Anna Karenina Part 3, Chapter 4 Summary

  • What distracts Levin from his brother is the memory that, last summer, Levin mowed the grass alongside his peasants. He's debating whether he should do the same this year.
  • He's not keen on leaving his brother alone for such a long period of time, but he has found mowing to be incredible physical exercise.
  • His other concern is that his brothers and the peasants will make fun of him.
  • He decides to go mowing, and has his scythe sent to be sharpened by Titus.
  • At first everyone makes fun of his mowing, but everyone eventually settles down into the rhythm of hard work.
  • Levin feels wonderful.
  • Before lunch, they mow through the rain.
  • Levin goes home for coffee and then rejoins the peasants.