Summary
Levin finds himself in a profound spiritual crisis as he grapples with thoughts of suicide and the meaninglessness of existence. Despite his outward success - his estate, his marriage to Kitty, his healthy son - he feels consumed by despair and questions whether life has any purpose at all. The weight of these dark thoughts becomes so overwhelming that he hides ropes and avoids carrying his gun, fearing what he might do in a moment of weakness. This internal struggle represents the culmination of Levin's long journey throughout the novel, where his search for meaning through work, love, and family has left him feeling empty rather than fulfilled. His crisis mirrors what many people experience when external achievements fail to provide the deep sense of purpose they expected. Levin's honest confrontation with these feelings shows Tolstoy's understanding that even those who seem to have everything can face profound existential doubt. The chapter captures that terrifying moment when someone realizes that all the things society tells us should make us happy - success, family, security - might not be enough. Levin's struggle feels particularly modern, reflecting the kind of depression and anxiety that many working people face when they wonder if their daily grind has any real meaning. His willingness to acknowledge these dark thoughts rather than push them away marks an important step in his character development, suggesting that sometimes we have to face our deepest fears about life's purpose before we can find genuine peace.
Coming Up in Chapter 178
In his darkest hour, Levin encounters an unexpected conversation that will completely transform his understanding of what makes life worth living. A simple exchange with a peasant worker opens a door to the spiritual breakthrough he's been desperately seeking.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
H“ere’s Dolly for you, princess, you were so anxious to see her,” said Anna, coming out with Darya Alexandrovna onto the stone terrace where Princess Varvara was sitting in the shade at an embroidery frame, working at a cover for Count Alexey Kirillovitch’s easy chair. “She says she doesn’t want anything before dinner, but please order some lunch for her, and I’ll go and look for Alexey and bring them all in.” Princess Varvara gave Dolly a cordial and rather patronizing reception, and began at once explaining to her that she was living with Anna because she had always cared more for her than her sister Katerina Pavlovna, the aunt that had brought Anna up, and that now, when everyone had abandoned Anna, she thought it her duty to help her in this most difficult period of transition. “Her husband will give her a divorce, and then I shall go back to my solitude; but now I can be of use, and I am doing my duty, however difficult it may be for me—not like some other people. And how sweet it is of you, how right of you to have come! They live like the best of married couples; it’s for God to judge them, not for us. And didn’t Biryuzovsky and Madame Avenieva ... and Sam Nikandrov, and Vassiliev and Madame Mamonova, and Liza Neptunova.... Did no one say anything about them? And it has ended by their being received by everyone. And then, _c’est un intérieur si joli, si comme il faut. Tout-à-fait à l’anglaise. On se réunit le matin au breakfast, et puis on se sépare._ Everyone does as he pleases till dinner time. Dinner at seven o’clock. Stiva did very rightly to send you. He needs their support. You know that through his mother and brother he can do anything. And then they do so much good. He didn’t tell you about his hospital? _Ce sera admirable_—everything from Paris.” Their conversation was interrupted by Anna, who had found the men of the party in the billiard room, and returned with them to the terrace. There was still a long time before the dinner-hour, it was exquisite weather, and so several different methods of spending the next two hours were proposed. There were very many methods of passing the time at Vozdvizhenskoe, and these were all unlike those in use at Pokrovskoe. “_Une partie de lawn-tennis,_” Veslovsky proposed, with his handsome smile. “We’ll be partners again, Anna Arkadyevna.” “No, it’s too hot; better stroll about the garden and have a row in the boat, show Darya Alexandrovna the river banks.” Vronsky proposed. “I agree to anything,” said Sviazhsky. “I imagine that what Dolly would like best would be a stroll—wouldn’t you? And then the boat, perhaps,” said Anna. So it was decided. Veslovsky and Tushkevitch went off to the bathing place, promising to get the boat ready and to wait there for them. They walked along the path in two couples, Anna with Sviazhsky, and Dolly...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Achievement Emptiness
External success creates internal emptiness when pursued without connection to genuine personal purpose or meaning.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when external success creates internal crisis rather than fulfillment.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel empty after reaching a goal you thought you wanted, and ask what internal need it was supposed to meet.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Existential crisis
A period of intense questioning about life's meaning and purpose, often triggered when external achievements don't bring expected fulfillment. It's the terrifying realization that nothing you've been told should make you happy actually does.
Modern Usage:
We see this in midlife crises, burnout, or when people achieve their goals but still feel empty inside.
Spiritual despair
A deep sense of hopelessness that goes beyond everyday sadness, where someone questions whether anything in life has real value. It's different from regular depression because it focuses specifically on meaning and purpose.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in therapy sessions, support groups, and late-night conversations when people ask 'Is this all there is?'
Suicidal ideation
Persistent thoughts about ending one's life, often accompanied by specific plans or preparations. Tolstoy shows how these thoughts can consume someone who appears successful from the outside.
Modern Usage:
Mental health professionals recognize this as a serious warning sign that requires immediate attention and support.
Russian Orthodox spirituality
The dominant religious tradition in 19th century Russia, emphasizing faith, community, and finding God through suffering. Many characters in Russian literature struggle with or against these beliefs.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how people today wrestle with religious upbringing versus modern secular values.
Philosophical materialism
The belief that only physical matter exists and there's no spiritual realm or higher purpose to life. This worldview can lead to feelings that life is meaningless.
Modern Usage:
We see this in debates about science versus religion, or when people feel lost without spiritual beliefs.
Landed gentry
Wealthy landowners in 19th century Russia who lived off income from their estates. Levin belongs to this class but struggles with guilt about his privilege and questions about his purpose.
Modern Usage:
Like today's wealthy people who feel guilty about inequality or wonder if their success has real meaning.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist in crisis
Despite having everything society says should make him happy - wealth, loving wife, healthy child - he's consumed by thoughts of suicide and questions about life's meaning. He hides ropes and avoids his gun because he doesn't trust himself.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful person who has it all but can't sleep at night wondering what the point is
Kitty
Loving but unaware wife
Levin's wife who represents the happiness he thought marriage would bring, but her love and their family life haven't filled the spiritual void he feels. She doesn't fully understand the depth of his despair.
Modern Equivalent:
The spouse who loves you but can't fix your depression or existential crisis
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Without knowing what I am and why I am here, life's impossible; and that I can't know, and so I can't live."
Context: During his internal monologue about the meaninglessness of existence
This captures the heart of existential crisis - the feeling that without understanding life's purpose, existence becomes unbearable. Levin has reduced life to a logical problem that can't be solved.
In Today's Words:
I can't figure out what I'm supposed to be doing here or why any of it matters, so what's the point of going on?
"He could not live, because all life had lost its meaning for him."
Context: Describing Levin's mental state and why he contemplates suicide
Tolstoy shows how depression isn't just sadness but a complete loss of meaning. When nothing feels worthwhile, even basic survival becomes difficult.
In Today's Words:
Everything felt pointless, so he couldn't see any reason to keep going.
"He hid the cord, lest he be tempted to hang himself with it."
Context: Describing Levin's precautions against his suicidal thoughts
This stark detail shows how seriously Levin takes his suicidal ideation. He recognizes the danger and takes practical steps to protect himself, showing both the severity of his crisis and his remaining will to live.
In Today's Words:
He put away anything he might use to hurt himself because he didn't trust what he might do in a dark moment.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin questions his entire sense of self when external markers of success fail to provide meaning
Development
Evolved from his earlier struggles with finding his place in society to this deeper existential crisis
In Your Life:
You might feel this when promotions or life milestones leave you feeling more lost than fulfilled
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Levin has achieved everything society told him would make him happy, yet feels suicidal
Development
Culmination of his ongoing tension between social pressures and personal authenticity
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when following others' life scripts leaves you feeling empty despite apparent success
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Levin's willingness to confront his darkest thoughts represents painful but necessary self-examination
Development
Marks a crucial turning point in his journey from external seeking to internal reckoning
In Your Life:
You might face this when forced to admit that your current path isn't working, despite appearances
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Even his love for Kitty and their son cannot fill the existential void he feels
Development
Shows how relationships, while meaningful, cannot substitute for personal sense of purpose
In Your Life:
You might experience this when expecting family or romantic love to solve deeper questions about life's meaning
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific actions does Levin take to protect himself from his dark thoughts, and what does this tell us about his mental state?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does having everything he thought he wanted—a successful estate, loving wife, healthy child—leave Levin feeling more empty rather than fulfilled?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'achievement emptiness' in modern life—people who check all the boxes but still feel lost?
application • medium - 4
If you were Levin's friend and noticed these warning signs, how would you approach the conversation without making him feel worse?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's crisis teach us about the difference between external success and internal purpose, and why this distinction matters for everyone?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Achievement Trap
List three major goals you've achieved or are working toward. For each one, write down: 1) Why you originally wanted it, 2) How you thought it would make you feel, 3) How it actually feels (or how you imagine it will feel) day-to-day. Look for patterns between what society told you to want versus what actually energizes you.
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between goals that came from external pressure versus internal curiosity
- •Pay attention to which achievements brought lasting satisfaction versus temporary relief
- •Consider whether your current goals are about proving something to others or building something meaningful for yourself
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you achieved something important but felt unexpectedly empty afterward. What was missing? What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 178
What lies ahead teaches us key events and character development in this chapter, and shows us thematic elements and literary techniques. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.