Anna Karenina Ch. 212: Chapter 212

Summary

Tolstoy opens that family undertakings need either complete division or loving agreement; vacillating couples undertake nothing. Anna waits alone for Vronsky from a bachelor dinner, replaying yesterday's quarrel and offensive words until tenderness feels like shade of complacency and self-confidence that exasperates her.

She resolves: peace of mind and trust; take the blame on myself; tell him I was wrong though I was not wrong; go to country tomorrow when divorce comes in days. To escape irritability she rings for boxes to be brought up for packing.

At ten o'clock Vronsky comes in as Anna has already chosen submission as strategy. Tolstoy shows reconciliation attempt built on planned self-blame not settled truth.

Tolstoy opens on families needing division or loving agreement; vacillating couples undertake nothing. Anna waits alone replaying quarrel until she resolves to take blame though not wrong and pack for country when divorce comes in days.

Tolstoy closes the chapter on that beat without easy moral, only the next consequence waiting.

Planned self-blame is not settled truth; Vronsky's return at ten finds Anna already choosing submission as strategy.

At ten o'clock Vronsky comes in as Anna has already chosen submission as strategy built on planned self-blame.

The beat lands without easy moral.

In this chapter: Terms Characters Key Quotes Modern Story

Why This Matters

Spotting Strategic Apologies

Partners sometimes plan apologies they do not believe to restore peace. Anna resolves I was wrong though not wrong and take the blame before Vronsky returns.

When you rehearse surrender alone, ask whether you seek truth or temporary calm before packing boxes.

Coming Up in Chapter 213

Anna will meet Vronsky with penitent meekness and hear Just as usual. Anna comes out with penitent meek expression asking was it nice; Vronsky answers Just as usual, seeing her good mood and used to transitions. Jealousy flares over details; she says she never tells lies; he demands respect..

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Chapter 212

Tolstoy opens that family undertakings need either complete divisio...

In order to carry through any undertaking in family life, there must necessarily be either complete division between the husband and wife, or loving agreement. When the relations of a couple are vacillating and neither one thing nor the other, no sort of enterprise can be undertaken. Many families remain for years in the same place, though both husband and wife are sick of it, simply because there is neither complete division nor agreement between them. Both Vronsky and Anna felt life in Moscow insupportable in the heat and dust, when the spring sunshine was followed by the glare of…

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Critical Thinking Exercise

12 minutes

Anna's Solo Rehearsal

List quarrel replay, complacency read, planned apology, and packing action.

Consider:

•Include loving agreement
•Include shade of complacency
•Include wrong though not wrong

Journaling Prompt

Write about a time you decided to be wrong before the conversation.

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Chapter 212

Summary