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 has not slept on the train either, but he feels invigorated and pleased with the impression that Anna has made on him. Other people look like distant objects to him. When the train arrives at Petersburg and Anna disembarks, Vronsky is somewhat surprised to see an actual husband in the flesh, but Vronsky can tell that she does not love Karenin.
Although Anna feels a pleasure tinged with guilt and fear, Vronsky’s excitement is purely invigorating. The realities of Anna’s life do not yet touch him––he considers their relationship alone, rather than its consequences on others. Vronsky does not consider how his actions impact others: he acts for himself.
Themes
Anna introduces Vronsky and Karenin to each other, and Vronsky asks if he might call on the Karenins. Karenin agrees, somewhat chillily. Karenin suggests that Anna pay their friend Countess Lydia Ivanovna a visit. Karenin sends Anna home in a carriage and returns to work.
Vronsky begins to insert himself into the Karenin household. Karenin does not like Vronsky, but he has no reason to distrust him yet. The Countess is one of the most important figures in Petersburg society.
Themes
