# II explained — Anna Karenina

> Chapter companion for Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

On the terrace, Kitty, Dolly, the Princess Shcherbatskaya, and Agafea Mihalovna make jam and engage in intimate conversation. They discuss matchmaking for Sergey Ivanovitch and Varenka, reminisce about their own marriage proposals, and touch upon Kitty's past with Vronsky. Levin's arrival briefly interrupts their 'feminine parliament,' highlighting a subtle domestic tension.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Domesticity

Centered on the intimate, everyday rituals of the household (jam-making) and the multi-generational female bonding on the terrace.

### Love and Marriage

Explored through the women's nostalgic recollections of their own proposals and their eager, practical matchmaking for Sergey Ivanovitch and Varenka.

### Isolation and Misunderstanding

Briefly illustrated by Levin's feeling of exclusion upon entering the 'feminine parliament,' sharing a moment of alienation with Agafea Mihalovna.

## Character check-ins

### Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin

Arrives on the terrace, feeling excluded from the women's private conversation and sharing Agafea Mihalovna's vexation over the jam-making method.

### Kitty Shcherbatskaya

Eagerly discusses the potential match between Sergey Ivanovitch and Varenka, reminisces about Levin's proposal, and is annoyed when her mother brings up Vronsky.

### Darya Alexandrovna Oblonskaya

Assists with the jam and participates in the conversation about matchmaking and past proposals, recalling her own with Stiva.

### Princess Shcherbatskaya

Offers domestic advice on jam-making, discusses presents for servants, and defensively tries to steer conversation away from Kitty's past agitation.

### Agafea Mihalovna

Angrily makes jam using Kitty's new method (without water), feeling her traditional ways are being challenged, but is softened by Kitty's kindness.

### Sergey Ivanovitch Koznishev

The subject of the women's matchmaking plans; they discuss his suitability for Varenka.

### Mademoiselle Varenka

Discussed as the ideal potential match for Sergey Ivanovitch, noted for her simplicity and restful nature.

## Key lines

> "It’s always just the same: it was settled by the eyes, by smiles..."

The Princess explains that romantic understanding and proposals are communicated non-verbally, through looks and smiles.

_Highlights the intuitive, unspoken nature of courtship in their society._

> "I’m sorry I’ve broken in on your feminine parliament,"

Levin apologizes for intruding on the women's private gathering.

_Marks a gentle boundary between male and female social spaces within the home._

> "They’re all—all men, I mean... awfully jealous over our past."

Kitty observes that men are often jealous of their wives' romantic histories.

_Introduces the lingering tension of past relationships, specifically Kitty's with Vronsky._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vi-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anna_karenina_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters