In which Levin contemplates the profound yet simple understanding of death held by his wife and the devoted nurse, Katya, contrasting it with his own intellectual unease and helplessness in the face of dying. Meanwhile, Kitty’s composed attentiveness and quiet strength create a tender semblance of home and hope amid the somber imminence, revealing the delicate interweaving of faith and love in moments of trial.

In which Levin returns home to find Kitty engrossed in correspondence and tenderly managing household affairs, yet a letter bearing troubling news about his brother casts a sudden shadow over their evening. Their ensuing disagreement about Kitty accompanying him reveals both the delicate intricacies of marital devotion and the quiet torment of pride and misunderstanding.

In which Konstantin Levin arrives at a provincial hotel to visit his ailing brother Nikolay, only to be confronted by the grim and squalid reality of his brother’s condition and surroundings, testing his fortitude and emotions. In this subdued scene, the tender gestures of family, especially from Levin’s wife Kitty, reveal both the pain and profound bonds that bind them in the face of impending loss.

In which a visit to a suffering brother reveals the stark contrast between despair and compassionate resolve, as Levin is overwhelmed by the grim reality while Kitty’s tender diligence brings a glimmer of care and order to the scene. Their shared presence in the sick-room unfolds with quiet acts of kindness and understanding, tenderly illuminating the human spirit amidst the shadows of illness.

In which the creation of Anna’s portrait by the artist Mihailov reveals subtle tensions between artistic talent and societal standing, while Vronsky’s own artistic pursuits falter under the weight of discerning taste and self-awareness. The ennui of life in the Italian town grows palpable, prompting Anna and Vronsky to seek the solace and change offered by a return to the Russian countryside.

In which a couple finds quiet happiness together after their return from Moscow, engaging in simple, familiar pastimes while a thoughtful discussion of agricultural reform and the challenges of modernity unfolds quietly in the background. As domestic contentment blooms, undercurrents of restlessness and self-reflection stir within, revealing the delicate balance between love, duty, and personal aspiration.

In which Levin, newly wedded and keenly hopeful, discovers the manifold complexities and unforeseen trials of domestic life, finding that love alone does not suffice to smooth the path of matrimony. Their early days are marked by tender joys intermingled with misunderstandings and quarrels arising from the delicate task of learning each other’s needs and temperaments, a time both bitter and humbling before the promise of harmony slowly dawns.

In which the artist Mihailov wrestles with domestic strife yet channels his vexations into a burst of artistic inspiration, capturing with vivid clarity the lively pose and character of his subject. His restless mind, ever eager for recognition and understanding, leads him to prepare his studio for the arrival of distinguished visitors, setting the stage for an encounter coloured by expectations and uncertain impressions.

In which the painter Mihailov nervously presents his solemn depiction of Pilate and Christ to three visitors—among them Anna and Vronsky—whose detached gazes prompt him to see his own work anew, wrestling with the fragile validation of his art and the elusive meaning behind its technique and expression. Through their tentative praise and critique, a quiet dialogue unfolds on the nature of artistic truth, faith, and the delicate unity required to move the soul, leaving Mihailov both exalted and unsettled.

In which a small circle of acquaintances gather to admire the haunting beauty of an artist’s forgotten study, stirring a fleeting revival of his own fervent convictions amidst the turbulent inconsistency of his creative spirit. The evening closes with a lively discourse on the nature of talent and the delicate promise of artistic promise unfulfilled by formal education.