Anna Karenina · Chapter
Vronsky's Morning at the Camp explained
Vronsky visits the hut he shares with Petritsky, where Yashvin is trying to sober Petritsky up after a night of heavy drinking.
What happens
Vronsky visits the hut he shares with Petritsky, where Yashvin is trying to sober Petritsky up after a night of heavy drinking. Vronsky collects a letter from his mother and a note from his brother, which he dismissively pockets. He is focused on visiting the stables to see his mare and on a trip to Bryansky, though his comrades suspect his primary motive is to see Anna. The chapter depicts the boisterous, idle atmosphere of the officers' camp on the morning of the races.
Themes in this chapter
Social Conventions vs. Individual Desire
Vronsky's secretive trip to see Anna, hinted at by his comrades, contrasts with the social obligations represented by his family's letters.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
The officers' rowdy, dissolute behavior exists alongside their status as members of the respectable aristocracy and military.
Characters to notice
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Focused on visiting his mare and Anna, dismissive of family letters, shows early signs of baldness.
- Prince Yashvin
Acts as a boisterous caretaker, forcing a 'pick-me-up' on the hungover Petritsky and inquiring about a horse he sold.
- Petritsky
Severely hungover, recounts the previous night's drunken antics, and had hidden Vronsky's letters under his mattress.
- Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky
Mentioned indirectly as 'your brother' who visited Vronsky's hut earlier, leaving a note.
Key passages
“"What business is it of theirs!" thought Vronsky, and crumpling up the letters he thrust them between the buttons of his coat...”
Vronsky dismisses his family's concerns about his behavior and relationship with Anna.
Shows his prioritization of personal desire over familial and social duty.
“"Oh, yes, we know your Bryansky."”
Petritsky implies that Vronsky's stated reason for visiting Bryansky is a pretext to see Anna Karenina.
Highlights the open secret of Vronsky's affair among his peers.