Levin, on two levels, represents that part of Tolstoy’s duality which defines country life as the environment where one may achieve salvation. On a historic plane, Konstanin Levin speaks for the educated landowners, the backbone of Russian aristocracy in Tolstoy’s terms, who defend the traditional national values. If Russia is […]

Read more Character Analysis Konstantin Levin

Summary Nursing the baby, Kitty reflects on her husband’s unceasing search for belief. Since the death of his brother, Levin examined the questions of life and death through reading philosophy and through modern scientific concepts which replaced the religious faith of his childhood. Though these ideas are intellectually interesting, Levin […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 8: Chapters 6-19

Summary Having recently published a book which was poorly received by the public, Koznyshev devotes his energies to promote the cause of the Serbian War which engages the sympathy of the slavophilic newspapers and the entire nation. After working for this cause throughout the spring and summer, he looks forward […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 8: Chapters 1-5

Summary In the suspended condition of awaiting divorce, Anna and Vronsky find their relationship at a standstill. Both are irritable with each other: Anna feels his love is cooling, Vronsky is reproachful that instead of her trying to ease this position he placed himself in for her sake, Anna makes […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 7: Chapters 23-31

Summary Early one morning, Kitty wakes her husband to inform Levin that the birth pangs have begun. Panicked, Levin rushes to the doctor, to the pharmacist and wonders why everything seems to move with unbearable slowness while Kitty’s life is in danger. Later that evening, his son is born. He […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 7: Chapters 13-22

Summary Kitty’s delivery is long overdue and Levin, despite himself, settles into the expensive routine of Moscow life. He attends concerts, receives and returns pointless social calls, attends the English Club to dine, drink, and even plays some of the idle games his set indulges in. The club atmosphere of […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 7: Chapters 1-12

Summary Vronsky and Anna live on in the same way and have much to occupy them. Besides reading many novels, Anna studies in architectural and agricultural journals to keep up with Vronsky’s interests. Her knowledge and her memory amaze him, and he frequently discusses problems with her and finds her […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapters 26-32

Summary Dolly keeps her promise to pay Anna a visit. Driving along, she ponders on the problems of married life. She sighs, considering her whole existence is spent either being pregnant or nursing babies, caring always for children and sometimes losing one despite the cares and worries. She wonders why […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapters 16-25

Summary Stepan Arkadyevitch arrives that afternoon with another guest named Vassenka Veslovsky. Good-natured and handsome, brilliant in society, the newcomer has just spent some time at Vronsky’s estate fifty miles hence. Although Vassenka makes a favorable impression on everyone else, Levin dislikes him, for he seems to pay especial court […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapters 6-15

Summary Levin’s household at Pokrovskoe is filled with summer guests he calls the “Schtcherbatsky element” although Koznyshev is also there. These include Dolly, her children and governesses, the old princess (supervising Kitty’s pregnancy), Kitty’s father, and Varenka who finally fulfills her promise to visit when Kitty is married. Koznyshev’s interest […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapters 1-5