Vronsky's Finances

[Adrian Wanner]

Dear SEELANGERS,
I am currently teaching Anna Karenina.  Today my students asked me a 
question that had me somewhat stomped.  In Part 3, Chapter XIX, we 
learn that Vronsky lives on straightened financial means, mainly 
because the income from his father's fortune was unequally divided 
between him and his brother.  In addition his mother has cut off her 
allowance because she is angry with him over his liaison with Anna.
However, in the second half of the novel Vronky is obviously flush 
with money.  Where does it come from?
I can only think of one explanation: he reneged on the inheritance 
deal with his brother and is now claiming 50% of the income from his 
father's fortune.  This is something that before he had explicitly 
rejected. Tolstoy tells us that "he had only to recall his brother's 
wife, recall how that dear, sweet Varya reminded him at every chance 
that she remembered his generosity and appreciated it, to understand 
the impossibility of taking back what had been given.  It was as 
impossible as stealing, lying, or striking a woman" 
(Pevear-Volokhonsky translation, p.304).
If Vronsky did indeed "betray" his brother and sister-in-law and his 
own honor code, Tolstoy never tells us so.  In fact, his brother 
doesn't seem to be particularly mad at him.
Does anyone have a better explanation?
Thanks,
Adrian Wanner
-- 
*****************************************************************
Adrian J. Wanner
Head, Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures
Professor of Russian and Comparative Literature
The Pennsylvania State University
313 Burrowes Building
University Park, PA 16802

Tel. (814) 865-5481
Fax  (814) 863-8882

http://german.la.psu.edu

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