Anna Karenina · Chapter
Levin's First Meeting with Anna explained
Stepan Arkadyevitch (Stiva) takes Levin to meet Anna Karenina.
What happens
Stepan Arkadyevitch (Stiva) takes Levin to meet Anna Karenina. During the carriage ride, Stiva explains Anna's painful social position as she awaits her divorce from Karenin and plans to marry Vronsky. He describes her dignified life in seclusion, her writing of a children's book, and her charitable care for an English trainer's family. Levin is filled with doubt about the propriety of the visit. Upon arrival, they enter Anna's home, where Levin is immediately captivated by Mihailov's striking portrait of her. Anna herself then enters, and Levin is struck by her living beauty.
Themes in this chapter
Social Conventions vs. Individual Desire
Anna's entire situation is defined by this conflict. Her desire for love and life with Vronsky is trapped and made 'painful' by the slow, 'anomalous' divorce process and the social condemnation that forces her into isolation.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Stiva criticizes the 'old ceremonies' of divorce that 'no one believes in' yet which dictate social acceptability. Anna is shunned by society (e.g., Princess Varvara) for a breach of propriety, highlighting the hypocritical enforcement of empty conventions.
Isolation and Misunderstanding
Anna is physically and socially isolated in Moscow, seeing almost no one. Levin's preconceived, simplistic view of women ('simply as a female') is challenged by Stiva's description of Anna's complex, intellectual, and charitable life, pointing to a common misunderstanding of her character.
Characters to notice
- Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin
Agrees to visit Anna but is filled with doubt and guilt, wondering what Kitty would think. He is profoundly struck by Anna's portrait and then her living presence.
- Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky
Insists on taking Levin to meet Anna, defends her character, and explains the stalled divorce proceedings and her isolated, dignified life in Moscow.
- Anna Arkadyevna Karenina
Described as living in seclusion awaiting her divorce, writing a children's book, and charitably supporting an English family. She makes a dramatic entrance, matching the beauty of her portrait.
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Mentioned as the man Anna intends to marry once her divorce from Karenin is finalized.
- Alexey Alexandrovitch Karenin
Mentioned as the husband with whom divorce negotiations are dragging on, primarily over their son.
- Mihailov
The artist who painted the captivating portrait of Anna that mesmerizes Levin.
Key passages
“Her position is very painful, especially now... We are carrying on negotiations with her husband about a divorce.”
Anna is in a difficult situation because her divorce proceedings are ongoing and protracted.
Explains the central conflict of Anna's current life.
“How stupid these old ceremonies are, that no one believes in, and which only prevent people being comfortable!”
Stiva condemns the pointless social and legal formalities that complicate people's lives.
Highlights the theme of hypocrisy and outdated social structures.
“I believe you picture every woman simply as a female, une couveuse... She's writing a children's book... She's a woman with a heart, before everything.”
Stiva corrects Levin's likely assumption that Anna is only a mother; she is also an author and a compassionate person.
Challenges stereotypes and reveals Anna's multifaceted character.
“It was not a picture, but a living, charming woman... She was not living only because she was more beautiful than a living woman can be.”
Levin is stunned by the portrait's lifelike and transcendent beauty.
Foreshadows the powerful effect Anna's actual presence will have on him.
