Chapter 111
Over soup Pestsov presses Karenin on civilization and population; K...
Pestsov liked thrashing an argument out to the end, and was not satisfied with Sergey Ivanovitch’s words, especially as he felt the injustice of his view. “I did not mean,” he said over the soup, addressing Alexey Alexandrovitch, “mere density of population alone, but in conjunction with fundamental ideas, and not by means of principles.” “It seems to me,” Alexey Alexandrovitch said languidly, and with no haste, “that that’s the same thing. In my opinion, influence over another people is only possible to the people which has the higher development, which....” “But that’s just the question,” Pestsov broke in in…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Avoided Subject
List the dinner topics in order. Mark which could touch Karenin's marriage. Note who redirects talk and who nearly breaks through before comedy returns.
Consider:
- •Include Poland, classics, women's rights
- •Remember Karenin thawed earlier but has mailed letters
- •Ask what Kitty and Levin are doing meanwhile
Journaling Prompt
Write about a gathering where everyone discussed politics or values while a private crisis sat unspoken. What finally changed the mood?
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