# Professor Katavasov — Anna Karenina character guide

> Professor Katavasov in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Katavasov

**First appearance:** 0169-part-vi-xiii

## Who they are

A scientist and friend of Sergey Koznishev who visits Levin's estate.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-v-ii)

A dinner guest who jokes about marriage and freedom, claiming to love his work (cuttlefish) more than a wife.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-ii)

Levin is going to see him to be introduced to the savant Metrov, showing Levin's continued intellectual engagement.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-iii)

Hosts Levin and Metrov; values clarity and scientific law; reads an address at a scholarly jubilee meeting.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-i)

Accompanies Sergey Ivanovitch on the trip to visit Levin, fulfilling a long-standing promise.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-ii)

Present with Koznishev at the start of the chapter, but does not speak in the provided excerpts.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-iii)

Curiously observes the volunteers, finds most unpleasant and unheroic, but feels pressured to report favorably to Sergey Ivanovitch due to public sentiment.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-vi)

Jests about his dusty appearance and immediately brings up the Serbian war, representing the outside political world intruding on domestic peace.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-vii)

A visitor whose voice is heard from above; Kitty thinks Levin enjoys discussions with him.

### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-xiv)

Arrives with Koznishev. Levin remembers their past metaphysical arguments and resolves not to engage in debate, wanting to preserve his happy mood.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-xv)

Supports Sergey Ivanovitch, challenging Levin's views and describing the enthusiastic scenes at the station as volunteers depart.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-xvi)

Good-humoredly mocks Levin's spiritual arguments, asking for a definition of the 'soul' and laughing at the idea. He sides with Sergey Ivanovitch in the debate.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-viii-xviii)

Amuses the party with his jokes and is induced to share his interesting observations on the habits of common houseflies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/characters/katavasov
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/characters