Anna Karenina · Chapter
XVII explained
Karenin receives Anna's telegram begging forgiveness as she claims to be dying.
What happens
Karenin receives Anna's telegram begging forgiveness as she claims to be dying. After initial suspicion, he travels to Petersburg. At the house, he finds Vronsky present and Anna in a feverish, post-childbirth delirium. In her ramblings, she pleads for forgiveness, speaks of her divided self, and expresses concern for Seryozha and her newborn daughter. Overwhelmed, Karenin experiences a profound spiritual transformation, forgives Anna, and even takes Vronsky's hand at her urging.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The chapter presents a catastrophic inversion of marriage: forgiveness and a form of love (agape) flood Karenin, but it occurs as his wife dies after bearing another man's child, exposing the ruin of their union.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Karenin's journey from calculating social propriety ('If it's a trick, then calm contempt') to genuine, uncalculated spiritual feeling contrasts the hollow social conventions discussed at Oblonsky's dinner with a raw, private emotional truth.
Infidelity and Betrayal
The consequences of Anna's affair reach their most intense, personal climax. All three parties are brought together in a room where betrayal, shame, and a plea for absolution collide, moving beyond social scandal to profound personal agony.
Characters to notice
- Alexey Alexandrovitch Karenin
Undergoes a profound emotional and spiritual crisis. Initially hopes for Anna's death to solve his problems, but upon seeing her, is flooded with a feeling of Christian love and forgiveness. He kneels and weeps, forgiving both Anna and Vronsky.
- Anna Arkadyevna Karenina
In a feverish, post-partum state, drifting between lucidity and delirium. She passionately begs for Karenin's forgiveness, speaks of her 'real self,' expresses love for Vronsky and concern for her children, and orchestrates the reconciliation between the two men.
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Overwhelmed with shame and agony. He weeps openly, tells Karenin he is at his disposal, and is forced by Anna and Karenin to participate in the scene of forgiveness, which fills him with humiliation.
- Seryozha Karenin
Anna's thoughts are consumed with worry for him, fearing he will be forgotten. She insists he be moved to a different room, showing her persistent maternal anxiety even in delirium.
- Korney
The servant who informs Karenin of Anna's critical condition upon his arrival.
- Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky
Mentioned in Karenin's memory of the dinner conversation where his situation was discussed, influencing Karenin's initial hardened attitude.
Key passages
“He did not think that the Christian law... enjoined on him to forgive and love his enemies; but a glad feeling of love and forgiveness for his enemies filled his heart.”
Karenin's forgiveness is not a conscious application of doctrine but a spontaneous, overwhelming emotional and spiritual experience.
Highlights the transformation as internal and emotional rather than intellectual or dogmatic.
“"I'm still the same.... But there is another woman in me, I'm afraid of her: she loved that man, and I tried to hate you, and could not forget about her that used to be. I'm not that woman. Now I'm my real self, all myself."”
Anna distinguishes between the self that was consumed by passion for Vronsky and her essential, 'real' self, which seeks forgiveness and peace.
Captures Anna's perception of her own divided identity and her belief that death reveals her true nature.
“"If it’s a trick, then calm contempt and departure. If truth, do what is proper."”
Karenin prepares a cold, rational plan before entering the house: expose deceit with disdain, or perform his duty if she is truly dying.
Shows Karenin's initial defensive posture, which is completely shattered by the reality of the scene.
