Anna Karenina (Part 3)

[@1siddynickhead]

I totally agree that for Karenin, Anna was someone special, perhaps the only person he could connect with. He loved her in his own way, it wasn't enough or substantial but it meant something to him. He's not completely cold and calculating.

[@cl2256]

very helpful

[@josmith5992]

Great analysis as always Sophia! Yes, a little too much farming talk in this section but it could have been worse. It was almost laughable the way Levin flip flopped from wanting to become like a peasant as he has this idealized sense of the work they do and the lives they lead, and then complains about their behavior and then wants to be married and then wants to study farming abroad and we are left with him meditating on death. Oh and that line comparing his loss of Kitty to the death of a child! I don’t think so. You’re so right about Anna seeming like a different person from the beginning and I agree that Karenin does care for her, the reason he wants to punish her is because he has been hurt by her behavior. It’s interesting that Anna sees staying with him and ending the affair as more dreadful than anything she was expecting. To be trapped in a loveless marriage. There were a few other interesting things, Dolly being so shocked when her children misbehave and how teaching the children to speak French apparently takes away from their sincerity, 🤷‍♀️ the sudden emotional changes in these characters is something I remember from War and Peace. Then finally one thing I found kind of amusing was Serpukhovskoy’s description of marriage as having a load on your back but enabling your hands to be free unlike simply carrying a load with your hands 😉. How romantic!

[@SophiaClef]

Thank you for your comment! Levin flip flopping from one phase to another is reassuring. I used to be like that when I was a teenager, but surprisingly every new phase was better than the previous one. Now, the change is more gradual. The theme if education and parenting will come up later, so I'll definitely come back to Tanya and Grisha (Dolly's children).

[@jbriaz]

Terrific video again!

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

Interesting video. I find it interesting in the novel Tolstoy describes the countryside in great detail but there is very little description of the cities of Petersburg and Moscow. I'm still reading through part two.

[@attention5638]

I didn't like all the chapters on farming when I first read the book, nor the second time. But, it is something I really appreciate having read. Work may be a good cure for boredom, but I think it is a leap for Tolstoy, if that is what he is implying, to say that people will make the mistakes Anna made simply out of boredom. Maybe a contributing factor, but simplifies the complex emotional state of her character. Another really good discussion!

[@SophiaClef]

I feel like while writing the novel, he went from judging Anna to understanding her. It's not like Levin doesn't have suicidal thoughts.

[@sammontalbetti3849]

I agree and thanks @SophiaClef for the videos, reading the book for the first time and really enjoy your videos after each part (just finished part 3). While I missed the humour in it when I read it, I laughed out loud at when you brought up the question "How is it you don't get bored?" posed to Anna....I found it funny because even though, as you point out, she doesn't have the luxury of going to work to escape silly dramas, she is very busy being in love with Vronsky while having a husband and child. This brings her lots of distress and drama, but she isn't very bored.

[@Uncreeperble]

I went back and read this and I feel like there is a connect between mowing fields and Levin's relationship with kitty and how he is physically putting in effort to get the rewarding bliss moments of smelling fresh cut grass, like how he will develop his relationship with kitty and too end up in love 🤔

[@taylormeek6798]

Perfect

[@SophiaClef]

Thank you!

[@leeah8419]

I feel like rereading Anna Karenina, I don't remember much of it apart from the ending

[@SophiaClef]

You're in for a treat!

[@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse]

You are just rocking so hard at this analysis and exploration! I am so happy to know your channel. Sophia = great reader! Very awesome to revisit this work through your content. I hope you enjoy my takes on AK as well. 💥💥💥

[@SophiaClef]

Thank you! I loved your take on it! I still have to watch the third part, but the first two were great!