# Levin's First Meeting with Anna explained — Anna Karenina > Chapter companion for Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-ix - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anna_karenina_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters