Vronsky's Finances

[Adrian Wanner]

I think Romy Taylor is pointing to a crucial piece of evidence.  It 
shows that the claims of Tolstoy's "narrative inconsistency," at 
least when it comes to Vronky's finances, are exaggerated.  It seems 
to me that Tolstoy knew what he was doing here.  The sentence about 
the division of the estate (which I had overlooked before!) explains 
Vronsky's lavish lifestyle in the country.  As for his luxurious 
"honeymoon" in Italy, I think it is conceivable that he could pay for 
this with the 45,000 roubles a year that he was receiving from his 
father's estate, now that he resigned his commission as an army 
officer and gave up his expensive St. Peterburg habits (gambling, 
horses, champagne every night, etc.).
Thank to all of you who have contributed to this interesting discussion!
Adrian Wanner

>At the end of Part 5, Ch. 13, Vronsky is returning from Italy 
>planning to make a
>division of the estate with his brother.  This must explain his and Anna's
>wealthy lifestyle once they are living on Vronsky's estate.  But he also lives
>well in Italy, occupying the best rooms, renting a palazzo, buying and
>commissioning paintings.
>
>Romy Taylor
>

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*****************************************************************
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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