anna karenina
Anna Karenina, a direct and truthful transcript of life in Russia in the early 1800's,like most of Tolstoy's other novels, were written for the enjoyment and diversion of the very type of people about whom he writes; those so rich that they had way too much time on their hands:Pre-Bolshevik Russian Lady of Leisure #1 (in French, of course):"Darling, you look absolutely ravishing. What are your plans for the day?" Lady #2: "Oh I don't know...Maybe after counting my tiaras, I'll recline on my mink couch, act dainty, and oppress the servants. When that grows tiresome, perhaps I'll read a long epic by that Tolstoy fellow to pass the time. Care to join me, dear?"Lady #1: "But that's what we do every day."Lady #2: "Of course it is! We're Pre-Bolshevik Russian Ladies of Leisure!"This book is over 800 pages long. Perhaps if I had that much time on my hands, I would have enjoyed it more. But the fact is: I didn't. I read this book for pleasure, but after the first 400 pages, I felt I was drowning in superfluity. If it weren't for the richness in scenery, I would have thrown Karenina down in defeat.Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is a respectable society women who leaves her bureaucrat husband and their only child to pursue a scandalous affa
This possible option would be beneficial for Karenin because there would be no need for a complicated divorce nor a tormenting life with his estranged wife. Eventually, Anna's jealousy and angst get the best of her, but despitethis, she is a rich character whose stubborn determination in pursuing bad choices make her unforgettable at least. While Karenina is an interesting study of human life and culture in 19thCentury Russia, this novel reinforces the truism: Less is More. For Vronsky, there is no alternative but death. One would expect that man would fight against death and do all possible to ward it away from his being, yet, in Anna Karenina the characters welcome it. He marries the rosy-cheeked and fragile Princess Kitty Shcherbatsky, whom he loves desperately. Vronsky follows the path of Anna and Karenin to the alluring release that death provides, but simultaneously proves his cowardice. It is a refuge for his tired, ill body, but is also an end for him. Vronsky's attempt at suicide is an act that is shameful and degrading to his character. She sees herself as the source of unhappiness to Karenin, Vronsky, and herself, thus, death would be the easy solution. This reversal shows the desperation of the characters' situations. Anna is initially frightened and saddened by her dream where she is foretold to die during childbirth, but finds comfort and solace with the idea ofdying. Death is entirely imminent throughout the novel by several references; Anna, Vronsky, Nikolai, and Karenin refer to death as a respite, as a source of comfort, and as a solution. Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy, is a saga of love, agony, and deceit. ir with the much more exciting Count Vronsky, with whom she eventually has a child and travels across Europe in a sort of a scandalous exile.
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