Quote 1

Having acknowledged that a man must master his circumstances or otherwise be mastered by them, the Count thought it worth considering how one was most likely to achieve this aim when one had been sentenced to a life of confinement.

This quote, spoken by the narrator, appears in “An Anglican Ashore” and highlights the central conflict of the novel: in a seemingly stagnant environment confined to the Metropol, the Count considers the possibility, or impossibility, of his evolution, particularly in a time of such rapid change just outside the hotel doors. He has a stretch of time where he is unable or unwilling to grow beyond his past and therefore cannot adapt, which leads to his near suicide. However, it is only through making the decision to embrace change, both in himself and in the surrounding culture, that he is able to flourish. The Count is constantly adapting throughout of the story in order to survive and thrive in finding his purpose. This is not only true of the Count, but of many of the characters he meets. He observes a similarity in their evolutions like the Moths of Manchester who in a single generation changed their color to survive.

Quote 2

For pomp is a tenacious force. And a wily one too. How humbly it bows its head as the emperor is dragged down the steps and tossed in the street. But then, having quietly bided its time, while helping the newly appointed leader on with his jacket, it compliments his appearance and suggests the wearing of a medal or two.

In “Around and About,” this quote comes from the narrator just after the Count and Nina discover the banquet silver hidden behind the blue door in the basement. This discovery is a foreshadowing of the hypocrisy to come within the Bolsheviks. Where they stripped all tradition, wealth, hierarchy, titles, and individuality from the aristocracy in the name of equality, they keep this silver because they know that one day, they will use it for themselves. Titles for Party officials return but wine bottles are stripped of their labels; the Count is known as a “Former Person”; and everyone goes by the uniform label of “comrade.” The working class of the Soviet Union starves and stands in line for hours for bread while bread is a complimentary offering at the Boyarsky and at Party meetings. The chasm between those who have what they need and those who lack has not changed. The Bolsheviks return to a form of nobility under the guise of equality.

Quote 3

Because when Fate hands something down to posterity, it does so behind its back.

This quote comes from Richard Vanderwhile in “Antics, Antitheses, and Accident.” When the Count took credit for Mishka’s poem in order to save Mishka’s life, it actually ended up saving the Count’s life. That is where the story begins, and Fate can be seen at work in unexpected places. Things like the shaving of the Count’s mustache ultimately led to Sofia landing at his door. These small instances of Fate are described like a kaleidoscope in the novel. Each shard moves in small, delicate motions but with every turn, a new picture falls into place. The novel also suggests that, while Fate is important, one cannot wait around for it to intervene. By continuing to make decisions and put oneself in a position to move forward, people are ready to act when Fate puts them in the places it wants them to be. Therefore, Richard’s point is that one cannot predict the events of Fate, but if something is meant to survive, Fate will see to it, and no one will be able to predict the exact mechanisms Fate will use.