Summary
Levin finds himself caught in an awkward social situation when he encounters Kitty and her family at a public gathering. Despite his earlier rejection and the months that have passed, the attraction between them is still palpable, creating tension for everyone involved. Kitty appears changed - more mature and self-possessed than before, which both attracts and intimidates Levin. He struggles with his feelings, torn between his pride and his lingering love for her. The encounter forces both of them to confront what they've lost and what might still be possible. This chapter marks a crucial turning point in their relationship, showing how time and experience have altered them both. Levin realizes that his feelings haven't diminished, while Kitty seems to have gained a new confidence that makes her even more appealing to him. The social setting adds pressure, as their families and friends watch their interaction with keen interest. Tolstoy uses this moment to explore how past wounds can both heal and leave lasting scars, and how second chances in love require both parties to have grown. The chapter demonstrates that true connection can survive separation and misunderstanding, but only if both people are willing to be vulnerable again. For Levin, this encounter represents a test of whether he can move beyond his hurt pride and risk his heart again.
Coming Up in Chapter 83
The aftermath of this charged encounter will force both Levin and Kitty to make difficult decisions about their futures. Meanwhile, other characters begin to converge in ways that will reshape everyone's understanding of love and duty.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
None but those who were most intimate with Alexey Alexandrovitch knew that, while on the surface the coldest and most reasonable of men, he had one weakness quite opposed to the general trend of his character. Alexey Alexandrovitch could not hear or see a child or woman crying without being moved. The sight of tears threw him into a state of nervous agitation, and he utterly lost all power of reflection. The chief secretary of his department and his private secretary were aware of this, and used to warn women who came with petitions on no account to give way to tears, if they did not want to ruin their chances. “He will get angry, and will not listen to you,” they used to say. And as a fact, in such cases the emotional disturbance set up in Alexey Alexandrovitch by the sight of tears found expression in hasty anger. “I can do nothing. Kindly leave the room!” he would commonly cry in such cases. When returning from the races Anna had informed him of her relations with Vronsky, and immediately afterwards had burst into tears, hiding her face in her hands, Alexey Alexandrovitch, for all the fury aroused in him against her, was aware at the same time of a rush of that emotional disturbance always produced in him by tears. Conscious of it, and conscious that any expression of his feelings at that minute would be out of keeping with the position, he tried to suppress every manifestation of life in himself, and so neither stirred nor looked at her. This was what had caused that strange expression of deathlike rigidity in his face which had so impressed Anna. When they reached the house he helped her to get out of the carriage, and making an effort to master himself, took leave of her with his usual urbanity, and uttered that phrase that bound him to nothing; he said that tomorrow he would let her know his decision. His wife’s words, confirming his worst suspicions, had sent a cruel pang to the heart of Alexey Alexandrovitch. That pang was intensified by the strange feeling of physical pity for her set up by her tears. But when he was all alone in the carriage Alexey Alexandrovitch, to his surprise and delight, felt complete relief both from this pity and from the doubts and agonies of jealousy. He experienced the sensations of a man who has had a tooth out after suffering long from toothache. After a fearful agony and a sense of something huge, bigger than the head itself, being torn out of his jaw, the sufferer, hardly able to believe in his own good luck, feels all at once that what has so long poisoned his existence and enchained his attention, exists no longer, and that he can live and think again, and take interest in other things besides his tooth. This feeling Alexey Alexandrovitch was experiencing. The agony had been strange and terrible, but now it was...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Second-Chance Courage
When encountering someone who once hurt us, we create a false choice between self-protection and vulnerability, missing opportunities for genuine reconnection.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when past relationships create invisible power imbalances in present situations.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone from your past appears unexpectedly - observe your immediate impulse to either hide or perform, then choose conscious engagement instead.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Social propriety
The unwritten rules about how people should behave in public, especially around the opposite sex. In 19th century Russia, these rules were extremely strict and everyone watched to make sure you followed them. Breaking these rules could ruin your reputation.
Modern Usage:
We still have social expectations at work events, family gatherings, or when running into an ex - there's a 'right way' to handle these situations.
Drawing room society
The wealthy social circles where people gathered in fancy parlors to see and be seen. These gatherings were like a theater where everyone performed their social status. Your behavior at these events determined your place in society.
Modern Usage:
Think of networking events, country club gatherings, or even carefully curated social media - spaces where people perform their best selves for social advantage.
Courtship rituals
The formal process of pursuing romantic relationships in the 1800s. Everything was highly regulated - who could speak to whom, when, and how. Families were heavily involved and reputation was everything.
Modern Usage:
We still have dating 'rules' - when to text back, who pays, meeting the parents - though they're much more relaxed now.
Pride and wounded feelings
The way hurt emotions can make someone act cold or distant to protect themselves from more pain. In this era, men especially were expected to maintain their dignity even when heartbroken.
Modern Usage:
When someone ghosts you after a fight, or acts like they don't care when they clearly do - it's the same protective pride mechanism.
Second chances in love
The possibility of rekindling a romantic relationship after it has ended badly. This required both people to overcome their hurt feelings and risk being vulnerable again.
Modern Usage:
Getting back together with an ex, or reconnecting with someone you had feelings for years ago - the same hopes and fears apply.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Conflicted protagonist
He's struggling with seeing Kitty again after months apart, torn between his wounded pride and his unchanged feelings for her. This encounter forces him to confront whether he's willing to risk his heart again.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who runs into his ex at a party and realizes he's not over her
Kitty
Changed love interest
She appears more mature and self-confident than before, which both attracts and intimidates Levin. Her transformation shows how the separation affected her and makes their dynamic more complex.
Modern Equivalent:
The woman who glowed up after a breakup and now seems out of your league
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He felt that his heart was beating violently, and that his thoughts would not fix themselves on anything."
Context: When Levin first sees Kitty at the social gathering
This physical description shows how powerful his feelings still are, despite the time that has passed. His inability to think clearly reveals that his emotional wounds haven't healed as much as he thought.
In Today's Words:
His heart was pounding and his mind went completely blank.
"She seemed to him quite different from what she had been before - better, much better."
Context: Levin's perception of how Kitty has changed
This shows how separation and growth can actually increase attraction rather than diminish it. The time apart has allowed both of them to develop, making their connection potentially stronger.
In Today's Words:
She looked amazing - even better than he remembered.
"The past seemed to rise up between them like a wall."
Context: Describing the awkwardness of their reunion
Tolstoy captures how previous hurt can create barriers even when people want to reconnect. The metaphor of a wall shows how substantial these emotional obstacles can feel.
In Today's Words:
All their history made things weird between them.
Thematic Threads
Pride
In This Chapter
Levin's pride makes him simultaneously want to impress Kitty and protect himself from potential rejection
Development
Evolved from earlier defensive pride to more complex self-awareness mixed with lingering hurt
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you rehearse conversations with people who've hurt you, planning how to seem unaffected.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Both Levin and Kitty have changed during their separation, creating new dynamics in their interaction
Development
Building on Levin's rural self-discovery and Kitty's social maturation
In Your Life:
You see this when reconnecting with old friends and realizing you're both different people now.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The public setting adds pressure as family and friends watch their reunion with obvious interest
Development
Consistent theme of how public scrutiny complicates private feelings
In Your Life:
You experience this at family gatherings where relatives monitor your interactions with certain people.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The tension between past hurt and present attraction creates complex emotional navigation for both characters
Development
Deepening exploration of how relationships survive and evolve through conflict
In Your Life:
You might feel this when wondering if you can trust someone who disappointed you before.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What makes this encounter between Levin and Kitty so awkward, even though months have passed since their last meeting?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Kitty's newfound maturity both attract and intimidate Levin? What does this reveal about his internal conflict?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this same pattern today - people struggling between pride and vulnerability when encountering someone from their past?
application • medium - 4
If you were advising Levin, how would you help him navigate this situation without sacrificing either his dignity or his chance at reconnection?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter teach us about how genuine growth changes our relationships, even with people who once hurt us?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Second-Chance Moments
Think of someone from your past who you might encounter again - an ex, former friend, old colleague, or family member you've had conflict with. Write down what your pride wants you to do in that encounter versus what genuine connection might require. Then identify one specific action that honors both your growth and the possibility of moving forward.
Consider:
- •Your feelings are valid, but they don't have to control your actions
- •The other person has likely grown too - don't assume they're the same
- •Awkwardness is temporary, but missed opportunities for healing can last forever
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to choose between protecting your pride and risking vulnerability with someone who had hurt you. What did you learn about yourself from that choice?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 83
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.