An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 891 words)
fter dinner, and till the beginning of the evening, Kitty was feeling
a sensation akin to the sensation of a young man before a battle. Her
heart throbbed violently, and her thoughts would not rest on anything.
She felt that this evening, when they would both meet for the first
time, would be a turning point in her life. And she was continually
picturing them to herself, at one moment each separately, and then both
together. When she mused on the past, she dwelt with pleasure, with
tenderness, on the memories of her relations with Levin. The memories
of childhood and of Levin’s friendship with her dead brother gave a
special poetic charm to her relations with him. His love for her, of
which she felt certain, was flattering and delightful to her; and it
was pleasant for her to think of Levin. In her memories of Vronsky
there always entered a certain element of awkwardness, though he was in
the highest degree well-bred and at ease, as though there were some
false note—not in Vronsky, he was very simple and nice, but in herself,
while with Levin she felt perfectly simple and clear. But, on the other
hand, directly she thought of the future with Vronsky, there arose
before her a perspective of brilliant happiness; with Levin the future
seemed misty.
When she went upstairs to dress, and looked into the looking-glass, she
noticed with joy that it was one of her good days, and that she was in
complete possession of all her forces,—she needed this so for what lay
before her: she was conscious of external composure and free grace in
her movements.
At half-past seven she had only just gone down into the drawing-room,
when the footman announced, “Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin.” The
princess was still in her room, and the prince had not come in. “So it
is to be,” thought Kitty, and all the blood seemed to rush to her
heart. She was horrified at her paleness, as she glanced into the
looking-glass. At that moment she knew beyond doubt that he had come
early on purpose to find her alone and to make her an offer. And only
then for the first time the whole thing presented itself in a new,
different aspect; only then she realized that the question did not
affect her only—with whom she would be happy, and whom she loved—but
that she would have that moment to wound a man whom she liked. And to
wound him cruelly. What for? Because he, dear fellow, loved her, was in
love with her. But there was no help for it, so it must be, so it would
have to be.
“My God! shall I myself really have to say it to him?” she thought.
“Can I tell him I don’t love him? That will be a lie. What am I to say
to him? That I love someone else? No, that’s impossible. I’m going
away, I’m going away.”
She had reached the door, when she heard his step. “No! it’s not
honest. What have I to be afraid of? I have done nothing wrong. What is
to be, will be! I’ll tell the truth. And with him one can’t be ill at
ease. Here he is,” she said to herself, seeing his powerful, shy
figure, with his shining eyes fixed on her. She looked straight into
his face, as though imploring him to spare her, and gave her hand.
“It’s not time yet; I think I’m too early,” he said glancing round the
empty drawing-room. When he saw that his expectations were realized,
that there was nothing to prevent him from speaking, his face became
gloomy.
“Oh, no,” said Kitty, and sat down at the table.
“But this was just what I wanted, to find you alone,” he began, not
sitting down, and not looking at her, so as not to lose courage.
“Mamma will be down directly. She was very much tired....
Yesterday....”
She talked on, not knowing what her lips were uttering, and not taking
her supplicating and caressing eyes off him.
He glanced at her; she blushed, and ceased speaking.
“I told you I did not know whether I should be here long ... that it
depended on you....”
She dropped her head lower and lower, not knowing herself what answer
she should make to what was coming.
“That it depended on you,” he repeated. “I meant to say ... I meant to
say ... I came for this ... to be my wife!” he brought out, not knowing
what he was saying; but feeling that the most terrible thing was said,
he stopped short and looked at her....
She was breathing heavily, not looking at him. She was feeling ecstasy.
Her soul was flooded with happiness. She had never anticipated that the
utterance of love would produce such a powerful effect on her. But it
lasted only an instant. She remembered Vronsky. She lifted her clear,
truthful eyes, and seeing his desperate face, she answered hastily:
“That cannot be ... forgive me.”
A moment ago, and how close she had been to him, of what importance in
his life! And how aloof and remote from him she had become now!
“It was bound to be so,” he said, not looking at her.
He bowed, and was meaning to retreat.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
When mental spinning about purpose and worth becomes overwhelming, engaging in simple, honest work that serves others often provides the grounding and peace that endless self-analysis cannot deliver.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when authentic, helpful work can provide the grounding that endless self-analysis cannot.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel most centered—is it during tasks that serve others or tasks that serve your image? Next time you feel lost, try doing something genuinely helpful for someone else.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The longer Levin mowed, the oftener he felt those moments of unconsciousness in which it seemed not his hands that swung the scythe, but the scythe mowing of itself."
Context: As Levin loses himself in the rhythm of cutting hay
This describes the meditative state that comes from repetitive physical work. Levin's racing thoughts quiet as his body takes over, showing how manual labor can be a form of therapy.
In Today's Words:
The more he worked, the more he got into the zone where his hands just moved on autopilot and his mind finally shut up.
"He felt a pleasant coolness on his hot, perspiring shoulders."
Context: Levin experiencing physical sensations while working
Tolstoy emphasizes the simple physical pleasures of honest work. After months of mental anguish, Levin finds peace in basic bodily experiences like sweat and cool air.
In Today's Words:
He actually enjoyed feeling the sweat on his back and the breeze cooling him down.
"The grass cut with a juicy sound, and was laid in high, fragrant rows."
Context: Describing the satisfying results of the mowing work
The sensory details show the immediate, tangible results of physical labor. Unlike intellectual work, mowing produces visible, measurable progress that provides instant satisfaction.
In Today's Words:
You could hear the satisfying swish of the blade cutting through, and see neat rows of sweet-smelling grass piling up.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Levin crosses class boundaries by working alongside peasants, initially causing suspicion but eventually earning acceptance through authentic participation
Development
Deepening from earlier social awkwardness—now Levin finds genuine connection by dropping pretense
In Your Life:
You might find more genuine connections when you drop social performances and simply show up as yourself
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin stops trying to figure out who he is intellectually and discovers himself through physical labor and connection to the land
Development
Evolution from his earlier romantic rejection crisis—moving from mental anguish to embodied discovery
In Your Life:
Your sense of self might become clearer through what you do rather than what you think about yourself
Purpose
In This Chapter
Meaning emerges not from philosophical debate but from simple, productive work that connects him to something larger
Development
Introduced here as a counterpoint to his earlier intellectual searching
In Your Life:
You might find your purpose in serving others rather than in endless self-examination
Authenticity
In This Chapter
The peasants gradually accept Levin because genuine participation in honest work reveals authentic character
Development
Building on themes of social performance—here showing the power of dropping the mask
In Your Life:
Others often respond better to your authentic self than to the version you think you should be
Mind-Body Connection
In This Chapter
Physical labor quiets Levin's racing thoughts and aligns his mental and physical being in productive harmony
Development
Introduced here as a solution to his earlier mental torment
In Your Life:
When your mind won't stop spinning, engaging your body in meaningful work might provide the reset you need
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Kitty describe her feelings with Levin versus Vronsky? What specific words does she use to compare them?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Kitty feel 'a moment of ecstasy' when Levin proposes, even though she's already decided to refuse him?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people choose the person who makes them feel 'brilliant' over the person who makes them feel 'clear'? What usually happens?
application • medium - 4
Kitty notices there's always 'some false note' with Vronsky that's 'not in him, but in herself.' What does this tell us about their compatibility?
application • deep - 5
Think about a time you chose excitement over authenticity, or were tempted to. What was the appeal of the more exciting option, and did it work out?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Clear vs. Brilliant - Evaluating Your Own Choices
Think about a major choice you're facing or have recently made. Create two columns: 'Clear' and 'Brilliant.' Under Clear, list what makes you feel authentic, comfortable, yourself in each option. Under Brilliant, list what makes each option look exciting, impressive, or dazzling to others. Notice which column is longer for each choice, and ask yourself: Am I choosing based on where I feel most real, or where I seem most impressive?
Consider:
- •Pay attention to choices that make you feel like you're performing versus being yourself
- •Notice when 'exciting' comes with a side of anxiety or feeling inadequate
- •Consider whether comfort means boring or whether it means authentic fit
Journaling Prompt
Write about someone who chose you (for friendship, relationship, job, opportunity) and how that felt. Then write about a time you had to reject someone. What did you learn about both sides of that experience?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14
While Levin finds peace in the fields, the social world continues to spin around him. Anna and Vronsky's relationship deepens, setting the stage for consequences that will ripple through both their lives.
