Chapter 195
Levin asks perhaps they are not at home at Countess Bola's; the por...
“Perhaps they’re not at home?” said Levin, as he went into the hall of Countess Bola’s house. “At home; please walk in,” said the porter, resolutely removing his overcoat. “How annoying!” thought Levin with a sigh, taking off one glove and stroking his hat. “What did I come for? What have I to say to them?” As he passed through the first drawing-room Levin met in the doorway Countess Bola, giving some order to a servant with a care-worn and severe face. On seeing Levin she smiled, and asked him to come into the little drawing-room, where he heard voices.…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"How annoying!"
Context: When porter welcomes him into Countess Bola's
Visit trap.
In Today's Words:
Levin thinks how annoying with a sigh when porter resolutely says at home please walk in and takes his overcoat. Tolstoy voices social comedy Kitty demanded. Annoyance persists though everyone performs calls. Sigh precedes what did I come for doubt. The porter's welcome traps Levin in success he never wanted, turning Kitty's reasonable request into inner comedy about meaningless etiquette.
"What did I come for?"
Context: During hollow Bola visit after removing glove
Purposeless ritual.
In Today's Words:
Levin asks himself what did I come for and what have I to say while stroking his hat during call. Tolstoy exposes Moscow etiquette as empty script. Question repeats chapter 191 call dread. Handsome book entry makes shame official anyway. Asking what did I come for during the visit names the hollow center of formal calls Levin performs while writing his address in the registry book.
"punishing a carp by putting it into the water"
Context: Blunder at public meeting on foreigner's exile sentence
Borrowed wit.
In Today's Words:
Levin says sending him abroad is much the same as punishing a carp by putting it into the water during trial talk. Tolstoy shows fatigue producing plagiarized cleverness. Krilov fable returns via newspaper acquaintance. Vexation follows when he remembers source. Remembering Krilov after speaking shows Levin's horror at borrowed wit when he values authentic speech tied to land and work.
"drove to the club."
Context: After Kitty well and cheerful at home
Evening refuge.
In Today's Words:
The narrator says after finding Kitty in good spirits Levin drove to the club. Tolstoy rewards dutiful day with male society Levin prefers. Club follows call shame and meeting blunder. Next chapter reconciliation with Vronsky waits there. The club beckons as refuge after carp blunder because male table laughter feels honest compared with drawing-room performance.
Thematic Threads
Social shame
In This Chapter
What did I come for at Bola's.
Development
Consistent with chapter 191.
In Your Life:
Etiquette can feel absurd even when done correctly.
Borrowed intelligence
In This Chapter
Krilov carp line.
Development
Levin's authenticity value.
In Your Life:
Fatigue makes you repeat others' jokes as yours.
Club refuge
In This Chapter
Drive after good Kitty news.
Development
Vronsky meeting next.
In Your Life:
People seek familiar rooms after performing elsewhere.
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 find the Bola visit annoying?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
He feels a complete outsider performing empty ritual, asking what did I come for though the porter welcomes him.
- 2
What is wrong with the carp remark?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Levin repeats Krilov's fable witticism as his own after hearing it through acquaintance and newspaper, then vexes at the blunder.
- 3
Why drive to the club at end?
application • mediumOne way to read it
After dutiful calls and meeting, Kitty's cheer lets Levin seek male society where he feels more himself.
- 4
How does mental fatigue show?
application • deepOne way to read it
He makes trial talk blunder and recalls it several times with vexation, unlike country clarity.
- 5
When have you finished obligations and rushed somewhere comfortable?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The club after calls pattern names reward after performed manners.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Follow Levin's Afternoon Shame
Describe Bola visit feelings, meeting blunder, and why club follows.
Consider:
- •Include how annoying
- •Include carp in water
- •Include drove to the club
Journaling Prompt
Write about a day of calls that ended in relief somewhere else.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 196
At the club Levin will arrive at the right time and feel reconciled to Vronsky. Levin reaches the club just at the right time as members arrive; he has not been since university society days and remembers external details warmly. Stiva guides him through spirits and appetizers, orders something special, and fills glasses while Gagin tells improper Petersburg stories that make Levin roar loudly.
