Princess Betsy Tverskoy Character Analysis in Anna Karenina

Princess Betsy is the center of Anna’s brilliant, high-class social circle in Petersburg. She is graceful, liked by all, and canny, as she knows all the intricacies of her complicated network. Betsy’s social circle is elite but ethically relaxed; however, when Anna and Vronsky’s affair becomes highlighted publically, Betsy hypocritically snubs Anna, even though Betsy herself has a reputation for moral laxity and is not exactly faithful to her own husband.

Princess Betsy Tverskoy Character Timeline in Anna Karenina

The timeline below shows where the character Princess Betsy Tverskoy appears in Anna Karenina. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Lydia at its center; and society proper, the people who hold lavish balls, with Princess Betsy Tverskoy at its center. (full context)

...Anna returns to Petersburg from Moscow, she begins spending more and more time with Princess Betsy’s set, which entails spending more and more time with Vronsky, as this is his group.... (full context)

At the French Theater, Vronsky tells Princess Betsy a titillating story about two officers, Petritsky and a friend, who are in Vronsky’s regiment.... (full context)

After the opera, Princess Betsy hosts her social set at her house. Before Vronsky, Anna, and Karenin arrive, several people... (full context)

Anna arrives at Princess Betsy’s. Vronsky and an ambassador’s wife begin to argue about love and marriage: she says the... (full context)

...has marked a change in their relationship. Anna spends more and more time with Princess Betsy and Vronsky. Karenin feels powerless but cannot speak seriously to Anna. (full context)

Physical Activity and Movement Theme Icon

...not to get excited. Vronsky changes unhurriedly and slips into the crowd, deliberately avoiding Princess Betsy and Anna. Vronsky’s brother tells him to answer his mother’s letter. Vronsky sees his only... (full context)

...at the races when Karenin arrives, and though she pretends not to see him, Princess Betsy calls him over, and Karenin sits with them in the pavilion. Anna hates deceit, but... (full context)

...one way or the other. Instead of going to Moscow, Anna decides to visit Princess Betsy, who is throwing a croquet party. (full context)

At Princess Betsy’s party, two ladies are present who are part of a new, elite social group in... (full context)

Betsy tells Anna that Vronsky is not coming to the party. Betsy writes a note to... (full context)

The ladies at Betsy’s party are beautiful and brilliant, with gorgeous clothes. Anna finds Liza more attractive than the... (full context)

...drive for ambition. Vronsky replies that Serpukhovskoy has never been in love. Vronsky then receives Betsy’s note and says that he must leave. (full context)

...Anna cannot look Karenin in the eye. Anna’s daughter, also named Anna, falls ill. Princess Betsy comes to visit, which disturbs Karenin, as he feels that society women have taken too... (full context)

...he thinks Anna should be taking better care of her daughter. Karenin overhears Anna and Betsy having a conversation about Vronsky; he enters the room, and Anna tells them both that... (full context)

When Karenin returns from talking to Betsy, Anna has been crying. He tells her that he is grateful that she has decided... (full context)

Princess Betsy bumps into Oblonsky, who flirts with her, and they discuss Anna. They agree that Anna... (full context)

Betsy tells Vronsky that Karenin is granting Anna a divorce, and Vronsky rushes to visit the... (full context)

...Although society will still receive Vronsky, everybody ostracizes Anna. Even those closest to her, like Betsy, refuse to speak with her until there is an official divorce. Vronsky hopes his sister-in-law,... (full context)

...Princess Varvara, her aunt; Anna seems to be acting somewhat peculiarly. They report that Princess Betsy won’t say farewell to Anna. Anna requests a box at the opera for the evening... (full context)

Oblonsky visits Princess Betsy and, flirts with her, but he starts inadvertently taking the flirting too far; luckily, Princess... (full context)