Tolstoy’s Depiction of Women in "Anna Karenina"

Rosamund Bartlett talks about the how Anna Karenina addresses women’s position in society and how Tolstoy approaches femininity and female beauty. In his interrogation of the social constraints that surround women, Bartlett argues that Tolstoy was ahead of his time.
© Oxford University Press

[@olive3700]

Tolstoy sexist and misogynist? Did anyone ever really think that? Tolstoy wrote about humans and the complicated and contradictory feelings we all have. Levin and Anna are both torn between their ideals and reality, both are disappointed in marriage, both are wanting more from life than their position in society has given them. This is not a novel about women or about men, but about people. It's scope is much larger than any particular political position.

[@cinematiccatnip3601]

He wasn't sexist, society at the time was different than it is now, people fail to realize this. But you are completely correct, people miss the meanings of things and instead find the bits and pieces that make them angry.

[@parati1309]

Isn't Tolstoy's view of women connected to his spiritual anarchism? Before feminism there was anarchism, many proponents were girls and women.

[@parati1309]

Also look at Ivan Illich. He was another great thinker who merged Christianity and anarchism. Check out "The Sad Loss of Gender"

[@parati1309]

Only problem with much contemporary feminism is that it mainly represents formally educated, middle-upper class, power hungry women. The focus on current ideas about gender is destructive everywhere.

[@lsipahelut]

Feminists, you will leave Tolstoy alone. You will leave him be. Bah.