Sviazhsky

Also known as: Nikolay Ivanitch · Family: Sviazhsky · Role: Levin's friend · First appears: PART THREE · Chapter 24

In chapter 93, Sviazhsky, also known as Nikolay Ivanitch, was Levin’s friend. After leaving his estate, Levin went to a remote district to visit him, keeping a long-standing promise. Sviazhsky lived with Madame Sviazhskaya in an affectionate, childless home, and his sister-in-law Nastia, a young girl Levin liked very much, also lived in his house. He lent Levin books on the labor question, which Levin later read along with other economic and socialistic works.

By chapter 176, Sviazhsky was the district marshal and was described as “a very good sort of a man.” He knew Darya Alexandrovna, walked with Anna, and was asked by Vronsky to take Anna in. Vronsky credited him after being elected a justice of the peace, and Sviazhsky had earlier promised to visit Vronsky and went to fetch him before the elections.

In October, Sviazhsky’s estates were among those connected with the provincial elections in the Kashinsky province, alongside those of Vronsky, Koznishev, Stepan Arkadyevitch, and Levin. In the Seleznevsky district he was elected marshal unanimously without a ballot, while Snetkov and Nevyedovsky were proposed as alternatives for the marshalship. At the Hall of Nobility, Sviazhsky urged Hliustov to ask Snetkov to stand, with Sergey Ivanovitch approving the plan, and he later introduced Nevyedovsky to Levin.