Anna Karenina | Part 6, Chapters 6–10 | Summary

Summary

Both Varenka and Koznyshev feel let down that no proposal came about, and the rest of the company tries to cover it up in Chapter 6. Stiva then arrives with Vasenka Veslovsky, a distant Shcherbatsky cousin. Levin is disappointed that his father-in-law has not come and that this too-gallant cousin has kissed his wife's hand. He now feels repulsed by everyone and goes to his office away from the house.

When Levin goes home for dinner in Chapter 7, he is in a bad mood but agrees to take Stiva and Veslovsky hunting. At dinner, Stiva reveals that Anna is staying not far from them, and Dolly agrees to visit her. Levin is in the grip of severe jealousy, thinking that Kitty is in love with Veslovsky, who thoughtlessly continues to pay too much attention to her. Levin verbalizes his jealousy to Kitty when they go to bed but then asks for forgiveness. The next day, Chapter 8, Levin takes Stiva and Veslovsky on a two-day hunting trip. Levin feels he's been unfair to Veslovsky, who seems to be a harmless fellow, and makes an effort to be pleasant to him. In Chapters 9 and 10, Veslovsky's ignorance of hunting interferes with shooting the snipe, and Stiva selfishly contrives to separate himself from Levin and Veslovsky so that he can bag more birds. Levin's shooting for the whole trip is especially bad, even when he finally gets free of Veslovsky.

Analysis

Stiva once again shows his selfishness by bringing Vasenka Veslovsky to his friend Levin's house. Levin immediately dislikes his demeanor, and this unwelcome guest is the last straw that drives Levin to seek his own company. Nonetheless, he agrees to take Stiva and Veslovsky hunting. Levin feels jealous of Veslovsky because he acts in a flirtatious manner toward Kitty, which Levin perceives as an insult. It is hard for any woman not to be gratified by male attention, and pregnant Kitty is no exception. Of course, she has no interest in this cousin, and Levin's jealousy is completely unfounded. He knows that with his mind, but he cannot seem to rein in his emotions. However, the fact that he and Kitty can talk these things over openly immediately serves to dissipate the intensity of Levin's feelings. Thus, he agrees to take Veslovsky and Stiva hunting, but he is still out of sorts, which is why he keeps missing his shot. In addition, Veslovsky is an amateur, so he tends to impede the progress of the hunt, which is why Stiva foists him on Levin.