Anna Karenina, Chapter 21 summary
Chapter 21 of 239 · Part 1 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 21, Anna concludes that Dolly and Stepan Arkadyevitch have made up, and the family enjoys a cheerful evening over tea until Vronsky briefly appears downstairs. His refusal to join them prompts Kitty to imagine that he seeks her, while Anna feels both pleasure and dread at seeing him.
What happens
- Dolly offers Anna a downstairs room, and her familiar teasing of Stepan Arkadyevitch convinces Anna that the couple has reconciled.
- The family enjoys tea together, while Anna misses Seryozha and leaves to fetch an album containing his photograph.
- On the staircase, Anna recognizes Vronsky downstairs and feels pleasure mixed with dread as he looks up at her.
- Vronsky refuses Stepan Arkadyevitch’s invitation upstairs and leaves after asking about the next day’s dinner.
- Kitty believes Vronsky comes looking for her, but the visit strikes everyone as strange and Anna as improper.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Anna’s divided response makes the brief visit emotionally significant. Her unease contrasts with Kitty’s confident belief that Vronsky seeks her.
Quick check
What reason does Stepan Arkadyevitch give for Vronsky’s visit?
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