Original Text(~250 words)
I“f I’d only the heart to throw up what’s been set going ... such a lot of trouble wasted ... I’d turn my back on the whole business, sell up, go off like Nikolay Ivanovitch ... to hear _La Belle Hélène_,” said the landowner, a pleasant smile lighting up his shrewd old face. “But you see you don’t throw it up,” said Nikolay Ivanovitch Sviazhsky; “so there must be something gained.” “The only gain is that I live in my own house, neither bought nor hired. Besides, one keeps hoping the people will learn sense. Though, instead of that, you’d never believe it—the drunkenness, the immorality! They keep chopping and changing their bits of land. Not a sight of a horse or a cow. The peasant’s dying of hunger, but just go and take him on as a laborer, he’ll do his best to do you a mischief, and then bring you up before the justice of the peace.” “But then you make complaints to the justice too,” said Sviazhsky. “I lodge complaints? Not for anything in the world! Such a talking, and such a to-do, that one would have cause to regret it. At the works, for instance, they pocketed the advance-money and made off. What did the justice do? Why, acquitted them. Nothing keeps them in order but their own communal court and their village elder. He’ll flog them in the good old style! But for that there’d be nothing for it but to give it all up...
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 struggles with deep spiritual questions about the meaning of life and his place in the world. Despite having everything he thought he wanted - a loving wife, a healthy child, and a successful estate - he feels empty and disconnected from any higher purpose. He watches the peasants working on his land and envies their simple faith and clear sense of purpose, while he feels lost in philosophical doubts. The chapter reveals Levin's internal crisis as he grapples with whether life has any real meaning beyond the daily routines of work and family. His privileged position allows him the luxury of such questioning, but it also isolates him from the straightforward beliefs that sustain others around him. This spiritual searching reflects Tolstoy's own philosophical journey and speaks to anyone who has felt successful on the outside while struggling with deeper questions of purpose. Levin's crisis shows how intellectual freedom can sometimes feel like a burden rather than a gift. The chapter captures that particular kind of existential anxiety that comes with having enough comfort to question everything, yet finding no easy answers. His struggle resonates with modern readers who may have achieved their goals but still feel something is missing. The tension between material success and spiritual fulfillment drives Levin toward a reckoning that will reshape his understanding of what makes life worth living.
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 moment when someone questions the meaning and purpose of their entire life, despite outward success. It's the feeling that something fundamental is missing even when everything looks good on paper.
Modern Usage:
We see this in mid-life crises, or when successful people suddenly feel empty despite having the career, family, and money they thought they wanted.
Peasant Faith
The simple, unquestioning religious belief that gave Russian peasants clear purpose and meaning in their hard lives. They didn't analyze or doubt - they just believed and found peace in that certainty.
Modern Usage:
Like people today who find comfort in traditional religious practices or community beliefs without needing to intellectualize everything.
Privileged Doubt
The luxury of questioning life's meaning that comes with having your basic needs met. When survival isn't your main concern, you have time to wonder 'what's the point of it all?'
Modern Usage:
Seen in wealthy suburbs where people have everything but still feel unfulfilled, or in therapy culture where comfort allows deep self-examination.
Spiritual Emptiness
The hollow feeling that comes when material success doesn't fill the deeper human need for purpose and connection to something greater than yourself.
Modern Usage:
Common in our consumer culture where people buy things hoping to feel better, only to discover stuff can't fix the emptiness inside.
Russian Orthodox Influence
The deep religious tradition that shaped Russian culture, emphasizing faith over reason and community over individual questioning. It provided a framework most people never thought to challenge.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how strong religious or cultural traditions still guide many families and communities today, giving people clear rules and purpose.
Philosophical Paralysis
When thinking too much about life's big questions prevents you from finding simple satisfaction in daily life. The more you analyze, the less you can just live.
Modern Usage:
Like people who overthink every decision or relationship, analyzing everything to death instead of just experiencing life.
Characters in This Chapter
Levin
Protagonist in crisis
He's having a complete breakdown of meaning despite having everything society says should make him happy. His wealth and education have given him the freedom to question everything, but no answers.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful guy who 'has it all' but feels dead inside
Kitty
Supportive wife
She represents the life Levin thought he wanted - love, family, domestic happiness. But even her presence can't fill the spiritual void he's experiencing.
Modern Equivalent:
The loving spouse who can't understand why their partner is depressed when life is good
The peasants
Spiritual contrast
They work Levin's land with simple faith and clear purpose, making him envious of their certainty. They don't question life's meaning because they know their place in God's plan.
Modern Equivalent:
People with strong faith or traditional values who never seem to struggle with life's big questions
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when external achievements create internal emptiness rather than fulfillment.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when accomplishments leave you feeling hollow rather than satisfied—that's the Success Trap signaling you need purpose, not just progress.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"What am I living for? What is the meaning of my existence?"
Context: He's questioning everything despite his outward success
This captures the core existential crisis - having everything but feeling nothing. It shows how material success can't answer life's deepest questions about purpose and meaning.
In Today's Words:
I have everything I thought I wanted, so why do I feel so empty?
"They live, they suffer, they die, as I shall die, and I know nothing, nothing."
Context: Watching the peasants work while contemplating mortality
This reveals his envy of those who live without constant self-examination. He sees their simple acceptance of life and death as a kind of wisdom he's lost through too much thinking.
In Today's Words:
Everyone else seems to just live their lives while I'm stuck overthinking everything.
"I have been seeking for the meaning of my existence, and I have found nothing but emptiness."
Context: Reflecting on his spiritual search
This shows how intellectual pursuit of meaning can sometimes lead to more confusion rather than clarity. His privileged position allows deep questioning but provides no easy answers.
In Today's Words:
The more I try to figure out what life is about, the more lost I feel.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Success Trap - When Achievement Leaves You Empty
Achieving external goals without internal purpose creates deeper emptiness rather than fulfillment.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Levin's privilege allows him to question life's meaning while peasants focus on survival
Development
Evolved from earlier class tensions to show how privilege creates its own problems
In Your Life:
Having enough comfort to overthink problems others don't have time to consider
Identity
In This Chapter
Levin doesn't know who he is beyond his roles as landowner, husband, and father
Development
Deepened from his earlier social awkwardness to existential crisis
In Your Life:
Feeling lost when your job title or family role doesn't define your whole self
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
He's achieved everything society says should make him happy but feels empty
Development
Progressed from conforming to expectations to questioning their value
In Your Life:
Realizing that checking all the 'success' boxes doesn't automatically create satisfaction
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Spiritual questioning forces Levin to look beyond material success for meaning
Development
Evolved from practical concerns about farming to deeper philosophical searching
In Your Life:
Moments when you realize you need to grow beyond just acquiring things or status
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Even love for wife and child isn't enough to fill the spiritual void he feels
Development
Deepened from romantic love to recognition that relationships alone can't provide all meaning
In Your Life:
Understanding that even good relationships can't solve your personal sense of purpose
Modern Adaptation
When Success Feels Like Failure
Following Anna's story...
Anna sits in her corner office at the prestigious firm, staring at her law degree on the wall. Partner track, six-figure salary, respect from colleagues—everything she'd worked toward since community college. But as she reviews another corporate merger that will eliminate jobs, she feels hollow. Her marriage to David feels like a business arrangement now. Her daughter barely knows her. She watches the janitor, Maria, chatting happily with her crew in the hallway and envies their easy laughter. Anna has everything she thought she wanted, but can't shake the feeling that she's lost something essential along the way. The success she fought so hard for feels like a trap, leaving her questioning whether any of it matters beyond the paycheck and prestige.
The Road
The road Levin walked in 1877, Anna walks today. The pattern is identical: achieving external success while losing internal meaning, feeling more isolated the higher you climb.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for recognizing when achievement becomes emptiness. Anna can use it to understand that success without purpose creates its own kind of suffering.
Amplification
Before reading this, Anna might have blamed herself for being ungrateful or pushed harder for the next promotion. Now she can NAME the Success Trap, PREDICT its emotional cost, and NAVIGATE toward meaning rather than just achievement.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Levin have in his life that should make him happy, and why doesn't it?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Levin envy the peasants when he has more advantages than they do?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today who seem successful on the outside but struggle with emptiness inside?
application • medium - 4
How could someone avoid the Success Trap when pursuing their goals?
application • deep - 5
What does Levin's crisis reveal about the difference between having things and having purpose?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Purpose Blueprint
Think of a goal you're currently working toward or recently achieved. Write it down, then ask yourself three questions: 'Why does this matter to me?' 'How does this help others or connect to something bigger than myself?' 'What would make this meaningful even if no one else noticed or praised me for it?' Use these answers to create a one-sentence purpose statement that goes beyond just having or achieving the goal.
Consider:
- •Purpose often involves serving others or contributing to something lasting
- •Your 'why' should energize you even when the work gets difficult
- •Meaningful goals usually connect your strengths to real problems you care about solving
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you achieved something you wanted but felt empty afterward. What was missing? How might you approach similar goals differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 97
The coming pages reveal key events and character development in this chapter, and teach us thematic elements and literary techniques. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.