Part 5, Chapter 19 Summary
Levin is like every other man of intellect, men who can talk about death and its eternal consequences but do not know how to act when faced with it. Kitty, though less intellectually developed, understands death and its significance; she knows what sort of thing life is and what death is and would not have even understood the questions Levin has about the end of life. She and millions of others like her look at death, are not frightened of it, and know without hesitation how to deal with the dying. If Levin had been here alone with his dying brother, he would have looked at him with terror and with even greater terror waited, not knowing what else to do.
Even more, Levin does not know what to say, how to look, or how to move. Each time he considers these things, he is too worried about himself, afraid he will do or say the wrong things. Kitty is not concerned about herself at all, does not have time to worry about herself, for she understands there are many things which must be done. She talks with Nikolay about everything, and her care for him goes beyond the physical. In addition to changing his linen, tending bedsores, and seeing that her patient eats, Kitty has been concerned from the very first day about his eternal soul. She has tried to persuade Nikolay of the necessity of taking the sacrament and receiving absolution.
When they arrive back in their own room, Levin sits with his head hanging, not knowing what to do. He is ashamed and cannot think about their own supper or consider what else must be done; he cannot even talk to his wife in this shame. Kitty, on the other hand, is even livelier than usual. She orders food, unpacks, and makes their bed. It is the same alertness and swiftness of action which soldiers have before a battle, as if everything in their lives before now has been a preparation for this moment.
By midnight, their room looks more like home, but neither of them can eat, for a long time cannot sleep, and do not even go to bed. Kitty says she is glad Nikolay agreed to receive extreme unction tomorrow, and Levin asks if she thinks Nikolay can ever recover. The doctor said he could not live more than three days, but no one can be sure and she adds that anything is possible. Since their engagement, the couple has never discussed religion. Kitty observes all the rites and rituals of the church and assumes Levin is as much a Christian as she is, probably even better.
Levin admits he would have been lost without her and is glad she is here. Kitty says she was fortunate to learn a lot at Soden, where so many people were so near death. He regrets she could not have known Nikolay as a younger, charming man. After she tells Levin she feels she and Nikolay might have been friends, tears spring to her eyes. Speaking of him in the past tense makes them both mournful, and Levin says Nikolay is one of those who people say are “not for this world.” They finally go to bed.
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