Anna Karenina · Chapter
XXIII explained
Anna and Dolly have a late-night, intimate conversation.
What happens
Anna and Dolly have a late-night, intimate conversation. Anna probes Dolly's feelings about her situation and Kitty. The core of the chapter is a profound and unsettling discussion about Anna's choice to avoid having more children, her justification for her irregular position, and her resistance to the idea of divorce and marriage to Vronsky. Dolly listens, finding Anna's arguments both compelling and horrifying, and feels an unbridgeable gulf opening between them.
Themes in this chapter
Social Conventions vs. Individual Desire
Anna's entire argument is a defense of her individual desire for love and companionship with Vronsky against the social conventions demanding marriage, legitimacy for children, and societal acceptance.
Love and Marriage
The chapter debates the nature of marriage versus a love affair. Anna sees legal marriage as a form of slavery that would not secure love, while Dolly (and Vronsky) see it as providing security and legitimacy.
Isolation and Misunderstanding
The conversation ends with Dolly feeling a 'barrier' has arisen between them; Anna's radical choices and justifications isolate her even from her sympathetic sister-in-law.
Characters to notice
- Anna Arkadyevna Karenina
Reveals her decision to have no more children to preserve her relationship with Vronsky, argues passionately for her choices, and expresses deep pessimism about the possibility of legalizing their union.
- Darya Alexandrovna Oblonskaya
Acts as a listener and reluctant confidante; is horrified by Anna's revelation about preventing children and feels their fundamental worldviews are irreconcilable.
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Discussed in absentia; his desire for legitimacy (marriage, legitimizing their daughter) is reported by Dolly, but Anna dismisses it.
- Kitty Shcherbatskaya
The subject of initial inquiry; Anna worries Kitty hates her, and Dolly confirms such things are not 'forgiven,' though Kitty is now happy.
- Princess Betsy Tverskaya
Mentioned by Anna as a hypocritical example of society's judgment; she refused to know Anna due to her 'irregular' position.
Key passages
“"He need not trouble on that score; I shall have no more children."”
Anna declares she will intentionally avoid future pregnancies.
A shocking revelation that forms the crux of the chapter's moral conflict.
“"What is reason given me for, if I am not to use it to avoid bringing unhappy beings into the world!"”
Anna argues that using her intellect to prevent the birth of illegitimate, suffering children is rational and responsible.
Highlights her utilitarian and tragic view of her potential motherhood.
“"What wife, what slave can be so utterly a slave as I, in my position?"”
Anna claims her current dependent, illicit relationship makes her more enslaved than any legal wife.
Expresses her profound sense of precariousness and powerlessness within the affair.