# Madame Stahl — Anna Karenina character guide

> Madame Stahl in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Stahl

**First appearance:** 0054-part-ii-xxi

## Who they are

A mysterious, invalid Russian lady at the German spa, revered for her piety.

## In the story

### [The Crystallization of Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx)

An invalid Russian lady of high society who keeps to herself out of pride, attended by Varenka.

### [Varenka's Past and Kitty's Admiration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii)

Her backstory is revealed: a wealthy, invalid woman of ambiguous morality/piety who raised Varenka (not her biological child) after a child substitution.

### [Kitty's Spiritual Awakening and Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii)

Represents an exalted, spiritual life to Kitty, though Kitty detects some perplexing contradictions in her behavior and religious practice.

### [The Prince's Perspective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv)

Revealed through the prince's eyes as a possible hypocrite; her pious image is undermined by the suggestion her illness is due to a 'bad figure' and she is demanding of Varenka.

## Links

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