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Irony
Explanation and Analysis—A Fearful Joy:
Upon the birth of Kitty and Levin's child, Levin feels conflicting and unexpected emotions, demonstrating situational irony:
What he felt for this small being was not at all what he had expected. There was nothing happy or joyful in this feeling; on the contrary, there was a new tormenting fear. There was an awareness of a new region of vulnerability. And this awareness was so tormenting at first, the fear lest this helpless being should suffer was so strong, that because of it he scarcely noticed the strange feeling of senseless joy and even pride he had experienced when the baby sneezed.
When Kitty and Levin have a baby together, Levin does not react with the expected emotions of a new parent. He expects nothing but joy, pride, and happiness; instead, he realizes the extent of his naivety. Levin, who is used to his extensive farmland and who is quite happy when he's alone, does not expect the addition of family members to cause torment. What he discovers in this moment is that the more people he loves, the more he has to lose and the more vulnerable he becomes. The irony is how Levin only becomes more fearful with each additional layer of happiness in his life.
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