Anna Karenina · Chapter
XXIII explained
Anna and Vronsky remain in a stifling Moscow summer, their relationship strained by an unspoken, growing irritation.
What happens
Anna and Vronsky remain in a stifling Moscow summer, their relationship strained by an unspoken, growing irritation. Anna, convinced his love has diminished, is consumed by a formless jealousy and blames him for all the difficulties of her position. She reflects on a recent petty quarrel over women's education that revealed deeper wounds. Resolving to make peace, she decides to apologize and leave for the country, but her thoughts spiral back into suspicion and hurt just as Vronsky returns.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Misunderstanding
Anna is physically and emotionally isolated, waiting alone. The central conflict stems from mutual misunderstanding and an inability to communicate their true grievances, leading to a cycle of resentment.
Love and Marriage
The chapter dissects the decaying 'loving agreement' in their unofficial union. Anna measures everything by the intensity of Vronsky's love, which she feels is decreasing, poisoning their life together.
Infidelity and Betrayal
Though no specific affair is cited, Anna's jealousy is pervasive. She feels betrayed by the decrease of his love, which she interprets as his love being transferred to others, making her suspicious of all women.
Characters to notice
- Anna Arkadyevna Karenina
Alone in Moscow, tormented by jealousy and the conviction that Vronsky's love is waning. She analyzes a recent quarrel, blaming him for her isolation and suffering, but resolves to apologize for the sake of peace.
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Absent for a bachelor dinner. His perspective is presented indirectly: he regrets the difficult position he is in and feels Anna makes it harder. His careless words about her 'unnatural' affection for her English protégée deeply wounded Anna.
- Alexey Alexandrovitch Karenin
Mentioned indirectly as the cause of the 'agonizing condition of suspense' and the delay in divorce, which Anna blames on Vronsky.
- Seryozha Karenin
Invoked in Anna's thoughts as the son she is forever separated from, a sacrifice she made for Vronsky.
Key passages
“The irritability that kept them apart had no external cause, and all efforts to come to an understanding intensified it, instead of removing it.”
Their strife was internal; trying to talk it out only made things worse.
Highlights the psychological and unresolvable nature of their conflict.
“In her eyes the whole of him... was one thing—love for women, and that love, she felt, ought to be entirely concentrated on her alone. That love was less...”
She saw him as defined solely by his love for women, and since she felt that love for her had diminished, she assumed he must be giving it to someone else.
Explains the root of Anna's formless, all-consuming jealousy.
“"I don't expect you to understand me, my feelings, as anyone who loved me might, but simple delicacy I did expect,"”
Anna told him she didn't expect deep empathy, but at least basic consideration from someone who claimed to love her.
Shows how a minor disagreement escalates into a charge about the fundamental quality of his love.
“"I feel no interest in your infatuation over this girl, that's true, because I see it's unnatural."”
Vronsky said he wasn't interested in her passion for her protégée because it seemed forced and not genuine.
The cruel remark that Anna cannot forget, as it attacks her character and maternal instincts.