“ The whole world is now for me divided into two halves: one half is she, and there all is joy, hope, light: the other half is everything where she is not, and there is all gloom and darkness... ”
Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace (1869). copy citation
| Author | Leo Tolstoy |
|---|---|
| Source | War and Peace |
| Topic | love darkness joy |
| Date | 1869 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2600/2600-h/2600-h.htm |
Context
“Now he boldly and lightly made plans for an extended future, said he could not sacrifice his own happiness to his father's caprice, and spoke of how he would either make his father consent to this marriage and love her, or would do without his consent; then he marveled at the feeling that had mastered him as at something strange, apart from and independent of himself.
«I should not have believed anyone who told me that I was capable of such love,» said Prince Andrew. «It is not at all the same feeling that I knew in the past. The whole world is now for me divided into two halves: one half is she, and there all is joy, hope, light: the other half is everything where she is not, and there is all gloom and darkness….»
«Darkness and gloom,» reiterated Pierre: «yes, yes, I understand that.»
«I cannot help loving the light, it is not my fault. And I am very happy! You understand me? I know you are glad for my sake.»” source
«I should not have believed anyone who told me that I was capable of such love,» said Prince Andrew. «It is not at all the same feeling that I knew in the past. The whole world is now for me divided into two halves: one half is she, and there all is joy, hope, light: the other half is everything where she is not, and there is all gloom and darkness….»
«Darkness and gloom,» reiterated Pierre: «yes, yes, I understand that.»
«I cannot help loving the light, it is not my fault. And I am very happy! You understand me? I know you are glad for my sake.»” source
Meaning and analysis
