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Part 2, Chapter 19
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Anna Karenina, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Marriage and Family Life
Adultery and Jealousy
Physical Activity and Movement
Society and Class
Farming and Rural Life
Compassion and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
Vronsky lives in a cottage with Petritsky, his young, carousing friend; Petritsky is still asleep in the midafternoon when Vronsky and the captain arrive. The captain requests a drink, but Vronsky says that he has to get to the stables, although he and his friends both know that he is also going to visit Anna. First, however, Vronsky reads a letter from his mother reproaching him for not visiting and a note from his brother that says that he wants to speak with him.
Vronsky lives with his young, irresponsible friends, rather than leading a settled, stable lifestyle. Although Vronsky does not say to his friends that he is going to see Anna before the race, he doesn’t need to––they all know the subtext. Vronsky has also been ignoring his family in favor of his social life.
Themes
