Analysis of Contradictory Phenomena in Characters from Anna Karenina: A Realistic Exploration

Introduction

'Anna Karenina' is one of Leo Tolstoy's most celebrated works, published in 1877. The novel, set in late 19th-century Russia, portrays the social and cultural norms of the time. Tolstoy's known for his realism, and 'Anna Karenina' is no exception. The novel offers a detailed and vivid description of the society in which it's set, portraying characters as real individuals with complex personalities and motives. However, the characters in 'Anna Karenina' also exhibit contradictory phenomena, adding to the novel's complexity. This essay will analyze the contradictory phenomena of characters from the realism in 'Anna Karenina'.

Realism in 'Anna Karenina'

Realism in literature is characterized by the depiction of real-life situations and circumstances in a vivid and detailed manner. The aim of realism is to present a true and accurate representation of society and human behavior. Tolstoy was a master of realism, and 'Anna Karenina' exemplifies his skill in this area. The novel presents a realistic portrayal of the social and cultural norms of the time, including the role of women in society, the importance of social status, and the influence of religion on people's lives.

The characters in 'Anna Karenina' are also portrayed as real individuals with complex personalities and motives. The novel follows the lives of several characters, including Anna Karenina, a married woman who falls in love with Count Vronsky, a young and handsome cavalry officer. The novel also focuses on the lives of Levin, a wealthy landowner, and Kitty, a young woman who is courted by both Levin and Vronsky. The relationships between these characters are presented in a realistic and nuanced manner, with each character exhibiting a range of emotions and motivations.

Contradictory Phenomena in 'Anna Karenina'

Despite the realistic portrayal of the characters in 'Anna Karenina', they also exhibit contradictory phenomena, which adds to the complexity of the novel. The contradictory phenomena can be observed in the actions, thoughts, and motivations of the characters, which often contradict each other. The following sections will analyze the contradictory phenomena of several characters in 'Anna Karenina'.

Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina is one of the most complex characters in the novel, and her contradictory phenomena are evident throughout the novel. Anna is a married woman who falls in love with Count Vronsky and leaves her husband and son to be with him. Anna's love for Vronsky is passionate and intense, and she is willing to give up everything for him. However, Anna's love for Vronsky is also a source of pain and anguish for her. She is consumed by jealousy and insecurity, and she often feels trapped in her relationship with Vronsky.

Anna's contradictory phenomena are also evident in her relationship with her husband, Karenin. Karenin is a cold and distant man, and Anna is unhappy in her marriage. However, Anna also feels guilty for betraying her husband, and she is torn between her love for Vronsky and her duty to her husband and son. Anna's contradictory emotions and actions are a reflection of the societal norms of the time, which placed a high value on marriage and family.

Count Vronsky

Count Vronsky is another character in 'Anna Karenina' who exhibits contradictory phenomena. Vronsky is a handsome and charming young man who is infatuated with Anna. Vronsky is willing to risk everything for Anna, including his career in the military and his social status. However, Vronsky's love for Anna is also a source of pain and suffering for him. He is constantly worried about Anna's jealousy and insecurity, and he often feels trapped in his relationship with her.

Vronsky's contradictory phenomena are also evident in his relationship with Kitty. Kitty is a young woman who is courted by both Levin and Vronsky. At first, Vronsky is interested in Kitty and pursues her, but he ultimately chooses Anna over her. Vronsky's actions towards Kitty are a reflection of his indecisiveness and his inability to commit to a relationship.

Levin

Levin is a wealthy landowner who is in love with Kitty. Levin is a complex character who exhibits contradictory phenomena throughout the novel. Levin is deeply in love with Kitty and wants to marry her, but he is also plagued by doubts and insecurities. Levin is unsure of his own feelings and is afraid of rejection. Levin's contradictory emotions and actions are a reflection of his own insecurities and his fear of vulnerability.

Levin's contradictory phenomena are also evident in his relationship with religion. Levin is a deeply religious man who believes in the importance of faith and spirituality. However, Levin is also critical of organized religion and is conflicted about the role of religion in his life. Levin's contradictory beliefs about religion are a reflection of the societal norms of the time, which placed a high value on religion and spirituality.

Kitty

Kitty is a young woman who is courted by both Levin and Vronsky. Kitty is a complex character who exhibits contradictory phenomena throughout the novel. Kitty is initially attracted to Vronsky and is hurt when he chooses Anna over her. However, Kitty also realizes that Levin is the man she truly loves and ultimately marries him.

Kitty's contradictory phenomena are also evident in her relationship with her mother. Kitty's mother is a socialite who is obsessed with status and social standing. Kitty is initially influenced by her mother's values and is drawn to Vronsky because of his social status. However, Kitty also realizes that true love is more important than social status and ultimately chooses Levin over Vronsky.

Conclusion

'Anna Karenina' is a novel that presents a realistic portrayal of the social and cultural norms of the time. The characters in the novel are portrayed as real individuals with complex personalities and motives. However, the characters in 'Anna Karenina' also exhibit contradictory phenomena, which adds to the complexity of the novel. The contradictory phenomena can be observed in the actions, thoughts, and motivations of the characters, which often contradict each other. The contradictory phenomena are a reflection of the societal norms of the time, which placed a high value on marriage, family, and social status. Tolstoy's skill in depicting these contradictory phenomena adds to the depth and complexity of the novel and makes it a masterpiece of realism.