Chapter 164
Levin returns only when summoned to supper
Levin came back to the house only when they sent to summon him to supper. On the stairs were standing Kitty and Agafea Mihalovna, consulting about wines for supper. “But why are you making all this fuss? Have what we usually do.” “No, Stiva doesn’t drink ... Kostya, stop, what’s the matter?” Kitty began, hurrying after him, but he strode ruthlessly away to the dining-room without waiting for her, and at once joined in the lively general conversation which was being maintained there by Vassenka Veslovsky and Stepan Arkadyevitch. “Well, what do you say, are we going shooting tomorrow?” said…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I’m not jealous, that’s a nasty word."
Context: Confessing to Kitty in their bedroom after supper
Denial paired with rage.
In Today's Words:
Levin tells Kitty he is not jealous, that is a nasty word, yet he is wounded and humiliated that anybody dare think or look at her with eyes like that. His jaws twitch and voice breaks while he insists on the denial. Tolstoy captures jealousy's vocabulary trap: the word feels shameful so he uses it while performing exactly what it names. Kitty's compassion turns the storm toward reconciliation.
"shouldn’t say that!... If you had been attractive then....”"
Context: When Kitty asks what could be attractive about her now
Self attack redirected.
In Today's Words:
Levin cries you shouldn't say that and clutches his head when pregnant Kitty wonders aloud what could be attractive about her. His jealousy twisted her flush into proof of love for Veslovsky; her self depreciation triggers different pain. Tolstoy shows how fear distorts both directions: he misreads her interest and cannot bear her modesty.
"We don’t like that fashion."
Context: Refusing Veslovsky's hand kiss at goodnight
Boundary spoken plainly.
In Today's Words:
Kitty reddening draws back her hand and tells Veslovsky we don't like that fashion when he tries the gallant goodnight kiss. The old princess will scold her bluntness afterward, but Levin oddly blames her for awkwardly showing dislike after allowing such relations. Tolstoy gives Kitty agency and comedy: she names a custom rejected while he still rewrites the scene through suspicion.
"real feeling of home."
Context: Describing Anna and Vronsky's house to the ladies
Paradise reported at supper.
In Today's Words:
Veslovsky tells Dolly and Kitty that at Anna and Vronsky's you feel the real feeling of home though he cannot judge. The phrase draws eager questions about plans and visits while Levin watches from the table end. Tolstoy ironies the line against Anna's exile plotline while triggering Levin's fear that Kitty's flush means fascination with that world.
Thematic Threads
Anna's shadow
In This Chapter
Supper talk of real feeling of home at Vronsky's.
Development
Contrasts Kitty's marriage with Anna's reported idyll.
In Your Life:
Stories of another couple's home can unsettle secure partners.
Denial and display
In This Chapter
Levin says not jealous with glittering eyes.
Development
Leads to apology and civility vow next morning.
In Your Life:
Naming fear beats performing indifference.
Female boundary
In This Chapter
Kitty rejects hand kissing fashion.
Development
Shows she is not seeking Veslovsky's gallantry.
In Your Life:
Clear customs protect couples when guests overstep.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
This is not a test. Five prompts guide you through the chapter, from how it opens to how it closes, so you notice context and rhythm rather than facts to memorize. Sit with each question in your own words. When you see "One way to read it," treat it as a starting point, not the only answer.
- 1
Why does Levin call his supper manner forced amiability?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Kitty knows the strained politeness is out of keeping with him; he performs civility while jealousy builds beneath talk of shooting and Anna.
- 2
How does Levin construe Kitty's question about shooting?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
After her flush talking to Veslovsky he decides she cares only whether he will give the guest shooting pleasure, as if she were in love with Veslovsky.
- 3
Why does Kitty say we don't like that fashion?
application • mediumOne way to read it
She rejects Veslovsky's hand kissing goodbye bluntly, drawing back her hand reddening, setting a boundary Levin oddly thinks she handles awkwardly.
- 4
What does Levin mean by saying he is not jealous?
application • deepOne way to read it
He rejects the word as nasty yet describes wound and humiliation that anyone dare look at Kitty with admiring eyes, performing jealousy while denying the label.
- 5
When have you misread a partner's courtesy as something darker?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The jealous translator pattern names how fear rewrites innocent conversation until explanation restores proportion.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Supper to Bedroom
List what Levin sees at supper, what he imagines, and what Kitty explains. Where does reconciliation begin?
Consider:
- •Include real feeling of home
- •Include we don't like that fashion
- •Include I'm not jealous
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time explaining the plain facts calmed a suspicion you had inflated.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 165
Before the ladies are up the shooting party will assemble while Levin runs upstairs once more to ask Kitty's forgiveness. Before the ladies rise the shooting party gathers at the door. Laska the dog waits in the wagonette while Veslovsky appears in new high boots, green blouse, and brand new English gun without a sling.
