Chapter 166
Stepan asks the plan of campaign; Levin outlines driving to Gvozdyo...
“Well, now what’s our plan of campaign? Tell us all about it,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “Our plan is this. Now we’re driving to Gvozdyov. In Gvozdyov there’s a grouse marsh on this side, and beyond Gvozdyov come some magnificent snipe marshes where there are grouse too. It’s hot now, and we’ll get there—it’s fifteen miles or so—towards evening and have some evening shooting; we’ll spend the night there and go on tomorrow to the bigger moors.” “And is there nothing on the way?” “Yes; but we’ll reserve ourselves; besides it’s hot. There are two nice little places, but I doubt…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"There won’t be room for three."
Context: Declining to enter the small marsh with the others
Host yielding ground.
In Today's Words:
Levin tells the party there won't be room for three and he will stay with the wagonette hoping they find only peewits. He knows nearby marshes well and could shoot them anytime, so his doubt about game is partly insincere. Tolstoy sets host sacrifice pattern Veslovsky will exploit: Levin yields space, time, and shot repeatedly until envy pulls him in.
"Damn the fellow!”"
Context: Seeing the wagonette sunk in mud after his missed snipe
Rage at ruined moment.
In Today's Words:
Levin mutters damn the fellow when he finds Veslovsky drove into the marsh and got the horses stuck in the mud just as he fired at a snipe. Vexation stacks: lost shot, mired horses, no harness help from gentlemen. Tolstoy turns sportsman's sublime into domestic logistics comedy without losing Levin's real anger.
"got the horses stuck in the mud."
Context: On Veslovsky driving into marsh to watch shooting
Spectator becomes obstacle.
In Today's Words:
The narrator says Veslovsky eager to see shooting drove into the marsh and got the horses stuck in the mud while Levin aimed at snipe. Spectatorship becomes sabotage: wanting the view blocks the sport. Tolstoy repeats Veslovsky pattern from hand kiss and cocked gun, harm through enthusiasm not malice.
"_Bon appétit—bonne conscience! Ce poulet va tomber jusqu’au fond de mes bottes_,” Vassenka, who had recovered his spirits, quoted the French saying as he finished his second chicken."
Context: Quoting French after lunch when spirits recover
Atonement through appetite.
In Today's Words:
Veslovsky quotes bon appétit bonne conscience finishing chicken, then insists on driving the box to atone for sins as Automedon. Tolstoy pairs gluttony proverb with charioteer myth: comic reparation after gun and mud disasters. Levin fears exhausted horses yet falls under gaiety of songs and English four in hand talk on the box.
Thematic Threads
Host sacrifice
In This Chapter
Levin repeatedly stays with carriage for guests.
Development
Envy finally pulls him into marsh.
In Your Life:
Hosting often means watching others take the fun you planned.
Accident chain
In This Chapter
Cocked gun, missed snipe, stuck horses.
Development
Tests yesterday's civility vow.
In Your Life:
One careless guest can turn a day into logistics.
Forgiveness through humor
In This Chapter
Veslovsky's laugh and Automedon driving.
Development
Levin ends in best spirits toward marsh.
In Your Life:
Laughter sometimes repairs what scolding cannot.
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 stay with the wagonette at the first marsh?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
He says there won't be room for three and hopes they find only peewits, partly because nearby marshes are small and he could shoot them anytime.
- 2
How does the accidental gun discharge affect the party?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Levin knocks his head on the stock though the charge hits ground; Veslovsky's naive distress and infectious laugh prevent reproach though danger was real.
- 3
Why is Levin so vexed when the carriage sinks in mud?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Veslovsky drove in to watch and got the horses stuck just as Levin shot at snipe, ruining focus and forcing harness work neither gentleman helps with.
- 4
What changes Levin's mood after the mud rescue?
application • deepOne way to read it
Working silently he remembers yesterday's unfair chill, sees Veslovsky tugging until breaking mud guard, and chooses geniality; Automedon driving and songs finish the thaw.
- 5
When has someone's enthusiasm caused a chain of accidents you still forgave?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The enthusiastic saboteur pattern names harm without malice repaired by laughter, labor, and willing service afterward.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Hunting Disasters
List each mishap from small marsh to lunch recovery. What does Levin sacrifice and what does he regain?
Consider:
- •Include there won't be room for three
- •Include stuck in mud
- •Include Automedon
Journaling Prompt
Write about a group outing where one eager person broke the plan and how the day ended.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 167
Veslovsky will drive so smartly they reach the marsh too early while heat still lingers. Veslovsky drives so smartly they reach the great marsh too early while it is still hot. Levin and Stepan Arkadyevitch both want to shed Veslovsky and hunt freely; Oblonsky's face shows a sportsman's anxiety mixed with good humored slyness.
