# XV explained — Anna Karenina

> Chapter companion for Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

Levin, tormented by jealousy over Veslovsky's attentions to Kitty, abruptly orders Veslovsky to leave the estate. He confronts Dolly for her opinion, who confirms that both she and Stiva noticed Veslovsky's flirtatious behavior. Despite Stiva's protests about the rudeness, Levin stands firm. After Veslovsky's departure, the household's mood lightens, and Dolly turns the incident into a humorous story.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Domesticity

Levin's violent reaction stems from his desire to protect the sanctity and peace of his new family life with Kitty from an intrusive outsider.

### Social Conventions vs. Individual Desire

Levin's raw, jealous impulse to eject Veslovsky clashes directly with social conventions of hospitality and politeness, defended by Stiva.

### Love and Marriage

The crisis tests Levin's marriage, highlighting his passionate, possessive love and the vulnerability of their marital harmony to external flirtation.

## Character check-ins

### Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin

Consumed by jealousy, he awkwardly but firmly expels Veslovsky. He feels ashamed of his rudeness but justified in protecting his domestic peace.

### Vassenka Veslovsky

Shown packing his gaiters, he is surprised and offended by his sudden dismissal. His simple-hearted good nature makes Levin momentarily pity him.

### Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky

Finds Levin's action ridiculous and tries to reason with him, representing the worldly social view that such flirtations are harmless.

### Darya Alexandrovna Oblonskaya

Confirms to Levin that Veslovsky's behavior was noticeable. Later, she lightens the mood by humorously recounting the incident of his departure.

### Kitty Shcherbatskaya

Though not physically present in the main scene, her reported distress and the quarrel with Levin are the central catalysts for the chapter's conflict.

## Key lines

> "I have ordered the horses to be put-to for you."

Levin directly tells Veslovsky he must leave.

_The blunt, socially catastrophic statement that initiates the conflict._

> "The opinion of the world would be that he is behaving as young men do behave. Il fait la cour à une jeune et jolie femme, and a husband who’s a man of the world should only be flattered by it."

Dolly explains that society sees such flirtation as normal and flattering.

_Highlights the gap between social convention (Stiva/Dolly's view) and Levin's intense personal feeling._

> "And what is there in common between us and him?" thought Levin

Levin reflects on the fundamental incompatibility between Veslovsky's world and his own domestic life.

_Captures Levin's core motivation: defending his family's unique, cherished way of life from a frivolous outsider._

## Links

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