Summary
Levin finds himself caught between two worlds as he navigates the social expectations of Moscow society while staying true to his rural values. At a dinner party, he observes the artificial conversations and social posturing that seem so natural to others but feel foreign to him. He watches Anna Karenina herself, noting how she commands attention effortlessly, yet sensing something troubled beneath her polished exterior. The evening becomes a study in contrasts - the glittering surface of high society versus the genuine emotions and struggles that lie underneath. Levin realizes that while these people speak eloquently about art, politics, and philosophy, they seem disconnected from the real work and authentic relationships that give his own life meaning. This chapter deepens our understanding of the novel's central tension between authentic living and social performance. Levin represents the possibility of choosing substance over style, even when that choice makes you an outsider. His discomfort at the party isn't just social awkwardness - it's a moral compass pointing toward what matters. Meanwhile, Anna's presence reminds us that even those who seem to master society's games pay a hidden price. The chapter shows how different characters cope with the gap between public faces and private truths, setting up larger questions about whether it's possible to live honestly in a world that rewards pretense.
Coming Up in Chapter 64
The evening takes an unexpected turn when a seemingly casual conversation reveals deeper currents of attraction and conflict. Levin must decide whether to retreat to his familiar world or engage more deeply with forces that could change everything.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Everyone was loudly expressing disapprobation, everyone was repeating a phrase someone had uttered—“The lions and gladiators will be the next thing,” and everyone was feeling horrified; so that when Vronsky fell to the ground, and Anna moaned aloud, there was nothing very out of the way in it. But afterwards a change came over Anna’s face which really was beyond decorum. She utterly lost her head. She began fluttering like a caged bird, at one moment would have got up and moved away, at the next turned to Betsy. “Let us go, let us go!” she said. But Betsy did not hear her. She was bending down, talking to a general who had come up to her. Alexey Alexandrovitch went up to Anna and courteously offered her his arm. “Let us go, if you like,” he said in French, but Anna was listening to the general and did not notice her husband. “He’s broken his leg too, so they say,” the general was saying. “This is beyond everything.” Without answering her husband, Anna lifted her opera-glass and gazed towards the place where Vronsky had fallen; but it was so far off, and there was such a crowd of people about it, that she could make out nothing. She laid down the opera-glass, and would have moved away, but at that moment an officer galloped up and made some announcement to the Tsar. Anna craned forward, listening. “Stiva! Stiva!” she cried to her brother. But her brother did not hear her. Again she would have moved away. “Once more I offer you my arm if you want to be going,” said Alexey Alexandrovitch, reaching towards her hand. She drew back from him with aversion, and without looking in his face answered: “No, no, let me be, I’ll stay.” She saw now that from the place of Vronsky’s accident an officer was running across the course towards the pavilion. Betsy waved her handkerchief to him. The officer brought the news that the rider was not killed, but the horse had broken its back. On hearing this Anna sat down hurriedly, and hid her face in her fan. Alexey Alexandrovitch saw that she was weeping, and could not control her tears, nor even the sobs that were shaking her bosom. Alexey Alexandrovitch stood so as to screen her, giving her time to recover herself. “For the third time I offer you my arm,” he said to her after a little time, turning to her. Anna gazed at him and did not know what to say. Princess Betsy came to her rescue. “No, Alexey Alexandrovitch; I brought Anna and I promised to take her home,” put in Betsy. “Excuse me, princess,” he said, smiling courteously but looking her very firmly in the face, “but I see that Anna’s not very well, and I wish her to come home with me.” Anna looked about her in a frightened way, got up submissively, and laid her hand on her husband’s arm. “I’ll send to him and...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Resistance
When you refuse to perform expected social scripts, you gain uncomfortable but valuable clarity about what's real versus what's theater.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between genuine interaction and social theater by recognizing the discomfort that comes from refusing to play expected roles.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when conversations feel scripted or when you sense someone performing rather than connecting—your discomfort might be revealing truth, not indicating failure.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Social posturing
The way people present themselves in public to gain status or approval, often hiding their true feelings or thoughts. In 19th century Russian society, this meant following strict rules about what to say, how to act, and who to associate with.
Modern Usage:
We see this today on social media, at work networking events, or when people change their personality depending on who they're around.
Salon culture
Elite social gatherings where wealthy Russians would meet to discuss art, politics, and literature. These events were as much about being seen as about intellectual conversation, with unspoken rules about behavior and status.
Modern Usage:
Similar to today's exclusive dinner parties, charity galas, or professional conferences where making connections matters more than the actual content.
Rural versus urban values
The conflict between countryside values (hard work, family, simple living) and city values (sophistication, culture, social climbing). This was a major theme in Russian literature as the country modernized.
Modern Usage:
We still see this tension between small-town authenticity and big-city ambition, or between blue-collar work ethic and white-collar networking.
Moral compass
An inner sense of right and wrong that guides behavior, even when it conflicts with what others expect or what might be socially advantageous. Levin's discomfort comes from his strong moral compass.
Modern Usage:
That gut feeling when something doesn't sit right, even if everyone else is doing it - like speaking up about workplace harassment or refusing to gossip.
Authentic living
Living according to your true values and beliefs rather than what others expect or what society rewards. In Tolstoy's view, this often meant choosing substance over appearance.
Modern Usage:
Today we call this 'being true to yourself' - choosing careers that fulfill you over ones that just pay well, or maintaining friendships that matter rather than ones that look good.
Public face versus private truth
The difference between how someone appears in public and what they're really experiencing internally. Anna masters the public performance but struggles privately.
Modern Usage:
Like maintaining a perfect Instagram feed while dealing with depression, or being the office cheerleader while your marriage is falling apart.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist observer
He feels like an outsider at the sophisticated dinner party, uncomfortable with the artificial conversations and social games. His discomfort reveals his commitment to authentic values over social success.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who feels awkward at office parties because everyone seems fake
Anna Karenina
Magnetic but troubled figure
She effortlessly commands attention and navigates social situations with grace, but Levin senses something troubled beneath her polished exterior. She represents the cost of mastering society's games.
Modern Equivalent:
The Instagram influencer who looks perfect but is struggling behind the scenes
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He felt that he was playing a part, and that the part did not suit him."
Context: Levin observing himself at the dinner party
This captures the exhaustion of trying to be someone you're not. Levin recognizes he's performing rather than being genuine, and it feels wrong to him.
In Today's Words:
He felt like he was putting on an act, and he was terrible at it.
"All these people seemed to him to be playing at being interested in things that did not really interest them."
Context: Levin watching the dinner party conversations
This reveals how social gatherings can become performances where people pretend to care about topics just to seem sophisticated or fit in.
In Today's Words:
Everyone was faking interest in stuff they didn't actually care about.
"She had that faculty of listening which is so rare, and which makes the person speaking feel that he is being understood."
Context: Describing Anna's social skills at the party
This shows Anna's genuine talent for making others feel heard, which explains her magnetic presence. It also hints that beneath the social performance, she has real emotional intelligence.
In Today's Words:
She had that rare ability to make people feel like she actually got them.
Thematic Threads
Authenticity
In This Chapter
Levin's discomfort with artificial social conversations reveals his commitment to genuine interaction
Development
Deepening from earlier chapters where Levin struggled with Moscow society
In Your Life:
You might feel this when forced to make small talk at networking events while craving real conversation
Class
In This Chapter
The dinner party showcases the gap between rural values and urban sophistication
Development
Continuing exploration of how different social classes navigate relationships and meaning
In Your Life:
You experience this when your working-class background makes you see through middle-class social performances
Social Performance
In This Chapter
Anna commands attention effortlessly while hiding her inner turmoil beneath polished exterior
Development
Building on earlier scenes of characters managing public versus private selves
In Your Life:
You see this in yourself when you smile through difficult family dinners or workplace tensions
Moral Compass
In This Chapter
Levin's discomfort serves as internal guidance toward what matters versus what's expected
Development
Emerging theme as Levin learns to trust his instincts over social pressure
In Your Life:
You feel this when something everyone says is 'normal' makes you deeply uncomfortable
Hidden Costs
In This Chapter
Anna's mastery of social games comes with psychological price visible to observant outsider
Development
Introduced here as contrast to Levin's authentic discomfort
In Your Life:
You notice this in colleagues who seem to have it all together but show stress in unguarded moments
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What makes Levin feel so uncomfortable at the Moscow dinner party, and how does his reaction differ from the other guests?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Levin's rural background act like a 'truth detector' in this social setting, and what does he notice about Anna that others might miss?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this same pattern of social performance versus authenticity in your own workplace, family gatherings, or social media?
application • medium - 4
When you find yourself in a situation where everyone else is playing along with social scripts that feel fake to you, how do you decide whether to participate or maintain your authentic response?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's experience teach us about the hidden costs of fitting in versus the benefits of staying true to your values, even when it makes you an outsider?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Social Theater
Think of a recent social situation where you felt like everyone was performing rather than being genuine. Write down the 'script' everyone seemed to be following, then identify who seemed most comfortable with the performance and who seemed to be struggling with it like Levin. Finally, note what authentic moments or real conversations emerged despite the social theater.
Consider:
- •Look for people who asked genuine questions or shared real struggles
- •Notice your own moments of discomfort - what were they telling you?
- •Consider whether the social script served any useful purpose or was purely performative
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose to be authentic in a situation where everyone else was performing. What did you learn about yourself and others from that choice?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 64
Moving forward, we'll examine key events and character development in this chapter, and understand thematic elements and literary techniques. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.