Original Text(~250 words)
In spite of Vronsky’s apparently frivolous life in society, he was a man who hated irregularity. In early youth in the Corps of Pages, he had experienced the humiliation of a refusal, when he had tried, being in difficulties, to borrow money, and since then he had never once put himself in the same position again. In order to keep his affairs in some sort of order, he used about five times a year (more or less frequently, according to circumstances) to shut himself up alone and put all his affairs into definite shape. This he used to call his day of reckoning or _faire la lessive_. On waking up the day after the races, Vronsky put on a white linen coat, and without shaving or taking his bath, he distributed about the table moneys, bills, and letters, and set to work. Petritsky, who knew he was ill-tempered on such occasions, on waking up and seeing his comrade at the writing-table, quietly dressed and went out without getting in his way. Every man who knows to the minutest details all the complexity of the conditions surrounding him, cannot help imagining that the complexity of these conditions, and the difficulty of making them clear, is something exceptional and personal, peculiar to himself, and never supposes that others are surrounded by just as complicated an array of personal affairs as he is. So indeed it seemed to Vronsky. And not without inward pride, and not without reason, he thought that any other...
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 finds himself at a crossroads, wrestling with deep questions about life's meaning that have been haunting him since his brother's death. He's been reading philosophy books, trying to find answers about why we exist and what makes life worth living, but the abstract theories leave him feeling more lost than before. The contrast between his intellectual searching and his practical daily life on the farm becomes stark - when he's working the land or talking with peasants, life feels meaningful and real, but when he retreats into philosophical contemplation, everything seems pointless. This internal struggle reflects a broader theme in the novel about finding authentic purpose versus getting trapped in overthinking. Levin's crisis isn't just personal; it represents the tension many people feel between seeking grand meaning and finding satisfaction in simple, honest work. His character development shows him beginning to understand that meaning might not come from books or theories, but from engagement with real life and real relationships. This chapter deepens our understanding of Levin as someone who thinks too much for his own good, yet whose genuine searching makes him sympathetic. His struggle with existential questions mirrors what many readers face when life feels overwhelming or purposeless. The chapter suggests that sometimes the search for meaning can become an obstacle to actually living meaningfully.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Existential crisis
A period of intense questioning about life's meaning and purpose, often triggered by major life events. It involves feeling lost about why you exist and what makes life worth living. These crises can be paralyzing but also lead to important personal growth.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people hit midlife and suddenly question their career choices, or when young adults feel overwhelmed by life's possibilities and can't find direction.
Nihilism
The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and that nothing really matters. It's a philosophical position that can lead to despair or, paradoxically, to freedom. Often emerges when people overthink existence instead of simply living.
Modern Usage:
Shows up in depression, burnout, or when people say 'What's the point?' about work, relationships, or goals after experiencing major disappointments.
Intellectualization
Using excessive thinking and analysis to avoid dealing with emotions or real-life problems. It's a defense mechanism where people retreat into abstract ideas rather than face practical realities. Can prevent authentic living.
Modern Usage:
Happens when someone researches relationships instead of dating, or studies productivity systems instead of actually getting work done.
Peasant wisdom
The practical knowledge and simple truths that come from lived experience rather than formal education. In Russian literature, peasants often represent authentic connection to life's basics. Their insights cut through intellectual confusion.
Modern Usage:
Like getting better life advice from your grandmother than from self-help books, or learning more about work from experienced colleagues than from management theories.
Paralysis by analysis
Being unable to make decisions or take action because you're stuck overthinking every possibility. The more you analyze, the more confused and frozen you become. Sometimes thinking less leads to better outcomes.
Modern Usage:
Spending hours researching the perfect restaurant instead of just picking one, or endlessly weighing pros and cons of a job change without ever deciding.
Authentic living
Living according to your true values and nature rather than what others expect or what theories say you should do. It means being genuine in your choices and relationships. Often involves accepting imperfection.
Modern Usage:
Choosing a career that fits your personality over one that pays more, or being honest about your feelings instead of saying what you think people want to hear.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist in crisis
Struggles with profound questions about life's meaning after his brother's death. He finds himself torn between intellectual searching through philosophy books and the simple satisfaction he gets from farm work and genuine human connection.
Modern Equivalent:
The overthinker who reads self-help books but finds more peace doing hands-on work
Nikolai
Deceased brother
Though dead, his memory haunts Levin and triggered this existential crisis. His death forced Levin to confront mortality and question what makes life meaningful. Represents the reality of death that philosophy can't explain away.
Modern Equivalent:
The lost family member whose death makes you question everything you thought you knew about life
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when thinking about life becomes a substitute for actually living it.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're analyzing your choices instead of making them—set a timer for worry sessions, then choose one concrete action.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Without knowing what I am and why I am here, life's impossible."
Context: During his deep philosophical struggle about existence
This captures the heart of existential crisis - feeling unable to function without understanding life's ultimate purpose. It shows how overthinking fundamental questions can paralyze daily living. Levin's mistake is believing he needs cosmic answers before he can live authentically.
In Today's Words:
I can't figure out how to live my life if I don't know what the point of it all is.
"The whole world of thought seemed to him divided into two camps."
Context: Describing Levin's mental state while reading philosophy
Shows how intellectual searching can create false either-or thinking that doesn't reflect real life's complexity. Levin is trapped in abstract categories instead of embracing life's messiness. This black-and-white thinking prevents him from finding practical wisdom.
In Today's Words:
Everything seemed like it had to be one way or the other, with no middle ground.
"He felt himself, and did not want to feel himself, on the brink of despair."
Context: Levin recognizing how close he is to complete hopelessness
Captures the dangerous edge of existential crisis where questioning becomes self-destructive. The phrase 'did not want to feel himself' shows his attempt to escape through numbness. This moment reveals how philosophical searching can become a form of self-torture rather than enlightenment.
In Today's Words:
He could feel himself falling into a dark place and was trying not to think about how bad it was getting.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Analysis Paralysis
The more we intellectually analyze life's meaning, the less meaningful life actually feels.
Thematic Threads
Purpose
In This Chapter
Levin searches for life's meaning in philosophy books but finds it feels empty compared to actual work and relationships
Development
Building from his earlier spiritual searching after his brother's death
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you spend more time reading about how to live than actually living.
Class
In This Chapter
Levin finds more authentic connection with peasants doing real work than with intellectual theories
Development
Continues his pattern of finding truth in simple, working-class wisdom rather than aristocratic philosophizing
In Your Life:
You might notice how overthinking problems often comes from privilege—people struggling to survive don't have time for existential crises.
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin struggles between seeing himself as a thinking person versus a doing person
Development
Deepening his ongoing identity crisis about who he really is
In Your Life:
You might feel torn between who you think you should be and who you actually are when you're just living your life.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Levin begins to understand that growth comes from engagement with life, not analysis of it
Development
Represents a turning point in his character development toward practical wisdom
In Your Life:
You might realize your biggest breakthroughs come from doing things, not thinking about doing things.
Modern Adaptation
When Success Feels Empty
Following Anna's story...
Anna sits in her corner office at 11 PM, surrounded by legal briefs and case files that once excited her. She's been reading self-help books about finding purpose, career fulfillment articles, and listening to podcasts about 'living your best life.' The more she analyzes whether law is her true calling, the more hollow her achievements feel. Her latest courtroom victory—defending a client she believed in—should have felt meaningful, but instead she found herself questioning whether any of it matters. She thinks about her childhood dream of helping people, wonders if she's sold out, analyzes every career decision. Meanwhile, when she's actually in court arguing a case or mentoring junior associates, she feels alive and engaged. But the moment she steps back to examine her life's trajectory, everything feels pointless. Her success feels like a prison of her own making.
The Road
The road Levin walked in 1877, Anna walks today. The pattern is identical: the more we intellectually dissect our lives for meaning, the more meaningless everything becomes.
The Map
This chapter shows Anna that meaning isn't found through analysis—it's experienced through engagement. The navigation tool is recognizing when overthinking is stealing her actual life.
Amplification
Before reading this, Anna might have spent hours analyzing whether her career has purpose. Now she can NAME the analysis trap, PREDICT that overthinking leads to emptiness, and NAVIGATE by choosing engagement over examination.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What happens to Levin when he reads philosophy books versus when he works on his farm?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think thinking too much about life's meaning makes Levin feel worse instead of better?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today getting stuck analyzing their lives instead of living them?
application • medium - 4
When you catch yourself overthinking life's purpose, what specific actions could you take to break that cycle?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's struggle teach us about the difference between finding meaning and creating meaning?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Analysis Paralysis
For the next three days, notice when you're analyzing your life versus living it. Keep a simple tally: mark 'A' when you're analyzing (reading about productivity, questioning your choices, scrolling social media comparing lives) and 'L' when you're living (working, talking with people, doing something that requires focus). At the end of each day, count your marks and notice the pattern.
Consider:
- •Pay attention to how you feel during 'A' moments versus 'L' moments
- •Notice what triggers shift you from living to analyzing
- •Observe whether analysis actually leads to better decisions or just more confusion
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were so busy analyzing whether you were happy that you forgot to actually enjoy what you were doing. What would have happened if you'd just stayed present in that moment?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 89
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.