Anna Karenina, Part 6, Chapter 5 summary
Part 6, Chapter 5 of 239 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 5, Sergey Ivanovitch rehearses a proposal to Varenka, but their private walk becomes a conversation about mushrooms, and both recognize that the moment has passed. He returns to loyalty toward Marie’s memory, while Varenka feels hurt and relieved and Kitty sees that her plans for the pair have failed.
What happens
- Sergey Ivanovitch silently rehearses a proposal while Varenka helps the children gather mushrooms.
- They walk beyond hearing distance, and Varenka waits anxiously for him to speak.
- Instead of proposing, Sergey Ivanovitch asks about mushroom varieties, and both feel their opportunity disappear.
- They return toward the children; at home, he decides that marriage would betray Marie’s memory.
- Kitty recognizes the failed match and playfully explains the pair’s lack of warmth to Levin.
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In this chapter
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What does Sergey Ivanovitch ask instead of proposing?
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