Anna Karenina, Part 8, Chapter 3 summary
Part 8, Chapter 3 of 239 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, Katavasov visits the volunteers’ carriage and finds that their boasting, backgrounds, and limited military experience give him an unfavorable impression despite the public enthusiasm surrounding them. He and an experienced officer conceal their doubts from each other, and Katavasov returns to Sergey Ivanovitch with a falsely favorable report.
What happens
- Sergey Ivanovitch and Katavasov board the train, and young men at Tsaritsino station greet the volunteers with singing.
- At Sergey Ivanovitch’s suggestion, Katavasov visits the volunteers and meets a boastful merchant, a retired officer, and a modest artilleryman.
- The artilleryman admits that he is a retired cadet who fails his examination, leaving Katavasov with an unfavorable overall impression.
- Katavasov and an older officer cautiously discuss the volunteers and war news without revealing their doubts.
- Katavasov gives Sergey Ivanovitch a favorable report, while another station welcomes the volunteers with singing, collections, and flowers.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Anna Karenina, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
What to notice
Both men privately question the volunteers but avoid saying so. Their silence shows how public enthusiasm restricts honest conversation.
Quick check
What does Katavasov tell Sergey Ivanovitch about the volunteers?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Anna Karenina, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
