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Part 3, Chapter 21
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
So as not to be recognized, Vronsky uses another man’s hired carriage instead of his own to meet Anna. He is joyful and eager to see her. Anna informs Vronsky that she has told Karenin everything. Vronsky immediately believes that a duel is inevitable, but Anna misinterprets his stern expression and believes that she has offended him.
Vronsky and Anna don’t communicate well silently, which, in the novel, is a sign that the relationship lacks a fundamental core, as Tolstoy always trusts nonverbal communication over words.
Themes
Vronsky says that Anna must divorce Karenin. Anna says that this is impossible because of her son. Anna and Vronsky both feel wretched and at fault for the whole affair.
Vronsky doesn’t care about the social implications of a divorce for Anna: he only thinks about how the relationship will work best for his own needs.
Themes
