Summary
Levin throws himself into physical labor on his estate, working alongside his peasants in the fields under the scorching sun. He's desperately trying to exhaust himself physically so he won't think about his emotional turmoil - his jealousy over Kitty, his confusion about his purpose in life, and his growing sense of isolation from his own social class. As he works, sweat pouring down his face, he finds temporary peace in the rhythm of the scythe and the camaraderie of the workers. But even this escape proves incomplete. The peasants accept him as a curiosity - the master who works like a common laborer - but he knows he doesn't truly belong with them any more than he belongs with the aristocrats in drawing rooms. This chapter shows Levin at his most vulnerable, using backbreaking work as both punishment and therapy. Tolstoy reveals how physical labor can temporarily quiet a tormented mind, but also how running from your problems through exhaustion is ultimately futile. The scene captures something universal about human nature - when we're overwhelmed emotionally, we often seek relief through physical extremes. Levin's desperate attempt to find meaning through manual labor reflects his broader struggle to figure out how to live authentically in a world that feels increasingly artificial to him. His sweat-soaked shirt and aching muscles become symbols of his internal pain, but also his stubborn refusal to give up on finding genuine connection and purpose.
Coming Up in Chapter 177
Levin's physical exhaustion brings an unexpected encounter that forces him to confront the very social tensions he's been trying to escape through labor. A conversation with one of the peasants reveals truths about class and belonging that cut deeper than any scythe.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Left alone, Darya Alexandrovna, with a good housewife’s eye, scanned her room. All she had seen in entering the house and walking through it, and all she saw now in her room, gave her an impression of wealth and sumptuousness and of that modern European luxury of which she had only read in English novels, but had never seen in Russia and in the country. Everything was new from the new French hangings on the walls to the carpet which covered the whole floor. The bed had a spring mattress, and a special sort of bolster and silk pillowcases on the little pillows. The marble washstand, the dressing table, the little sofa, the tables, the bronze clock on the chimney piece, the window curtains, and the _portières_ were all new and expensive. The smart maid, who came in to offer her services, with her hair done up high, and a gown more fashionable than Dolly’s, was as new and expensive as the whole room. Darya Alexandrovna liked her neatness, her deferential and obliging manners, but she felt ill at ease with her. She felt ashamed of her seeing the patched dressing jacket that had unluckily been packed by mistake for her. She was ashamed of the very patches and darned places of which she had been so proud at home. At home it had been so clear that for six dressing jackets there would be needed twenty-four yards of nainsook at sixteen pence the yard, which was a matter of thirty shillings besides the cutting-out and making, and these thirty shillings had been saved. But before the maid she felt, if not exactly ashamed, at least uncomfortable. Darya Alexandrovna had a great sense of relief when Annushka, whom she had known for years, walked in. The smart maid was sent for to go to her mistress, and Annushka remained with Darya Alexandrovna. Annushka was obviously much pleased at that lady’s arrival, and began to chatter away without a pause. Dolly observed that she was longing to express her opinion in regard to her mistress’s position, especially as to the love and devotion of the count to Anna Arkadyevna, but Dolly carefully interrupted her whenever she began to speak about this. “I grew up with Anna Arkadyevna; my lady’s dearer to me than anything. Well, it’s not for us to judge. And, to be sure, there seems so much love....” “Kindly pour out the water for me to wash now, please,” Darya Alexandrovna cut her short. “Certainly. We’ve two women kept specially for washing small things, but most of the linen’s done by machinery. The count goes into everything himself. Ah, what a husband!...” Dolly was glad when Anna came in, and by her entrance put a stop to Annushka’s gossip. Anna had put on a very simple batiste gown. Dolly scrutinized that simple gown attentively. She knew what it meant, and the price at which such simplicity was obtained. “An old friend,” said Anna of Annushka. Anna was not embarrassed...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Productive Escape
Using physical exhaustion or intense work to temporarily avoid confronting emotional problems or difficult life decisions.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when you're using productive activities to avoid confronting difficult emotions or decisions.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you suddenly feel compelled to deep-clean, work extra hours, or reorganize something—ask yourself what uncomfortable feeling or decision you might be avoiding.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Estate labor
In 19th-century Russia, wealthy landowners typically supervised peasant workers from a distance, never doing manual labor themselves. When Levin works alongside his peasants, he's breaking strict social boundaries.
Modern Usage:
Like a CEO who shows up to work the warehouse floor during busy season - it's unusual and sends a message about leadership style.
Scythe work
Cutting grain with a long-handled blade in rhythmic sweeps. It required skill, stamina, and coordination with other workers. This was backbreaking agricultural work that defined peasant life.
Modern Usage:
Similar to any repetitive physical job that gets you into 'the zone' - like working a factory line or doing construction.
Class boundaries
The rigid social divisions between aristocrats, landowners, and peasants in Russian society. Crossing these lines was scandalous and made everyone uncomfortable.
Modern Usage:
Like when the boss tries to be 'one of the guys' with employees - everyone knows the power dynamic is still there.
Physical escape
Using exhausting physical work to avoid dealing with emotional problems. Levin hopes that if he works hard enough, he won't have to think about his heartbreak and confusion.
Modern Usage:
When people throw themselves into the gym, overtime work, or endless projects to avoid processing difficult feelings.
Authentic living
Levin's search for a genuine way to exist, rejecting the artificial social conventions of his class. He wants real connection and meaningful work, not just status games.
Modern Usage:
The modern quest to 'find yourself' and live according to your values instead of just following expectations.
Peasant acceptance
The workers tolerate Levin's presence but see him as an oddity - the master playing at being a laborer. They're polite but maintain emotional distance.
Modern Usage:
How coworkers treat the boss's kid who's 'working their way up from the bottom' - friendly but not fooled.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Tormented protagonist
Desperately works in the fields to escape his emotional pain over losing Kitty and his existential crisis. His physical exhaustion becomes both self-punishment and attempted therapy.
Modern Equivalent:
The heartbroken guy who throws himself into crossfit or works 80-hour weeks to avoid dealing with his feelings
The peasant workers
Bemused observers
They accept Levin working alongside them but treat him as a curiosity. They maintain respectful distance while letting him exhaust himself in the fields.
Modern Equivalent:
Coworkers who let the boss's son work the floor but know he's just playing at being working class
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 repetitive physical work
This captures the meditative state that comes from repetitive physical labor. Levin finds temporary peace when his mind stops racing and his body takes over completely.
In Today's Words:
When you're so focused on physical work that you stop overthinking and just get into the flow.
"He felt as though some external force were moving him, and he experienced a joy he had never known."
Context: Describing Levin's state while working with the scythe
Physical labor gives Levin something his privileged life lacks - a sense of purpose and connection to something larger than his personal problems.
In Today's Words:
That feeling when hard work makes you forget your problems and you actually feel useful for once.
"The peasants looked at their master with good-natured perplexity, wondering what had come over him."
Context: The workers' reaction to seeing their wealthy landowner doing manual labor
This shows the awkwardness of Levin's position - he's trying to connect across class lines, but everyone knows it's artificial and temporary.
In Today's Words:
When the rich boss tries to be relatable by doing regular people's work, and everyone's like 'okay, whatever you say.'
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Levin works alongside peasants but remains fundamentally separate, neither fully aristocrat nor laborer
Development
Deepening from earlier chapters where Levin questioned his social position
In Your Life:
You might feel caught between worlds at work, not quite management but separate from your coworkers
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin uses physical labor to try to discover who he really is beneath social expectations
Development
Continuing his search for authentic self that began with his proposal rejection
In Your Life:
You might throw yourself into new activities when questioning your life choices or direction
Isolation
In This Chapter
Despite working with others, Levin feels fundamentally alone and misunderstood
Development
Growing theme as Levin becomes more disconnected from his peers
In Your Life:
You might feel lonely even in crowded workplaces or family gatherings where you don't quite fit
Purpose
In This Chapter
Levin seeks meaning through manual labor, hoping physical work will provide spiritual answers
Development
Intensifying from his earlier philosophical struggles about life's meaning
In Your Life:
You might change jobs or take on new responsibilities hoping they'll give your life more meaning
Authenticity
In This Chapter
Levin rejects artificial social conventions in favor of what feels real and honest
Development
Building on his earlier rejection of Moscow society's superficiality
In Your Life:
You might feel exhausted by social media performance or workplace politics and crave genuine connections
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Levin choose to work in the fields with his peasants instead of dealing with his problems directly?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Levin hope to accomplish by exhausting himself physically, and why doesn't it work long-term?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen people throw themselves into work or physical activity to avoid dealing with emotional pain?
application • medium - 4
How can someone tell the difference between healthy physical activity and using exhaustion to escape problems?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's experience teach us about the relationship between physical work and emotional healing?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Escape Routes
Think about the last time you felt overwhelmed by a personal problem. Write down three activities you used to avoid thinking about it - work, exercise, cleaning, helping others, etc. For each activity, note whether it actually helped solve the problem or just postponed dealing with it. Then identify one small, concrete step you could have taken to address the real issue.
Consider:
- •Notice which escape activities felt most appealing and why
- •Consider whether your escape activities were harmful, neutral, or actually beneficial
- •Think about how long the relief from each activity lasted
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you successfully faced a difficult problem instead of avoiding it. What made you stop running and start dealing with the issue directly? How did that experience change your approach to future challenges?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 177
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.