Chapter 142
Levin cannot look calmly at Nikolay
Levin could not look calmly at his brother; he could not himself be natural and calm in his presence. When he went in to the sick man, his eyes and his attention were unconsciously dimmed, and he did not see and did not distinguish the details of his brother’s position. He smelt the awful odor, saw the dirt, disorder, and miserable condition, and heard the groans, and felt that nothing could be done to help. It never entered his head to analyze the details of the sick man’s situation, to consider how that body was lying under the quilt, how…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Paralysis or Service
List what Levin cannot do in the sick-room and what Kitty does in the same hour. Note Nikolay's response to each.
Consider:
- •Include gracious insistence
- •Include turning the body
- •Include hand kiss
Journaling Prompt
Write about a deathbed where small practical acts changed the mood even though death was near.
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