Darya Alexandrovna

Also known as: Darya Alexandrovna Oblonskaya / Darya Alexandrovna Oblonsky / Dolly · Family: Oblonsky · Role: wife · First appears: PART ONE · Chapter 1

At the Oblonskys’ house, Darya Alexandrovna discovered Stepan Arkadyevitch’s affair with the French governess and announced that “she could not go on living in the same house with him.” She refused to see him after their confrontation, called him a stranger, and prepared to leave, while much of the household, including Matrona Philimonovna, took his side. The marriage had begun after Levin had nearly fallen in love with her in his student days, and her family included Natalia, Kitty, and the young Prince Shtcherbatsky. Anna told her that Stepan Arkadyevitch was remorseful and still loved her, and after a period of estrangement the couple reconciled, though their family harmony soon began to break down again. Darya Alexandrovna cared for Grisha, Tanya, Vassya, and the other children; after Kitty apologized and nursed them through scarlet fever, their understanding was restored.

When troubles arose at Ergushovo, Darya Alexandrovna moved to the country with the children to reduce expenses. With Marya Philimonovna organizing repairs and supplies, the household became comfortable, and Darya Alexandrovna took the children to church after nearly a year’s absence, forgave Grisha after seeing Tanya share her tart with him, and prepared for Kitty to spend the summer with her. She discussed Kitty’s uncertainty between Levin and Vronsky with Levin, while a violent quarrel between Tanya and Grisha distressed her. She liked Levin for his delicacy, disliked Vronsky, helped bless Levin before his wedding, and learned that Turovtsin had cared for her children during their illness.

Darya Alexandrovna remained close to Anna, whose joyful reunion with her at Vozdvizhenskoe was followed by Vronsky asking Darya Alexandrovna to persuade Anna to seek a divorce. She agreed to speak with Anna, but detected a private disagreement between Anna and Vronsky; after hearing about Anna’s fears for Seryozha and her love for both him and Vronsky, she decided to return home rather than remain away from her children. Anna later asked Levin to tell Darya Alexandrovna that she still loved her and could not expect forgiveness, and then sent a telegram asking her to come at once before saying goodbye and leaving hurriedly. Meanwhile Darya Alexandrovna’s finances worsened, and she asserted her property rights by refusing to sign for the forest’s final payment.