# Princess Shcherbatskaya — Anna Karenina character guide > Princess Shcherbatskaya in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Mamma, mamma **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i ## Who they are Kitty and Dolly's mother, a traditional society matron concerned with her daughters' marriages. ## In the story ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Kitty's mother, consumed by anxiety over securing a brilliant match for her youngest daughter. She strongly prefers Vronsky over Levin, distrusting Levin's unconventionality. She feels the burden of modern matchmaking, where parental control is waning, and fears Kitty's heart will lead her astray. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Mentioned as being still in her room, tired from the previous day, which allows Levin and Kitty to be alone. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Relieved Kitty has refused Levin; hosts the gathering and attempts to make polite conversation with him about his country life and council work. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Confident that Vronsky will propose, she is shaken by her husband's furious opposition and ends the night praying anxiously about Kitty's future. ### [Vronsky's Background and Reflections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Referenced indirectly as part of 'her parents' who are discussing Kitty's future and potential unhappiness, a conversation Vronsky is oblivious to. ### [The Consultation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Distracted and feels guilty for Kitty's state. She defers to the celebrated doctor's authority and becomes more cheerful after he prescribes a course of action. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Defensive and reproachful towards her husband for upsetting Kitty. She blames Vronsky as 'base and dishonorable.' Becomes penitent and tearful when the prince seriously challenges her, showing their underlying bond. ### [Kitty's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Referenced by Kitty as someone she perceives as only wanting to 'get me married off as soon as may be, and be rid of me', illustrating Kitty's distorted perspective. ### [The Crystallization of Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx) Ensures the family is placed in the correct social stratum at the spa, presenting Kitty to a German princess and providing negative information about Nikolay Levin. ### [Kitty's Admiration and the Princess's Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi) Initially offended by Madame Stahl's aloofness, she reluctantly approaches Varenka to satisfy Kitty's wish and learns about Varenka's background. ### [Varenka's Past and Kitty's Admiration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii) Learns Varenka's background and approves of the friendship; organizes the musical evening and expresses conventional concern for Varenka's safety. ### [Kitty's Spiritual Awakening and Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii) Observes Kitty's transformation with concern, warning against exaggeration and sensing her daughter is concealing something, particularly regarding the Petrovs. ### [Kitty's Crisis of Conscience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv) Observes the family picnic and notices Kitty's distress, calling her away to show her father a necklace. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-iv-xv) Overcome with emotion, she cries and laughs, then kisses Levin and gives her joyful blessing to the marriage. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-iv-xvi) Takes practical charge of wedding arrangements, delighted by Levin's haste. Shares a tender moment with her husband, reminiscing about their own love. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vi-i) Staying to watch over her pregnant daughter Kitty; reprimands Kitty for shouting due to her condition. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vi-ii) Offers domestic advice on jam-making, discusses presents for servants, and defensively tries to steer conversation away from Kitty's past agitation. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vi-xiv) Pressures Levin about practical arrangements for moving to Moscow for Kitty's confinement, misinterpreting his reluctance as indifference. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-i) Referred to as 'her mother'; among those attentively caring for Kitty and uneasy about the delayed birth. ### [The Agony of Waiting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-xiv) Kitty's mother, flushed and overwrought, trying to hold back tears and comfort Levin. ### [The Birth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-xv) Present at the birth, sobbing with relief in answer to Kitty's question about the baby. ### [The Quarrel and the Despair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-vii-xxiv) Referred to as 'maman' by Vronsky; his mention of visiting her triggers Anna's jealousy and the ensuing fight. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/characters/princess_shcherbatskaya - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/characters