War and Peace Lesson Plan

Why do you think Marya chooses to put others' happiness above her own? What does this tell you about her character and relationships?

Even though Marya very much wants to be married and to have a family, and is very attracted to Anatole, she tells her father and Prince Vasili that she's decided not to marry him because she want to never leave her father. Furthermore, she pledges that she will derive her happiness through self-sacrifices to promote the happiness of others; specifically, she wants to do whatever she can to help Mademoiselle Bourienne marry Anatole, even if that means Marya needs to give her enough money for a dowry. Because of the emotionally abusive...