Chapter 194
At the afternoon concert two new pieces interest Levin: a fantasia ...
At the concert in the afternoon two very interesting things were performed. One was a fantasia, King Lear; the other was a quartette dedicated to the memory of Bach. Both were new and in the new style, and Levin was eager to form an opinion of them. After escorting his sister-in-law to her stall, he stood against a column and tried to listen as attentively and conscientiously as possible. He tried not to let his attention be distracted, and not to spoil his impression by looking at the conductor in a white tie, waving his arms, which always disturbed his…
Public-domain chapter text, formatted for reading.
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"King Lear;"
Context: Naming first concert piece Levin finds interesting
Program novelty.
In Today's Words:
The narrator lists a fantasia King Lear as one of two interesting afternoon pieces alongside Bach quartette in new style. Tolstoy signals high culture as social event. Lear's tragedy becomes concert item Levin must judge. Title links Shakespeare weight to salon afternoon. Shakespeare's tragedy as afternoon fantasia shows high culture reduced to a program item whose meaning matters less than having an opinion ready.
"in the new style"
Context: Describing both concert pieces Levin wants to judge
Fashionable art.
In Today's Words:
Both pieces were new and in the new style and Levin was eager to form an opinion of them. Tolstoy mocks obligation to judge unfamiliar art socially. New style invites Pestsov's Marvelous and debate. Opinion matters as much as hearing. Being eager to judge the new style captures Moscow pressure to pronounce on art before you have heard it with your own attention.
"Marvelous!"
Context: Praising concert performance in mellow bass
Salon praise.
In Today's Words:
Pestsov says Marvelous in mellow bass when Levin meets him at concert. Tolstoy reduces aesthetic response to social password. Marvelous lets conversation continue without detail. Group performance of culture follows. Pestsov's one-word Marvelous lets the group perform sophistication without describing what moved them in King Lear or the Bach quartette.
"utterly forgotten to call upon"
Context: Levin realizing he missed Count Bol
Errand remembered late.
In Today's Words:
Levin met Count Bol among acquaintances and realized he had utterly forgotten to call upon him as Kitty demanded. Tolstoy ties art afternoon to failed etiquette. Forgotten call pushes Bola chapter. Madame Lvova's go at once completes pressure. Forgetting Count Bol until meeting him exposes how concert circulation displaced the call Kitty assigned, triggering Madame Lvova's urgent go at once.
Thematic Threads
Social performance
In This Chapter
Concert talk not listening.
Development
Levin's call shame deepens.
In Your Life:
Events can be networking with music as backdrop.
Obligation memory
In This Chapter
Forgotten Bol call.
Development
Bola visit next.
In Your Life:
Promised visits resurface mid-pleasure.
Modern art debate
In This Chapter
New style and Pre-Raphaelites.
Development
Salon opinion culture.
In Your Life:
New work becomes status to judge quickly.
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 is Levin eager about the concert pieces?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
They are new and in the new style and he wants to form an opinion as Moscow society expects.
- 2
What does Pestsov's Marvelous suggest?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Salon praise that signals belonging more than careful listening or detailed criticism.
- 3
Why does forgetting Count Bol matter?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Kitty assigned calls; Levin's forgetfulness shows social duty losing to concert circulation until reminded.
- 4
How does Madame Lvova respond?
application • deepOne way to read it
She tells him go at once, perhaps missing them, then meet her at the meeting, keeping his schedule tight.
- 5
When have you remembered an obligation only mid-event?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The forgotten call pattern names pleasure that hides errands until shame returns.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Chart Concert And Call
List two pieces, one social praise word, and how Bol call returns.
Consider:
- •Include new style
- •Include Marvelous
- •Include utterly forgotten
Journaling Prompt
Write about performing culture while neglecting a promise you made.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 195
Levin will find the Bola porter resolute and sigh how annoying calls feel. Levin asks perhaps they are not at home at Countess Bola's; the porter says at home, please walk in and removes his overcoat. How annoying, Levin thinks with a sigh: what did I come for, what have I to say.
