Original Text(~250 words)
The old neglected palazzo, with its lofty carved ceilings and frescoes on the walls, with its floors of mosaic, with its heavy yellow stuff curtains on the windows, with its vases on pedestals, and its open fireplaces, its carved doors and gloomy reception rooms, hung with pictures—this palazzo did much, by its very appearance after they had moved into it, to confirm in Vronsky the agreeable illusion that he was not so much a Russian country gentleman, a retired army officer, as an enlightened amateur and patron of the arts, himself a modest artist who had renounced the world, his connections, and his ambition for the sake of the woman he loved. The pose chosen by Vronsky with their removal into the palazzo was completely successful, and having, through Golenishtchev, made acquaintance with a few interesting people, for a time he was satisfied. He painted studies from nature under the guidance of an Italian professor of painting, and studied mediæval Italian life. Mediæval Italian life so fascinated Vronsky that he even wore a hat and flung a cloak over his shoulder in the mediæval style, which, indeed, was extremely becoming to him. “Here we live, and know nothing of what’s going on,” Vronsky said to Golenishtchev as he came to see him one morning. “Have you seen Mihailov’s picture?” he said, handing him a Russian gazette he had received that morning, and pointing to an article on a Russian artist, living in the very same town, and just finishing a...
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
Levin throws himself into physical labor on his estate, working alongside his peasants in the fields from dawn to dusk. He's desperately trying to escape the mental torment that's been consuming him since his spiritual crisis began. The harder he works, the more he hopes to quiet the philosophical questions about life's meaning that have been driving him to despair. But even as he sweats and toils, cutting hay and hauling grain, his mind won't stop racing. The physical exhaustion feels good in the moment, but it doesn't provide the lasting peace he's seeking. His workers notice something different about him - he's pushing himself harder than ever before, almost recklessly. Levin realizes that no amount of manual labor can silence the fundamental questions that plague him: Why do we live? What's the point of all this effort? The contrast between his outer activity and inner turmoil becomes stark. While his body moves through familiar farm routines, his soul remains in crisis. This chapter shows how we often try to outrun our deepest problems through busyness and physical distraction. Levin's experience reflects a universal human tendency - when we're facing existential questions or emotional pain, we sometimes think we can work our way out of it. But meaningful change requires more than just keeping busy. The chapter reveals that Levin's spiritual journey can't be avoided through physical labor alone. His crisis is forcing him toward a deeper reckoning with himself and his beliefs about life's purpose.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Peasant Labor
In 19th-century Russia, peasants were agricultural workers who lived and worked on large estates owned by the nobility. They performed backbreaking manual labor like harvesting, plowing, and hauling grain. The relationship between landowners and peasants was complex, involving both economic dependence and social hierarchy.
Modern Usage:
We see similar dynamics today in seasonal farm work, construction crews, or any job where management works alongside hourly workers.
Existential Crisis
A period of intense questioning about life's meaning, purpose, and value. The person feels lost, wondering why they exist and whether their actions matter. It often involves deep anxiety about death, meaninglessness, and the point of continuing to live.
Modern Usage:
Today we might call this a 'quarter-life crisis' or 'midlife crisis' - those moments when people question their career, relationships, and life choices.
Physical Labor as Escape
The practice of throwing yourself into demanding physical work to avoid dealing with emotional or mental problems. The idea is that if you're exhausted enough, you won't have energy to think about what's bothering you.
Modern Usage:
Modern examples include working excessive overtime, obsessive exercise routines, or staying constantly busy to avoid processing grief or anxiety.
Russian Estate System
Large agricultural properties owned by wealthy landowners where peasants lived and worked. The landowner managed the estate and was responsible for the peasants' welfare, while peasants provided labor in exchange for housing and small plots of land.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how large corporations today operate company towns or agricultural corporations manage migrant worker housing.
Spiritual Awakening
A process where someone begins questioning their fundamental beliefs about life, death, God, and meaning. It's often uncomfortable and disorienting, involving the breakdown of old certainties before new understanding emerges.
Modern Usage:
Today this might happen during therapy, after trauma, or when people leave organized religion and search for new meaning systems.
Manual Labor Therapy
The belief that hard physical work can heal emotional wounds or provide clarity about life's problems. Many people find that working with their hands gives them a sense of accomplishment and temporarily quiets mental chatter.
Modern Usage:
We see this in therapeutic gardening programs, woodworking as stress relief, or people who renovate houses to work through personal issues.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist in crisis
He's desperately trying to escape his spiritual crisis through exhausting physical labor on his farm. His frantic work shows both his privilege (he can choose to work) and his genuine anguish about life's meaning.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful person who throws themselves into work or fitness after a major life crisis
The Peasant Workers
Observant laborers
They notice Levin's unusual intensity and reckless pace but continue their steady work rhythm. Their presence highlights the difference between working for survival versus working to escape inner turmoil.
Modern Equivalent:
Coworkers who notice when the boss is going through something personal but keep doing their jobs
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when we're using activity to avoid dealing with deeper problems that require reflection.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel compelled to stay busy during emotional stress - ask yourself what you might be avoiding.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The harder he worked, the more he felt that his soul was growing lighter"
Context: As Levin pushes himself through grueling farm work
This shows the temporary relief that physical exhaustion can provide from mental anguish. However, the word 'felt' suggests this lightness might be an illusion rather than genuine healing.
In Today's Words:
The more he wore himself out, the better he felt - at least for a while.
"But why live? What was the point of all this effort?"
Context: Even while engaged in satisfying physical work, these questions persist
This reveals that no amount of busyness can silence fundamental existential questions. The contrast between meaningful work and meaningless existence creates Levin's central conflict.
In Today's Words:
But seriously, what's the point of any of this?
"His body moved through the familiar motions while his mind raced in circles"
Context: Describing Levin's state during the farm work
This captures the disconnect between physical activity and mental peace. It shows how we can be productive on the outside while struggling internally.
In Today's Words:
He went through the motions, but his brain wouldn't shut up.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Exhaustion Trap - When We Try to Outrun Our Problems
Using intense activity or busyness to avoid confronting deeper emotional, spiritual, or psychological problems that actually require reflection and inner work.
Thematic Threads
Avoidance
In This Chapter
Levin uses physical labor to escape his spiritual crisis and existential questioning
Development
Evolution from earlier internal struggles - now he's actively trying to outrun his thoughts
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you stay busy to avoid difficult conversations or decisions
Class
In This Chapter
Levin works alongside peasants, temporarily collapsing class distinctions through shared labor
Development
Continues his pattern of seeking authenticity through connection with working people
In Your Life:
You might find that crisis strips away social pretenses and reveals what really matters
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin's identity crisis deepens as physical work fails to provide the meaning he seeks
Development
His search for purpose becomes more desperate and unfocused
In Your Life:
You might experience this when external achievements don't fill internal emptiness
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Levin learns that growth can't be forced through willpower and activity alone
Development
A crucial realization that his spiritual journey requires different tools
In Your Life:
You might discover that some problems need patience and reflection, not just effort
Desperation
In This Chapter
Levin's increasingly frantic work pace reveals his growing desperation for answers
Development
His crisis intensifies as surface solutions fail to address root causes
In Your Life:
You might notice this pattern when quick fixes stop working and problems feel overwhelming
Modern Adaptation
When the Overtime Won't Stop
Following Anna's story...
Anna throws herself into sixty-hour weeks at the law firm, taking every case, staying until midnight, working weekends. She tells herself she's building her career, but really she's running from the chaos in her personal life - the affair that's consuming her thoughts, the guilt about her son, the impossible choice between duty and desire. The harder she works, the more the questions follow her: Was leaving her marriage worth destroying her family? Can this relationship survive the pressure? Her colleagues notice she's pushing herself to exhaustion, but Anna can't stop. Every brief she writes, every deposition she takes feels like proof she's still in control. But at 2 AM, staring at legal documents, the same torment returns. The work gives her tired muscles and a full schedule, but no peace. Her crisis isn't about billable hours - it's about who she's becoming and whether she can live with her choices.
The Road
The road Levin walked in 1877, Anna walks today. The pattern is identical: using relentless work to escape existential questions that demand stillness and honest reflection.
The Map
This chapter shows Anna that some problems can't be solved by staying busy. When work becomes an escape rather than purpose, it's time to create space for the real questions.
Amplification
Before reading this, Anna might have kept adding more cases to her schedule, believing productivity equals progress. Now she can NAME the exhaustion trap, PREDICT that busyness won't solve her deeper crisis, and NAVIGATE by scheduling time for honest self-reflection.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Levin do to try to escape his mental torment, and does it work?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think Levin believes physical labor will solve his spiritual crisis?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen someone (or yourself) try to work through emotional problems by staying extremely busy?
application • medium - 4
If you were Levin's friend, what advice would you give him about dealing with his existential questions?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between physical problems and spiritual or emotional ones?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Exhaustion Traps
Think about the last time you felt overwhelmed or emotionally stuck. Write down what you did to cope - did you work longer hours, clean obsessively, binge-watch shows, or throw yourself into projects? Then identify what deeper issue you might have been avoiding. This isn't about judgment, but about recognizing patterns.
Consider:
- •Notice activities that feel productive but leave you emotionally drained
- •Consider whether your 'solutions' actually address the root problem
- •Think about what would happen if you stopped the busy work for a day
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you realized that staying busy was actually preventing you from solving a real problem. What was the deeper issue you were avoiding, and what helped you finally face it?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 134
Moving forward, we'll examine key events and character development in this chapter, and understand thematic elements and literary techniques. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.