# Anatole Kurágin — War and Peace character guide

> Anatole Kurágin in War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Anatole, Prince Anatole, Kurágin

**First appearance:** 0010-vii

## Snapshot

A beautiful, thoughtless prince who treats seduction as a pastime, never once considering what his appetites might cost the women he ruins.

## Who they are

Anatole drifts through Petersburg drawing rooms on his looks and his sister's connections, cheerfully spending money he has not earned and pursuing married women with the same blank enthusiasm he brings to everything. Dólokhov, who finds him useful and amusing, arranges his pleasures and quietly despises him; Anatole barely notices. His pursuit of Natásha Rostóva, undertaken with no plan beyond the pleasure of the chase, becomes one of the novel's most destructive acts — a scandal that reveals how much harm a man incapable of reflection can do.

## In the story

### [Anatole's Visit to Bald Hills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/iv)

His handsome, self-possessed arrival disrupts the household; he finds Márya ugly but flirts with Mademoiselle Bourienne, displaying his characteristic shallow and animalistic charm.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/xv)

Though not physically present, his influence is central. His secret letters have captivated Natasha, and his dishonorable intentions are suspected by Sonya.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/xix)

Though not a canonical ID, his presence is critical. He is seen by Pierre, carefree and dashing, and is revealed to be secretly married, the cause of the scandal.

### [The Field Hospital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/xxxvii)

Appears as a wounded soldier having his leg amputated. Andrei recognizes him in his moment of pitiful suffering and sobbing.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/ix)

Appears in Pierre's dream, shouting and singing with Dolokhov. Pierre is later told of his death.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/chapters/ix)

Appears in Pierre's dream as part of the shouting, hollow crowd. His death is reported to Pierre on the road.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/characters/anatole_kuragin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/war_and_peace/characters