Anna Karenina, Part 5, Chapter 16 summary
Part 5, Chapter 16 of 239 · 5 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 16, Levin receives Marya Nikolaevna’s letter reporting his brother’s grave illness and decides to visit him, but Kitty insists on coming too. Their quarrel ends in reconciliation and a plan to travel together, though Levin remains troubled by her insistence and by the prospect of her meeting his brother’s former mistress.
What happens
- Levin finds Kitty serving tea with Agafea Mihalovna, whose affection shows that she accepts the new mistress.
- Marya Nikolaevna’s letter reports Nikolay’s severe illness and lack of money, prompting Levin to decide to leave the next day.
- Kitty asks to accompany him, but Levin objects to travel difficulties and to her meeting Marya Nikolaevna.
- Kitty insists that supporting her distressed husband is her duty, while Levin suspects she fears being left alone.
- After angry words and Kitty’s tears, Levin comforts her, and they agree to travel together.
- Despite their reconciliation, Levin resents his own surrender and dreads Kitty’s contact with his brother’s former mistress.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Kitty states her reason for insisting on the journey. Her complaint exposes the conflict between her sense of duty and Levin’s distrust of her motives.
Quick check
Why does Levin initially object to Kitty meeting Marya Nikolaevna?
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