaks for herself, when she asks Andrei: “What have I done to you? You are going to the war and have no pity for me.” Six months ago, they were in love, but now Andrei is abandoning her. Or so it seems.

Chapter 22

The light of society life is bundled up in a carriage, soon to arrive in the cold-hearted house of her in-laws.

Chapter 23

She arrives at Bald Hills as though arriving at a ball and is delighted to meet her sister-in-law, whom she has only met once. They are united in their sadness about Andrei going to war.

Chapter 24

Her father-in-law talks to her in such a cold way. Afterwards, she tells Marya he is clever, but she is afraid of him. And Marya assures her that he is very kind.

Chapter 25

She had cried herself to sleep, after confiding in Marya about “her forebodings”. Marya calls her a “dear, merry child”, a young society woman who will find it so hard in the country. She chatters to Marya about Petersburg life in a manner that depresses Andrei. And when he says goodbye, she faints.