Hélène Kurágina

Pierre learns that Hélène has died. Her death ends the torment he associated with thoughts of their marriage and contributes to his sense of freedom.

Hélène assists Anatole’s pursuit of Natásha by arranging opportunities for them to meet. Anatole later visits her while trying to arrange another meeting with Natásha.

An elderly magnate who had protected Hélène in Petersburg claims a relationship with her. She provokes his jealousy and suggests that marriage is the way for him to secure a right over her.

Pierre suspects that Hélène and Dólokhov are lovers, based on rumors and an anonymous letter. Hélène denies the affair, so the text presents it as an allegation rather than a confirmed relationship.

The text describes Hélène’s intimacy with a young foreign prince in Vilna who is also in Petersburg and claims rights over her. She offers to marry him, but he initially considers that impossible while Pierre remains her husband.

Prince Vasíli is Hélène’s father. He cautiously tells her to follow her own heart about her marriage plans and expresses sympathetic concern for her suffering.

Hippolyte is identified as Hélène’s brother.

Hélène’s mother objects to her plans to remarry while Pierre is alive and consults a priest about whether divorce is possible. Hélène dismisses her objections and insists she has obligations in her position.

The abbé hears Hélène’s confession and advises her about the religious status of her marriage. Hélène presses him for an interpretation that would permit her to remarry, while he attempts to work through the theological argument.

Borís is a frequent and especially intimate visitor in Hélène’s household, which unsettles Pierre. Hélène calls him “mon page” and treats him with amused, almost maternal familiarity; the passage does not establish a romance.

Hélène befriends and flatters Natásha, invites her into society, and deliberately brings her together with Anatole at his request. Her encouragement helps facilitate their clandestine courtship.

Andrew remarks that Hélène is very lovely as she passes at the reception; no closer relationship is established here.

Anna Pávlovna welcomes Hélène into her salon and publicly supports her, presenting her as a charming woman suffering from her husband’s conduct.

Márya Dmítrievna openly rebukes Hélène at a ball for contemplating marriage while Pierre is alive, voicing the disapproval that most Petersburg society leaves unspoken.

The Jesuit lay member introduces Hélène to Catholic teachings and guides her conversion. Hélène is moved by the experience but treats the religious process pragmatically as she pursues a divorce.

Bilíbin is one of Hélène’s disinterested male friends. She asks him which suitor to choose, and he gives strategic advice while making clear-eyed observations about her attempt to keep both possibilities open.

Pushkin is among the clever men who frequent Hélène's salon, where political talk favors reconciliation with France.