Chapter 187
After the smoking room, Sviazhsky leads Levin to friends where ther...
Sviazhsky took Levin’s arm, and went with him to his own friends. This time there was no avoiding Vronsky. He was standing with Stepan Arkadyevitch and Sergey Ivanovitch, and looking straight at Levin as he drew near. “Delighted! I believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you ... at Princess Shtcherbatskaya’s,” he said, giving Levin his hand. “Yes, I quite remember our meeting,” said Levin, and blushing crimson, he turned away immediately, and began talking to his brother. With a slight smile Vronsky went on talking to Sviazhsky, obviously without the slightest inclination to enter into conversation with Levin. But…
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Key Quotes & Analysis
"there was no avoiding Vronsky."
Context: When Sviazhsky leads Levin to his friends after the vote buildup
Forced meeting.
In Today's Words:
The narrator says this time there was no avoiding Vronsky as he stood with Stepan Arkadyevitch and Sergey Ivanovitch looking straight at Levin. Tolstoy marks convergence of plot lines at reform victory. Levin must face the man tied to Anna and elections. Avoidance ends where public politics begins.
"Well, now is it over?"
Context: Congratulating after early election success
Premature relief.
In Today's Words:
Levin asks Sergey Ivanovitch well, now is it over after congratulating winners. Sviazhsky answers It's only just beginning with a smile. Tolstoy teases Levin's wish that complexity end. Marshal vote still awaits. The question shows how little he reads the room. Tolstoy uses this moment to show how public roles and private fears collide when characters act under pressure they cannot fully name.
"It’s only just beginning,"
Context: Replying for Koznishev when Levin asks if it is over
Vote still ahead.
In Today's Words:
Sviazhsky tells Levin it's only just beginning when he thinks the election finished. Tolstoy underlines that district fights were prelude to provincial marshal ballot. Levin's relief is wrong again. The smile pairs correction with social ease. Tolstoy uses this moment to show how public roles and private fears collide when characters act under pressure they cannot fully name.
"voted for by a considerable majority."
Context: Announcing Nevedovsky's election as marshal
Reform wins.
In Today's Words:
The narrator says Nevedovsky was voted for by a considerable majority after Snetkov's ballot failed. Tolstoy releases crowd ecstasy and former marshal despair in one result. Considerable majority legitimizes the new party. Levin's wrong ballot becomes footnote to movement victory. Tolstoy uses this moment to show how public roles and private fears collide when characters act under pressure they cannot fully name.
Thematic Threads
Political education
In This Chapter
Sergey Ivanovitch scolds Levin's tact.
Development
Levin later tries friendliness with Vronsky.
In Your Life:
Institutional wins require etiquette you may resent.
Plot convergence
In This Chapter
Vronsky and Levin meet at elections.
Development
Sets Moscow encounters ahead.
In Your Life:
Public events force contact with people you avoid privately.
Reform triumph
In This Chapter
Nevedovsky's majority.
Development
Closes Kashinsky arc.
In Your Life:
Movements celebrate while individuals feel clumsy.
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 Sergey Ivanovitch criticize Levin?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Levin lacks political tact, treating marshal opponent Snetkov as ami cochon while failing to keep reform allies like Vronsky friendly.
- 2
What does It's only just beginning tell Levin?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
The provincial marshal vote still awaits though earlier steps succeeded, so his wish that the election is over is premature.
- 3
Why does Levin vote on the wrong side?
application • mediumOne way to read it
He forgets explained calculations, doubts Stiva's right side advice, and changes hands at the box because he still thinks Snetkov is the enemy.
- 4
How does Nevedovsky's victory affect the old marshal?
application • deepOne way to read it
Snetkov's despair is visible to all while the crowd throngs Nevedovsky, showing reform's public humiliation of the old school.
- 5
When have you meant well in a group decision yet mishandled the rules?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The wrong side ballot pattern names earnest participation without procedural literacy.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Trace Levin At The Final Vote
List Sergey Ivanovitch's complaint, Stiva's ballot whisper, and the announced result.
Consider:
- •Include only just beginning
- •Include put it in the right side
- •Include considerable majority
Journaling Prompt
Write about a meeting where you learned the decision had more steps than you thought.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 188
Vronsky will dine with the successful party while Anna's telegram waits to pull him home. The newly elected marshal and successful party dine with Vronsky, who came partly because he was bored in the country and wanted to show Anna his right to independence while repaying Sviazhsky. Dinner is lively: our marshal jokes, imported wine, telegrams including Stiva's faire jouer le telegraphe to Dolly.
