Summary
Levin finds himself in a spiritual crisis, wrestling with questions about the meaning of life that have been building throughout the novel. After witnessing death and contemplating his own mortality, he's tormented by the seeming pointlessness of existence. He can't shake the feeling that despite all his efforts to live a good life - his work on the estate, his marriage to Kitty, his attempts at social reform - nothing he does will matter in the end since everyone dies anyway. This chapter captures Levin's dark night of the soul as he confronts existential despair. He's reached a breaking point where his rational mind can't provide answers to life's biggest questions. The irony is that Levin has everything he once thought would make him happy: a loving wife, a successful farm, financial security. Yet he's never felt more lost. Tolstoy uses Levin's crisis to explore how even the most thoughtful, well-intentioned people can find themselves questioning everything when faced with life's fundamental mysteries. This moment represents the climax of Levin's spiritual journey that's been developing throughout the novel. His anguish feels particularly modern - the sense that despite our best efforts, we might be living meaningless lives in an indifferent universe. What makes this chapter powerful is how relatable Levin's struggle is. Most people, especially those juggling demanding jobs and family responsibilities like Rosie, have experienced moments of wondering 'what's the point of it all?' Tolstoy captures that universal human experience of existential doubt with remarkable honesty.
Coming Up in Chapter 107
Just when Levin seems lost in despair, an unexpected conversation with a simple peasant begins to shift his perspective. Sometimes wisdom comes from the most unlikely sources, and Levin is about to discover that the answers he's been seeking might be simpler than he imagined.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The waiting-room of the celebrated Petersburg lawyer was full when Alexey Alexandrovitch entered it. Three ladies—an old lady, a young lady, and a merchant’s wife—and three gentlemen—one a German banker with a ring on his finger, the second a merchant with a beard, and the third a wrathful-looking government clerk in official uniform, with a cross on his neck—had obviously been waiting a long while already. Two clerks were writing at tables with scratching pens. The appurtenances of the writing-tables, about which Alexey Alexandrovitch was himself very fastidious, were exceptionally good. He could not help observing this. One of the clerks, without getting up, turned wrathfully to Alexey Alexandrovitch, half closing his eyes. “What are you wanting?” He replied that he had to see the lawyer on some business. “He is engaged,” the clerk responded severely, and he pointed with his pen at the persons waiting, and went on writing. “Can’t he spare time to see me?” said Alexey Alexandrovitch. “He has no time free; he is always busy. Kindly wait your turn.” “Then I must trouble you to give him my card,” Alexey Alexandrovitch said with dignity, seeing the impossibility of preserving his incognito. The clerk took the card and, obviously not approving of what he read on it, went to the door. Alexey Alexandrovitch was in principle in favor of the publicity of legal proceedings, though for some higher official considerations he disliked the application of the principle in Russia, and disapproved of it, as far as he could disapprove of anything instituted by authority of the Emperor. His whole life had been spent in administrative work, and consequently, when he did not approve of anything, his disapproval was softened by the recognition of the inevitability of mistakes and the possibility of reform in every department. In the new public law courts he disliked the restrictions laid on the lawyers conducting cases. But till then he had had nothing to do with the law courts, and so had disapproved of their publicity simply in theory; now his disapprobation was strengthened by the unpleasant impression made on him in the lawyer’s waiting room. “Coming immediately,” said the clerk; and two minutes later there did actually appear in the doorway the large figure of an old solicitor who had been consulting with the lawyer himself. The lawyer was a little, squat, bald man, with a dark, reddish beard, light-colored long eyebrows, and an overhanging brow. He was attired as though for a wedding, from his cravat to his double watch-chain and varnished boots. His face was clever and manly, but his dress was dandified and in bad taste. “Pray walk in,” said the lawyer, addressing Alexey Alexandrovitch; and, gloomily ushering Karenin in before him, he closed the door. “Won’t you sit down?” He indicated an armchair at a writing-table covered with papers. He sat down himself, and, rubbing his little hands with short fingers covered with white hairs, he bent his head on one side. But as soon as he...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Existential Crisis - When Success Feels Empty
External success can trigger internal crisis when accomplishments fail to provide the deeper meaning we expected them to deliver.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when external success triggers internal meaning-crisis rather than satisfaction.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when achieving goals leaves you feeling empty rather than fulfilled, and experiment with finding meaning in small daily acts of service instead.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Existential Crisis
A moment of intense questioning about life's meaning and purpose, often triggered by confronting mortality or feeling disconnected from one's values. It's when someone who seemed to have everything figured out suddenly feels lost and questions whether anything they do matters.
Modern Usage:
We see this in midlife crises, burnout, or when people ask 'Is this all there is?' despite having good jobs and families.
Dark Night of the Soul
A spiritual term for periods of deep despair and disconnection from meaning, even for people who usually find purpose in life. It's not just sadness - it's a fundamental questioning of everything you believed gave life value.
Modern Usage:
Mental health professionals recognize this as a common experience during major life transitions or after traumatic events.
Rational Materialism
The belief that science and logic can explain everything, and that physical reality is all there is. In Levin's time, this worldview was challenging traditional religious explanations of life's meaning.
Modern Usage:
Today's debates between science and spirituality, or when people say 'there's got to be more than this' despite believing in facts over faith.
Landed Gentry
Wealthy landowners in 19th century Russia who inherited estates and lived off agricultural income. They had social status but were caught between old aristocratic ways and modern economic pressures.
Modern Usage:
Similar to today's upper-middle-class professionals who have financial security but feel pressure to justify their privilege.
Nihilism
The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and that traditional values are worthless. It often emerges when someone can't find satisfying answers to why we exist.
Modern Usage:
Shows up in depression, cynicism about politics or work, or the feeling that 'nothing matters anyway' when facing setbacks.
Spiritual Seeking
The active search for meaning beyond material success, often involving questioning established beliefs and looking for deeper purpose. It typically happens when external achievements don't bring expected fulfillment.
Modern Usage:
People leaving high-paying careers for more meaningful work, or exploring meditation, therapy, or religion after feeling empty despite success.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist in crisis
Experiences a complete breakdown of his belief system despite having achieved everything he thought would make him happy. His rational mind can't answer fundamental questions about life's purpose, leaving him feeling hopeless and lost.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful professional having a midlife crisis despite the perfect life on paper
Kitty
Loving but distant wife
Represents the life Levin thought would fulfill him - marriage, family, domestic happiness. Her presence in his thoughts highlights how even love can't solve existential despair when someone is questioning everything.
Modern Equivalent:
The supportive spouse who can't understand why their partner is suddenly unhappy with their good life
Key Quotes & Analysis
"What am I living for? What is the meaning of my existence?"
Context: Levin's internal monologue as he confronts the futility he feels about his life
This captures the essence of existential crisis - when someone has everything they thought they wanted but still feels empty. Levin's questions aren't academic; they're desperate attempts to find reason to continue living.
In Today's Words:
Why am I even doing this? What's the point of any of it?
"I shall go on in the same way, losing my temper with the coachman, falling into angry discussions, expressing my opinions tactlessly."
Context: Levin recognizing that he'll continue his flawed human behavior regardless of his spiritual insights
This shows Tolstoy's psychological realism - even profound spiritual moments don't instantly transform us. Levin accepts his human limitations while still seeking meaning beyond them.
In Today's Words:
I'll keep being the same imperfect person, getting annoyed at stupid stuff and saying the wrong things.
"My whole life, independently of anything that can happen to me, every moment of it is no more meaningless, as it was before, but it has the positive meaning of goodness."
Context: Levin's breakthrough moment when he realizes meaning comes from choosing goodness, not from external validation
This represents Levin's resolution - meaning isn't found in achievements or even happiness, but in the daily choice to act with goodness. It's a deeply practical spirituality that doesn't require grand gestures.
In Today's Words:
Every day matters because I can choose to be good, regardless of what happens to me or whether anyone notices.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin's entire sense of self crumbles when his achievements feel meaningless
Development
Evolved from earlier struggles with finding his place in society to questioning existence itself
In Your Life:
You might feel this when a promotion or life milestone leaves you feeling more lost than fulfilled.
Class
In This Chapter
His privileged position allows him the luxury of existential questioning while others struggle for survival
Development
Continues theme of how class shapes what problems we have the space to contemplate
In Your Life:
You might notice how financial stress prevents deep reflection, or how solving basic needs reveals deeper questions.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Growth sometimes means facing uncomfortable truths about the limits of rational thinking
Development
Builds on Levin's journey from naive idealism to complex self-awareness
In Your Life:
You might find that becoming wiser means becoming more uncertain about simple answers.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Even his love for Kitty can't shield him from existential despair
Development
Shows how relationships, while meaningful, can't solve all internal struggles
In Your Life:
You might realize that even good relationships can't fill every emotional void you carry.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific thoughts and feelings is Levin experiencing about his life, despite having achieved everything he once wanted?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does having a successful marriage, farm, and financial security make Levin's existential crisis worse rather than better?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today - people achieving their goals only to feel more lost than before?
application • medium - 4
When someone you care about is going through this kind of crisis, what would actually help them versus what might make it worse?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's experience reveal about the difference between achieving goals and finding meaning?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Achievement Paradox Triggers
Create a simple timeline of your major achievements (job promotions, relationship milestones, financial goals, etc.). Next to each achievement, honestly note how you felt six months after reaching it. Look for patterns: Which successes left you feeling empty or asking 'now what?' Identify what types of achievements tend to trigger existential questioning for you personally.
Consider:
- •Notice whether achievements focused on external validation affect you differently than personal growth milestones
- •Consider how your expectations before achieving something compared to the reality after
- •Pay attention to achievements that isolated you versus those that connected you to others
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you achieved something important but felt surprisingly empty afterward. What were you really hoping that achievement would give you that it didn't? How might you approach similar goals differently in the future?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 107
The coming pages reveal key events and character development in this chapter, and teach us thematic elements and literary techniques. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.