How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #7
Vershinin: The other day I was reading the diary of that French politician, the one who went to prison because of the Panama scandal. (2.111)
Education is a given for people of a certain class. Vershinin's intellectual curiosity is the primary attractor for Masha. And reading memoirs of French politicians just for fun is about as intellectually curious as it gets.
Quote #8
Natasha: Masha dear, why do you always use language like that! You have a very attractive personality, and I'm sure you could make a real nice impression on social occasions, I'll tell you quite frankly, if it weren't for those vulgar words of yours. Je vous pries, pardonnez-moi, Marie, mais vous avez des manieres un peu grossieres. (2.130)
Natasha's all uppity since her marriage to Andrey. As you probably guessed, her French is a joke on her—without her knowledge, of course. She says, "Excuse me, Masha, but your manners are a bit unrefined." Look who's talking, we might add!