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Anna Karenina, Part 5, Chapter 5 summary

Part 5, Chapter 5 of 239 · 4 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 5, Kitty and Levin’s wedding draws relatives, friends, and strangers whose conversations mix admiration, gossip, superstition, and memories of their own marriages. Dolly rejoices for the couple but also recalls her own bridal hopes and Anna’s proposed divorce, bringing uncertainty into the celebration.

What happens

  1. Friends and relatives fill the church, watching the ceremony and quietly discussing clothes, wedding customs, and marriage prospects.
  2. Count Siniavin jokes about remaining unmarried, while Princess Tcharskaya imagines marrying him.
  3. Sergey Ivanovitch jokes about newlyweds’ embarrassment, then becomes serious when Darya Dmitrievna suggests that he feels envy.
  4. Madame Lvova praises Levin’s natural behavior and says Kitty has long cared for him.
  5. Dolly tearfully recalls her own wedding and other brides, including Anna, whose proposed divorce troubles her.
  6. Women watching from outside the family circle debate the couple’s motives, appearance, and prospects.

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In this chapter

AnnaLevinKittyDolly

What to notice

Dolly’s happiness for the couple merges with memories of her own marriage. Her response contrasts with the gossip around her.

Quick check

What news about Anna enters Dolly’s thoughts during the wedding?

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