Anna Karenina · Chapter
III explained
Sergey Ivanovitch and Katavasov travel by train.
What happens
Sergey Ivanovitch and Katavasov travel by train. Katavasov moves to a second-class carriage to observe and speak with volunteers heading to the Serbian-Turkish war. He finds them unimpressive—a boastful, tipsy merchant; a pretentious retired officer; and a modest, self-effacing artillery cadet. An old soldier in the carriage shares Katavasov's skepticism but, fearing public opinion, only offers a noncommittal remark. Both men conceal their true views on the volunteers and the war news before parting.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Both Katavasov and the old soldier feel compelled to hide their critical opinions of the volunteers, conforming to the enthusiastic public mood to avoid social danger.
Search for Meaning
The volunteers seek purpose and heroism in a foreign war, but their motives appear mixed—from boastful self-aggrandizement to genuine, quiet sympathy.
Characters to notice
- Sergey Ivanovitch Koznishev
Travels with Katavasov; familiar with the volunteer type and shows no interest in them, advising Katavasov to go speak to them himself.
- Professor Katavasov
Curiously observes the volunteers, finds most unpleasant and unheroic, but feels pressured to report favorably to Sergey Ivanovitch due to public sentiment.
- Count Alexey Kirillovitch Vronsky
Not present, but the chapter's focus on volunteers and the Serbian war indirectly relates to his own military ambitions and departure.
Key passages
“Well, men are wanted there,”
The old soldier gives a vague, noncommittal answer about the need for volunteers.
Highlights the pressure to conform and the hypocrisy of publicly supporting a cause while privately doubting it.
“Oh, well, everyone’s going. The Serbians want help, too. I’m sorry for them.”
The modest artilleryman explains his reason for volunteering simply as following the crowd and feeling pity.
Contrasts with the boastful motives of others, showing a more genuine, unassuming desire to help.