Anna Karenina, Chapter 22 summary
Chapter 22 of 239 · Part 1 · 7 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 22, Kitty arrives at the ball feeling beautiful and dances with Korsunsky before joining Anna and Vronsky. Her pleasure gives way to uncertainty when Vronsky delays asking her to waltz, and the narrator marks her loving, unanswered glance as a source of lasting shame.
What happens
- Kitty arrives with her mother, pleased with her clothes and appearance, and promises a young man her second quadrille.
- Yegorushka Korsunsky takes Kitty onto the floor, praises her dancing, and guides her toward Anna’s group.
- Kitty admires Anna’s black gown and realizes how little Anna’s beauty depends on her clothes.
- Anna approves Kitty’s appearance, then accepts Korsunsky’s invitation to dance while ignoring Vronsky’s bow.
- Vronsky reminds Kitty of their promised quadrille but asks for a waltz only after she looks surprised.
- The music stops as their dance begins, leaving Kitty’s loving glance unanswered; Korsunsky calls for more waltzing.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Kitty expects Vronsky’s attention as part of her happy evening. His hesitation introduces a painful gap between her hopes and his response.
Quick check
To whom has Kitty promised her first quadrille?
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