Well you know there is hope for anyone when the word magnanimous is used to aptly describe Alexei! I felt like it was very believable, but I don't really understand how Tolstoy pulled that off. If you agree that Tolstoy managed to successfully and believably reform a cold robot of a man into a dignified and compassionate man (who even loves his wife's illegitimate baby!), then can you tell me how you think he did this? And, am I naive to think that this is how Alexei will continue to be?
Speaking of 180's, it seems that the once confident and unshakable Vronsky has ridden quite the roller coaster during Part 4. I found it particularly disheartening and repulsive that once Anna was gaining weight (carrying Vronsky's baby) he began to be less interested in her, less in love with her. Don't dive into that pool. Know what I'm saying? You're likely to break your neck. Shallow. (However, in his defense, Anna did seem a little irrational (read: crazy) during that time---but come on, pregnancy hormones were then and are still very powerful)
In part 4 we see Vronsky experience boredom, hopelessness, shame, fear, some more shame, despair and then once again, back to passion. And I probably left some out.
When I thought Anna might die, I began to think about her impact on the rest of the story and characters. I mean, if the book's namesake dies halfway through, I've got to understand how she is so far-reaching, even after death. She mended her brother's marriage. She unintentionally (right?) lured Vronsky away from Kitty: Kitty has finally realized Vronsky was not all she had him cracked up to be, but that Levin was much more than she...cracked him...up...to be. Levin is now loving life, no longer obsessed with dying, and has decided to like everyone he meets. She caused Vronsky to love deeply, and feel things other than self-satisfaction. She caused her husband to soften (even though this repulses her even more than how he was before). So Anna could have died and I would have understood why the book was titled after her.
But she didn't die.
So there must be more...
I hope Anna begins to love her new baby. I hope that Levin and Kitty remain as endearing as they are to me right now in the dawn of their newfound, mutual love. I don't know what I hope in the triangle of Anna, Vronsky and Alexei. I hope people keep reading and catch up so we can continue conversing! :)
Whoa, I read the first paragraph of your post and I better stop there since I am just finishing part 3! I do remember the word magnanimous, though, Anna almost uses it in her letter to her husband and then changes her mind....I didn't even think that it might be a peak into the future of how her husband behaves because, with the way he thinks right now, i can't imagine a change...but this is Tolstoy we're talking about!
ReplyDeleteI am almost done w part 4. It is very intriguing. I agree. I am not sure how I want the Anna vronsky alexie triangle to turn out. Although I must say I have been disappointed to see the Anna vronsky passion fizzle out. I suppose pregnancy can do that! I am typing from my phone while aiden sleeps. We share a room the past two weeks since his tonsilectomy and then bleeding out resulting in another surgery last weds. But I continue to read tolstoy.
ReplyDeleteNow that I am done with part 4, I am reflecting on Karenin's 180 and it seems it was prompted by Anna's repentance, no? I think he was stirred by the depth of her sorrow and regret and he finally allows that human place within him to be interrupted, felt and expressed.
ReplyDeleteWhat is strange is the his magnanimity resulted in a glaring contrast between him and Anna and Vronsky, both of whom could hardly stand his generosity because it revealed the mud that they were wallowing in, how lame and unforgivable was their behavior.
know what I mean? Karenin truly revealed himself to be the bigger man, taking the higher road, how this will all pan out with Anna and Vronsky leaving the country, her refusing a divorce, I have no idea!
I love the Kitty/Levin love story, it is so sweet and sincere. I felt bad for him after he gave his journals to Kitty and the response he got (funny and naive that he didn't expect how she would feel).
I would really like to read more about Varenka, she is such an intriguing character to me, particularly because she seems above the need for people's praise, a rare quality.
Agreed on all accounts of the sordid circumstances of Anna and Vronsky and Karenin. And it seems like Karenin didn't just take the high road, as if gritting his teeth, but genuinely seems to have accepted the situation and chosen what he believes is in everyone's else's best interest before his own.
ReplyDeleteMy hope is that even if Varenka doesn't show up again, that her essence will begin to emerge in Kitty simply because Kitty admired her so much and recognized specifically what it was that drew her to Varenka. And yes, she is a rare bird---In a very good way.
And Jenn, I'm so relieved to hear your son is doing better. How scary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brooke! He is SO much better. We have some other sick kiddos in the house but that's the season we're in, right?!
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What is it exactly that you think Kitty saw in Varenka that she admired and that drew Kitty to her?
Also, i agree, it is not as if Karenin had to grit his teeth, he truly experienced some sort of inner transformation that allowed him to extend the grace that he did to Vronsky and Anna.
Have you ever read any notes or studies by critics on this book? I hadn't until today and I guess there is some scholarly opinion that the "co-protagonist" Levin (they say he is as central to story as Anna), is a veiled self-portrait of Tolstoy himself. ? Interesting, eh?
To answer your question, I think Kitty saw a combination of maturity, compassion, someone comfortable in her own skin, and it sounded to me like someone with a natural magnetism. It just seems like Varenka was a pretty obvious contrast to other people (specifically women) in Kitty's life. I'm thinking of her mother and how she was so smitten (on Kitty's behalf?) with Vronsky because he seemed so perfect...superficially. And just the crowd she runs with being so preoccupied with appearances and social customs, I think Varenka just struck her as being on a deeper level--and she recognized that consciously (I think).
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't read any notes or critiques. That's interesting about Levin/Tolstoy. I'll have to ask my writer/English prof. husband what he knows about that.
I like your thoughts about Varenka. You articulated it well, what I was observing but couldn't quite put my finger on.
ReplyDelete52% Brooke!
ReplyDeleteOr
Starting Part 5
I am loving Tolstoy’s descriptive writing, maybe its part of the translation too but I’ve really been enjoying his words.
He would sometimes spend half an hour silently gazing at the saffron-red, downy and wrinkled little face of the sleeping baby, watching the movements of her scowling forehead and plump little hands with curled fingers that rubbed her little eyes and nose with their backs.
Makes me want another baby, then I see all the pain affairs create, perhaps a sperm bank?
I’m so glad to see you guys (Brooke and Jenn) word with each other. I’m sure by now each of you are beginning to see a few of the qualities I love about each of you…now if we can all sit in the same space, perhaps with a bottle of wine…I would say more about the book, but now I’m really more excited watching your friendship develop.
Amy, I think you're Varenka.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, are we attributing characters now? I think I may be Levin!
ReplyDelete