What is the novel Anna Karenina about? What is “Anna Karenina” about? The image of a woman in literary works

If you are reading this article, then you are interested in the work that Tolstoy wrote - “Anna Karenina”. A summary of this novel can be found below. In our busy times, people often lack rest, not to mention reading books, but this very time requires us to be comprehensively developed. Since many people do not have time to read long novels, they can read them in a short version. In this article we present to your attention a brief summary of "Anna Karenina". This novel was written by Leo Tolstoy in 1878.

"Anna Karenina" is a book whose brief content is difficult to convey. But we will try to make this as clear and accessible as possible for the reader.

The Oblonskys' house in Moscow is in turmoil - everyone is waiting for the arrival of the owner's sister, Anna Karenina. The day before, this same owner, Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky, was caught by his wife in infidelity with the governess. He feels sorry for his wife Dolly, but realizes that he no longer loves her, despite the fact that she bore him seven children, of whom only five survived. On this day, Stepan has lunch with his longtime friend Konstantin Levin, who came to his house in order to propose to Oblonsky’s sister-in-law, Kitty. But he informs him that he has a rival in the person of Alexei Vronsky. Kitty doesn’t know who to give preference to - Levin, with whom she feels at ease and freely, or Vronsky, with whom she is passionate, but does not yet know that he is not going to marry her. But still she refuses Levin. Vronsky meets Anna Karenina at the station and becomes seriously interested in her. At the ball, Kitty expects him to explain himself to her, but he is completely absorbed in his conversation with Anna. Kitty is in despair. Anna returns to St. Petersburg, and Vronsky follows her.

Levin returns home. A young man is worried about his beloved's refusal. Anna is disappointed in her everyday life. The company of her husband, who is much older than her and for whom she always had only respect, began to weigh on her. She begins to see only flaws in him. Even her love for Seryozha, their 8-year-old son, cannot save her. Vronsky is in love with Anna and tries to achieve her favor in every possible way. Alexei Karenin, Anna's husband, notices the attraction between his wife and Vronsky for each other, which goes from easy flirting into something more, and sees how negatively high society views this. He expresses his dissatisfaction to his wife, but nothing can deter her. A year after their first meeting, Vronsky and Anna become lovers. The young man persuades Anna to leave her husband and throw in her lot with him. But Anna cannot decide to leave her husband, despite the fact that she is expecting a child from Vronsky. Karenin sets a condition for Anna that if she leaves, she will not see her son, and therefore she must maintain the appearance of a happy family life. Anna strives for Vronsky and even her husband’s conditions cannot stop the woman.

During childbirth, Anna almost dies and in a fever asks for forgiveness from her husband. She rejects Vronsky. He, humiliated, tries to shoot himself, but is saved. Some time after the birth, despite Karenin's reverent attitude towards his daughter, he still irritates Anna. A month after her recovery, Vronsky resigns, and she leaves with him and her daughter abroad.

B meets Kitty and realizes that she is in love with him. He proposes to her and they get married.

Anna and Vronsky are in Italy, but things are not as good for them as at the beginning. They get bored. Upon her return, Anna clearly feels that society has rejected her. The same thing happens with Vronsky. They begin to live in the village, on Vronsky's estate, awaiting a decision on divorce. But there is no agreement between them. Anna feels that she loves Vronsky more and more, so she is jealous of everything he is interested in, even any activity. Vronsky, on the contrary, is burdened by her. In despair, Anna throws herself under a train and dies. Vronsky is tormented by remorse. He goes to war, leaving his daughter Karenina. Levin and Kitty have a son.

Now that you know the summary of Anna Karenina, you may want to read this novel in full or watch one of its film adaptations. They make a lasting impression. A summary of “Anna Karenina” will help you understand some aspects of the plot.

The author of the novel “Anna Karenina” is the people's educator, psychologist, classic novelist, philosopher and Russian writer L. N. Tolstoy. The beginning of his literary activity dates back to 1852. It was then that his autobiographical story “Childhood” was published. This was the first part of a trilogy. Somewhat later, the works “Adolescence” and “Youth” appeared.

Another of the most famous works of L. N. Tolstoy is the epic novel “War and Peace.” The reason for writing the work was the Sevastopol and Caucasian events. The novel describes a military campaign and family chronicles unfolding against its background. This work, the main character of which the author considers the people, conveys to the reader the “people's thought.”

L.N. Tolstoy reflected the problems of married life in his next work - the novel Anna Karenina.

The significance of Tolstoy's work

The works of the outstanding Russian writer significantly influenced world literature. Tolstoy's authority during his lifetime was truly irrefutable. After the death of the classic, his popularity grew even more. There is hardly a person who will remain indifferent if he comes across “Anna Karenina” - a novel that tells not only about the fate of a woman. The work vividly describes the history of the country. It also reflects the morality that the life of the very bottom adheres to. The reader is shown the splendor of salons and the poverty of the village. Against the backdrop of this ambiguous Russian life, an extraordinary and bright personality is described, striving for happiness.

The image of a woman in literary works

Representatives of the fair half of humanity often became the heroes of the works of the classics of the past. There are many examples of this. This is Ekaterina from “The Thunderstorm” and Larisa from “Dowry” by the writer Ostrovsky. The image of Nina from Chekhov’s “The Seagull” is vivid. All these women, in the struggle for their happiness, oppose public opinion.

L.N. touched on the same topic in his brilliant work. Tolstoy. Anna Karenina is the image of a special woman. A distinctive feature of the heroine is her belonging to the highest level of society. She seems to have everything. Anna is beautiful, rich and educated. They admire her, her advice is taken into account. However, she is deprived of happiness in her married life and experiences loneliness in her family. Probably, the fate of this woman would have turned out differently if love had reigned in her house.

The main character of the novel

In order to understand why Anna Karenina throws herself under a train at the end of the work, you need to carefully read the work of the great writer. Only understanding the image of this heroine will allow us to draw certain conclusions.
At the beginning of the story, Anna Karenina appears to the reader as an attractive young woman belonging to high society. L. N. Tolstoy describes his heroine as friendly, cheerful and pleasant to talk to. Anna Karenina is an exemplary wife and mother. Most of all she loves her little son. As for the husband, outwardly their relationship is simply exemplary. However, upon closer examination, artificiality and falsehood are noticeable in them. A woman is connected with her husband not by love, but by respect.

Meeting with Vronsky

With her unloved husband, Anna lived in luxury and prosperity. They had a son, Serezhenka. It seems like life is good. However, everything changes radically with a meeting with Vronsky. From this moment on, the image of Anna Karenina undergoes radical changes. The heroine's thirst for love and life awakens.

The emerging new feeling inexorably pulls her towards Vronsky. His strength is such that Anna is simply not able to resist. Anna Karenina appears to the reader as honest, sincere and open. gives an understanding that she is simply not able to live in a false and difficult relationship with her husband. As a result, Anna gives in to the passionate feeling that arises.

Parting

The image of Anna Karenina is contradictory. Confirmation of this lies in her life outside of marriage. According to the heroine, happiness can only be possible when the laws are strictly followed. She tried to start a new life. In this case, the basis was the misfortune of people close to her. Anna feels like a criminal. At the same time, generosity emanates from Karenin. He is ready to forgive his wife everything and save the marriage. However, this high morality of her husband only evokes hatred in Anna.

Through the mouth of his wife, the author compares Karenin to an evil and soulless machine. He checks all his feelings against the norms of the law, which are established by the church and the state. Undoubtedly, he suffers from the fact that his wife cheated on him. However, he does it in a unique way. He just wants to shake off the “dirt” with which Anna “spattered” him and calmly continue his life. The basis of his feelings is not heartfelt experiences, but a cold mind. Karenin's rationality allows him to find a path of cruel punishment for Anna. He separates her from her son. The heroine is faced with a choice. And she goes to Vronsky. However, this path turned out to be disastrous for her. He led her to the abyss, and this can explain the fact that Anna Karenina threw herself under a train.

The second main character of the work “Anna Karenina”

Alexey Vronsky is a brilliant representative of the highest circles of Russia of the period described in the novel. He is handsome, rich and well connected. Adjutant Vronsky is kind and sweet by nature. He is smart and educated. The lifestyle of the novel's protagonist is typical of a young aristocrat of that time. He serves in the guards regiment. His expenses per year amount to 45,000 rubles.

Vronsky, who shares the habits and views of the aristocratic environment, is loved by his comrades. After meeting Anna, the young man reconsiders his life. He understands that he is obliged to change her usual way of life. Vronsky sacrifices freedom and ambition. He resigns and, having parted with his usual secular environment, is looking for new paths in life. The restructuring of his worldview did not allow him to gain satisfaction and peace of mind.

Life with Vronsky

Why does Anna Karenina throw herself under a train at the end of the novel, because fate connected her with a wonderful young man, giving her a sincere and deep feeling? Despite the fact that love has come to the main character, after leaving her husband, the woman cannot find peace.

Neither Vronsky’s deep feeling for her, nor the little daughter who was born, nor entertainment and trips bring her peace. Anna's mental discord is further aggravated by separation from her son. Society doesn't understand her. Her friends turn away from her. Over time, Anna increasingly comes to realize the depth of her misfortune. The character of the heroine changes. She becomes suspicious and irritable. As a sedative, Anna begins to take morphine, which further intensifies the feelings that arise. The woman begins to be jealous of Vronsky without any reason. She feels dependent on his desires and love. However, Anna understands perfectly well that because of her, Vronsky gave up many important things in life. That is why she seeks to replace his entire world with herself. Gradually, it becomes more and more difficult to unravel the tangle, and thoughts of death begin to come to the heroine. And this is in order to stop being guilty, shifting the feeling that has arisen onto Vronsky, while simultaneously freeing herself. All this will serve as an answer to the question: “Why does Anna Karenina throw herself under a train?”

Tragedy

In the image of the main character of his novel, Tolstoy showed a spontaneous and integral woman who lives by feeling. However, it would be wrong to explain the entire tragedy of fate and situation only by her nature. It is located much deeper, because it was the social environment that became the reason that Anna Karenina felt the alienation of society.

The characterization of the image of the main character indicates that she is only concerned about personal problems - marriage, love and family. The situation that developed in her life after leaving her husband did not suggest a decent way out of the situation. Why does Anna Karenina throw herself under a train? Her desperate step can be explained by the unbearable life that arose due to the rejection of her action by society.

Origins of the tragedy

The difficult fate of women is described in many literary works. She did not escape Pushkin's Tatiana and Turgenev's Elena, Nekrasov's Decembrists and Ostrovsky's heroines. What they have in common with Anna Karenina is the naturalness and sincerity of actions and feelings, purity of thoughts, as well as the deep tragedy of fate. Tolstoy showed the experiences of his heroine to readers most deeply, completely and psychologically subtly.

Anna’s tragedy began not even when she, a married woman, posed a real challenge to society. Dissatisfaction with her fate arose even during the period when she, still a very young girl, was married off to a tsarist official. Anna sincerely tried to create a happy family. However, she failed. Then she began to justify her life with her unloved husband by love for her son. And this is already a tragedy. Being a lively and bright person, Anna for the first time realized what true love is. And it is not surprising that the woman tried to break free from the world that disgusted her. However, in doing so she lost her son.

The heroine's mental anguish

Anna did not want to hide her new life from others. Society was simply shocked. A real wall of alienation has grown around Karenina. Even those who had done much worse in their lives began to condemn her. And Anna could not come to terms with this rejection.

Yes, high society showed its hypocrisy. However, the woman had to realize that she was not in a vacuum. Living in a society, you have to reckon with its laws and orders.

Tolstoy is a wise psychologist. He describes the mental anguish of the heroine of his novel simply amazing. Does the author condemn this woman? No. He suffers and loves with her.

At the end of the winter of 1873 in Moscow, a serious family conflict broke out in the Oblonsky house. Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky was caught by his wife in adultery with his governess. The prince himself was a very good person, but unfortunately he did not like his job and his wife. And he had one more peculiarity: Steve, despite any problems, always found the time and energy to have dinner at a restaurant. And during this period, the Oblonskys were waiting for the prince’s sister Anna Arkadyevna Karenina, while Stiva was having dinner at a restaurant with his friend, Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin, who had come from the village.

Levin has long been in love with an eighteen-year-old girl, Kitty Shcherbatskaya. He intends to offer her his hand and heart, but understands that she will not pay attention to a simple landowner. Kitty herself cannot understand her feelings. She is very easy and calm with Levin, but she is also very nice to another man - a representative of the St. Petersburg “golden youth”, Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky. But Kitty does not know that Vronsky does not want to marry her, due to the fact that the girl does not know this, in the hope of a happy future with Alexei, Kitty refuses Levin.

Anna Karenina comes to town. During her arrival at the station, she is noticed by Vronsky, who was struck by the beauty of the woman. Vronsky himself came to meet his mother, who came from St. Petersburg. But at that moment, at the station, the station guard gets hit by a train. Anna Karenina sees this sight and considers it a bad sign.

Thanks to Anna Dolly, Stiva Oblonsky’s wife forgives her husband for treason. After this, she goes to the ball in the company of the Oblonskys and Shcherbatskys. In it, Kitty hopes for Vronsky’s explanation and admires Anna’s beauty. But a little later, the girl notices that her lover and Anna are communicating very tenderly; an inexplicable craving for each other is noticeable in all their gestures. After some time, Anna Karenina left for St. Petersburg. Vronsky also went there. And Levin did not stop blaming himself for his failure with Kitty; he went to the village, where he set strict limits for himself that were there before.

Arriving in St. Petersburg, Anna felt very depressed. She was married to a man older than her, and for whom she had no feelings other than respect. She and Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin had an eight-year-old son, Seryozha, but even he did not save Anna from betrayal. The fact is that she fell in love with Vronsky, just as Vronsky fell in love with her. They became lovers. Despite this, in order not to show their relationship, they led an ordinary life, but the nature of the relationship between Anna and Vronsky was still clear to the public. This character was clear to Anna Karenina’s husband. He repeatedly tried to talk to his wife, but it was useless. And only once he could not stand it, when at a race, where all the high society was present, Vronsky fell from his horse, and Anna, not knowing the severity of the injury, became very worried. It was then that Alexey Alexandrovich took his wife to the dacha, where he forbade communication with Vronsky and threatened that if she cheated, he would kick her out and not allow her to see her son. But he told her this after the woman told him that she was disgusted with him and that she was cheating on him. Anna, frightened, agreed to his conditions, but her husband, wanting to further humiliate the woman, set strict limits for her, within which she was obliged to create the impression of a happy Karenin family. But Alexey Alexandrovich did not know that after a year of relationship with Vronsky, Anna was expecting a child from her lover.

The life of three people was unbearable. Anna suffered because of such conditions of her husband, she loved Vronsky, and she had a mixed feeling of hatred and compassion for Alexei Alexandrovich. But Vronsky was racking his brains about what to do in this situation. He loved Anna, but if they decided to go against everything and be together, Vronsky would have to quit his service, which he really didn’t want, because he liked her.

Some time later, Anna Karenina gives birth to a girl, but during the birth process, she almost died. Her husband is very worried about her, from whom Anna asks forgiveness for everything. Vronsky was saved in time when he wanted to shoot himself, after he was rejected by Anna, who was in a fever.

But after Anna recovers from a difficult birth, she becomes even more disgusted with Karenin. He, in turn, tenderly cares for the newborn girl. But even this did not help avoid Anna, her daughter and Vronsky, who resigned, from escaping abroad.

Meanwhile, Levin lives in the village. The meaning of his life became the peasants, whom he respected and protected. Levin believed that zemstvo activities did not benefit the peasants. He writes books, enjoys authority among local men, and dreams of a simple working life. He stopped dreaming of family happiness, forgot about his feelings, but suddenly he finds out about Kitty’s illness, and again his heart melted. A little later, he meets a girl while she was on her way to visit her sister in the village. And already in the Oblonskys’ house, Levin realizes that his feelings are mutual, and Kitty agrees to the marriage proposal. They get married and leave for the village.

The life of Anna and Vronsky was cloudless at first. A lot of travel, love, Vronsky tried to support Anna as much as possible at the time of her separation from her son. But when they returned to St. Petersburg, joy gave way to misfortune. Everyone who knew Vronsky and Anna turned away from them, they stopped respecting Anna and no one communicated with her. And when it was Anna’s son’s birthday, she secretly went to see him, and after she saw Seryozha, she began to blame Vronsky for being separated from him, she began to reproach him that Vronsky had lost interest in her and no longer loved her. Vronsky made every effort to explain to the irritated woman that this was not so.

The family life of Kitty and Lensky was not what they imagined it to be. The newlyweds took a long time to get used to each other. They fought often. But only when Lensky was sad, during the death of his brother, did the man realize how close Kitty was to him. The girl supported her husband very much and told him about her pregnancy. Lensky greatly valued Kitty, her care and her closeness. And on this basis he was very jealous of his wife, afraid of losing this closeness.

Anna, according to Dolly, her brother's wife, is behaving insincerely. She entertains guests, takes care of her daughter, but all this is not the same as it was before Vronsky appeared. Anna blames him for all her misfortunes, and Vronsky still loves her. Anna is trying to replace everything that he gave up for Anna, but the quarrels continue.

Karenin does not give Anna a divorce due to the fact that he came under the influence of Princess Myagkaya. And against the backdrop of all the events, Anna begins to be jealous of Vronsky for everything that is possible. She often has an incomprehensible dream, as if a man was standing over her and muttering something incomprehensible. Some time later, after another quarrel, Vronsky goes to his mother, which Anna did not want. She decides to follow him to the station. There she remembers a man who was run over by a train and throws herself under him. After that, she sees a man above her, who said something unclear, and her life is over. Vronsky went to war in Serbia, wanting to forget everything, and his and Anna’s daughter is taken in by Karenin.

Levin is tormented by terrible thoughts about death, he wants to commit suicide, but in time he understands all the goodness of life, thanks to the Gospel. And after that, he lives, receiving joy from life, from Kitty and from his son.

Not everything is going smoothly in the Oblonsky family. Her husband, Stepan Arkadyevich, often cheats on his wife Dolly. He sincerely does not understand why his wife cannot ignore such trifles. At this time, a telegram arrives with the message that Oblonsky’s sister, Anna Karenina, is arriving. Oblonsky meets an old acquaintance at the service, Konstantin Levin. Levin is going to propose to Dolly's younger sister, Kitty Shcherbatskaya. Both Kitty and her family are happy with this situation. But then Count Vronsky, a young brilliant officer, begins to court Kitty. When Levin proposes to Kitty, she refuses him. Vronsky doesn’t even think about starting a family; he likes Kitty, but nothing more.

By chance, Oblonsky and Vronsky meet at the station, where the first meets Anna, and the officer meets his mother. At first sight, Vronsky is fascinated by Anna. Upon arrival home, the brother asks his sister to reconcile him with his wife. Anna talks to Dolly and persuades her to forgive her husband; Dolly has no choice, since she has nowhere to go. Kitty also really likes Anna, the girl is fascinated by her manners and outfits. But soon she notices that Vronsky prefers to spend all his time with Anna and dances only with her.

When Anna returns to Vronsky she goes with her. At the station Anna is met by her husband, Alexey Alexandrovich. He is much older than his wife, pedantic and cold. Anna is temperamental and impulsive by nature, and her husband’s restraint weighs on her. Their son Seryozha is more inclined towards his mother, but he is shy about his father.

Due to Kitty's nervous breakdown, doctors suspect tuberculosis. It was decided to send the girl for treatment abroad. Anna and Vronsky constantly see each other in the house of Princess Betsy Tverskaya. The whole world is already gossiping about their romance. The only one who remains in the dark is Anna's husband. But his friends soon open his eyes to his wife’s unacceptable behavior. Alexey Alexandrovich will decide to talk to Anna. But Anna denies everything and pretends that she doesn’t understand what she’s talking about at all. Anna and Vronsky's romance moves from platonic to physical love.

Levin, after Kitty’s refusal, retires to his estate and immerses himself in household affairs. When Stiva comes to visit him, he talks about Kitty’s illness and accuses his friend of indecisiveness. The relationship between Vronsky and Anna leads to a scandal in society. Vronsky wants a divorce and persuades Anna to live with him as his wife. Anna says that her husband will never give her a divorce, as it will harm his career. Soon, during a race, Vronsky has an accident, and Anna, unable to withstand the moral stress, confesses everything to her husband and asks for a divorce. Karenin demands that his wife maintain decency.

On the waters, the Shcherbatskys meet Madame Stahl and her companion Varenka. Kitty becomes friends with Varenka and tells about Vronsky’s deception. Varenka calms and consoles her. Following Varenka's example, Kitty tries to find oblivion in caring for those in need. Soon the Shcherbatskys return to. Dolly and her children move to a village estate, which is located next to Levin's estate. Levin helps them settle in and improve their lives. Dolly tells him that she has invited Kitty for the summer. She really wants to reconcile her sister with Levin.

Karenin decides not to spoil his reputation with a duel with Vronsky and not to pay attention to the rumors. Continue to live as before. He writes Anna a letter in which he says that he will support her as before, but she must maintain decency for the sake of her son. At first, Anna wants to take her son and leave her husband, but she does not want to be deprived of her usual comfort and way of life.

It turns out that Anna is pregnant, she is waiting for Vronsky’s decision, ready to leave both her husband and son. Vronsky is faced with the need to leave the service. Anna begins to be jealous of Vronsky and make scenes for him. Her behavior repulses him. Karenin takes his son and leaves for. Kitty, visiting the Obolenskys, meets Levin and the old affection flares up between them. Preparations for the wedding begin.

Anna falls ill after giving birth and calls her husband to ask for his forgiveness. Karenin arrives and organizes care for his wife and newborn girl. After Anna recovers, Karenin agrees to the divorce, seeing no other way out. Vronsky leaves for Italy with Anna and his daughter; Karenin and his son remain in . After the wedding, Kitty and Levin cannot get along with each other. But after a while everything gets better. They move to Moscow. Kitty is expecting a baby.

Anna decides to return to St. Petersburg to see her son. But her husband is against their meeting. His friend, Countess Lidia Ivanovna, writes a letter to Anna in an insulting manner. Anna decides to secretly come to her son on his birthday. But Karenin finds her in the house, and she leaves without giving her son any toys. Anna is bored at home and goes to the theater. But there is a scandal, one of the ladies declares that sitting next to Anna is “shameful.” At home, Anna blames Vronsky for what happened.

Varenka comes to Kitty to take care of her. Levin's brother Sergei is interested in Varenka, but does not dare to propose to her. Dolly visits Anna and Vronsky at their estate. Their lives are spent in great tension. Anna is not at all interested in her daughter, but is still passionately in love with Vronsky. She arranges constant scenes of jealousy for him, which only pushes him further away from her. In addition, during his next absence, she begins to take morphine. When Vronsky discovers her addiction, a scandal breaks out.

The Levins have a son, Dmitry. Anna suffers more and more from Vronsky’s coldness and forced isolation. Her mood constantly changes, moving from passionate declarations of love to equally passionate outbursts of hatred. One day, having completely lost control over her feelings, Anna throws herself under a train to take revenge on Vronsky for his coldness. The little daughter of Anna and Vronsky is taken in by Karenin. The Levin family is happy and raising a son. Vronsky leaves Russia.

First very briefly, then chapter by chapter:

The novel describes actions that begin in 1873. The first character Tolstoy introduces is Stiva Oblonsky, who cheated on his wife Dolly. To reconcile with his wife, he calls his sister Anna Karenina for help. At the same time, Stiva is having lunch at a restaurant with his friend Levin, who came from the village to propose to Kitty Shcherbatskaya (Oblonsky’s wife’s sister)

However, Kitty faces a difficult choice, since during this period she develops a romantic relationship with Count Vronsky. Levin makes an offer, which is refused. He leaves back to the village.

Anna meets Vronsky at the station, where the count meets his mother. A tragic situation occurs - a watchman dies under a train.

Having reconciled Stiva and Dolly, Anna returns to St. Petersburg. Vronsky, in love with her, follows her.

Arriving home, Anna experiences more and more feelings for Vronsky. Neither her husband (Alexey Karenin), who is much older than her, nor her eight-year-old son Seryozha can save the situation. Anna begins a relationship with Vronsky, which society begins to suspect. The husband tries to warn Karenina against mistakes, but to no avail. Vronsky invites Anna to leave her husband and go with him, she does not dare to do this for a long time, even considering the fact that she is expecting a child from Vronsky.

At one race, Vronsky could not stay on his horse. Anna is unable to contain her emotions and shows them in front of everyone. The husband takes Anna away from the races and explains to her. Karenin decides to leave everything as it is. If she does not agree, he will deprive her of the child.

Karenina gives birth to a daughter. The birth was extremely difficult. Thinking that she is dying, she asks her husband for forgiveness. Anna survives. After a while he leaves her husband. He goes abroad with his daughter and Vronsky.
Levin makes another attempt to propose to Kitty. She agrees, and they leave to live in the village.

Anna and Vronsky are traveling. Anna is happy, but Vronsky has nothing to do. They return to St. Petersburg, where society rejects them. Frequent quarrels occur between them. Anna believes that Vronsky’s love is fading. They move to Vronsky’s country house, but even there the relationship remains difficult, which Dolly, who came to visit them, understands.

Having quarreled strongly, Vronsky goes to his mother’s estate, Anna goes after him. At the station, remembering the circumstances from the acquaintance, he throws himself under the train, deciding that this is the only way out of the situation.

Vronsky goes to war. Karenin takes his daughter. Kitty gives birth to Levin's heir.

The novel teaches that you should always think before you act, and also that suicide is not a way out of current difficulties.

Summary of Anna Karenina in parts (chapters)

Part 1

Anna Arkadyevna Karenina (nee Oblonskaya) travels from St. Petersburg to Moscow in the cold February of 1873 to reconcile her frivolous brother and his wife.

Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky is already thirty-four years old, but in secular society he is called by the childish nickname of Steve. He is good-looking, good-natured and frivolous. The wife, Daria Alexandrovna (Dolly), suffers from her husband’s extreme inconstancy. She is a year younger than him, gave birth to seven children, two of whom died in infancy, and therefore grew old and ugly before her time. Recently, Daria Alexandrovna found out that Stiva was having an affair with a French governess.

Meanwhile, Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin, a friend of Oblomov, comes to Moscow from the provinces. He wants to propose to Kitty, Daria Alekseevna’s younger sister, but he is afraid that the young, lovely girl will not accept him as her husband. Kitty likes Levin, but she is infatuated with the brilliantly handsome officer Vronsky. It doesn’t occur to her that he doesn’t have any serious intentions, dragging after her.

Vronsky's old mother is traveling on the same train as Karenina. Meeting her at the station, Vronsky runs into Anna, and a spark runs between them. A few minutes later, an accident occurs: a homeless man gets hit by a locomotive, Anna is frightened by a bad sign.

At her brother's house, Anna tries with all her might to convince Dolly not to break up with her husband. When the shaky peace is restored, Kitty comes to stay with her sister. Friendship arises between the girl and Ana. Going to the ball, Kitty invites Anna to go with her family. Vronsky will be there, Kitty expects an explanation of her feelings from him, but remains disappointed. All evening Vronsky does not leave Anna, and she enjoys his attention. When parting, she reports that she is returning to her husband in St. Petersburg.

Alexey Alexandrovich Karenin has a high position in the ministry. He is much older than his wife, and there has never been spiritual intimacy between them. Their son, Seryozha, is eight years old, and they both come to meet Anna at the station upon her return. Immediately she notices Vronsky, who has come to pick her up from Moscow. Seeing her with her family, Vronsky despairs of getting Anna's heart. But he remains in St. Petersburg and accepts invitations to those houses where he can meet her.

In Moscow, Kitty falls ill from grief, Levin returns to his estate with nothing.

Part 2

Kitty's illness is causing widespread concern; doctors suspect she has tuberculosis. The girl leaves for a foreign resort to change the scenery and take her mind off thoughts about Vronsky.

In the village, Levin meets his brother Nikolai. He drinks and debauches, but Levin feels sympathy for him. After the failure of his marriage, all Levin’s energies are concentrated on his estate and caring for Nikolai.

Vronsky's cousin Betsy acts as a pimp, arranging frequent dates for Anna and her cousin. Anna, who has never known strong passion before, quickly falls in love with Vronsky, she is not yet inferior to him, but the woman’s heart has already been conquered. An affair with a noble married woman gives the young officer more brilliance in society, but all Vronsky’s thoughts are occupied with Anna. Karenin tries to warn his wife against making a mistake, Anna herself struggles with her feelings, but is unable to overcome them.

Stiva Oblonsky comes to Levin to reprimand him for his lack of persistence. He tells his friend about Kitty’s condition, in which the girl found herself due to a broken heart.

In St. Petersburg, the romance between Vronsky and Anna becomes the subject of gossip in secular society after Anna, in front of a large crowd of people, expressed her feelings when Vronsky fell from his horse during a race. Karenin must decide what to do: challenge Vronsky to a duel, give his wife a divorce, or pretend that nothing is happening. He chooses the latter, which earns Anna outright hatred. Now she is losing her last respect for him. Anna is pregnant from Vronsky, but thanks to her husband’s act, she cannot even part with him.

Part 3

Trying to distract himself from memories of Kitty, Levin puts all his energy into developing the farm. Sergei Ivanovich Koznyshev, his maternal brother, comes to visit Levin to look at the results of his work, which interests him insofar as he himself is considering land reform, although he knows little in practical terms. For Levin, work is a cure for extraneous thoughts, including the imminent death of his brother Nikolai, who is sick with tuberculosis. Dolly visits the neighboring village of Ergushevo, which belongs to the Oblonskys. The estate is in terrible desolation, the woman soon gives up, but Levin supports her. In gratitude for his help, Dolly wants to set him up with Kitty again.

Karenin composes a message for Anna, where she strictly condemns her behavior. He believes that his wife’s romance will not last long, and then everything will return to normal, but for now he is ready to tolerate her antics, but begs her to be careful for the sake of Seryozha’s future. Anna is outraged by these words, she wants to leave her husband, but because of her son and the opinion of the world, she does not dare. Vronsky, having learned that his mistress is expecting a child, wants to leave the service and settle his financial problems. His mother is outraged by the scandalous relationship, but cannot force Vronsky to leave Anna.

Sviyazhsky, the leader of the district where Levin’s estate is located, wants to marry his daughter to him. In conversations with Sviyazhsky, Levin expresses his revolutionary ideas regarding the development of agriculture, but does not meet with understanding. Busy with his work, he does not know that Kitty has arrived.

Part 4

Childbirth turns out to be very difficult for Anna, who is weakened physically and mentally. A girl is born, Anna almost dies. In delirium, she begs her husband for forgiveness, Karenin is moved by her condition, he takes pity on his wife and recognizes the child. Vronsky is rejected. Karenin announces to him that he is going to take his family to Moscow. Losing his head from grief, Vronsky tries to commit suicide, but is saved. However, having recovered from her illness, Anna again begins to feel disgusted with Karenin, even stronger than before. She takes her daughter and runs away with Vronsky abroad.

Levin threw himself headlong into writing a book about economic restructuring. He is respected among his men; he himself admires the peasants for their spiritual qualities, but is outraged by their carelessness, tendency to deception and drunkenness. It seems to Levin that his feelings have cooled down, but at the sight of Kitty, sick and weak, they flare up again. Kitty reciprocates his feelings and a wedding day is set.

Traveling through Italy, Vronsky and Anna experience their first difficulties. Anna suffers from the loss of her good name, Karenin files for divorce and forbids her to see her son. She is tormented by blind passion for Vronsky and is afraid of his cooling, because if she loses her lover, she will lose everything she has left. Vronsky misses his usual wild life and his regiment comrades. He tries to occupy himself with painting, but it quickly gets boring. Still loving Anna, he gradually tires of her impulsiveness.

Part 5

To forget about the misfortunes that befell him, Karenin sets to work with renewed vigor, but he is no longer given promotions in the ministry. Countess Lidia Ivanovna supports him, looks after the household and raises Seryozha. After returning from the trip, Anna writes a secret letter to Lydia Ivanovna, begging to be allowed to see her son, in response she receives only insults.

Anna soon realizes that the world has rejected her. Former acquaintances do not want to know her. One day, having gone to the theater, she finds herself at the center of a scandal - respectable ladies leave the audience because they do not want to sit next to her. Humiliated and offended, Anna showers Vronsky with reproaches, which pushes him away even more.

Levin and Kitty are getting married. Their first months of life together are difficult, they understand each other poorly and constantly quarrel. One day, news reaches Levin that brother Nikolai is dying. He goes to visit him in Pokrovsk, Kitty volunteers to follow her husband, despite his protests. Familiar with the disease, she deftly takes care of Nikolai. Deep harmony arises between spouses. Kitty announces her pregnancy, causing her husband even greater joy.

Part 6

Dolly pays a visit to Vronsky and Anna at his estate in Vozdvizhenskoye, she notes to herself that Anna looks brilliant, but her behavior is tense and false. Anna's main fear is the loss of beauty. She is not too interested in her daughter, although Vronsky adores the baby. All her thoughts are focused on keeping her lover. She torments Vronsky with her jealousy and thirst for attention. When he leaves for a provincial meeting, she sends after him false news that their daughter is seriously ill. Vronsky returns immediately, seeing the deception he becomes furious. Anna becomes hysterical and becomes dependent on morphine. Meanwhile, Karenin, having fallen under the influence of a religious friend, decides not to divorce his wife.

Levin's brother, Sergei Ivanovich, begins to court Varenka, Kitty's girlfriend, but never dares to propose. Oblonsky, who is visiting the Levins' house, flirts with Kitty herself, which leads to an open quarrel.

Part 7

The Levins are moving to Moscow, where it will be easier for Kitty to give birth. Levin does not like social life; he feels out of place. Visiting Vronsky and Karenina, he notices that Anna is incredibly pretty, which greatly offends Kitty, who has not forgotten her resentment towards the woman who took her lover away. Soon she goes into labor. Levin is frightened by the severity of childbirth, but everything ends well, a healthy boy Mitya is born.

Anna and Vronsky can no longer be together. Vronsky has not stopped loving Anna, but her mood swings, scandals and bouts of passion drive him crazy. She finally loses her mental health, Anna is haunted by an obsessive nightmare, and she suspects her lover of everything. One day she decides to follow him when Vronsky goes to meet his mother. Finding herself at the station where they once met, Anna feels drawn by the sight of the rail where the unfortunate ragamuffin died. At the moment of clouding of her mind, she throws herself under a train and dies.

Part 8

Having lost Anna, Vronsky realizes how dear she was to him. In a moment of repentance, he decides to go to war in Serbia, he places his daughter in the care of Karenin. The Levins give part of the estate to the Oblomovs, whose financial situation has been greatly shaken. They return back to the estate. Although he is happy with his wife and son, Levin is experiencing a deep mental crisis, thinks a lot about the meaning of life and is afraid of committing suicide.

The life describes the life of Theodosius of Pechersk from birth to his death. About the path Feodosius took, from a simple baker to the abbot of the monastery.