Anna Karenina · Chapter
Varenka's Past and Kitty's Admiration explained
The princess learns the story of Varenka's origins: she is not Madame Stahl's biological child but was substituted after Stahl's own child died.
What happens
The princess learns the story of Varenka's origins: she is not Madame Stahl's biological child but was substituted after Stahl's own child died. Varenka has been raised by the ailing, philanthropic Stahl abroad. Kitty becomes increasingly fascinated by Varenka's serene and virtuous character. At an evening gathering, Varenka sings beautifully but remains utterly unmoved by praise. When an Italian song causes Varenka to blush, she later confides to Kitty that it reminds her of a past love—a man who chose his mother's wishes over her. Kitty, still tormented by her own humiliation over Vronsky, is awed by Varenka's calm acceptance and seeks to understand the source of her inner peace and dignity.
Themes in this chapter
Social Conventions vs. Individual Desire
Varenka's lost love succumbed to familial duty (his mother's wishes) over his personal feelings, illustrating the power of social convention over individual happiness.
Love and Marriage
The chapter contrasts two experiences of rejected love: Varenka's calm, forgiven past and Kitty's still-festering humiliation, exploring different responses to romantic disappointment.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Madame Stahl's ambiguous reputation and the secret of Varenka's origins point to the constructed and potentially hypocritical nature of social identity and philanthropy.
Characters to notice
- Kitty Shcherbatskaya
Deeply fascinated by Varenka's serene character; contrasts Varenka's calm with her own lingering shame over Vronsky's rejection; seeks Varenka's secret to inner peace.
- Mademoiselle Varenka
Reveals her past love story where the man obeyed his mother and married another; displays remarkable tranquility, humility, and a sense that there are 'more important' things in life than romantic disappointment.
- Princess Shcherbatskaya
Learns Varenka's background and approves of the friendship; organizes the musical evening and expresses conventional concern for Varenka's safety.
- Madame Stahl
Her backstory is revealed: a wealthy, invalid woman of ambiguous morality/piety who raised Varenka (not her biological child) after a child substitution.
- The Colonel
A guest at the musical evening who points out the crowd gathered to listen to Varenka and offers to escort her home.
- Marya Yevgenyevna
A guest (with her daughter) at the princess's gathering who admires Varenka's singing.
Key passages
“"If it had been I," thought Kitty, "how proud I should have been!... But she’s utterly unmoved by it."”
Kitty marvels at Varenka's humility, contrasting it with the pride she herself would have felt.
Highlights Kitty's admiration and her own preoccupation with social validation.
“"Oh, no, he’s a very good man, and I’m not unhappy; quite the contrary, I’m very happy."”
Varenka describes her past love without bitterness, claiming happiness and refusing to vilify the man.
Demonstrates Varenka's forgiveness and emotional equilibrium, which astonishes Kitty.
“"Oh, there’s so much that’s important," said Varenka, smiling.”
Varenka suggests that life holds significance beyond romantic entanglements.
Represents the core of Varenka's philosophical calm that Kitty desperately wishes to understand.
“Kitty saw that Varenka could hardly restrain a smile at the idea that she needed an escort.”
Varenka finds the notion that she needs protection amusing.
Emphasizes Varenka's independence and practical, un-fearful view of the world.
