Summary
Levin finds himself in a spiritual crisis as he contemplates suicide, feeling that his life lacks meaning despite his material success and loving family. He's tormented by questions about the purpose of existence and whether life is worth living, especially after witnessing so much death and suffering. The chapter reveals how even those who seem to have everything can struggle with profound emptiness. Levin's internal battle shows that happiness isn't just about external circumstances - it's about finding meaning and purpose. His thoughts spiral as he considers how brief and seemingly pointless human life appears in the grand scheme of things. This moment represents the darkest point of Levin's journey, where his rational mind has led him to despair rather than enlightenment. The chapter powerfully illustrates how intellectual questioning without spiritual grounding can become destructive. Levin's crisis reflects a universal human struggle with mortality and meaning that many readers will recognize in their own lives. His wealthy, comfortable existence can't protect him from these fundamental questions that plague all thinking people. The narrative suggests that pure reason and logic, while valuable, aren't enough to sustain the human spirit through life's inevitable difficulties and losses. This chapter sets up what will become Levin's spiritual awakening, showing that sometimes we must reach our lowest point before we can find our way to genuine understanding and peace.
Coming Up in Chapter 157
Just when Levin seems lost in despair, a simple conversation with a peasant begins to shift something fundamental in his understanding. The answer he's been searching for might be closer than he ever imagined.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
When Vronsky returned home, Anna was not yet home. Soon after he had left, some lady, so they told him, had come to see her, and she had gone out with her. That she had gone out without leaving word where she was going, that she had not yet come back, and that all the morning she had been going about somewhere without a word to him—all this, together with the strange look of excitement in her face in the morning, and the recollection of the hostile tone with which she had before Yashvin almost snatched her son’s photographs out of his hands, made him serious. He decided he absolutely must speak openly with her. And he waited for her in her drawing-room. But Anna did not return alone, but brought with her her old unmarried aunt, Princess Oblonskaya. This was the lady who had come in the morning, and with whom Anna had gone out shopping. Anna appeared not to notice Vronsky’s worried and inquiring expression, and began a lively account of her morning’s shopping. He saw that there was something working within her; in her flashing eyes, when they rested for a moment on him, there was an intense concentration, and in her words and movements there was that nervous rapidity and grace which, during the early period of their intimacy, had so fascinated him, but which now so disturbed and alarmed him. The dinner was laid for four. All were gathered together and about to go into the little dining-room when Tushkevitch made his appearance with a message from Princess Betsy. Princess Betsy begged her to excuse her not having come to say good-bye; she had been indisposed, but begged Anna to come to her between half-past six and nine o’clock. Vronsky glanced at Anna at the precise limit of time, so suggestive of steps having been taken that she should meet no one; but Anna appeared not to notice it. “Very sorry that I can’t come just between half-past six and nine,” she said with a faint smile. “The princess will be very sorry.” “And so am I.” “You’re going, no doubt, to hear Patti?” said Tushkevitch. “Patti? You suggest the idea to me. I would go if it were possible to get a box.” “I can get one,” Tushkevitch offered his services. “I should be very, very grateful to you,” said Anna. “But won’t you dine with us?” Vronsky gave a hardly perceptible shrug. He was at a complete loss to understand what Anna was about. What had she brought the old Princess Oblonskaya home for, what had she made Tushkevitch stay to dinner for, and, most amazing of all, why was she sending him for a box? Could she possibly think in her position of going to Patti’s benefit, where all the circle of her acquaintances would be? He looked at her with serious eyes, but she responded with that defiant, half-mirthful, half-desperate look, the meaning of which he could not comprehend. At dinner...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Rational Despair
When we rely solely on logic and analysis to find life's meaning, we spiral into existential emptiness because meaning comes from connection and purpose, not pure reason.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when external success masks internal spiritual poverty and existential despair.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when accomplishments feel hollow or when you achieve goals but feel no genuine satisfaction—that's your signal to reconnect with deeper purpose beyond metrics and recognition.
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 contemplating mortality or feeling disconnected from what previously gave life value. It's when someone who seems to have everything still feels empty inside.
Modern Usage:
We see this in midlife crises, depression after major achievements, or when people question their career paths despite success.
Spiritual nihilism
The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, leading to despair and hopelessness. It's what happens when rational thinking alone can't provide answers to life's biggest questions.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in modern anxiety about climate change, social media depression, or feeling meaningless in a large corporation.
Russian Orthodox spirituality
The dominant religious tradition in 19th-century Russia, emphasizing faith, community, and finding God through suffering and simple living. It provided meaning for peasants that educated elites often rejected.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how working-class communities today often find strength in church or tight-knit neighborhoods that wealthy professionals dismiss.
Landed gentry
Wealthy landowners in 19th-century Russia who lived off their estates but often felt disconnected from both the peasants who worked their land and their own purpose in life.
Modern Usage:
Like today's trust fund kids or wealthy retirees who have money but struggle to find meaningful work or identity.
Rational materialism
The belief that only science and logic can explain life, rejecting faith or spiritual explanations. For Levin, this worldview led to despair when reason couldn't answer why life was worth living.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who rely only on data and facts but feel empty when facing personal loss or major life decisions.
Suicidal ideation
Persistent thoughts about ending one's life, often stemming from feeling that existence is meaningless or unbearable. Levin hides these thoughts while appearing successful to others.
Modern Usage:
This is tragically common today, especially among people who seem to have perfect lives on social media but struggle privately.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist in crisis
He's experiencing a complete breakdown of meaning despite having everything society says should make him happy - wealth, land, a loving wife, and a new baby. His rational mind has led him to despair rather than contentment.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful executive who has everything but considers jumping off his office building
Kitty
Loving but unaware wife
She represents the simple happiness that Levin can no longer access. Her presence both comforts him and makes him feel guilty for his dark thoughts, since she depends on him.
Modern Equivalent:
The devoted spouse who doesn't realize their partner is severely depressed
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Without knowing what he was and what he was living for, he could not live."
Context: Describing Levin's fundamental crisis about existence
This captures the core of existential despair - when basic questions about identity and purpose become overwhelming. Levin's wealth and status can't answer these fundamental questions about meaning.
In Today's Words:
He couldn't keep going without knowing who he really was or why his life mattered.
"He could not breathe and must die, or he must find some way out of this terrible position."
Context: Describing Levin's desperation and suicidal thoughts
This shows how mental anguish can feel as urgent as physical suffocation. Levin sees only two options - death or finding meaning - which reflects the intensity of his spiritual crisis.
In Today's Words:
He felt like he was drowning and had to either give up or find a way to save himself.
"The question of how to live had become clearer to him, but the question of what he was living for had become more obscure."
Context: Reflecting on how Levin's practical success contrasts with his spiritual emptiness
This paradox shows that solving life's practical problems can actually make existential questions more urgent. Success in external matters highlights the lack of internal purpose.
In Today's Words:
He'd figured out the day-to-day stuff, but he had no clue what the point of any of it was.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin's identity crisis stems from having achieved external success while feeling internally empty
Development
Evolved from earlier social awkwardness to deep questioning of his fundamental purpose
In Your Life:
You might feel this when promotions or achievements leave you asking 'is this all there is?'
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Levin's dark night of the soul represents the necessary destruction before spiritual rebirth
Development
His journey from social outsider to family man has led to this deeper existential questioning
In Your Life:
Sometimes you have to hit bottom emotionally before you can rebuild on stronger foundations
Class
In This Chapter
Levin's privileged position can't protect him from universal human struggles with meaning
Development
Continues the theme that wealth and status don't guarantee happiness or purpose
In Your Life:
You might notice that people with 'everything' can still be deeply unhappy
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Even loving family relationships aren't enough to fill the void when spiritual purpose is missing
Development
Shows the limits of romantic and familial love in providing complete life satisfaction
In Your Life:
You might feel guilty for being unhappy when you have people who love you
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Levin feels pressure to be grateful for his good fortune while secretly struggling with despair
Development
The gap between what society expects him to feel and his actual emotional state
In Your Life:
You might hide depression or emptiness because others think you 'should' be happy
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What is Levin's main problem in this chapter, despite having a good life with family and financial security?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Levin's rational thinking lead him toward despair rather than answers about life's meaning?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today - people who have 'everything' but still feel empty or question their purpose?
application • medium - 4
If someone you cared about was stuck in Levin's mindset, what practical steps would you suggest to help them reconnect with meaning?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's crisis reveal about the difference between having reasons to live versus feeling reasons to live?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Meaning Sources
Create two lists: one of things that make logical sense about your life (job skills, responsibilities, achievements) and another of things that make you feel purposeful or connected to something bigger. Notice which list feels more energizing and which feels more like checking boxes. This reveals whether you're relying too heavily on logic for meaning.
Consider:
- •Pay attention to which list was easier to fill out
- •Notice if your 'logical' achievements feel hollow when you write them down
- •Consider whether your sources of meaning involve other people or causes beyond yourself
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you felt truly purposeful, not just productive. What made that experience different from simply accomplishing tasks or meeting expectations?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 157
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.