Original Text(~250 words)
After lunch Levin was not in the same place in the string of mowers as before, but stood between the old man who had accosted him jocosely, and now invited him to be his neighbor, and a young peasant, who had only been married in the autumn, and who was mowing this summer for the first time. The old man, holding himself erect, moved in front, with his feet turned out, taking long, regular strides, and with a precise and regular action which seemed to cost him no more effort than swinging one’s arms in walking, as though it were in play, he laid down the high, even row of grass. It was as though it were not he but the sharp scythe of itself swishing through the juicy grass. Behind Levin came the lad Mishka. His pretty, boyish face, with a twist of fresh grass bound round his hair, was all working with effort; but whenever anyone looked at him he smiled. He would clearly have died sooner than own it was hard work for him. Levin kept between them. In the very heat of the day the mowing did not seem such hard work to him. The perspiration with which he was drenched cooled him, while the sun, that burned his back, his head, and his arms, bare to the elbow, gave a vigor and dogged energy to his labor; and more and more often now came those moments of unconsciousness, when it was possible not to think...
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Summary
Levin finds himself caught between two worlds as he navigates the social expectations of Moscow society while staying true to his rural values. He attends a dinner party where the conversation revolves around topics he finds shallow and meaningless - art criticism, political gossip, and social climbing. Despite his discomfort, he tries to participate, but his genuine nature clashes with the artificial atmosphere. The evening highlights the growing divide between Levin's authentic way of life and the performative culture of the upper class. He watches other guests play social games he doesn't understand or want to learn, making him feel like an outsider in his own social circle. This experience deepens his conviction that meaningful life comes from honest work and genuine relationships, not from impressing others or following social scripts. The chapter shows how difficult it can be to stay true to yourself when everyone around you seems to be playing by different rules. Levin's struggle reflects the broader theme of authenticity versus conformity that runs throughout the novel. His discomfort at the party isn't just about social awkwardness - it's about the fundamental question of how to live a meaningful life in a world that often rewards superficiality. The evening leaves him more determined than ever to return to his estate and the life he's building there, but also more aware of how isolated his choices make him feel.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Social performance
The way people act differently in public than they do privately, putting on a show to impress others or fit in. In 19th century Russian society, this was especially important among the wealthy who had strict rules about how to behave at social gatherings.
Modern Usage:
We see this today on social media when people curate perfect lives online, or when someone acts totally different at work versus at home.
Cultural capital
Knowledge of art, literature, fashion, and social customs that shows you belong to a certain class. In Tolstoy's time, knowing how to discuss the latest paintings or political theories marked you as educated and sophisticated.
Modern Usage:
Today it might be knowing the right restaurants, having the right degree, or understanding pop culture references that signal you're 'in the know.'
Authentic living
Living according to your own values and beliefs rather than what others expect from you. Levin struggles with this because his genuine, straightforward nature doesn't match the sophisticated games everyone else plays.
Modern Usage:
This shows up when someone chooses to live simply instead of keeping up with the Joneses, or speaks honestly instead of saying what people want to hear.
Rural versus urban divide
The clash between country values (hard work, simplicity, connection to land) and city values (sophistication, culture, social climbing). This was a major tension in 19th century Russia as society modernized.
Modern Usage:
We still see this in debates about 'real America' versus coastal elites, or when small-town people feel looked down on by city dwellers.
Salon culture
Fashionable gatherings where wealthy people would meet to discuss art, politics, and literature. These were as much about showing off your intelligence and connections as actually learning anything.
Modern Usage:
Modern equivalent might be networking events, book clubs among professionals, or dinner parties where everyone tries to sound impressive.
Social alienation
The feeling of being disconnected from the people around you, even when you're physically present. Levin feels this because his values don't match the group's priorities.
Modern Usage:
This happens when you're the only one at work who doesn't gossip, or when you're at a party where everyone's talking about things you don't care about.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
protagonist struggling with authenticity
He's the outsider at this dinner party, trying to participate in conversations about art and politics but feeling fake and uncomfortable. His discomfort reveals how different his values are from Moscow society's priorities.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who feels awkward at office happy hours because they'd rather be home with family
The dinner party guests
representatives of artificial society
They engage in sophisticated talk about culture and politics, but Levin sees through their performance. They represent everything he's trying to avoid becoming - people who value appearance over substance.
Modern Equivalent:
The crowd at an upscale networking event where everyone's trying to impress each other
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when groups operate by unwritten rules that exclude outsiders who don't know the code.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when conversations have invisible rules—at work meetings, family gatherings, or social events—and observe who gets included versus excluded based on cultural knowledge rather than merit.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He felt that he was not himself, but someone else, and that everything he was saying and doing was not natural to him."
Context: Levin realizes he's putting on an act at the dinner party
This captures the exhausting nature of trying to be someone you're not. Levin recognizes that he's performing a role rather than being genuine, which makes him uncomfortable and confirms his suspicion that this social world isn't for him.
In Today's Words:
He felt like he was faking it and being totally fake
"All this talk seemed to him like a game, the rules of which he did not know and did not want to learn."
Context: Levin observes the sophisticated conversation around him
This reveals how social interactions can feel like elaborate games with unspoken rules. Levin's refusal to learn these rules shows his commitment to authenticity, but also his growing isolation from his social class.
In Today's Words:
Everyone was playing some game he didn't understand and didn't want to figure out
"What was the use of talking about art when life itself was so much more important?"
Context: Levin grows frustrated with the dinner conversation
This shows Levin's practical nature and his belief that real life - work, relationships, meaning - matters more than intellectual discussions. It highlights the class divide between those who can afford to discuss art and those focused on survival.
In Today's Words:
Why waste time talking about fancy stuff when there are real problems to solve?
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Resistance
Being genuine in artificial spaces triggers social punishment because authenticity threatens group illusions.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Levin struggles with the performative culture of Moscow's upper class versus his rural authenticity
Development
Deepening from earlier chapters where class differences were more about lifestyle than values
In Your Life:
You might feel this when your working-class background clashes with white-collar workplace expectations
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin faces the choice between adapting to fit in or maintaining his true self
Development
Building on his ongoing struggle to define himself outside social expectations
In Your Life:
You experience this when family or friends pressure you to be someone you're not
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The dinner party operates on unspoken rules about appropriate conversation and behavior
Development
Expanding from romantic expectations to broader social performance requirements
In Your Life:
You see this in any group where there's pressure to follow unstated rules to belong
Isolation
In This Chapter
Levin's authenticity leaves him feeling like an outsider in his own social circle
Development
New theme emerging from his growing awareness of his differences
In Your Life:
You feel this when doing the right thing costs you social acceptance
Meaning
In This Chapter
Levin contrasts the shallow party conversation with his deeper values about work and relationships
Development
Continuing his search for purpose beyond social status
In Your Life:
You experience this when surface-level interactions leave you feeling empty and craving real connection
Modern Adaptation
When You Don't Fit the Mold
Following Anna's story...
Anna attends the firm's annual gala, a networking event crucial for partnership track lawyers. She watches colleagues effortlessly navigate conversations about wine collections, vacation homes, and private school connections—topics completely foreign to her working-class background. When partners ask about her 'people,' she mentions her mother's factory job and feels the subtle shift in their expressions. Other associates seem to speak in code, referencing cultural touchstones she never learned. Anna tries to contribute authentically—talking about her pro bono immigration work or her neighborhood—but conversations politely redirect to safer, more elite topics. She realizes she's being evaluated not just on legal skills but on how well she performs upper-class culture. The evening becomes exhausting as she weighs every word, knowing that being genuine might cost her the promotion she's worked years to earn. By night's end, she feels like an imposter in her own career, questioning whether success requires abandoning the values and background that shaped her.
The Road
The road Levin walked in 1877, Anna walks today. The pattern is identical: authentic people feel like outsiders in spaces that reward performance over substance.
The Map
This chapter provides the authenticity navigation framework—learning to distinguish between spaces where you can be genuine versus where you must strategically perform. Anna can use this to protect her energy and choose her battles wisely.
Amplification
Before reading this, Anna might have blamed herself for not fitting in, thinking she was somehow deficient. Now she can NAME the authenticity penalty, PREDICT when artificial spaces will drain her, and NAVIGATE by finding allies who value substance over performance.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific behaviors at the dinner party made Levin feel like an outsider, and how did he respond to them?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think the other guests were comfortable with conversations that felt meaningless to Levin? What were they getting out of these interactions?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this same dynamic play out in modern settings - workplaces, social media, family gatherings, or friend groups?
application • medium - 4
If you were coaching someone like Levin who struggles in artificial social situations, what practical strategies would you suggest for protecting their authenticity while still functioning in these spaces?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's experience reveal about the hidden costs of staying true to yourself in a world that often rewards performance over authenticity?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Authenticity Zones
Create a simple map of the different social spaces in your life. For each space, rate how authentic you can be on a scale of 1-5, and identify what specific behaviors or topics you modify in that environment. Look for patterns in where you feel most and least genuine.
Consider:
- •Notice which spaces drain your energy versus which ones restore it
- •Consider whether your modifications are strategic choices or fear-based compromises
- •Think about the long-term cost of spending too much time in low-authenticity zones
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose to be authentic in a space that typically rewards performance. What happened, and what did you learn about yourself and others from that experience?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 75
In the next chapter, you'll discover key events and character development in this chapter, and learn thematic elements and literary techniques. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.