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Anna Karenina study guide

by Leo Tolstoy · 1875 · 239 chapters · the whole book: 22 h 48 min to read

Anna Karenina follows a wife whose love for Vronsky clashes with her husband's demands to preserve appearances, alongside Levin and Kitty as they marry and build a shared life through jealousy and quarrels. Its main themes are love and jealousy, appearances and judgment, care and goodness, and faith and meaning.

See the book15-minute summary

The story in brief

Dolly discovers Stepan Arkadyevitch's affair, and their household falls into disorder before Anna helps her consider forgiveness. Kitty refuses Levin's proposal, but her own hopes collapse when Anna and Vronsky show their attraction at a ball. Anna eventually admits her love for Vronsky to her husband, Alexey Alexandrovitch, who demands that she preserve appearances. Meanwhile, Levin and Kitty renew their love through chalk initials.

During Anna's grave illness, Alexey Alexandrovitch forgives her, but she later lives abroad with Vronsky, whose search for purpose contrasts with her contentment. Levin and Kitty marry and build a shared life through jealousy, quarrels, and household demands. Anna secretly visits her son Seryozha after being denied contact. Her growing distress ends in death beneath a train; Vronsky leaves for the Serbian war, while Levin finds lasting meaning in goodness. Read the 15-minute summary.

Quick answers

What is Anna Karenina about?

Anna Karenina follows a wife whose love for Vronsky clashes with her husband's demand to preserve appearances and her attachment to her son. Alongside her story, Levin and Kitty renew their love, marry, and face the demands of a shared life.

Where is Anna Karenina set?

The story moves between Petersburg and Moscow, where domestic routines, divorce plans, and strained relationships shape Anna's life. Other places in the novel include Pokrovskoe and Vozdvizhenskoe.

Who does Kitty marry in Anna Karenina?

Kitty marries Levin after first refusing his proposal and later renewing their love through chalk initials. Their marriage brings jealousy, quarrels, and household demands, but explanation and apologies help them face their difficulties.

Why does Anna struggle to leave her husband in Anna Karenina?

Vronsky urges Anna to leave her husband, but her fear for her son Seryozha complicates their hopes of living together. Separation from her son causes her pain, and she secretly visits him after being denied contact.

Does Anna's husband forgive her in Anna Karenina?

Alexey Alexandrovitch forgives Anna during her grave illness, showing compassion despite her love for Vronsky. His eventual refusal to allow a divorce leaves that moment of forgiveness without a lasting resolution.

What are the main themes of Anna Karenina?

The main themes include love and jealousy, appearances and judgment, care and goodness, and faith and meaning. Anna's treatment by society exposes unequal judgment, while Kitty's care and Levin's search for purpose connect goodness with practical attention to others.

How does Anna Karenina end?

Anna's growing distress ends in her death beneath a train, and Vronsky leaves for the Serbian war with a sense of personal ruin. Levin finds lasting meaning in goodness, even though his religious doubts do not disappear.

Chapter summaries

  1. 1An affair unsettles the householdStepan Arkadyevitch wakes alone and recalls the smile that deepens his quarrel with Dolly.
  2. 2A troubled husband seeks distractionServants urge reconciliation, and a telegram announces a sister’s visit while Darya Alexandrovna threatens to leave.
  3. 3Breakfast before a difficult meetingHousehold tension interrupts a comfortable morning as a father faces his children and approaches his estranged wife.
  4. 4Dolly refuses her husband's pleaA painful confrontation ends without forgiveness, while childcare and household problems demand attention.
  5. 5Levin visits Oblonsky at workAn uneasy country friend interrupts official business and asks about Kitty.
  6. 6Levin resolves to propose to KittyAn old family attachment becomes a marriage hope, despite deep doubts about his own worth.
All 239 chapters
  1. 7Levin questions the limits of philosophyA brotherly visit becomes a debate about sensation, existence, and whether personal concerns receive an answer.
  2. 8Levin weighs duty to his brotherNews of Nikolay interrupts a difficult conversation, while plans for marriage remain unspoken.
  3. 9Levin skates between hope and doubtKitty welcomes his company but withdraws from his hints of love, then invites him to visit that evening.
  4. 10Levin seeks reassurance about KittyOver an elaborate dinner, a hopeful suitor confides his fears and receives encouragement from his friend.
  5. 11Rivalry and divided views of loveA warning about Kitty leads two friends into an argument about marriage, desire, and moral certainty.
  6. 12A mother weighs Kitty’s suitorsTwo possible matches expose parental disagreements and fears about changing courtship customs.
  7. 13Kitty turns down Levin’s proposalAn anxious evening brings a declaration of love, brief happiness, and a painful refusal.
  8. 14Levin faces his rivalAn awkward evening brings jealousy, a dispute over spiritualism, and sharply different welcomes from Kitty’s parents.
  9. 15Doubts disturb Kitty and her motherAfter refusing Levin, a daughter struggles with pity while her parents argue over Vronsky’s intentions.
  10. 16Vronsky enjoys courtship without marriageHe takes pleasure in Kitty’s trust, sees no harm in their intimacy, and chooses a quiet night.
  11. 17Vronsky hears of a rivalAt the station, Oblonsky suggests that Levin proposes to Kitty, and his companion feels victorious.
  12. 18A meeting shadowed by deathVronsky meets Anna at the station, where an accident interrupts the family greetings.
  13. 19Anna helps Dolly consider forgivenessA private conversation draws out a betrayed wife's anger and gives her some relief.
  14. 20Anna charms Kitty and the childrenA family reunion eases marital tension, while talk of a ball turns toward Vronsky.
  15. 21An unexpected visitor unsettles AnnaDolly and her husband seem reconciled, but a brief evening call disturbs the family gathering.
  16. 22Kitty enters the ballroom with confidenceA delighted young dancer admires Anna’s appearance but finds Vronsky less attentive than she expects.
  17. 23Kitty sees her hopes collapseAt the ball, admiration between Anna and Vronsky leaves a hopeful young woman in despair.
  18. 24Levin seeks out his brotherSelf-blame leads Konstantin to a tense reunion with Nikolay and an introduction to his companions.
  19. 25Konstantin faces his brother’s distressA visit moves from cooperative plans and family quarrels to drinking, fear, and offers of care.
  20. 26Levin returns home with new resolutionsFamiliar comforts ease his shame, but estate troubles test his hopes of changing himself.
  21. 27Levin recovers hope at homeTea, reading, and a familiar dog help restore dreams of marriage and farm life.
  22. 28Anna leaves to escape her feelingsA private confession to Dolly reveals why the visit ends sooner than planned.
  23. 29Anna struggles with unsettling feelingsDuring a snowy train journey, memories of Vronsky interrupt reading and give way to strange sensations.
  24. 30A confession on the snowy platformVronsky declares his purpose, and Anna returns to Petersburg newly troubled by her marriage.
  25. 31Vronsky confronts Anna’s married lifeA sleepless journey ends with an uneasy station meeting and a cold invitation to visit.
  26. 32Anna settles back into home lifeFamily affection and visitors restore her confidence, and she decides against mentioning Vronsky to her husband.
  27. 33Anna settles back into married lifeDomestic routines bring comfort, but thoughts of Vronsky unsettle her feelings toward her husband.
  28. 34Vronsky resumes his Petersburg lifeFriends, flirtation, and military gossip welcome him home, while he plans visits that might bring him near Madame Karenina.
  29. 35Doctors examine Kitty’s failing healthA celebrated physician recommends treatment and travel, while his patient hides her heartbreak to comfort her mother.
  30. 36Kitty’s distress divides her familyDolly visits despite troubles at home, while her parents argue over the cause of her sister’s suffering.
  31. 37Kitty confides in her sisterAn angry exchange gives way to tears, forgiveness, and a shared effort to nurse sick children.
  32. 38Anna welcomes Vronsky’s pursuitFashionable gatherings become a source of excitement, while Betsy encourages her cousin’s passion.
  33. 39Vronsky mediates an officers’ scandalA comic account of drunken pursuit gives way to the frightened wife’s side of the affair.
  34. 40Gossip at Princess Betsy’s gatheringSociety guests trade insults, Princess Myakaya defends Anna, and Vronsky arrives from an evening’s entertainment.
  35. 41Anna tries to stop VronskyA private conversation at Betsy’s gathering exposes feelings that polite warnings cannot contain.
  36. 42A husband prepares his warningTroubled by society’s reaction to Anna and Vronsky, Alexey struggles to define his duty before she returns.
  37. 43Anna deflects her husband's warningA late-night conversation exposes secrecy, wounded trust, and conflicting ideas of love.
  38. 44A marriage changes beneath the surfaceAnna keeps meeting Vronsky while her husband struggles to speak openly with her.
  39. 45Desire gives way to shameAnna turns away from Vronsky’s comfort and struggles with a recurring nightmare about two husbands.
  40. 46Levin finds relief in country lifePainful memories persist, but work, self-discipline, and spring begin to restore his spirits.
  41. 47Levin takes charge of spring workFarm delays test his patience, but riding outdoors and sowing seed restore his spirits.
  42. 48A welcome visitor and different pleasuresStepan Arkadyevitch brings news, enjoys country hospitality, and reveals romantic interests that Levin cannot understand.
  43. 49A hunt interrupted by troubling newsLevin enjoys spring shooting with Oblonsky, then learns that Kitty is seriously ill.
  44. 50Levin challenges a forest sale
  45. 51Levin reveals his wounded prideAn argument about a forest sale leads to an admission about Kitty’s rejection.
  46. 52Vronsky balances passion and reputationAn affair draws envy and family disapproval, while military duties and racing offer relief.
  47. 53Vronsky prepares to race and visitOver a restricted meal, he avoids fellow officers but welcomes Yashvin’s company and confidence.
  48. 54Vronsky puts family letters asideAmid drinking and jokes, an officer refuses brandy and leaves to inspect his mare.
  49. 55Vronsky seeks escape from secrecyA visit to his mare gives way to anger over family interference and thoughts of leaving with Anna.
  50. 56Anna reveals her pregnancyAn unexpected visit brings a proposal to end the lovers’ secrecy, but no clear agreement.
  51. 57Anna refuses to leave her husbandVronsky presses for action, but fear over her son keeps her from accepting his plan.
  52. 58Vronsky prepares for the steeplechasePrivate worries, a brother’s warning, and an excited mare test a rider’s composure before the start.
  53. 59Vronsky's mistake ruins his mareA strong lead ends in a fall, leaving the rider unhurt but overwhelmed by guilt.
  54. 60Alexey Alexandrovitch hides behind workA medical warning exposes the strain beneath an orderly routine and a carefully maintained marriage.
  55. 61Anna conceals her distressHer husband visits before the races, and polite conversation hides fear, shame, and disgust.
  56. 62Anna’s fear exposes her attachmentAt the races, a husband watches his wife instead of the riders and confronts what her face reveals.
  57. 63Anna admits her love for VronskyAfter the racing accident, a carriage confrontation turns public distress into an open confession.
  58. 64Kitty seeks a different exampleAt a German spa, an industrious stranger draws her interest, while Nikolay Levin provokes disgust.
  59. 65Kitty makes friends with VarenkaA quarrel with a doctor helps persuade the princess to approve her daughter’s chosen acquaintance.
  60. 66Kitty seeks Varenka’s secret of calmAn evening of singing leads to a private conversation about disappointed love and lasting shame.
  61. 67Kitty’s charity meets an unsettling doubtNew religious ideals lead her toward sick people, but a family’s changed behavior troubles her.
  62. 68Kitty loses faith in Madame StahlHer father's visit exposes tensions among her friends and challenges her picture of goodness.
  63. 69Kitty gives up her borrowed idealA cheerful gathering exposes painful doubts, and Varenka explains the trouble with the Petrovs.
  64. 70Brothers disagree over country lifeSergey seeks rest, while Konstantin struggles to balance conversation with farm duties.
  65. 71Fishing and thoughts of mowingA riverside outing exposes the brothers’ different interests in nature, leisure, and farm work.
  66. 72The brothers dispute public dutySergey urges district service, while Levin argues that lasting action depends on personal interest.
  67. 73Levin joins the mowing crewHard fieldwork replaces irritation with pleasure, despite exhaustion and an uncertain start.
  68. 74Levin finds joy in shared workMowing beside experienced peasants brings ease, companionship, and renewed energy for a steep evening climb.
  69. 75Levin brings home his joyAfter mowing, the brothers share dinner, discuss work, and agree to visit Dolly.
  70. 76Dolly makes a country homeA neglected estate brings distress until practical help restores comfort and the children bring happiness.
  71. 77A mother's day of happinessCommunion, shared tart, and river bathing bring Darya Alexandrovna pleasure in her children and sympathy with peasant women.
  72. 78Levin visits Dolly and the childrenA cheerful family visit becomes uneasy when conversation turns to Kitty’s summer plans.
  73. 79Dolly challenges Levin’s wounded prideA conversation about Kitty revives painful hopes, while a fight between children upsets their mother.
  74. 80A hay dispute and shared workLevin challenges the peasants’ division of the crop, then watches a young couple working happily together.
  75. 81Levin’s new resolve meets KittyA night of longing for peasant life ends with a chance encounter that overturns his plans.
  76. 82Alexey Alexandrovitch chooses appearances over separationAfter Anna confesses, her husband weighs his options and finds religious support for a punitive decision.
  77. 83Karenin sets terms and plans retaliationA letter demands Anna’s return, while official disputes restore her husband’s confidence.
  78. 84Anna plans to leave with SeryozhaShame and fear give way to urgent packing as motherhood offers a purpose.
  79. 85A letter stops Anna’s departureHer husband’s demands leave her torn between her child, her lover, and her place in society.
  80. 86Anna arranges a secret meetingAt Betsy’s gathering, a private message and frank conversation expose the rules of fashionable society.
  81. 87Anna leaves the glittering companyGuests discuss pleasure and boredom, while flattering invitations tempt a troubled visitor to delay a difficult explanation.
  82. 88Vronsky puts his finances in orderDebts and lost support force him to plan a loan, reduce spending, and give up his racehorses.
  83. 89Vronsky weighs love against ambitionAnna’s pregnancy exposes gaps in his principles, while a successful schoolmate renews his desire for advancement.
  84. 90Ambition challenges Vronsky’s devotion to loveA successful friend offers career help, but a note interrupts their private debate.
  85. 91Anna's appeal meets Vronsky's hesitationA joyful journey ends in distress as the lovers struggle over her marriage and son.
  86. 92Public triumph and private termsAnna returns to Petersburg and finds her husband determined to preserve appearances rather than discuss her feelings.
  87. 93Levin turns away from estate lifeFarm disputes and wounded pride drive him toward a shooting visit with Sviazhsky.
  88. 94Levin studies a thriving peasant farmA roadside stop reveals a household whose practical success challenges a landowner’s experience of managing workers.
  89. 95Levin puzzles over his hostA shooting visit brings marriage anxiety, questions about conviction, and a welcome chance to discuss farming.
  90. 96Levin questions established farming methodsA discussion of peasant labor exposes disagreement over authority, profits, and European solutions.
  91. 97Levin plans a new farming systemA debate about education and poverty pushes him toward sharing agricultural gains with his workers.
  92. 98Levin tests farming partnershipsPeasant resistance and disappointing economic books push a landowner toward his own theory of Russian agriculture.
  93. 99Levin’s plans meet private doubtsAgricultural hopes lift his spirits, but memories of Kitty interrupt his work before a visitor arrives.
  94. 100A brother brings death closeNikolay visits the family home, and his illness forces Levin to question the purpose of living.
  95. 101Brothers quarrel under death’s shadowNikolay attacks Levin’s project, and their painful farewell leaves work as his brother’s only support.
  96. 102Vronsky sees himself in a princeAn exhausting assignment exposes uncomfortable similarities between a noble visitor and his reluctant guide.
  97. 103Vronsky arrives late at Anna’sA disturbing dream delays his visit, and an encounter with her husband sharpens the strain.
  98. 104Jealousy and a fearful dreamAnna questions Vronsky about his pleasures, mocks her husband, and predicts her own death in childbirth.
  99. 105A husband demands a divorceAfter confronting Anna over Vronsky’s visit, Alexey Alexandrovitch threatens to remove Seryozha despite her pleas.
  100. 106Karenin explores the terms of divorceA lawyer explains the evidence required, but religious scruples prevent agreement on the simplest method.
  101. 107Official defeat and an unwelcome meetingKarenin prepares an inspection journey, then reluctantly encounters Dolly and her family in Moscow.
  102. 108Dinner plans and thoughts of deathStepan Arkadyevitch visits Levin, hears his doubts about life's meaning, and secures his company for the evening.
  103. 109Divorce plans meet family resistanceOblonsky urges his brother-in-law to speak with his wife before pursuing a separation.
  104. 110A dinner brings renewed hopeOblonsky warms an awkward gathering, while Kitty’s welcome fills Levin with happiness.
  105. 111Dinner debate turns to women’s rightsArguments about culture and schooling give way to disputes over female independence and public duties.
  106. 112Kitty changes Levin’s view of TurovtsinA private exchange draws two guests closer while revealing an overlooked act of kindness.
  107. 113Dolly pleads against a divorceA private appeal exposes Alexey Alexandrovitch’s pain but fails to soften his hatred of Anna.
  108. 114Kitty and Levin understand each otherA conversation about disagreement becomes a private exchange of love through chalk initials.
  109. 115Levin waits through a sleepless nightJoy makes strangers seem kind as he seeks company until morning brings another chance to see Kitty.
  110. 116Levin and Kitty share their happinessAfter an impatient morning, two lovers embrace and receive her parents’ joyful approval.
  111. 117Engagement customs and a painful confessionLevin embraces wedding preparations, but his diary brings Kitty distress before she grants forgiveness.
  112. 118Forgiveness at Anna’s bedsideA desperate telegram brings a husband home, where illness transforms his anger into compassion.
  113. 119Vronsky turns shame against himselfUnable to sleep or escape painful memories, he shoots himself, and Varya brings doctors to his aid.
  114. 120Forgiveness meets pressure from societyA sick infant brings tenderness, while Betsy presses for a farewell visit that Anna refuses.
  115. 121Kindness meets anger and helplessnessAnna rejects her husband's presence, while he struggles to understand what others expect him to do.
  116. 122Stepan proposes a way outAnna despairs over her marriage, and her brother offers to discuss divorce with her husband.
  117. 123Karenin yields to a painful divorceStepan presses his sister’s case, overcoming objections rooted in faith, fatherhood, and concern for her future.
  118. 124Reunion overturns Vronsky’s plansNews of a possible divorce brings the lovers together, but Anna remains troubled about her son.
  119. 125Wedding preparations bring religious doubtsLevin accepts practical help but struggles with the confession required before his marriage to Kitty.
  120. 126Wedding doubts and renewed trustFriends tease Levin about lost freedom, but Kitty must reassure him before the marriage preparations resume.
  121. 127A missing shirt delays the weddingGuests grow uneasy while Levin waits desperately for proper clothes and Kitty watches for news.
  122. 128The wedding begins in earnestAmid ceremonial confusion, the couple face the emotional weight of their vows.
  123. 129Wedding guests watch and rememberKitty and Levin’s ceremony prompts gossip, hopes of marriage, and Dolly’s tearful reflections.
  124. 130Marriage brings a new closenessKitty’s joy spreads through the church as the wedding ceremony reaches its end.
  125. 131An old acquaintance joins their circleGolenishtchev welcomes Anna without awkward questions, while Vronsky finds his intellectual anger unsettling.
  126. 132Anna rejoices while Vronsky seeks purposeLife abroad brings unequal contentment, and painting offers an outlet for restless desires.
  127. 133A visit to a Russian painterVronsky imagines himself an artistic patron, while Anna hides jealousy and redirects Golenishtchev’s talk.
  128. 134Mihailov creates and receives visitorsA quarrel and a stained sketch feed an artist’s work before important guests arrive at his studio.
  129. 135Mihailov faces his visitors’ judgmentsPraise restores a painter’s confidence, but talk of technique and religious meaning unsettles him.
  130. 136Praise and the artist’s private judgmentA fishing scene delights the visitors, while Mihailov returns to work with very different concerns.
  131. 137Vronsky gives up paintingMihailov completes Anna’s portrait, while boredom pushes the couple toward Russia.
  132. 138Marriage brings work and unexpected happinessLevin and Kitty face household demands, jealousy, and quarrels before their shared life begins to settle.
  133. 139Levin questions his married happinessA tender interruption of work gives way to private guilt about idleness and unfair criticism of his wife.
  134. 140Kitty insists on accompanying LevinNews of Nikolay’s grave illness turns a quiet tea into an argument over marital duty.
  135. 141Kitty enters the sickroomLevin confronts his brother’s terrible condition, while his wife insists on sharing the burden.
  136. 142Kitty brings comfort to the sickroomPractical care eases Nikolay Levin’s distress and draws his brother into helping him.
  137. 143Kitty knows how to careBeside his dying brother, Levin finds practical and spiritual assurance in his wife's actions.
  138. 144Death and new life meetNikolay’s suffering ends, while Kitty’s illness brings unexpected news to Levin.
  139. 145Alexey Alexandrovitch faces his isolationAfter Anna leaves, an unpaid bill breaks her husband's composure, and he finds nobody to confide in.
  140. 146Religious comfort and household controlA countess offers practical help and spiritual reassurance, while a valet quietly handles the arrangements.
  141. 147Lidia blocks Anna’s appealA mother requests access to her son, while Karenin’s protector treats the request as a threat.
  142. 148Karenin faces mockery and painful newsAt a court reception, an official finds comfort in Lidia Ivanovna until she mentions his wife’s return.
  143. 149A refusal dressed as kindnessLidia persuades Alexey to deny Anna contact with her son, then his memories disturb his religious peace.
  144. 150Seryozha's happiness meets adult distanceBirthday excitement and dreams of honors distract a boy from lessons, while his teacher's coldness leaves him sad.
  145. 151Seryozha protects his inner lifeA difficult Scripture lesson gives way to windmill games and a secret birthday prayer.
  146. 152Society shuts Anna outVronsky asks friends and relatives to accept his relationship, but their welcome has strict limits.
  147. 153Anna returns to her sonA rejected request leads to a secret birthday visit and an emotional reunion.
  148. 154Anna leaves her son's birthday visitThe servants try to prevent a meeting between husband and wife, but their efforts fail.
  149. 155Anna fears losing Vronsky’s loveAfter seeing her son, she seeks comfort but reads her lover’s distance as rejection.
  150. 156Anna insists on the operaVronsky tries to stop a public outing, but his warnings deepen her doubts about his love.
  151. 157Anna faces rejection at the theaterA public insult exposes the strain between two lovers, who reconcile and leave for the country.
  152. 158Kitty hopes for a matchA crowded summer household watches Sergey Ivanovitch join Varenka for mushroom picking.
  153. 159Jam making and marriage talkWomen discuss a possible proposal and painful memories before Levin joins them on the terrace.
  154. 160Happiness and the claims of dutyKitty and Levin discuss a possible proposal while weighing private love against work for others.
  155. 161Sergey weighs marriage to VarenkaA private walk through the woods turns mutual attraction into a firm decision.
  156. 162A proposal gives way to mushroomsSergey Ivanovitch and Varenka miss their chance to speak openly, and Kitty recognizes her matchmaking failure.
  157. 163An unexpected guest unsettles LevinVeslovsky arrives with Stepan Arkadyevitch, and his warm greeting to Kitty spoils her husband's happiness.
  158. 164Jealousy troubles Levin at supperA guest’s attentions unsettle a husband, until a private explanation brings apologies.
  159. 165Delays before the shooting tripLevin parts from Kitty, settles a building dispute, and warms toward Veslovsky as the party departs.
  160. 166Hunting mishaps test Levin’s patienceVeslovsky causes a dangerous accident and strands the horses, yet his cheerfulness restores the party’s mood.
  161. 167Levin struggles with his shootingA marsh expedition brings repeated misses, growing frustration, and an unwelcome contrast with a companion’s success.
  162. 168Levin questions his right to privilegeAn evening after hunting brings arguments about wealth, fairness, marriage, and personal freedom.
  163. 169Levin hunts alone at dawnLaska tracks grouse through the marsh, and her master enjoys a successful morning of shooting.
  164. 170A successful hunt softens LevinGood shooting and Kitty’s reassuring note outweigh hunger and irritation, leaving him warmly disposed toward Veslovsky.
  165. 171Jealousy interrupts a peaceful morningKitty seeks a private conversation after Veslovsky’s attention leaves her husband angry and suspicious.
  166. 172Levin sends his guest awayDolly confirms Veslovsky’s flirtation, and an awkward dismissal gives way to household laughter.
  167. 173Darya questions her life in marriageA journey to visit Anna gives an exhausted mother space for painful memories and imagined romance.
  168. 174Dolly meets Anna on the roadA warm reunion brings admiration, social discomfort, and an awkward contrast between wealth and worn possessions.
  169. 175Anna welcomes Dolly into her happinessA visitor offers affection without judgment, while estate comforts sharpen the contrast between their lives.
  170. 176Luxury and distance in Anna’s householdDolly visits the nursery, notices gaps in maternal care, and hears about the people surrounding her hostess.
  171. 177Dolly warms to VronskyA walk through the estate and its hospital challenges a visitor’s distrust of her host.
  172. 178Vronsky asks for help securing divorceDarya Alexandrovna hears private fears about children, inheritance, and Anna’s refusal to confront her legal position.
  173. 179Dolly feels out of placeAn elegant dinner and evening games expose tensions beneath the household’s polished manners.
  174. 180Anna and Dolly reach a divideA private conversation about marriage and avoiding pregnancy exposes deep disagreements between two friends.
  175. 181Anna explains her divided loveDolly urges divorce, hears a painful confession, and returns home with renewed affection for her own family.
  176. 182Vronsky leaves without an explanationCountry life strains the couple’s bond, and a trip to provincial elections tests their uneasy understanding.
  177. 183Levin confronts delays and election disputesA family errand brings him into provincial politics, where courtesy hides obstacles and reformers challenge established customs.
  178. 184Election tactics leave Levin puzzledRival nobles maneuver over nominations before a dispute about Flerov draws everyone into the larger room.
  179. 185A disputed vote divides the noblesLevin recoils from political anger, sympathizes with Snetkov, and struggles with the ballot procedure.
  180. 186Levin finds a shared dutyAway from election arguments, two landowners discuss why they keep farming despite poor returns.
  181. 187Levin struggles with election tacticsAwkward conversations and confusing ballots leave one observer alienated as the nobles choose a new marshal.
  182. 188Anna’s letter interrupts Vronsky’s celebrationPolitical success gives way to domestic strain when news of Annie’s illness calls him home.
  183. 189Anna demands a shared lifeA strained reunion leads to a divorce request and a move to Moscow.
  184. 190Kitty faces Vronsky with calmAn overdue birth keeps the family waiting, while an unexpected meeting eases a source of marital jealousy.
  185. 191Levin grows used to expensive livingKitty raises household worries while her husband prepares for visits and a meeting with a scholar.
  186. 192Levin chooses his own intellectual pathA meeting with a scholar brings disagreement, while a university celebration prompts reflection.
  187. 193Levin visits a devoted fatherA family conversation turns from children's education to daily arrangements and an errand concerning Oblonsky.
  188. 194Levin struggles with new musicA concert prompts confusion, an argument about art, and a reminder of a neglected visit.
  189. 195Levin struggles with social dutiesFormal calls and fashionable conversation leave him awkward, tired, and embarrassed by a borrowed joke.
  190. 196Levin relaxes among club companionsDinner, wine, and shared jokes soften old hostility toward Vronsky.
  191. 197Levin makes peace with VronskyA relaxed club visit ends with an agreement to meet Anna.
  192. 198Levin arrives to meet AnnaDuring a carriage ride, Stepan Arkadyevitch describes his sister’s isolation, writing, and care for a struggling family.
  193. 199Levin finds sympathy for AnnaAn evening of conversation replaces severe judgment with admiration, curiosity, and pity.
  194. 200Levin’s sympathy provokes Kitty’s jealousyA confession about an evening visit brings tears, accusations, and a promise to avoid Anna.
  195. 201Anna turns distress into a weaponVronsky returns from gambling, and an appeal for tenderness becomes a struggle over freedom and reassurance.
  196. 202Kitty’s labor sends Levin for helpHer calm preparations give way to cries of pain, and her frightened husband turns to prayer.
  197. 203Levin struggles through Kitty’s sufferingAn anxious husband fetches medical help, then turns to prayer as waiting becomes unbearable.
  198. 204Kitty gives birth to a sonLevin’s terror becomes joy, but the newborn still feels strange to him.
  199. 205Levin faces his feelings as a fatherBeside Kitty and their newborn, expected happiness gives way to pity, fear, and a barely noticed pride.
  200. 206Oblonsky seeks a better incomeMoney troubles drive Stepan Arkadyevitch toward a lucrative committee post and an uncomfortable appeal for influence.
  201. 207A plea for Anna’s divorceStepan asks Karenin to honor his promise, but religious objections delay a final answer.
  202. 208Seryozha resists memories of his motherAn uncle’s question breaks a schoolboy’s guarded calm and leaves him distressed.
  203. 209Petersburg pleasures and a clairvoyant's influenceStepan Arkadyevitch enjoys fashionable society, then hears who may control his sister's divorce.
  204. 210A visit turns to religious instructionOblonsky hopes for help with an appointment but finds himself concealing his doubts during a discussion of faith.
  205. 211A strange gathering blocks the divorceStepan Arkadyevitch leaves in confusion, and Alexey Alexandrovitch sends a final refusal the next day.
  206. 212Anna struggles to make peaceJealousy turns a small disagreement into lasting resentment as departure from Moscow remains stalled.
  207. 213Jealousy turns a departure into crisisA dispute over travel brings thoughts of death before tenderness briefly restores closeness.
  208. 214Departure plans dissolve into another quarrelA telegram about divorce renews Anna’s suspicions, and visitors interrupt an increasingly bitter dispute.
  209. 215Anna refuses to leave with VronskyJealousy, thoughts of death, and a terrifying night deepen the couple’s estrangement.
  210. 216Anna seeks reassurance and escapeA failed message deepens her fear, and she leaves to visit Dolly.
  211. 217Anna abandons her appeal for helpA visit to Dolly turns bitter when Kitty’s presence awakens jealousy and fears of rejection.
  212. 218Anna leaves home to confront VronskyA delayed reply deepens her anger, and she prepares for a journey she means to make permanent.
  213. 219Anna questions every hope of happinessA carriage ride to the station brings bitter thoughts about love, separation, and other people.
  214. 220Anna seeks escape beneath a trainA brief letter deepens her distress, and a remembered death gives her a terrible plan.
  215. 221Sergey finds a cause after failureA neglected scholarly work gives way to tireless support for the Slavonic peoples and plans for a country visit.
  216. 222Volunteers gather as Vronsky departsPublic cheers surround a suffering man as Sergey Ivanovitch prepares to visit his brother.
  217. 223Private doubts beneath public praiseKatavasov meets the volunteers and hides his unfavorable impressions while crowds continue celebrating them.
  218. 224A mother recounts her son's collapseAt a station stop, the countess explains Vronsky’s suffering and his decision to join the Serbian war.
  219. 225Vronsky offers a life he despisesSergey Ivanovitch offers encouragement, but grief turns a conversation about service into a private ordeal.
  220. 226Kitty welcomes guests and nurses MityaUnexpected visitors arrive at Pokrovskoe, while a hungry baby draws his mother away from company.
  221. 227Kitty trusts her husband's goodnessWhile settling Mitya, a mother weighs religious doubts against daily kindness and practical household worries.
  222. 228Levin searches for reasons to liveScientific explanations leave his deepest questions unanswered, while remembered prayer makes unbelief harder to sustain.
  223. 229Levin searches for a reason to livePhilosophy and church doctrine fail to settle his doubts, and despair brings him close to suicide.
  224. 230Levin lives by an inner judgeDaily duties give him practical certainty, even as questions about existence drive him toward despair.
  225. 231Farm work opens a spiritual questionDuring threshing, Levin questions life's purpose, and a peasant's account of goodness fills him with sudden excitement.
  226. 232Levin finds meaning beyond reasonA peasant’s words bring relief as inherited beliefs become the answer to a painful spiritual question.
  227. 233Levin finds peace through faithA memory of childish mischief helps him recognize the spiritual beliefs that sustain his life.
  228. 234Levin tests his new peaceFamily encounters revive old habits, but solitude among the bees restores his confidence.
  229. 235Levin challenges claims of popular supportNews of volunteers prompts a dispute over war, Christian duty, and who can speak for ordinary Russians.
  230. 236Levin rejects arguments for warA debate over public opinion exposes a divide between intellectual certainty and personal moral duty.
  231. 237A storm frightens Levin
  232. 238Levin recognizes his love for MityaA nursery visit brings fresh joy while questions about faith remain unresolved.
  233. 239Levin finds meaning in goodnessUnder a clearing sky, private reflection gives way to a household request and a lasting moral conviction.
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Characters

Anna

Anna admits her love for Vronsky to her husband, but separation from her son Seryozha brings another painful claim on her feelings. Her secret visit offers contact, yet her distress eventually ends in death beneath a train.

Key chapters: 63, 153, 220

Levin

Levin renews his love with Kitty, but marriage still brings jealousy and the demands of a shared household. His examination of religious conviction leads toward goodness, suggesting that meaning grows through moral life rather than complete certainty.

Key chapters: 114, 138, 239

Vronsky

Vronsky urges Anna to leave her husband, but her fear for her son complicates their hopes of living together. He seeks purpose through painting abroad, then faces war service after Anna's death with a sense of personal ruin.

Key chapters: 57, 132, 225

Kitty

Kitty first refuses Levin, then later joins him in a renewed declaration of love through chalk initials. Her attentive care for his dying brother shows a practical strength that extends beyond the hopes and disappointments of courtship.

Key chapters: 13, 114, 142

Alexey Alexandrovitch

His forgiveness during her illness shows compassion, but his eventual refusal of divorce leaves that moment of mercy without a lasting resolution.

Key chapters: 92, 118, 211

Dolly

Dolly faces Stepan Arkadyevitch's betrayal while finding happiness within the worries of caring for her children. She urges Anna toward divorce, yet returns from their conversation with renewed affection for her own family, suggesting that sympathy need not erase differences.

Key chapters: 1, 76, 181

Stepan Arkadyevitch

Stepan Arkadyevitch regrets being discovered rather than being unfaithful, a response that suggests his preference for comfort over self-examination. He presses Alexey Alexandrovitch to permit Anna's divorce while his own money troubles lead him toward a lucrative committee position.

Key chapters: 2, 123, 206

Who's who, timeline and places

Themes

Love and jealousy

Levin's jealousy over attention to Kitty gives way to explanation and apologies, while Anna's need for tenderness becomes a struggle over reassurance and freedom. The contrast suggests that love depends not only on passionate feeling but also on how people answer fear and uncertainty.

Where it shows: chapters 164, 201, 219

Appearances and judgment

Alexey Alexandrovitch's demand for concealment shows a marriage governed partly by public reputation rather than open discussion of feeling. Society's welcome to Vronsky and rejection of Anna, sharpened by her humiliation at the theater, suggests that social judgment distributes its penalties unequally.

Where it shows: chapters 92, 152, 157

Care and goodness

Kitty's attraction to Varenka's quiet care develops into her own attentive help beside Levin's dying brother. Her later trust in Levin's daily kindness despite his religious doubts suggests that goodness becomes visible through practical attention to others, not merely through declarations of belief.

Where it shows: chapters 64, 142, 227

Faith and meaning

Levin's admitted doubt persists when philosophy and church doctrine fail to answer his questions about life's purpose. A peasant's words open another path, and his eventual commitment to goodness suggests that moral meaning can guide a life without resolving every intellectual uncertainty.

Where it shows: chapters 125, 229, 232, 239

Symbols

Anna's portrait

Anna's portrait links the effort to capture her image with changing ways of seeing her.

Chapters 137, 199

Tears

Tears accompany moments when anger or terror gives way to a different feeling. Kitty's reconciliation with Dolly and Levin's response to childbirth suggest that emotional openness can mark a movement toward care and renewed connection.

Chapters 37, 204

Famous lines explained

The narrator, Chapter 1. The narrator frames the household crisis after Dolly discovers Stepan Arkadyevitch's affair. The comparison suggests that family unhappiness demands attention to its particular circumstances.

Alexey Alexandrovitch, Chapter 92. His words show how reputation becomes a condition of their marriage.

The narrator, Chapter 142. The narrator describes Kitty caring for Levin's dying brother. Her understanding comes from sustained attention, suggesting that compassion works through noticing and answering another person's needs.

The narrator, Chapter 232. The narrator explains Levin's relief after a peasant's words reshape his spiritual questions. The line suggests that his lived moral understanding has outrun his intellectual explanations.

Setting

The story moves between Petersburg and Moscow, where domestic routines, divorce plans, and strained relationships shape Anna's life.

PetersburgMoscowPokrovskoeVozdvizhenskoe

Questions for discussion

  1. What does society's different treatment of Anna and Vronsky suggest about the standards behind its judgments?
  2. How does Alexey Alexandrovitch's later refusal of divorce change your understanding of his forgiveness?
  3. Is Kitty right to place daily kindness above certainty of belief when judging Levin's goodness?
  4. Does Dolly's renewed affection for her family suggest contentment, compromise, or a mixture of both?
  5. How might a relationship balance Anna's need for reassurance with Vronsky's desire for freedom?

Essay topics

  1. Public Judgment. Examine how the demand for appearances and society's unequal treatment of Anna and Vronsky reinforce one another.
  2. Practical Care. Analyze how Kitty's care and her trust in Levin define goodness through action rather than declared belief.
  3. Finding Meaning. Trace the change from Levin's unanswered intellectual questions to his conviction that goodness can give life meaning.

Quick quiz

Question 1 of 10Score 0

What does Stepan Arkadyevitch especially regret about his response when Dolly confronts him?

All 30 questions and 40 flashcards

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