Chapter 172
After escorting Kitty upstairs Levin visits Dolly while she scolds ...
After escorting his wife upstairs, Levin went to Dolly’s part of the house. Darya Alexandrovna, for her part, was in great distress too that day. She was walking about the room, talking angrily to a little girl, who stood in the corner roaring. “And you shall stand all day in the corner, and have your dinner all alone, and not see one of your dolls, and I won’t make you a new frock,” she said, not knowing how to punish her. “Oh, she is a disgusting child!” she turned to Levin. “Where does she get such wicked propensities?” “Why, what…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Figurez-vous que la petite_?"
Context: Describing Masha's raspberry mischief to Levin
French drama over child crime.
In Today's Words:
Dolly tells Levin Figurez-vous que la petite while describing what Masha did among the raspberries, lamenting Miss Elliot's absence and calling the current nurse a machine. Tolstoy opens the chapter with domestic disorder parallel to Levin's disorder: punishment words fail while adult crises wait. The French phrase marks Dolly's educated exasperation before she turns shrewd listener to his jealousy.
"Je crois que Veslovsky fait un petit brin de cour à Kitty_."
Context: What Dolly says Stiva told her after breakfast
Flirtation named in French.
In Today's Words:
Dolly reports Stiva said in so many words Je crois que Veslovsky fait un petit brin de cour à Kitty after Levin asks if she noticed anything horrible. The phrase gives social language to what Levin already felt in the garden quarrel. Tolstoy lets French courtship vocabulary stand between world opinion and Levin's resolve to send the guest away.
"I shall so enjoy it,”"
Context: Answering Dolly's fear he will quarrel expelling Veslovsky
Enjoyment in expulsion.
In Today's Words:
When Dolly warns Levin will quarrel if he sends Veslovsky himself he answers not a bit, I shall so enjoy it with eyes flashing real enjoyment. Tolstoy contrasts her horror at craziness with his relief at action after nights of jealousy. The line previews breaking the stick and ordering horses without raising his voice further.
"he answered that he should do just the same again."
Context: After Levin feels ridicule and guilt over Veslovsky's dismissal
Boundary held despite shame.
In Today's Words:
The narrator says asking himself how he should act another time Levin answered he should do just the same again despite feeling in the highest degree ridicule and guilty. Tolstoy refuses easy regret: social absurdity does not undo marital protection. Evening laughter over Dolly's new shoes story shows the household absorbing what the princess cannot pardon.
Thematic Threads
Jealousy to action
In This Chapter
Levin orders horses after Dolly confirms the court.
Development
Closes Veslovsky arc from hand kiss through hunt.
In Your Life:
Sometimes only drastic hospitality ends a slow threat.
Social ridicule
In This Chapter
Stiva calls the dismissal dernier ridicule.
Development
Evening mood softens except for the princess.
In Your Life:
Groups may laugh off what still felt necessary to you.
Female witness
In This Chapter
Dolly probes then retells the trap with humor.
Development
Prepares her independent visit to Anna.
In Your Life:
A relative can validate fear and later lighten the story.
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 say he shall enjoy sending Veslovsky away?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
After Dolly confirms Stiva saw a petit brin de cour to Kitty, expelling the guest feels like decisive relief rather than a quarrel he dreads.
- 2
What does Dolly mean by Figurez-vous que la petite?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
She uses French to dramatize Masha's raspberry mischief while complaining the nurse is a machine and Miss Elliot is missed.
- 3
Why would Levin do just the same again despite ridicule?
application • mediumOne way to read it
He feels guilty and absurd yet believes Veslovsky's presence was distasteful to him and Kitty, so the boundary mattered more than Stiva's opinion.
- 4
How does the evening mood change after the dismissal?
application • deepOne way to read it
Everyone except the princess grows lively like children after punishment while Dolly's comic retelling of new shoes and the trap makes Varenka laugh.
- 5
When have you taken an awkward stand you would repeat?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The ridiculous boundary pattern names acting despite social shame because the alternative felt worse for your home.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track the Expulsion
List what Dolly confirms, what Levin orders, how Stiva responds, and how the household ends the day.
Consider:
- •Include petit brin de cour
- •Include I shall so enjoy it
- •Include would do just the same again
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time you removed someone awkwardly and still felt it was necessary.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 173
Darya Alexandrovna will carry out her intention and go to see Anna, hiring horses until Levin insists she take his instead. Darya Alexandrovna carries out her intention to see Anna though she is sorry to annoy Kitty and do what Levin dislikes. She understands the Levins are right to avoid Vronsky yet must show Anna her feelings unchanged.
