Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2007 witii funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation littp://www.arcliive.org/detaiJs/annakareninatolsOOtolsiala ANNA KARENINA VOL. CROWELL & COMPANY PUBLISHEI^S m' Copyright, 1899, By THOMAS Y. INTRODUCTION ALEXANDER PUSHKIN, Russia's greatest poet and the inspirer of the two best works of Gogol, the father of Russian realism, may perhaps be regarded as the direct cause of Count Tolstoi's greatest novel. A relative happened to be visiting at Yasnaya Polyana, and had been reading a volume of Pushkin. Count Tolstoi picked up the work and opened it casually.
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Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2007 witii funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation littp://www.arcliive.org/detaiJs/annakareninatolsOOtolsiala ANNA KARENINA VOL. CROWELL & COMPANY PUBLISHEI^S m' Copyright, 1899, By THOMAS Y. INTRODUCTION ALEXANDER PUSHKIN, Russia's greatest poet and the inspirer of the two best works of Gogol, the father of Russian realism, may perhaps be regarded as the direct cause of Count Tolstoi's greatest novel. A relative happened to be visiting at Yasnaya Polyana, and had been reading a volume of Pushkin. Count Tolstoi picked up the work and opened it casually. Some one entered as he was glancing over the pages, and he exclaimed, " Here is something charming ! Pushkin goes to the heart of the matter." Count Tolstof was so impressed by Pushkin's direct- ness that he immediately felt like emulating him. He asked to be kept free from interruptions, shut himself into his library, and began "Anna Karenina." The publication of it began in the Russky Viestnik or Ricssian Messenger in 1875; but it was frequently interrupted. Months and even years elapsed before it was concluded ; yet it kept public attention. Not even the break of several months between two of the parts was sufficient to cool the interest of its reader.
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Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2007 witii funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation littp://www.arcliive.org/detaiJs/annakareninatolsOOtolsiala ANNA KARENINA VOL. CROWELL & COMPANY PUBLISHEI^S m' Copyright, 1899, By THOMAS Y. INTRODUCTION ALEXANDER PUSHKIN, Russia's greatest poet and the inspirer of the two best works of Gogol, the father of Russian realism, may perhaps be regarded as the direct cause of Count Tolstoi's greatest novel. A relative happened to be visiting at Yasnaya Polyana, and had been reading a volume of Pushkin. Count Tolstoi picked up the work and opened it casually. Some one entered as he was glancing over the pages, and he exclaimed, " Here is something charming ! Pushkin goes to the heart of the matter." Count Tolstof was so impressed by Pushkin's direct- ness that he immediately felt like emulating him. He asked to be kept free from interruptions, shut himself into his library, and began "Anna Karenina." The publication of it began in the Russky Viestnik or Ricssian Messenger in 1875; but it was frequently interrupted. Months and even years elapsed before it was concluded ; yet it kept public attention. Not even the break of several months between two of the parts was sufficient to cool the interest of its reader. After the appearance of the first part he wrote a friend : — " You praise ' Anna Karenina,' and that is very pleas- ant to me ; the more so as I hear much in its favor ; but I am sure that there never was an author more indifferent to his success than I am in this case." A year later he wrote : — " For two whole months I have forborne to stain my hands with ink or to burden my heart with thoughts. Now, however, I turn once more to that dull common- place *Anna Karenina,' moved solely to rid my desk of it — to make room for other tasks." 2234S44 vi INTRODUCTION Even then he did not finish it. The next year he wrote : " The end of winter and the opening of spring are my busiest months for work. I must finish the novel of which I have grown so tired." But when he once took hold of it the spirit of it quickly seized him again, and much of it was written, as any one can see, with almost breathless haste. Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader. It is the outgrowth of Count Tolstoi's own life ; his dual nature is portrayed in the contrasting careers of Levin and Vronsky. The interweaving of two stories is done with a masterly hand. One may take them separately or together ; each strand of the twisted rope follows its own course, and yet each without the other would be evidently incomplete. As one reads, one forgets that it is fiction. It seems like a transcript of real life, and one is constantly im- pressed bythe vast accumulation of pictures, each illus- trating and explaining the vital elements of the epopee. At times one is startled by the vivifying flashes of genius. The death of Anna is dimly suggested by the tragic occurrence of the brakeman's death in the Mos- cow railway station. A still more suggestive intimation of the approaching tragedy is found in the death of Vronsky's horse during the officers' handicap race at Peterhof. If one may so speak, the atmosphere of the story is electrified with fate. In this respect it is Hke a Greek drama.
Interpretation
Central ideas
Recurring concerns and concepts identified across the indexed text.
Family
INTRODUCTION ALEXANDER PUSHKIN, Russia's greatest poet and the inspirer of the two best works of Gogol, the father of Russian realism, may perhaps be regarded as the direct cause of Count Tolstoi's greatest novel. Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader.
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“INTRODUCTION ALEXANDER PUSHKIN, Russia's greatest poet and the inspirer of the two best works of Gogol, the father of Russian realism, may perhaps be regarded as the direct cause of Count Tolstoi's greatest novel.”
“Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader.”
“Count Tolstoi's brother-in-law says there is no doubt that Levin is the portrait of the novehst himself, but represented as being "extremely simple in order to bring him into still greater contrast with the representatives of high life in Moscow and St.”
Love and compassion
Petersburg." He also INTRODUCTION vii says that the description of the way that Levin and Kitty make use of the initial letters of the words in which they wish to express to each other their mutual love is faithful in its minutest details to the history of Count Tolstoi's own wooing. Interesting and instructive as this idyllic romance is, the chief power of the novelist is expended in portray- ing the illicit love of Vronsky and Anna.
View supporting passages
“Petersburg." He also INTRODUCTION vii says that the description of the way that Levin and Kitty make use of the initial letters of the words in which they wish to express to each other their mutual love is faithful in its minutest details to the history of Count Tolstoi's own wooing.”
“Interesting and instructive as this idyllic romance is, the chief power of the novelist is expended in portray- ing the illicit love of Vronsky and Anna.”
“It has been said that the love that unites the two protagonists is sincere, deep, almost holy despite its illegality.”
Meaning
Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader. It is the outgrowth of Count Tolstoi's own life ; his dual nature is portrayed in the contrasting careers of Levin and Vronsky.
View supporting passages
“Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader.”
“It is the outgrowth of Count Tolstoi's own life ; his dual nature is portrayed in the contrasting careers of Levin and Vronsky.”
“It seems like a transcript of real life, and one is constantly im- pressed bythe vast accumulation of pictures, each illus- trating and explaining the vital elements of the epopee.”
Faith and doubt
Count Tolstoi's brother-in-law says there is no doubt that Levin is the portrait of the novehst himself, but represented as being "extremely simple in order to bring him into still greater contrast with the representatives of high life in Moscow and St. "Thank God," cried Matve, showing by this excla-mation that he understood as well as his master the significance of this arrival, that it meant that Anna Arkadyevna, Prince Stepan's loving sister, might effecta reconciliation between husband and wife.
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“Count Tolstoi's brother-in-law says there is no doubt that Levin is the portrait of the novehst himself, but represented as being "extremely simple in order to bring him into still greater contrast with the representatives of high life in Moscow and St.”
“"Thank God," cried Matve, showing by this excla-mation that he understood as well as his master the significance of this arrival, that it meant that Anna Arkadyevna, Prince Stepan's loving sister, might effecta reconciliation between husband and wife.”
“God is merciful." "Very well, then, come on," said Stepan Arkadye- vitch, suddenly turning red in the face. — "Very well, let me have my clothes," said he, turning to Matve, and resolutely throwing off his dressing-gown.”
Justice
Count Tolstoi's brother-in-law says there is no doubt that Levin is the portrait of the novehst himself, but represented as being "extremely simple in order to bring him into still greater contrast with the representatives of high life in Moscow and St. And no translation, however faithful, can do justice to the quiet humor packed away often in a single word of the staccato mu- zhik dialect, which no one ever handled more success- fully than Count Tolstoi.
View supporting passages
“Count Tolstoi's brother-in-law says there is no doubt that Levin is the portrait of the novehst himself, but represented as being "extremely simple in order to bring him into still greater contrast with the representatives of high life in Moscow and St.”
“And no translation, however faithful, can do justice to the quiet humor packed away often in a single word of the staccato mu- zhik dialect, which no one ever handled more success- fully than Count Tolstoi.”
“As she had lost her freshness, was beginning to look old, was no longer pretty and far from distinguished and entirely common- place, though she was an excellent mother of a family, he had thought that she would allow her innate sense of justice to plead for him.”
Suffering
There is lovely family Ufe, the tenderness of father and daughter, the rapture of young wife and husband, the innocence of girlhood, the beauty of fidelity ; there is the unrest and folly of fashion, the misery of wealth, and the wretchedness of wasted and mistaken Ufe, the hollowness of ambition, the cheer- ful emptiness of some hearts, the dull emptiness of others. When Dolly saw that smile, she trembled as with phys- ical pain, poured forth a torrent of bitter words, quite in accordance with her natural temper, and fled from the room.
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“There is lovely family Ufe, the tenderness of father and daughter, the rapture of young wife and husband, the innocence of girlhood, the beauty of fidelity ; there is the unrest and folly of fashion, the misery of wealth, and the wretchedness of wasted and mistaken Ufe, the hollowness of ambition, the cheer- ful emptiness of some hearts, the dull emptiness of others.”
“When Dolly saw that smile, she trembled as with phys- ical pain, poured forth a torrent of bitter words, quite in accordance with her natural temper, and fled from the room.”
“The liberal party said, or rather took it for granted, that religion is only a curb on the barbarous portion of the community, and in fact Stepan Arkadyevitch could not bear the shortest prayer , without pain in his knees, and he could not comprehend the necessity of all these awful and high-sounding words about the other world when it is so very pleasant to live in this.”
Freedom
No one better than he understood how far to go within the limits of freedom, frankness, and that official dignity which is so useful in the expedition of official business. If such rights as we have, if our provincial institutions, were given to any other people in Europe, — Germans or English, — I tell you, they would derive liberty from them; but we only turn them into sport." "But what is to be done.-'" asked Levin, penitently.
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“No one better than he understood how far to go within the limits of freedom, frankness, and that official dignity which is so useful in the expedition of official business.”
“If such rights as we have, if our provincial institutions, were given to any other people in Europe, — Germans or English, — I tell you, they would derive liberty from them; but we only turn them into sport." "But what is to be done.-'" asked Levin, penitently.”
“" " I have not my skates with me," replied Levin, sur- prised atthis freedom and audacity in her presence, and 38 ANNA KARENINA not losing her out of his sight a single instant, although he did not look at her.”
Responsibility
Its moral is the opposition of duty to passion. I used to know him at Tver when I was on duty there ; he came there for re- cruiting service.
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“Its moral is the opposition of duty to passion.”
“I used to know him at Tver when I was on duty there ; he came there for re- cruiting service.”
“No matter, batyushka; your health is good and your conscience pure." Levin looked at her earnestly, in astonishment that she so divined his thoughts.”
Section 1
CHAPTER I
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Section 2
CHAPTER II
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Section 3
CHAPTER III
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Section 4
CHAPTER IV
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Section 5
CHAPTER V
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Section 6
CHAPTER VI
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Section 7
CHAPTER VII
Chunk 41
Section 8
CHAPTER VIII
Chunk 43
Section 9
CHAPTER IX
Chunk 46
Section 10
CHAPTER X
Chunk 53
Section 11
CHAPTER XI
Chunk 61
Section 12
CHAPTER XII
Chunk 66
Section 13
CHAPTER XIII
Chunk 71
Section 14
CHAPTER XIV
Chunk 73
Section 15
CHAPTER XV
Chunk 81
Section 16
CHAPTER XVI
Chunk 83
Section 17
CHAPTER XVII
Chunk 85
Section 18
CHAPTER XVIII
Chunk 89
Section 19
CHAPTER XIX
Chunk 95
Section 20
CHAPTER XX
Chunk 102
Section 21
CHAPTER XXI
Chunk 106
Section 22
CHAPTER XXII
Chunk 109
Section 23
CHAPTER XXIII
Chunk 114
Section 24
CHAPTER XXIV
Chunk 119
Section 25
CHAPTER XXV
Chunk 123
Section 26
CHAPTER XXVI
Chunk 129
Section 27
CHAPTER XXVII
Chunk 133
Section 28
CHAPTER XXIX
Chunk 139
Section 29
CHAPTER XXX
Chunk 142
Section 30
CHAPTER XXXI
Chunk 145
Section 31
CHAPTER XXXII
Chunk 150
Section 32
CHAPTER XXXIII
Chunk 152
Section 33
CHAPTER XXXIV
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Section 34
CHAPTER XXVIII
Chunk 280
Section 35
CHAPTER XXXV
Chunk 312
Close reading
Important passages
“INTRODUCTION ALEXANDER PUSHKIN, Russia's greatest poet and the inspirer of the two best works of Gogol, the father of Russian realism, may perhaps be regarded as the direct cause of Count Tolstoi's greatest novel.”
This passage relates to Family.
FamilyChunk 5
“Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader.”
This passage relates to Meaning, Family.
MeaningFamilyChunk 6
“It is the outgrowth of Count Tolstoi's own life ; his dual nature is portrayed in the contrasting careers of Levin and Vronsky.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 6
“It seems like a transcript of real life, and one is constantly im- pressed bythe vast accumulation of pictures, each illus- trating and explaining the vital elements of the epopee.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 6
“Count Tolstoi's brother-in-law says there is no doubt that Levin is the portrait of the novehst himself, but represented as being "extremely simple in order to bring him into still greater contrast with the representatives of high life in Moscow and St.”
This passage relates to Faith and doubt, Justice, Meaning, Family.
Faith and doubtJusticeMeaningFamilyChunk 6
“INTRODUCTION vii says that the description of the way that Levin and Kitty make use of the initial letters of the words in which they wish to express to each other their mutual love is faithful in its minutest details to the history of Count Tolstoi's own wooing.”
This passage relates to Love and compassion.
Love and compassionChunk 7
“Tolstoi, like Levin, sought to reform and to better everything about him, and took part in the Liberal movements of the time ; but his schemes came to naught, one after the other, and his nihilism, — for he declares in his confession that he was a Nihilist in the actual meaning of the word, — his nihilism triumphs in bitter- ness on their ruins.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 7
“The struggle in Levin's mind and the horror of his despair tempting him also to suicide are marvelously depicted.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 7
“At length, as in Tolstoi's real life, the muzhik comes to his aid, light illumines his soul, and the work ends in a burst of mystic happi- ness, ahymn of joy, which he sings to his inmost soul, not sharing it with his beloved wife, though he knows that she knows the secret of his happiness.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 7
“Interesting and instructive as this idyllic romance is, the chief power of the novelist is expended in portray- ing the illicit love of Vronsky and Anna.”
This passage relates to Love and compassion.
Love and compassionChunk 7
“It has been said that the love that unites the two protagonists is sincere, deep, almost holy despite its illegality.”
This passage relates to Love and compassion.
Love and compassionChunk 7
“They were born for each other ; it was love at first sight, a love which overleapt all bonds and bounds.”
This passage relates to Love and compassion.
Love and compassionChunk 7
Literary reading
Literary analysis
Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader. If one may so speak, the atmosphere of the story is electrified with fate. Howells says : " The warmth and Hght of Tol- stoi's good heart and right mind are seen in 'Anna Karenina,' that saddest story of guilty love in which nothing can save the sinful woman from herself, — not her husband's forgiveness, her friend's compassion, her lover's constancy, or the long intervals of quiet in which she seems safe and happy in her sin.
Literary observation 1
Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader.
Literary observation 2
If one may so speak, the atmosphere of the story is electrified with fate.
Literary observation 3
Howells says : " The warmth and Hght of Tol- stoi's good heart and right mind are seen in 'Anna Karenina,' that saddest story of guilty love in which nothing can save the sinful woman from herself, — not her husband's forgiveness, her friend's compassion, her lover's constancy, or the long intervals of quiet in which she seems safe and happy in her sin.
Literary observation 4
Indeed, there are dozens of wonderful pictures of life and death in the story.
Literary observation 5
CHIEF PERSONS OF THE STORY Aleksel Aleksandrovitch Karenin.
Literary observation 6
" It 's ine^' said a powerful and pleasant female voice, and in the doorway appeared the severe and pimply face of Matriona Filimonovna, the nurse.
Ideas
Philosophical analysis
Tolstoi, like Levin, sought to reform and to better everything about him, and took part in the Liberal movements of the time ; but his schemes came to naught, one after the other, and his nihilism, — for he declares in his confession that he was a Nihilist in the actual meaning of the word, — his nihilism triumphs in bitter- ness on their ruins. Its moral is the opposition of duty to passion. And no translation, however faithful, can do justice to the quiet humor packed away often in a single word of the staccato mu- zhik dialect, which no one ever handled more success- fully than Count Tolstoi.
Philosophical observation 1
Tolstoi, like Levin, sought to reform and to better everything about him, and took part in the Liberal movements of the time ; but his schemes came to naught, one after the other, and his nihilism, — for he declares in his confession that he was a Nihilist in the actual meaning of the word, — his nihilism triumphs in bitter- ness on their ruins.
Philosophical observation 2
Its moral is the opposition of duty to passion.
Philosophical observation 3
And no translation, however faithful, can do justice to the quiet humor packed away often in a single word of the staccato mu- zhik dialect, which no one ever handled more success- fully than Count Tolstoi.
Philosophical observation 4
As she had lost her freshness, was beginning to look old, was no longer pretty and far from distinguished and entirely common- place, though she was an excellent mother of a family, he had thought that she would allow her innate sense of justice to plead for him.
Philosophical observation 5
No one better than he understood how far to go within the limits of freedom, frankness, and that official dignity which is so useful in the expedition of official business.
Philosophical observation 6
The most fundamental concept of being does not arise from the senses, nor is there any special organ by which this conception is produced." " Yes; but Wurst and Knaust and Pripasof will reply that your consciousness of existence is derived from an accumulation of all sensations, that it is only the result of sensations.
Context
Historical context
Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader. Petersburg." He also INTRODUCTION vii says that the description of the way that Levin and Kitty make use of the initial letters of the words in which they wish to express to each other their mutual love is faithful in its minutest details to the history of Count Tolstoi's own wooing. On the third day after the quarrel, Prince Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky — Stiva, as he was called in society — awoke at the usual hour, that is to say about VOL.
Historical observation 1
Polevoif, in his illustrated " History of Russian Litera- ture," says of this story: "Count Tolsto'f dwells with especial fondness on the sharp contrast between the frivolity, the tinsel brightness, the tumult and vanity, of the worldly life, and the sweet, holy calm enjoyed by those who, possessing the soil, live amid the beauties of Nature and the pleasures of the family." This contrast will strike the attention of every reader.
Historical observation 2
Petersburg." He also INTRODUCTION vii says that the description of the way that Levin and Kitty make use of the initial letters of the words in which they wish to express to each other their mutual love is faithful in its minutest details to the history of Count Tolstoi's own wooing.
Historical observation 3
On the third day after the quarrel, Prince Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky — Stiva, as he was called in society — awoke at the usual hour, that is to say about VOL.
Historical observation 4
And though he was not really interested in science or art or politics, he strongly adhered to such views on all these subjects as the majority, including his paper, advocated, and he changed them only when the majority changed them ; or more correctly, he did not change them, but they themselves imperceptibly changed in him.
Historical observation 5
And, living as he did in fash- ionable society, through the necessity of some mental activity, developing generally in a man's best years, it was as indispensable for him to have views as to have a hat.
Historical observation 6
He was now reading the leading editorial, which proved that in our day a cry is raised, without reason, over the danger that radicalism may swallow up all the conservative elements, and that government ought to take measures to crush the hydra of revolution, and that, on the contrary, " according to our opinion, the danger lies not in this imaginary hydra lo ANNA KARENINA of revolution, but in the inertia of traditions which block progress," and so on.
Reflection
Questions to carry
theological
How does the work distinguish faith from certainty?
Examine how belief is tested by suffering, doubt, reason and human relationships.
philosophical
Is legal judgment presented as equivalent to moral judgment?
Notice where institutional justice agrees or conflicts with conscience and truth.
ethical
Does suffering transform the characters, or merely expose who they already are?
Compare the different ways characters respond to pain, loss and injustice.
philosophical
What does genuine freedom require, and what responsibilities accompany it?
Consider whether freedom is presented as liberation, burden, temptation or moral obligation.
ethical
To what extent are people responsible for consequences they desired but did not directly cause?
Consider the relationship between thought, intention, action, guilt and shared responsibility.
Your reading
Personal synthesis
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