Anna Karenina · Character

Vassenka Veslovsky

A cheerful, somewhat tactless young nobleman who visits Levin's estate and flirts with Kitty.

minor

Also known as Veslovsky, Vassenka

First appearance: part v xxvi

Vassenka Veslovsky's tie to Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin is one of the pressures that moves Anna Karenina—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Vassenka Veslovsky first appears in 0149 part v xxvi.

With Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin (rivalry): Levin feels intense jealousy and hostility towards Veslovsky's frivolous flirtation with Kitty. With Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin (rivalry): Levin feels intense jealousy and hostility towards Veslovsky's frivolous flirtation with Kitty. With Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin (rivalry): Levin feels intense jealousy and hostility towards Veslovsky's frivolous flirtation with Kitty.

See Vassenka Veslovsky in part v xxvi Book page

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Vassenka Veslovsky sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Levin's Social & Family Circle
Karenin Household & Associates

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Levin reaches an emotional and intellectual crisis where his abstract, fearful understanding of death is shatt…

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Relationships

Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin
rivalry · negative
Levin feels intense jealousy and hostility towards Veslovsky's frivolous flirtation with… How this plays out →
Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin
rivalry · negative
Levin feels intense jealousy and hostility towards Veslovsky's frivolous flirtation with… How this plays out →
Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin
rivalry · negative
Levin feels intense jealousy and hostility towards Veslovsky's frivolous flirtation with… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Vassenka Veslovsky in part v xxvi

In the story

Vassenka Veslovsky appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XXVI
NOT PRESENT. This is an error in the assistant's initial thought process. The sister-in-law is unnamed in the excerpts and not in the canonical list.
VI
A cheerful, gallant, and somewhat superfluous guest. His warm greeting, including kissing Kitty's hand, immediately rubs Levin the wrong way. He is introduced as a keen sportsman and a cousin.
Chapter VII
Utterly oblivious to the turmoil he causes. His charming, free-and-easy manner and stories about Anna and Vronsky's home inflame Levin's jealousy.
The Shooting Party Departs
Dressed in new, fashionable hunting gear. His cheerful, simple, and good-humored nature becomes apparent to Levin during the journey, though his free-and-easy elegance and momentary carelessness with his pocketbook are also noted.
The Shooting Party
Eager but clumsy guest; accidentally fires a gun, gets the carriage stuck, but remains infectiously good-humored.
The Marsh
An enthusiastic but indiscriminate and unsuccessful shooter. His presence annoys Levin. He leaves to drink vodka with the peasants.
Chapter XI
Enthusiastically enjoys the rustic hospitality. He sincerely reflects on the inequality between the gentry and peasants for the first time. Eagerly leaves to find amusement with peasant girls, declaring he will fetch the others if it's fun.
Chapter XIII
Shows a remarkable appetite, consuming most provisions; enjoys the outing, shares amusing peasant encounters, and is successful at shooting.
Chapter XIV
His charming, casual demeanor and intense, admiring conversation with Kitty is the source of Levin's jealousy; displays a lack of courtesy when greeting Dolly.
XV
Shown packing his gaiters, he is surprised and offended by his sudden dismissal. His simple-hearted good nature makes Levin momentarily pity him.
Dolly's Arrival at Vozdvizhenskoe
Part of Anna's riding party, presented as a frivolous figure in his Scotch cap, drawing comments from the peasants.
Chapter XVIII
Gallops past on a horse, interrupting the serious conversation between Anna and Dolly with his boisterous energy.
Chapter XIX
Mentioned by Anna as a 'very nice boy' and 'très gentil et naïf.' She references a wild story about him and the Levins but says they don't believe it.
A Visit to Vozdvizhenskoe
Proposes a game of lawn tennis and goes with Tushkevitch to prepare a boat for the group.
Chapter XXII
Provides comic relief with poor architectural knowledge and high spirits during tennis. His playful attention to Anna is noted by Dolly.
II
Mentioned by Oblonsky as one of the two men being given a send-off dinner; noted as 'only lately married' and setting off as a volunteer.

Chapter companion notes

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See Vassenka Veslovsky in part v xxvi