Summary
Levin finds himself caught between two worlds as he tries to balance his intellectual pursuits with the practical demands of running his estate. He's been reading and thinking about agricultural reform, but when he actually tries to implement new ideas with his workers, reality hits hard. The peasants resist his changes, not out of stubbornness but because they understand their land and methods in ways Levin doesn't fully grasp. This creates a growing tension in Levin - he wants to be progressive and enlightened, but he's learning that good intentions don't automatically translate into good results. His frustration mounts as he realizes that the gap between theory and practice is much wider than he expected. Meanwhile, his relationship with Kitty continues to weigh on his mind, adding emotional complexity to his already complicated life. The chapter reveals Tolstoy's deep understanding of how difficult real change can be, especially when it involves people whose livelihoods depend on maintaining certain ways of doing things. Levin's struggle represents a broader theme in the novel about the challenge of bridging different social classes and ways of thinking. His genuine desire to improve conditions for his workers is admirable, but his approach shows how even well-meaning people can misunderstand the communities they're trying to help. This moment of reckoning forces Levin to question not just his methods, but his assumptions about progress, tradition, and his role as a landowner in Russian society.
Coming Up in Chapter 71
Levin's agricultural experiments continue to unravel, forcing him to confront some uncomfortable truths about his relationship with the people who work his land. A conversation with an unexpected visitor might offer new perspective on his struggles.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Sergey Ivanovitch Koznishev wanted a rest from mental work, and instead of going abroad as he usually did, he came towards the end of May to stay in the country with his brother. In his judgment the best sort of life was a country life. He had come now to enjoy such a life at his brother’s. Konstantin Levin was very glad to have him, especially as he did not expect his brother Nikolay that summer. But in spite of his affection and respect for Sergey Ivanovitch, Konstantin Levin was uncomfortable with his brother in the country. It made him uncomfortable, and it positively annoyed him to see his brother’s attitude to the country. To Konstantin Levin the country was the background of life, that is of pleasures, endeavors, labor. To Sergey Ivanovitch the country meant on one hand rest from work, on the other a valuable antidote to the corrupt influences of town, which he took with satisfaction and a sense of its utility. To Konstantin Levin the country was good first because it afforded a field for labor, of the usefulness of which there could be no doubt. To Sergey Ivanovitch the country was particularly good, because there it was possible and fitting to do nothing. Moreover, Sergey Ivanovitch’s attitude to the peasants rather piqued Konstantin. Sergey Ivanovitch used to say that he knew and liked the peasantry, and he often talked to the peasants, which he knew how to do without affectation or condescension, and from every such conversation he would deduce general conclusions in favor of the peasantry and in confirmation of his knowing them. Konstantin Levin did not like such an attitude to the peasants. To Konstantin the peasant was simply the chief partner in their common labor, and in spite of all the respect and the love, almost like that of kinship, he had for the peasant—sucked in probably, as he said himself, with the milk of his peasant nurse—still as a fellow-worker with him, while sometimes enthusiastic over the vigor, gentleness, and justice of these men, he was very often, when their common labors called for other qualities, exasperated with the peasant for his carelessness, lack of method, drunkenness, and lying. If he had been asked whether he liked or didn’t like the peasants, Konstantin Levin would have been absolutely at a loss what to reply. He liked and did not like the peasants, just as he liked and did not like men in general. Of course, being a good-hearted man, he liked men rather than he disliked them, and so too with the peasants. But like or dislike “the people” as something apart he could not, not only because he lived with “the people,” and all his interests were bound up with theirs, but also because he regarded himself as a part of “the people,” did not see any special qualities or failings distinguishing himself and “the people,” and could not contrast himself with them. Moreover, although he had lived so long...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Good Intentions - When Theory Meets Reality
The dangerous space between wanting to help others and actually understanding what they need.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between resistance that comes from fear of change and resistance that comes from practical wisdom.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when people push back on your ideas—before assuming they're being difficult, ask them to explain what you might be missing about their daily reality.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Agricultural Reform
The movement in 19th century Russia to modernize farming methods and improve productivity on estates. Wealthy landowners like Levin tried to implement new techniques they'd read about in books or seen in Western Europe.
Modern Usage:
Like when a new CEO comes in with ideas from business school that don't work in the actual workplace because they don't understand the company culture.
Peasant Resistance
When workers or farmers push back against changes imposed by their employers, often because they understand the practical realities better than the people in charge. It's not always about being stubborn - sometimes it's about survival.
Modern Usage:
When experienced employees resist new policies from management because they know what actually works on the ground level.
Theory vs. Practice Gap
The disconnect between what looks good on paper and what actually works in real life. Levin discovers that his book knowledge about farming doesn't translate easily to managing real people and real land.
Modern Usage:
Like when you follow a Pinterest recipe perfectly but it turns out terrible because your oven is different, or when workplace training doesn't match the actual job.
Noblesse Oblige
The idea that wealthy or privileged people have a moral duty to help those less fortunate. Levin feels responsible for improving his workers' lives, but struggles with how to do it effectively.
Modern Usage:
When successful people feel obligated to 'give back' but sometimes their help misses the mark because they don't fully understand the problems they're trying to solve.
Class Consciousness
Awareness of the social and economic differences between groups of people. Levin is becoming more aware of the huge gap between his educated, wealthy perspective and his workers' lived experience.
Modern Usage:
When you realize how different your life experience is from someone who grew up with more or less money, education, or opportunities than you had.
Paternalism
Acting in a way that limits someone's freedom or responsibility, supposedly for their own good. Levin wants to make decisions for his workers that he believes will benefit them, without fully consulting them.
Modern Usage:
Like when a boss makes changes 'for your own good' without asking what you actually need or want.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Frustrated reformer
He's trying to implement progressive farming methods but facing resistance from his workers. This chapter shows him grappling with the reality that good intentions don't guarantee good results, and that he may not understand his workers as well as he thought.
Modern Equivalent:
The well-meaning manager who went to business school but has never actually done the front-line work
The Peasants
Practical resisters
They're not being difficult for the sake of it - they're protecting their livelihoods and using knowledge passed down through generations. Their resistance forces Levin to question his assumptions about progress and improvement.
Modern Equivalent:
Experienced workers who know the job better than their new supervisor but whose expertise gets dismissed
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He had thought that if he paid them good wages and gave them good conditions, they would work as he wished; but it appeared that they had their own ideas about how the work should be done."
Context: When Levin realizes his workers aren't following his new methods despite his efforts to treat them well
This reveals the fundamental misunderstanding between Levin and his workers. He assumed that better pay would make them adopt his methods, but they have their own expertise and reasons for doing things their way.
In Today's Words:
Just because you pay people well doesn't mean they'll do things your way - they have their own knowledge and experience that matters.
"The peasants, he saw, were not opposing his plans from obstinacy, but from a practical understanding of their own interests."
Context: Levin's growing realization about why his reforms are failing
This is a moment of clarity for Levin - he's beginning to understand that resistance isn't always about being difficult. Sometimes people know what works for them better than outsiders do.
In Today's Words:
They're not being stubborn just to annoy me - they actually know what they're doing and what works for them.
"All his efforts to improve their condition had been met with suspicion and sometimes open hostility."
Context: Describing Levin's frustration with his failed attempts at reform
This shows how even well-intentioned help can be received poorly when it comes from a place of privilege and misunderstanding. The workers don't trust Levin's motives or methods.
In Today's Words:
Every time I tried to help, they acted like I was trying to trick them or make things worse.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Levin's position as landowner creates blind spots about his workers' reality
Development
Deepening from earlier exploration of class barriers throughout the novel
In Your Life:
You might see this when someone with more resources or education assumes they know what's best for your situation
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin struggles between his intellectual self-image and practical limitations
Development
Continuing his identity crisis as he questions his role and capabilities
In Your Life:
You might feel this tension when your self-image doesn't match your actual skills or knowledge
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Reality forces Levin to confront the gap between his theories and abilities
Development
Building on his ongoing journey of self-discovery and disillusionment
In Your Life:
You experience this when life teaches you that good intentions aren't enough without practical understanding
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Pressure to be progressive and enlightened conflicts with practical results
Development
Expanding the theme of societal pressure to conform to ideals
In Your Life:
You might feel this when trying to live up to what you think you should do rather than what actually works
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific problems did Levin encounter when he tried to implement his agricultural reforms with his workers?
analysis • surface - 2
Why did the peasants resist Levin's changes, even though he genuinely wanted to help improve their working conditions?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone with good intentions create problems because they didn't understand the real situation?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Levin's position, what would you do differently to bridge the gap between your ideas and your workers' reality?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the relationship between knowledge from books and knowledge from lived experience?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Good Intentions Gap
Think of a situation where you wanted to help someone but your advice or actions weren't well-received. Draw two columns: what you thought the problem was, and what the problem actually was from their perspective. Then identify what information you were missing that could have changed your approach.
Consider:
- •What assumptions did you make about their situation or capabilities?
- •How might your position or circumstances have influenced your perspective?
- •What questions could you have asked before offering solutions?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone tried to help you but completely missed the mark. What did they misunderstand about your situation, and how could they have approached it differently?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 71
As the story unfolds, you'll explore key events and character development in this chapter, while uncovering thematic elements and literary techniques. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.