Chapter 170
The sportsman's saying proves true: because Levin did not miss the ...
The sportsman’s saying, that if the first beast or the first bird is not missed, the day will be lucky, turned out correct. At ten o’clock Levin, weary, hungry, and happy after a tramp of twenty miles, returned to his night’s lodging with nineteen head of fine game and one duck, which he tied to his belt, as it would not go into the game bag. His companions had long been awake, and had had time to get hungry and have breakfast. “Wait a bit, wait a bit, I know there are nineteen,” said Levin, counting a second time over…
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Key Quotes & Analysis
"I am perfectly well and happy."
Context: Note brought by messenger while Levin returns from the lucky day
Reassurance from home.
In Today's Words:
Kitty writes she is perfectly well and happy, that Marya Vlasyevna the midwife found her well, and Levin should not hurry back but may stay if sport is good. The letter pairs with nineteen head as twin pleasures erasing minor annoyances. Tolstoy eases jealousy plotline: wife is secure while husband triumphs. Perfectly well answers his unease after parting and Veslovsky gossip.
"The beef’s been eaten, and the bones given to the dogs,”"
Context: When Levin asks for beef after finding no pies or chicken
Empty larder comedy.
In Today's Words:
Philip tells Levin the beef's been eaten and bones given to the dogs after Veslovsky consumed provisions Kitty packed abundantly. Hungry Levin nearly cries, ashamed next at showing annoyance to a stranger. Tolstoy balances epic sportsman's luck with domestic farce: triumph meets empty kitchen. Stiva laughs at the fellow's appetite.
"nineteen head of fine game and one duck, which he tied to his belt, as it would not go into the game bag."
Context: Levin's return after twenty miles and successful counting
Luck made countable.
In Today's Words:
Levin returns with nineteen head of fine game and a duck on his belt, counting twice while bent bloodstained birds look smaller than in flight. Stiva's envy pleases him. Tolstoy fulfills dawn promise and sportsman's first bird rule. Number contrasts yesterday's five against fourteen. Game becomes proof of restored competence.
"I’ve enjoyed our outing awfully."
Context: Homeward drive after evening shoot and peasant adventures
Guest praise accepted.
In Today's Words:
Veslovsky says altogether he has enjoyed their outing awfully and asks if Levin has. Levin answers very much, sincerely, having shed hostility felt at home. Tolstoy closes shooting arc: jealousy, marsh shame, lucky dawn, and eaten beef resolve into friendship. Peasant warnings about wives amuse Veslovsky; Levin listens without rage.
Thematic Threads
Luck and ritual
In This Chapter
First bird rule and nineteen head.
Development
Closes sportsman's arc from bad marsh.
In Your Life:
Superstition can track real confidence shifts.
Marriage at distance
In This Chapter
Kitty's note and midwife detail.
Development
Sets up home jealousy return.
In Your Life:
Reassuring messages free you to enjoy winning away.
Guest forgiven
In This Chapter
Eaten provisions yet sincere friendship.
Development
Veslovsky charm completes thaw.
In Your Life:
Appetite annoyance can coexist with liking someone again.
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 are Levin's two greatest pleasures in this chapter?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
His lucky nineteen head of game and Kitty's note saying she is perfectly well and happy, telling him not to hurry home.
- 2
Why does the beef being eaten upset Levin so much?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
He returns tired and hungry imagining pies, finds all provisions gone to Veslovsky's appetite, and feels hurt enough to nearly cry before shame and milk calm him.
- 3
How does Veslovsky's enjoyed our outing awfully line matter?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Levin answers sincerely that he enjoyed it very much too, having lost the home hostility toward the guest.
- 4
What connects this chapter to the dawn hunt in chapter 169?
application • deepOne way to read it
Not missing the first bird made the day lucky, fulfilling the sportsman's saying with the nineteen head Levin proudly counts.
- 5
When have a major success and a small irritation hit the same hour?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
Trophy day empty kitchen names how hunger or petty lack can almost erase triumph until proportion returns.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Balance Triumph and Hunger
List Levin's pleasures and irritations today. Which ones last into the drive home?
Consider:
- •Include perfectly well and happy
- •Include beef's been eaten
- •Include enjoyed our outing awfully
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time you almost let a small lack spoil a large win.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 171
Back at Pokrovskoe Levin's jealousy will reignite when Veslovsky charms Kitty at the samovar and Moscow confinement talk presses in. Next day Levin visits Veslovsky's room, walks the garden and stable, exercises on parallel bars, then enters the drawing room where Veslovsky tells Kitty at the samovar what a pity ladies miss shooting delights. Levin sees something not nice in the guest's smile and.
