Pre-Bolshevik Russian Lady of Leisure #1 (in French, of course):"Darling, you look absolutely ravishing. What are your plans for the day?" Lady #2: "Oh I don't know...Maybe after counting my tiaras, I'll recline on my mink couch, act dainty, and oppress the servants. When that grows tiresome, perhaps I'll read a long epic by that Tolstoy fellow to pass the time. Care to join me, dear?"

Lady #1: "But that's what we do every day."

Lady #2: "Of course it is! We're Pre-Bolshevik Russian Ladies of Leisure!"

This book is over 800 pages long. Perhaps if I had that much time on my hands, I would have enjoyed it more. But the fact is: I didn't. I read this book for pleasure, but after the first 400 pages, I felt I was drowning in superfluity. If it weren't for the richness in scenery, I would have thrown Karenina down in defeat.

Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is a respectable society women who leaves her bureaucrat husband and their only child to pursue a scandalous affa

dispel the rumors that he has attempted suicide which is an indication of his shame. Whereas Anna and Karenin have passively sought death's inviting arms, Vronsky has taken action. For Vronsky, there is no alternative but death. He cannot leave the woman he loves, and it is doubtful that he could challenge Karenin to a duel and act upon his own intentions. Even though suicide is the coward's escape, it is an escape nonetheless.

Eventually, Anna's jealousy and angst get the best of her, but despitethis, she is a rich character whose stubborn determination in pursuing bad choices make her unforgettable at least.

ir with the much more exciting Count Vronsky, with whom she eventually has a child and travels across Europe in a sort of a scandalous exile.

Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy, is a saga of love, agony, and deceit. Yet, within the intricacy of these ideas lies an unmistakable, underlying theme of death. Death is influential and weighs upon the minds of many of the characters. The inextricable situations and conflicts that possess the characters of Anna Karenina are the components that highlight the central theme of death. Death is entirely imminent throughout the novel by several references; Anna, Vronsky, Nikolai, and Karenin refer to death as a respite, as a source of comfort, and as a solution.

Tolstoy also weaves into Karenina the story of Konstantin Levin, but good and simple man who, though torn with a question of faith in God, is probably the happiest character in the book. He marries the rosy-cheeked and fragile

Some common words found in the essay are:
Anna Karenin, Anna Karenina, Vronksy Anna, Lady Leisure, Karenin Vronsky, Leo Tolstoy, Karenin Anna, Ladies Leisure, Eventually Anna's, Konstantin Levin, anna karenina, anna karenin, death death, day lady #2, anna's death, pre-bolshevik russian, death hope, day lady, lady #2, theme death, theme death death,
Approximate Word count = 1037
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)