Pierre begins the story as an awkward, overweight 20-year-old who is the illegitimate son of one of Russia’s richest aristocrats. His lack of legitimacy and his foreign education mean that he does not quite fit into the high society he encounters in Saint Petersburg—both because of his inappropriate behavior and because of his larger, heavier body, an outward sign of his tendency to overindulge.

Until he comes into his own, Pierre tries to behave as a manly aristocrat ought to. When his father dies and he becomes one of Russia’s richest bachelors, Pierre falls victim to the slick and manipulative Vasili Kuragin, who pressures the naive young man into a loveless marriage to Helene. When she has affairs, Pierre challenges one of her lovers to a duel, which becomes a debacle.

Pierre values people based on their ideas and their character rather than their appearance. His inherent goodness is the foundation of his character, but it also puts him in danger. Pierre genuinely wants to help everyone, but his inability to judge people correctly means that others take advantage of him. For example, Pierre loses a lot of money because he cannot deny his wealth to others.

Intellectually, Pierre is relentlessly curious and eager to find spiritual satisfaction.