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Part 1, Chapter 13
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Anna Karenina, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Marriage and Family Life
Adultery and Jealousy
Physical Activity and Movement
Society and Class
Farming and Rural Life
Compassion and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
Princess Shcherbatsky enters the room, senses that Kitty has refused Levin’s proposal, and, relieved, begins to ask Levin about life in the country. Countess Nordston also enters: the Countess and Levin are supposedly friendly but in actuality despise each other.
Levin is in an awkward position but finds himself trapped, unable to escape the party which has become so miserable to him.
Themes
Vronsky arrives and they all discuss the merits of city versus country life. They then move into a discussion of spiritualism, in which the Countess Nordston wholeheartedly believes. Levin talks about electricity a little bit too passionately for the others' taste. Levin is constantly on the verge of leaving, but is also curious about Vronsky and finds him as charming and handsome as advertised.
Levin trusts sensations and scientific facts of earth rather than believing in fates and spirits. Although Levin has been cut out of the party by Kitty’s refusal, he is still an invited guest and therefore awkwardly remains, glumly comparing himself to Vronsky.
Themes
