Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
T
Theodoros Kafantaris
Published on July 07, 2026
Introduction
Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina (1877) opens with one of the most famous sentences in literature. The novel intertwines Anna's tragic love affair with Count Vronsky and Levin's search for meaning in work, love, and faith.
The Tragedy of Anna
Anna risks everything for passion. Society punishes her for the same transgression it tolerates in men. Her descent into jealousy and suicide under a train is one of the most harrowing in literature.
Levin's Search
Levin finds meaning not in Moscow salons but in agricultural work and a simple peasant faith. Tolstoy poured much of himself into this character.
Key Takeaways
- Society destroys what it cannot control
- Happiness is found in simplicity
- The double standard kills
