Elisabeta Karlovna Bolkonskaya

"The little princess"

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

BOOK ONE

Part One

1 Jan: Chapter 1

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

2 Jan: 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.

3 Jan: 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.

5 Jan: 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.

6 Jan: 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.

22 Jan: 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.

23 Jan: 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.

24 Jan: 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.

25 Jan: 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.

Book 1 Part 3

18 Feb: Chapter 3

At Bald Hills, she “lived in constant fear” of the old prince. There is mutual antipathy between them and contempt from Bolkonsky. “She was much altered. She was now plain rather than pretty. Her cheeks had sunk, her lip was drawn up, and her eyes drawn down.” She does not sound well at all. In all sincerity, she tries to dress up Marya to make her look pretty for Anatole.

19 Feb: Chapter 4

The little princess engages Prince Vasili in small talk, based on “merry reminiscences” that don't exist but “lively chatty” people like to believe in. She flirts with Anatole almost out of habit, “like an old war-horse that hears the trumpet.” But she is the only one who will not let Anatole kiss her, not until she hears that he is behaving himself.

20 Feb: Chapter 5

Lise cannot sleep. Her pregnancy makes lying down uncomfortable, and Anatole has reminded her of her life before.

BOOK TWO

Book Two, Part One

13 Mar: Chapter 7

As her pregnancy nears, Liza has “an inner, happy calm” expression, and her thoughts are turned towards “something joyful and mysterious taking place within her.” Marya decides not to tell her about the letter from Kutuzov and that the old Prince believes Andrei was killed at Austerlitz.

14 Mar: Chapter 8

On the 19 March, after breakfast, she complains of indigestion and retires. She goes into labour, and the midwife and doctor are called.

15 Mar: Chapter 9

Andrei goes in to see Liza. She says nothing. “His coming had nothing to do with her sufferings or with their relief.” Soon after, their son is born, and Liza dies. Both Bolkonsky men read the reproach of her face: What have you done to me? Andrei feels “guilty of a sin he could neither remedy nor forget.”