Vronsky's Finances

[Slivkin, Yevgeny]

Dear Professor Wanner,

My dissertation relates to the reflections of the Medieval Code of Chivalry
in Russian literature of the 19th century. I view Vronsky as an exemplary
upholder of the Russian military nobleman's code of honor. Even his
attempted suicide, as I argue in my dissertation, should be read in the
context as an "American duel" with Karenin (when two adversaries draw lots
and the one who loses is obliged to shoot himself; ironically, in America in
the 19th century this was called a "Russian duel"). It seems to me unlikly
that Vronsky reneged on his deal with his brother.
 
There are some other possible explanations for Vronsky's influx of cash.
Noblemen in the 19th century could often "outrun the constable" (zhit' v
dolg). Or Vronsky could have won the money by playing "shtoss" with a fellow
officer. The sums one could win or lose in this card game in that milieu at
that time were fantastic.

Sincerely,

Yevgeny Slivkin 
Defense Language Institute      
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Slavic & East European Languages and Literature list
[mailto:SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU] On Behalf Of Adrian Wanner
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 1:05 PM
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU
Subject: [SEELANGS] Vronsky's Finances

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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