Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

by

Leo Tolstoy

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Anna Karenina makes teaching easy.

Anna Karenina: Part 2, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
At the French Theater, Vronsky tells Princess Betsy a titillating story about two officers, Petritsky and a friend, who are in Vronsky’s regiment. While drunk, the officers chase a pretty young woman up to her apartment; however, her husband, a Titular Councilor, emerges and yells at the officers, and Vronsky must attempt to broker peace between the Councilor and the officers. The regimental commander is angry with the officers at first, but Vronsky’s story amuses him.
The bawdy story that Vronsky tells as well as everybody’s amused reactions stand in stark contrast to Kitty’s humiliation. Kitty is ashamed when the doctor examines her naked, but Princess Betsy only laughs, unconcerned, at Vronsky’s tale. Raunchy behavior by young men is standard practice in Vronsky’s society.
Themes
Marriage and Family Life Theme Icon
Adultery and Jealousy Theme Icon
Society and Class Theme Icon
Compassion and Forgiveness Theme Icon