Anna Karenina, Part 4, Chapter 22 summary
Part 4, Chapter 22 of 239 · 8 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 22, Stepan Arkadyevitch urges Alexey Alexandrovitch to grant Anna a divorce, despite Alexey Alexandrovitch’s religious objections and fears for her and the children. Alexey Alexandrovitch agrees to accept disgrace and surrender his son, though he still asks whether their situation might remain unchanged, while Stepan leaves convinced that he has secured an agreement.
What happens
- Stepan Arkadyevitch enters awkwardly and reads Alexey Alexandrovitch’s unfinished letter offering Anna control over what happens next.
- Stepan argues that Anna cannot explain her wishes and proposes divorce as a means of freeing them both.
- Alexey Alexandrovitch silently weighs religious objections, his son’s welfare, and his fear that freedom would destroy Anna.
- Recalling a religious command to accept injury, Alexey Alexandrovitch agrees to bear disgrace and even relinquish his son.
- Stepan leaves feeling moved and successful, then amuses himself by devising a riddle about his achievement.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Alexey Alexandrovitch’s consent includes extreme sacrifice but also a final plea against change. The line captures both his surrender and his continuing resistance.
Quick check
Why does Alexey Alexandrovitch hesitate to keep his son himself after a divorce?
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