Jessica’s Comments (group member since Jan 02, 2013)

Jessica’s comments from the Classics Without All the Class group.

Part I, Chapter 26: "He felt himself, and did not want to be any one else. All he wanted now was to be better than before." ~Levin

There was quite a climax of emotions in this part. Although I new what Anna's fate was, I think it is clear that this is her only way out early on. I don't think she was able to be happy in any situation, which made her feel trapped. She was busting at the seams to be free in society, to love whom she pleased and not be judged. However, this was not the case and made her passion for that freedom grow stronger. There was so much jealousy she harbored against Vronsky. In some ways, his ability to have that freedom made him seem so uncaring of Anna's situation. But I am of the opinion that anyone in that position would have taken the wings and flown. You can only spend so much time with person before boredom and irritability sets in. I think he needed that breath. But Anna didn't get that and it made everything worse. Her death was tragic. I expected her to od on the opium or poison herself. I am still shocked that the train was her choice. Most women don't want to do something messy or painful when committing suicide. I wonder what made her choose this?

At first I thought, Vronksy was actually in love with Anna in this section, but I am still not sold on that. Too many times in this part in some others he mentions her beauty in way that makes me think he's tired of it. Like that was her only good quality. I think it might be case of: not knowing what you have until it is gone.

So, what, exactly, was going on with Ivanovna, Alexey and the French man when they were having tea with Stepan. Were they poisoning people. I was confused.

Happy moment: Kitty has the baby! Tolstoy did such a great job describing a man's emotion during that moment. It was on of those feel good moments that was much needed.

The two most intense characters finally meet (Tolstoy's drive throughout the story) Anna and Levin! What an interesting moment. What did you guys think about it?

Beach

Susan wrote: "There are many things I admire about Levin's character, and he's probably the one I like the best (Sergei possibly interests me the most, and I was a little disappointed when he didn't go after Var..."

I agree. I was so glad he actually responded to the situation. While, I wanted a physical altercation, that is just not who Levin is. He is a peaceful person. Even after when Stepan and Kitty's mom are upset with him for his response, he holds true to his character and doesn't let it get him upset/ think he made a bad decision. That was a great moment, for sure!

C wrote: "Yes, I agree. I see the horse scene as a conquest for Vronsky. He feels sad when his actions break the mares back but he moves on awfully quick."

Thank you. I had seen it mentioned a few times on other threads we have all been discussing on. It was one of those passages you read, where you sit back for a moment and say..."Hmmmmmm." You know?

I couldn't help but notice how he was focused so much on the prize and conclusion to the race (him winning) that he lost sight of how it would effect the mare. Before the race/heat of competition, the reader can tell how much care and love he has for the horse, but he doesn't show that same care when he needs it to preform.

Heather wrote: "Great summary Jessica. I do not like Stepan's character either. Hypocrite much, you man-whore? I have become quite fond of Levin and Kitty, Kitty even more so in the comming sections.

I also feel..."

lol man-whore is a great summation of Stepan. He is so frustrating. Alexey's inner thoughts I find interesting. He is full of so much worry/care over what his decision should be. To me, it shows a level of respect and love for her. On the surface, he does appear robotic. But I think that is true of most private people. Once you get to know them, they open up full of beautiful colors like a butterfly. Sometimes you have to remove the outer layer, first, to see into the inside. Does that make sense?

Want

Zen

Valerie wrote: "Woohoo, just finished Anna K.!! Just in time to go off to a conference.

It took me approximately 4 weeks to read, I did a little at a time. I was very tempted to start another book at about the..."

Congrats! I am almost done. I think/hope I will be done by the end of the week. You have much more strength than I do. I had the urge, at the same point, to start another book. I did...but luckily it was fast-paced and finished it in 3 days. It was nice to have a short break from AK for a bit though. Have fun at your conference. Do you have another book you will be starting?

Well, I had some frustration with this part, particularly with the characters. I was really hoping for Sergei and Varenka to hook up, as much as Kitty was. Le sigh, in my alternate ending they get married and it is lovely, lol.

This Veslovsky fellow brought out a negative response in myself. I didn't think it was possible to dislike someone more than Vronsky but I was proven wrong. He reminded me of what, today, I would call an immature frat boy. He craved and thrived on getting whatever attention he could from someone young, female and claimed. His actions towards Kitty were accepted in the society at this time. However they were disgusting to me. Every time Levin would get upset about his anger towards the young man, I would remind myself that the society was different. Still, I really wanted Levin to grow some balls and punch the guy in the face. But we can't have every ending we want.

Dolly's home situation continues to break my heart. I want nothing but happiness for her. I love the moments when she realizes she does have happiness and it's in her children. Her desire to take some positivity from the unhappy marriage she is in makes me have a certain respect for her. I don't have this respect for any other character in the book. She complains but always ends her inner turmoil with a positive outlook so she won't be beaten down. While Stepan is not the ideal picture of a loving husband, there are some other faults too. His lack of concern for his and Dolly's financial situation really concerns me. His high societal reputation and sexual conquests are more importnat than not only his wife but the well-being of his children. This realization made me like Vronsky just a small bit. At least Vronsky realized this about himself and didn't plan to marry.

This brings me to him and Anna...I still don't believe there is any love there. If any thing, as this story has progressed it continues to show the unhappiness that is surrounding the two of them. In this section it talks, numerous times, about how Anna dresses and concerns herself with her looks. She believes this is the only way she will keep Vronsky. His boredom and desire for "masculine freedom" seem typical of the men in this novel. I think my concern came about when he mentions being tired of Anna's responses to him. It's like he feels smothered by her. They put on a good show of love and greatness when friends are around but that doesn't hold up when they are alone. I predict a downward spiral.

C wrote: "I am in the camp that believes that Alexis Karenin really does love Anna but either his upbringing or the ways of the society do not let him show it. Tolstoy tells us more than once that Alexis was..."

I agree 100 %. I thought the same thing about the horse too! I made a thread about it under foreshadowing, if you would like to discuss it. :)

I am slo in the belief that majority of the characters have misinterpreted what love is...is this a theme of Tolstoy's?

Pralines

Alex wrote: "Lisa wrote: "To me the terrible person is the one who would've secretly felt a lot for Anna, but would've still strung Kitty along to have something going on the backburner. Anxious to hear your th..."


For me, I guess I would be considered culturally conservative. I am not a fan of men or women who act like Vronsky no matter what society holds as acceptable. I believe it devalues a person and their heart to treat love/affection/another being that. It puts more focus on an ego than on the soul.

Men

Great idea Danae! I will post some up soon for sure. The highlight feature on my kindle has been used a lot with this read. :)

Vintage

Vinyl

Rice

sleep in

lol awesome


Kurt Cobain