War and Peace · primary
Natásha Rostóva
fictional · female
A girl of thirteen, full of life and laughter, who is the youngest daughter of the countess.
Aliases
Natásha · young Rostóva · Natalie · Natásha Rostóv · Natalie Rostóva
Titles
Countess
Appearances
- First: Book ONE · Chapter XI · ¶ 6
- Latest: Book FIRST EPILOGUE · Chapter XV · ¶ 23
Relationships
Family (aunt) · Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova
“Cossack!” she said threateningly.”
Sibling · Nicholas Rostov
“She rushed to Sónya, hugged her, and began to cry.”
“Ah, and here’s Nicholas!” cried Natásha”
Friendship · Sónya Rostóv
“‘We are such friends, such friends! All that ruler business was just nonsense, but we are friends forever.’”
“Natásha began to sing her mother’s favorite song.”
Conflict · Private Dólokhov
“She almost quarreled with her brother about him.”
Sibling · Nicholas Rostov
“see his sisters, brother, mother, and father”
“he was sorry that Natásha, for whom he cared more than for anyone else in the family”
Engagement (childhood engagement) · Borís Drubetskóy
“the question whether her engagement to Borís was a jest or an important, binding promise tormented her.”
Family (mother) · Countess Rostóva
“hurriedly kissing her gray hair”
Social acquaintance · Countess Hélène Bezúkhova
“Ah, here she is, the Queen of Petersburg, Countess Bezúkhova”
Social acquaintance · Prince Andrew Bolkónski
“You remember, he stayed a night with us at Otrádnoe.”
Sibling (sister) · Countess Véra
“What do you think of Natalie? Could she be constant in her attachments?”
Engagement · Prince Andrew Bolkónski
“I have come, Countess, to ask for your daughter’s hand,” said Prince Andrew.”
“he informed her of his engagement to Natásha Rostóva.”
Engagement · Prince Andrew Bolkónski
“No betrothal ceremony took place and Natásha’s engagement to Bolkónski was not announced; Prince Andrew insisted on that.”
“in which they told him of Natásha’s engagement to Bolkónski”
Friendship · Pierre Bezukhov
“Do you know I have entrusted him with our secret? I have known him from childhood. He has a heart of gold.”
“consider me your friend and if you want help, advice, or simply to open your heart to someone—not now, but when your mind is clearer--think of me!”
Sibling · Pétya Rostóv
“Her brother Pétya was upstairs too; with the man in attendance on him he was preparing fireworks to let off that night.”
“She kept away from everyone in the house and felt at ease only with her brother Pétya.”
Sibling (sister-in-law) · Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
“Dear Natalie, said Princess Mary, I want you to know that I am glad my brother has found happiness....”
Rival · Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
“Natásha did not like Princess Mary, whom she thought very plain, affected, and dry.”
Friendship · Countess Hélène Bezúkhova
“Dear count, you must let me look after your daughters!”
Friendship · Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
“she begged Natásha to believe that she could not help loving her as the one chosen by her brother”
“They did not weep or shudder and during these last days they themselves felt that they were not attending on him (he was no longer there, he had left them) but on what reminded them most closely of him—his body.”
Friendship · Pierre Bezukhov
“Pierre began, dropping his eyes with a feeling of pity for her”
“Then she is here still?” said Prince Andrew. “And Prince Kurágin?” he added quickly.”
Sibling · Sónya Rostóv
“she prayed for the members of her own family, her father and mother and Sónya, realizing for the first time how wrongly she had acted toward them, and feeling all the strength of her love for them.”
“Sónya, returning from the yard chilled and frightened.”
Enemy · Anatole Kurágin
“she included among her enemies the creditors and all who had business dealings with her father, and always at the thought of enemies and those who hated her she remembered Anatole who had done her so much harm.”
Sibling · Pétya Rostóv
“he treated her coldly, avoided her, and during his stay in Moscow attached himself exclusively to Natásha for whom he had always had a particularly brotherly tenderness”
Friendship · Mávra Kuzmínichna
“Natásha was evidently pleased to be dealing with new people outside the ordinary routine of her life. She and Mávra Kuzmínichna tried to get as many of the wounded as possible into their yard.”
Friendship · Sónya Rostóv
“Sónya too was busy all this time, but the aim of her efforts was quite different from Natásha’s.”
“Sónya embraced Natásha and kissed her.”
Friendship · Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
“she realized that here was a real comrade in her grief, and consequently a friend”
“Princess Mary asked the countess to let Natásha go with her to Moscow, and both parents gladly accepted this offer.”
Marriage · Pierre Bezukhov
“Natásha had married in the early spring of 1813”
“You might at least have shown consideration for the children. I am nursing and my milk was spoiled....”
Friendship · Countess Rostóva
“Natásha did not care for society in general, but prized the more the society of her relatives—Countess Mary”
Friendship · Váska Denísov
“Denísov... now for the first time recognized the old Natásha. A flood of brilliant, joyful light poured from her transfigured face.”
Sibling · Countess Mary
“Natásha spoke to Pierre about her brother’s life and doings...”
Parent (mother) · Countess Rostóva
“she added: 'She is my youngest girl.'”
“The countess did not believe her ears. Denísov had proposed. To whom? To this chit of a girl, Natásha, who not so long ago was playing with dolls and who was still having lessons.”
Parent (father) · Count Ilyá Andréevich Rostóv
“The count jumped up and, swaying from side to side, spread his arms wide and threw them round the little girl who had run in.”
“Natásha and Nicholas often noticed their parents conferring together anxiously and privately”
Romantic attraction · Borís Drubetskóy
““Natásha,” he said, “you know that I love you, but....””
“Tell me, Mamma! He’s nice?”
Child · Countess Rostóva
“Countess Rostóva, with her daughters and a large number of guests, was already seated in the drawing room.”
Romantic attraction · Váska Denísov
“Oh, the faiwy! She can do anything with me!”
“Countess, I have done w’ong,” Denísov went on in an unsteady voice, “but believe me, I so adore your daughter and all your family that I would give my life twice over...”
Romantic attraction · Prince Andrew Bolkónski
“Prince Andrew repeatedly glanced at Natásha, gay and laughing among the younger members of the company, and asked himself each time, 'What is she thinking about? Why is she so glad?'”
“approaching Natásha he held out his arm to grasp her waist before he had completed his invitation.”
Parent · Count Rostóva
“Oh, Papa! how nice you look! Charming!”
Romantic attraction · Pierre Bezukhov
“Firmly convinced as he was of the truths revealed to him by his benefactor, and happy as he had been in perfecting his inner man, to which he had devoted himself with such ardor—all the zest of such a life vanished after the engagement of Andrew and Natásha”
“and I love her, and no one will ever know it.”
Patronage · Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova
“I’ll take them where they must go, scold them a bit, and pet them a bit,” said Márya Dmítrievna, touching her goddaughter and favorite, Natásha, on the cheek with her large hand.”
Mentor · Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova
“Now listen! You know that old Prince Nicholas much dislikes his son’s marrying. The old fellow’s crotchety! Of course Prince Andrew is not a child and can shift without him, but it’s not nice to enter a family against a father’s will.”
“Well, friends, I have now thought the whole matter over and this is my advice,” she began.”
Romantic attraction · Anatole Kurágin
“Anatole went up to him and began speaking to him, looking at and indicating the Rostóvs’ box.”
“It seemed to him essential to see Natásha.”
Romantic attraction · Anatole Kurágin
“When she turned away she feared he might seize her from behind by her bare arm and kiss her on the neck.”
“Natásha went back to her father in the other box, now quite submissive to the world she found herself in.”
Mentor · Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
“Princess Mary spoke of her childhood, of her mother, her father, and her daydreams; and Natásha... learned to love her past too and to understand a side of life previously incomprehensible to her.”
Child (child) · Count Ilyá Andréevich Rostóv
“The count jumped up and, swaying from side to side, spread his arms wide and threw them round the little girl who had run in.”
“Natásha and Nicholas often noticed their parents conferring together anxiously and privately”
Child · Count Rostóva
“Oh, Papa! how nice you look! Charming!”
Student · Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova
“Now listen! You know that old Prince Nicholas much dislikes his son’s marrying. The old fellow’s crotchety! Of course Prince Andrew is not a child and can shift without him, but it’s not nice to enter a family against a father’s will.”
“Well, friends, I have now thought the whole matter over and this is my advice,” she began.”
Quotations
“This black-eyed, wide-mouthed girl, not pretty but full of life...”
“Do you see?... My doll... Mimi... You see...”
“She is my youngest girl.”
“Natásha, the officer, Anna Mikháylovna’s son...”
“Having said this he glanced at Natásha.”
“When Natásha ran out of the drawing room she only went as far as the conservatory.”
“Oh, how nice,” thought Natásha; and when Sónya and Nicholas had gone out of the conservatory she followed and called Borís to her.”
““Natásha,” he said, “you know that I love you, but....””
““You are in love with me?” Natásha broke in.”
““Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen,” she counted on her slender little fingers. “All right! Then it’s settled?””
“Borís and Natásha were at the other window”
“Well,” said she, “how’s my Cossack?” (Márya Dmítrievna always called Natásha a Cossack)...”
“Natásha, who sat opposite, was looking at Borís as girls of thirteen look at the boy they are in love with...”
““Mamma!” rang out the clear contralto notes of her childish voice...”
“Natásha... sister, black eyes”
“Only his mother was not there, he noticed that.”
“Natásha, after she had pulled him down toward her and covered his face with kisses,”
“And I’ll tell him so when I see him!”
““Nicholas, will you come to Iogel’s? Please do!” said Natásha.”
“I told you, but you would not believe it”
“Ah, she is indeed a darling! I’ll send her to you.”
“Natásha no less proud of her first long dress and of being at a real ball was even happier.”
“Natásha fell in love the very moment she entered the ballroom.”
“Nicholas ran up to Natásha:”
“When it came to Natásha’s turn to choose a partner, she rose and, tripping rapidly across in her little shoes trimmed with bows, ran timidly to the corner where Denísov sat.”
“Natásha guessed what he meant to do, and abandoning herself to him followed his lead hardly knowing how.”
“Denísov, flushed after the mazurka and mopping himself with his handkerchief, sat down by Natásha and did not leave her for the rest of the evening.”
“supper with Denísov, Natásha, and Sónya”
“the elder hussar’s luckless love for Natásha played a part in strengthening their friendship.”
“Prince Andrew repeatedly glanced at Natásha, gay and laughing”
“Natásha was one of the first to meet him”
“Natásha, at Prince Andrew’s request, went to the clavichord and began singing”
“As soon as Natásha had finished she went up to him and asked how he liked her voice”
“he happened to be directly facing Natásha, and was struck by a curious change that had come over her since the ball.”
“She was completely transformed and from a plain girl had again become what she had been at the ball.”
“I want him... now, this minute! I want him!”
“Natásha betook herself to the ballroom, picked up her guitar...”
“But Natásha! See whom she looks like!”
“Natásha, the young Melyukóvs’ favorite, disappeared with them into the back rooms”
“Well, Mr. Hussar, and what regiment do you serve in?” she asked Natásha.”
“Ah! ah!” screamed Natásha, rolling her eyes with horror.”
“Prince Andrew’s engagement to Natásha”
“Natásha’s room”
“Can she have left off loving Prince Andrew?”
“No, Sónya, I can’t any longer!”
“I don’t want anyone, I don’t love anyone but him.”
“Natásha went to the table and without a moment’s reflection wrote that answer to Princess Mary”
“her image. When he listened to, or himself took part in, trivial conversations”
“She smiled at me yesterday and asked me to come again, and I love her”
“Natásha’s health began to improve”
“Papa, what are you doing that for?”
“Papa! Here’s Berg coming to see us”
“and kissed the hands of Natásha and Sónya”
“Natásha watched him with an intent gaze that confused him”
“said Berg, glancing round at Natásha”
“I consider it so horrid, so abominable, so... I don’t know what. Are we despicable Germans?”
“Papa! Mamma! May I see to it? May I?...”, asked Natásha.”
“Natásha was not in the room.”
“Natásha, as with animated face she ran into the room.”
“Natásha. 'Mamma, if you’ll let me, I’ll stay!'”
“Only Natásha and the countess remained in the room.”
“Natásha, pale, with a fixed look, was sitting on the bench under the icons”
“When Natásha had been told that morning that Prince Andrew was seriously wounded”
“She went up to him and with a swift, flexible, youthful movement dropped on her knees.”
“as long as my sister Natásha was engaged to her brother”
“Sónya and Natásha were nursing him”
“she knew that Natásha loved no one but Prince Andrew”
“Sónya, how happy I am, and how unhappy!... Sónya, dovey, everything is as it used to be”
“Yes, yes!”
“the princess looked round and saw Natásha coming in”
“Princess Mary, with her acute sensibility, understood all this at the first glance at Natásha’s face”
“let Princess Mary pass into the room before her”
“Mary came by way of Ryazán”
“Natásha who had come out with him”
“to Natásha of whom he seemed even fonder than of his aunt”
“It was the unexpected realization of the fact that he still valued life as presented to him in the form of his love for Natásha.”
“Natásha, I love you too much! More than anything in the world.”
“Princess Mary and Natásha were present.”
“in romantic love for Natásha”
“Natásha and Princess Mary alike felt this.”
“I am not going anywhere,” Natásha replied when this was proposed to her.”
“Natásha spent most of the time in her room by herself.”
“Dunyásha, her maid, entered the room quickly and abruptly with a frightened look on her face.”
“Natásha was feeling a special estrangement from the members of her own family.”
“Suddenly an electric shock seemed to run through Natásha’s whole being.”
“Princess Mary, pale and with quivering chin, came out from that room and taking Natásha by the arm said something to her.”
““Mummy!... darling!... I am here, my dearest Mummy,” she kept on whispering, not pausing an instant.”
““Natásha, you love me?” she said in a soft trustful whisper.”
“Natásha did not remember how that day passed nor that night, nor the next day and night.”
“Natásha remained constantly at her mother’s side, sleeping on a lounge chair in her room.”
“But the same blow that almost killed the countess, this second blow, restored Natásha to life.”
“Natásha’s wound healed in that way.”
“this new sorrow brought them still closer to one another.”
““I don’t want to sleep, Mary, sit by me a little.””
“Natásha lay on the bed and in the semidarkness of the room scanned Princess Mary’s face.”
“From that day a tender and passionate friendship such as exists only between women was established between Princess Mary and Natásha.”
“Natásha had grown thin and pale and physically so weak that they all talked about her health.”
“the count insisted on Natásha’s going with her to consult the doctors.”
““They insisted on her coming with me.””
““Yes, is there a family free from sorrow now?” said Pierre, addressing Natásha.”
“Natásha looked at him, and by way of answer to his words her eyes widened and lit up.”
““Why is it true?” Natásha asked, looking attentively into Pierre’s eyes.”
““What a happy thing that he saw you again,” he added, suddenly turning to Natásha and looking at her with eyes full of tears.”
““Yes, that was happiness,” she then said in her quiet voice with its deep chest notes.”
““We knew nothing of it when we started from Moscow.”
““Well, that’s all—everything,” said Natásha.”
“She got up quickly just as Nicholas entered, almost ran to the door which was hidden by curtains, struck her head against it, and rushed from the room with a moan either of pain or sorrow.”
“every word that he or Natásha had spoken”
“something hidden and unknown to herself, but irrepressible, awoke in Natásha’s soul.”
“she spoke little of Pierre, but when Princess Mary mentioned him a long-extinguished light once more kindled in her eyes”
“The change that took place in Natásha at first surprised Princess Mary”
“Natásha gave herself up so fully and frankly to this new feeling”
“He has spoken? Yes? He has spoken?”
“On hearing that he was going to Petersburg Natásha was astounded.”
“Yes,”
“Think what fun it will be when I am his wife”
“But no, no, he must... Yes, Mary, He must....”
“she had a talk with her friend Natásha about Sónya”
“you have read the Gospels a great deal”
“Natásha had been staying at her brother’s with her husband and children since early autumn.”
“little black-eyed three-year-old Natásha, her father’s pet, having learned from her brother that Papa was asleep and Mamma was in the sitting room, ran to her father unobserved by her mother.”
“No, Mamma, he doesn’t want to sleep,” said little Natásha with conviction. “He’s laughing.”
“Again!” she commanded, pointing with a peremptory gesture to the spot where Nicholas had placed the kiss.”
“the slim, lively Natásha of former days”
“Only the old countess with her maternal instinct had realized that all Natásha’s outbursts had been due to her need of children and a husband”
“Natásha did not care for society in general, but prized the more the society of her relatives”
“Natásha saw by Pierre’s animation”
“little Natásha’s gleeful yell”
“Natásha did not take her eyes off her husband”
“Natásha, who had come in during the conversation”
“Natásha is absurd. How she rules over him!”
“I told Natásha so.”