In which Konstantin Levin receives a visit from his ailing brother Nikolay, whose presence compels him to confront the stark reality of mortality and the fraught emotions that bind them. As their uneasy reunion unravels amid candid discussions and underlying tensions, Levin wrestles with profound questions about life, death, and the necessity of finding meaning through work before the inevitable end.

In which Vronsky, summoned by Anna’s secret note despite the constraints of her domestic life, wrestles with uneasy dreams and the stern presence of her husband as he arrives at her house. Their meeting is charged with tenderness and torment, as Anna’s fervent longing and Vronsky’s conflicted resolve intertwine in a moment heavy with unspoken understanding.

In which the uneasy domestic arrangements of the Karenin household are quietly laid bare, marked by a resigned hope for change that none can yet define. Meanwhile, Vronsky, burdened with the duty of escorting a foreign prince through Russian customs, finds himself wearied and inwardly discomfited by the prince’s disdainful view and unsettling resemblance to his own character.

In which Levin endeavours to implement a new system of agricultural partnership with his peasants amidst their scepticism and resistance, struggling to reconcile traditional methods with his aspirations for improved productivity. As he immerses himself in the practical and theoretical challenges of Russian land management, he finds no existing economic discourse wholly applicable to his vision, compelling him to seek understanding beyond conventional wisdom.

In which Levin busies himself with the practical and philosophical labours of his estate amidst the challenges of unfavourable weather, harbouring hopes of a wider transformation through his endeavours. As evening falls, the quiet of his study is broken by visitors, stirring in him a mingled sense of anticipation and reflection.

In which Levin wrestles with a profound dissatisfaction toward the prevailing agricultural practices and contemplates a new approach that respects the instincts and habits of the Russian peasant, seeking a harmonious union between labourer and land. His restless mind reimagines a future of shared success and meaningful reform, compelling him to hasten home with hopes of enacting a transformative plan before the season’s sowing.

In which Levin visits the household of the marshal Sviazhsky, a man whose life and convictions perplex and intrigue him, set against the backdrop of rural estate discussions and the charms of its inhabitants. As Levin navigates the social intricacies and contemplates agricultural matters, he is drawn into observations both amusing and poignant, revealing the curious contradictions of those around him.

In which Levin journeys through the rural Surovsky district and pauses at a prosperous peasant’s homestead, observing the neat order of farmyard life and the hearty conviviality of the household. Over tea, he learns of the old man's diligent farming methods and takes note of the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation sustaining the land and its folk.

In which a group of landowners engage in a thoughtful discourse on the state of Russian agriculture and the challenges posed by the emancipation of the serfs, reflecting on the loss of authority over labour and the decline in productive farming practices. They contemplate the complexities of managing land and labour under new social conditions, weighing traditional methods against modern systems, yet find themselves at an impasse marked by differing perspectives and cautious uncertainty.

In which Vronsky, carried by a joyous sense of life and anticipation, seeks a clandestine meeting with Anna in the fading light of a cold August day, only to find her troubled and burdened with grievous decisions. They converse under veils of hope and despair, with love and harsh reality intertwining, revealing the profound conflict that binds their hearts and minds.