Anna Karenina, Chapter 25 summary

What happens

1. Nikolay describes a locksmiths’ cooperative, but Konstantin focuses on his brother’s poor health rather than his argument.
2. Questions about the cooperative provoke accusations, and Nikolay attacks Sergey Ivanovitch’s ideas before quarreling with Kritsky.
3. Marya Nikolaevna tells Konstantin that Nikolay drinks heavily, and Nikolay becomes suspicious of their private conversation.
4. Over supper and vodka, Nikolay recalls Pokrovskoe, considers visiting, and demands that Konstantin choose between his brothers.
5. Nikolay praises Marya, condemns public institutions, and admits his terror of death.
6. Konstantin and Masha get Nikolay to bed drunk, and she promises to write if he needs help.

In this chapter

What to notice

Konstantin refuses to choose one brother against the other. His distinction briefly reassures Nikolay without resolving the family quarrel.

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