While Pierre gives way to his profane desires and marries Ellen, Princess Marya is able to resist profane temptations. Through these parallel incidents we can compare the pattern of Pierre's search for truth with that of Marya. Pierre's weak, undefined nature compels him to go through life's experiences in order to learn from them, while Marya's deep morality and religious strength allow her to bypass negative encounters.
Connect with CliffsNotes
