Anna Karenina

This is a great novel. It is intellectual, philosophical and spiritual.

I found the characters compelling. My favorite was Levin. He is deep, honest and
intelligent. His humble and searching heart surely must be a reflection of the gifted author,
Tolstoy.

Oblonsky is fun loving but inwardly selfish and uncaring. It is ironic that everyone is
his friend, even Levin. It is hard, even for this reader, not to be amused by this cad.

Anna Karenina is beautiful, intelligent and cultured. Her presence exudes confidance.
However, she is carried away by temptation and leaves her husband for another man,
Vronsky.

Vronsky, like Oblonsky, is well-liked. He is more political though, but would give up
those ambitions (albeit temporarily) for Anna. He wholeheartedly pursues his passions. I
see him as the villain in the story because of his disdain for conventionality and family
values.

Then there is Russia. Her spirit envelops the novel with her strength. She is the real
heroine of this story.

During the 1800's, there were two different schools of thought regarding the influence
of western Europe (namely France) upon Russia-the Westerners and the Slavophils. The
Westerners wanted to adopt western ideas to faster develop Russia (to keep up with the
rest of Europe). However the Slavophils believed in the uniqueness of each nation's spirit.
They thought that appropriating the west would damage their own country. I think Tolstoy
was a Slavophil.

I see Anna Karenina as Tolstoy's view of the Westerner's ideas. Her union with
Vronsky symbolizes what would happen to Russia if she adulterated herself with western
Europe. It would be a catastrophe-degradation and death for beautiful Russia. I think it is
appropriately titled "Anna Karenina" as a warning to the people.

Levin represents the Slavophil ideal for Russia. He typifies the moral one who
chooses goodness and God for his life. He is complete. He chose well.