Anna Karenina, Part 4, Chapter 23 summary
Part 4, Chapter 23 of 239 · 5 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 23, Vronsky recovers from his gunshot wound and prepares to leave for Tashkend, but news that Alexey Alexandrovitch accepts divorce sends him straight to Anna. Their reunion overturns his resolve to leave her: he resigns from the army, and they go abroad without a divorce while her son stays with his father.
What happens
- Vronsky survives his wound and insists that Varya describe the shooting as an accident.
- Feeling freed from humiliation but grieving Anna’s loss, he accepts an appointment in Tashkend and prepares to leave.
- Betsy first reports Anna’s refusal to see him, then brings news that Alexey Alexandrovitch agrees to divorce.
- Vronsky rushes to Anna, and they embrace, though she remains distressed about divorce and Seryozha.
- Vronsky rejects the appointment and resigns from the army after displeasing the highest authorities.
- A month passes; Anna and Vronsky go abroad without divorcing, while Alexey Alexandrovitch stays in Petersburg with his son.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Anna rejects the legal change that prompts Vronsky’s return. Their renewed relationship does not remove her concern about her son or her discomfort with her husband’s generosity.
Quick check
What does Vronsky do after rejecting the Tashkend appointment?
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