Anna Karenina · Chapter
XIX explained
On the morning of the races at Krasnoe Selo, Vronsky eats a sparse meal at the regimental mess, preoccupied with thoughts of Anna and whether he will see her later.
What happens
On the morning of the races at Krasnoe Selo, Vronsky eats a sparse meal at the regimental mess, preoccupied with thoughts of Anna and whether he will see her later. He is irritable with other officers but brightens when his friend Yashvin joins him. Their conversation reveals Vronsky's deep absorption in his passion for Anna and his anticipation of the races, where Yashvin has bet on him.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Vronsky's all-consuming passion for Anna disrupts his focus and social interactions. His need for secrecy, due to her marriage, forces him to devise pretexts for meetings.
Social Conventions vs. Individual Desire
Vronsky's intense private desire for Anna conflicts with social propriety, limiting where and how they can meet. His relationship with the unconventional Yashvin provides an outlet outside normal social codes.
Characters to notice
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Preoccupied with seeing Anna, irritable with others, but serene with Yashvin. He is strictly managing his weight for the races and is the subject of betting.
- Prince Yashvin
Vronsky's closest friend in the regiment, a gambler with immoral principles. He respects Vronsky's passion for Anna and discusses race bets with him.
- Anna Arkadyevna Karenina
Though not physically present, she is the central focus of Vronsky's thoughts. He is anxious about arranging a meeting with her now that her husband has returned.
- Princess Betsy Tverskaya
Mentioned as the host of Vronsky's last meeting with Anna and as the pretext he plans to use for visiting the Karenins' villa.
Key passages
“He was thinking of Anna’s promise to see him that day after the races. But he had not seen her for three days, and as her husband had just returned from abroad, he did not know whether she would be able to meet him today or not, and he did not know how to find out.”
Vronsky is anxiously preoccupied with whether he will be able to see Anna as promised, a difficulty compounded by her husband's recent return.
Highlights the secrecy and obstacles of the affair.
“Vronsky respected and liked Yashvin particularly because he felt Yashvin liked him, not for his name and his money, but for himself. And of all men he was the only one with whom Vronsky would have liked to speak of his love.”
Vronsky values Yashvin's genuine friendship and sees him as the only person who truly understands the seriousness of his love for Anna.
Shows the depth of Vronsky's feeling and his isolation within his social circle.
“"Oh, then you can afford to lose over me," said Vronsky, laughing. (Yashvin had bet heavily on Vronsky in the races.)”
Vronsky jokes that Yashvin's gambling winnings mean he can afford to lose the bet he's placed on Vronsky's performance in the race.
Illustrates the intertwining of personal relationships, reputation, and gambling in their world.