Anna Karenina, a novel written by Russian author Lev Nikolayeviç Tolstoy and first published in 1877. The work, which thoroughly examines the social structure of 19th-century Russian aristocracy, the internal conflicts of individuals, and the effects of social norms on the individual, is considered one of the classics of world literature.

Topic

The novel revolves around the lives of two main characters: Anna Karenina and Konstantin Dmitriç Levin. Anna is married to Aleksey Aleksandroviç Karenin, a high-ranking civil servant. However, her forbidden love affair with a young officer, Count Vronski, leads her to social ostracism and spiritual collapse. Anna's dilemmas and societal pressures determine the tragic aspect of the novel. In parallel, Levin's story is shaped by questions about marriage, family life, land ownership, and human existence. The two narrative lines reveal the interaction between individual quests and social structures.

Themes

The main themes explored in the work are:

• Love and Passion: The relationship between Anna and Vronski addresses the societal consequences of a passionate bond; while the relationship between Levin and Kiti develops around the search for harmony and meaning in marriage.
• Social Norms and the Individual: The work extensively examines the conflict between individual desires and the rules of aristocratic society, and the personal costs this entails.
• Family and Marriage: The novel focuses on the individual's sense of belonging, responsibilities, and moral boundaries through different marriage and family models.
• Existence and Faith: Through the character of Levin, philosophical questions such as the meaning of life, belief in God, and man's place in society are explored.

Characters

• Anna Arkadyevna Karenina: The novel's main character. She stands out with her beauty and intelligence. Her love affair with Vronski leads to her social ostracism and a tragic end.
• Count Aleksey Kirilloviç Vronski: A young and handsome officer. His relationship with Anna affects his career and social standing.
• Aleksey Aleksandroviç Karenin: Anna's husband. He is a cold-blooded and traditional civil servant. His attitude towards his wife's betrayal is shaped by societal expectations.
• Konstantin Dmitriç Levin: Considered Tolstoy's alter ego. He prefers rural life and agriculture. His relationship with Kiti emphasizes the importance of love and understanding.
• Katerina Aleksandrovna Şçerbatskaya (Kiti): Levin's wife and Vronski's former love interest. Through her marriage and motherhood, she represents traditional female roles.

Structure and Narrative

Anna Karenina is a novel with a classical narrative structure. Written with a third-person narrator, the work also utilizes techniques such as interior monologue and stream of consciousness. The inner worlds and psychological analyses of the characters are reflected in detail, and the narrative progresses within a multi-layered structure. Comparisons between urban and rural life are supported by detailed descriptions, and social, political, and cultural contexts are strongly crafted in the background.