Characters

Pierre

Around 27 years old (all the years will be approximate because Tolstoy is famously inconsistent with ages. Malloy considers him early 30s). The illegitimate son of the count, an outcast among the aristocrats' gatherings, does not have any fortune until his father dies at the end of Part 1. Illegitimate children of important people are often looked down upon, but following the death he is thrust into a more prominent role. Prior to this, he does not bother with the proper conduct of other aristocrats, often walking away from conversations, having little manners, or only joining conversations to interject his own youthful yet passionate political/philosophical ideals. Everything about him stands out: his appearance, his views, his behavior, and his body movements. Despite his disagreeable persona, it is primarily because he always says what he means, the epitome of genuine in a world of facades, and his behavior is deemed forgivable because of his good heart. His temporary separation from Hélène causes society to lose hope in him. He then ditches his existentialism and atheism and turns to religion (specifically Freemasonry) for a sense of community. To prove his morality tries to do good deeds and get more involved in middle-class culture, oblivious to how his "good deeds" (freeing servants and women from work) actually make things worse. Following Natasha and Andrey's engagement and the death of his Masonic benefactor, he becomes depressed.

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Natasha

Around 19 years old. At the start of the novel she is 13 years old, but even at that age she could charm a room. Although her livelihood reminded people of an uncorrupt youth, she was quickly growing up and wanted to be treated as such. She quickly develops feelings for Boris, a fellow aristocrat. Says about Sonya: "If she loves anybody, it'll be for ever. I can't understand that. I forget things so easily." In 1809 her family goes into debt and moves to St. Petersburg. At this time she continues her relationship with Boris, who has returned from war, but they soon end things, primarily because the Rostovs can't afford a dowry. (Scroll down to Relationships to see what happens from then to 1811).

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Sonya

21 years old. The orphaned cousin of Natasha who lives with Natasha's family. Consistently described with a gentle exterior, extremely passionate about others, whether it be Natasha or Nikolay (the cousin she is in love with). Her childish and giddy crush on Nikolay quickly turns to insecurity and despair when he finds someone else, especially when Natasha simultaneously finds good fortune with Boris.​

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Anatole

Around 25 years old. The youngest of the Kuragins, the black sheep due to this disregard of the rules, so unpredictable that even the royalty is cautious of him. In the first chapter of the novel, his father says "I wouldn't admit this to anyone else, but my children are the bane of my life." Early in the book he serves in the army. Anatole's spending habits are known to cost his family much of their fortune. His father tries to reform him by marrying him off to Mary (and her dowry could counteract his spending habits), but he spends the entire time flirting with Madame Bourienne, and Mary refuses. He's not necessarily the best conversationalist, but unmatched in his undying confidence. His aloofness intrigues women, and he is notorious for his many affairs with actresses and married women. The symbol of corruption, where Natasha is described as having untouchable purity.

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Hélène

Around 26 years old. Consistently described as beautiful, radiant, an air of perfection, whose proper mannerisms are expected to be a good influence on Pierre's contrasting conduct. Generally cold and unpleasant, but we only really hear about her cruelty from Pierre talking about her, so whether she is actually pure evil cannot be confirmed or denied. Following her separation from Pierre, she assumes a dignified stance, placing her as a determined victim to Pierre's troublemaking reputation. Between when they separate and get back together, she had enhanced her reputation of beauty, charm, and wit.

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Mary

Around 27 years old. Lives with her isolated father, praying every day for a positive interaction with him and avoiding his presence at all costs. Her one source of solidarity is her best friend, Julie, who she consistently writes to. Had a "gloomy, frightened look that rarely left her, making her sickly, plain face even plainer,” but had eyes that "held a greater appeal than mere beauty," though she could never see her own beauty. Her intense religious belief prevents her from allowing her self resentment towards her father, even refusing marriage to Anatole out of loyalty to her father. She almost marries Boris, and is desperate to marry anyone to get away from her father, but he is pressured into marrying Julie instead. She only exposes her loneliness to Pierre when he visits shortly before she meets Natasha, and the two of them seem to form a natural kinship.

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Marya D. 

58 years old. Related to Count Rostov. Natasha's godmother. The "dreaded dragon," not particularly wealthy or high-rank, but celebrated for her sharp wit and straightforwardness. Her crude behavior stirs up gossip, but she is feared and respected by everyone. Doesn't come up much between Part 1 and when the Rostovs stay with her. After visiting Bolkonsky she says "He thought it fit to shout at me. But I can shout with the best. I gave as good as I got."

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Bolkonsky

60s. A former commander-in-chief, renowned in high society but now spending his older years in Bald Hills with his daughter, happy to be secluded. He instills in Mary the value of hard work, resulting in a demanding and fearsome persona. He consistently berates and insults Mary, finding joy in her fear and obedience. When Andrey proposes to Natasha, he becomes worse to Mary as he takes his anger out on her.

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Andrey

Around 33 years old. A rule follower, begins as Pierre's foil because of their contrasting views: Pierre values Napoleon bringing in new ideas, while Andrey values the king maintaining order. He puts major emphasis on persona, believing someone is still good as long as their private corruption does not affect their public reputation. He believes his class and status is the result of destiny and greater purpose, the middle-class are meant to work and he is meant not to, and living for oneself is preferable to self-sacrifice and remorse. When he goes off to war, he believes he will turn out to be a hero, seeing danger as an opportunity to warn and save the army and even saying he would give up his family and loved ones for one moment of glory and fame. However, his idolization of war and Napoleon turns to disillusionment when he meets Napoleon and sees the meaningless of war. He returns home in 1807 only for his wife to die in childbirth. He spends the next 2 years raising his son, then begins his relationship with Natasha. (Scroll down to Relationships for what happens between meeting Natasha and leaving.)

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Dolokhov

Mid-20s. "A man of small means and no connections," but implied to be from an esteemed family, and eventually grows to great notoriety after he allegedly acted "as minister to some ruling prince in Persia, where he killed the Shah’s brother." Mainly appears as the part of Anatole and Pierre's friend group, about 25 years old when the duel happens but 31 in 1811, and begins the novel living with Anatole. A military officer whose rank was reduced after getting in trouble with Anatole and Pierre, a notorious gambler and duelist with an impressive alcohol tolerance. The three of them make each other rowdier, going to bars together and playing games. After he gets injured in war, he goes to live with Pierre, where he begins an affair with Hélène. Dolokhov is typically the tough guy of the three, believed to be somewhat of a bully who cares about very little and seems to have no connections, but when he is shot, reveals a deep devotion to his family (the duel happens earlier in the book, Dave Malloy just moved that plot point into the 1811 storyline). 

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Balaga

In Dave Malloy's words, "probably a few millennia into immortal." A well-known troika driver who had known Anatole and Dolokhov for 6 years and drove them around. Doesn't appear in the novel prior to when he appears in the musical, but he is the only named character who belongs to the peasant class. Based on research and character background, his daring and ruthless reputation might be inseparable from the exotified view of peasants by the upper class, especially those under Western education. While other lower class characters present as wise and warm, Balaga's adventures surely place him separate from the proper, rich characters, especially because he has no need for the disingenuous facade of the socialites. He also represents a pride in Russian culture deemed "barbaric" by the West, representing the Anatole, Pierre, and Dolokhov who gets in trouble at bars rather than the ones who dress up for parties. However, Tolstoy also portrays the lower class as uninteresting and lacking individuality, only acknowledged when useful to the rich. He expresses no interest in the lives of the working culture in Russia.

 

A little bit of context on troikas: troika drivers require years of training,  often beginning at a young age and needing to be physically fit in order to handle the weight of maneuvering horses. Troikas were icons of Russia, the most efficient source of travel and a staple at festivals due to their beauty and grace.