Reflections of real life

Reflections of real life

"In Petersburg at that time a complicated struggle was being carried on with greater hear than ever in the highest circles, between the parties of Rumyanstev, the French, Marya Fedorovna, the Tsarevich, and others, drowned by the buzzing of the court drones. But the calm, luxurious life of Petersburg, concerned only about phantoms and reflections of real life, went on its old way and made it hard, except by a great effort to realize the receptions and balls, the same French theater, the same court interests and service interests and intrigues as usual. Only in the very highest circles were attempts made to keep in mind the difficulties of the actual position."

P. 827... Book 12, ch 1

The "reflections" of real life that the upper class of St. Petersburg live in is a life of complete isolation from the troubles and sufferings on the real world, especially in reference to the war with France. The upper class of russia not only go about their life as if there is not a national crisis going on, "only in the very highest circles were attempts made to keep in mind the difficulties of the actual position." Do they realize the decline and suffering of their own nation would jeopardize their own lives? Do they understand that they are oblivious to any adversity people outside their circle endure? Why is Tolstoy portraying the wealthy to be so completely oblivious?