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
Dolly decides to take her children to communion to set a good example for them, and with the help of the children’s nurse, the task of making sure the children’s clothing is ready is completed. All goes well, except that one son is forbidden cake for disobeying the governess; when his sister sneaks him part of her dessert, however, Dolly finds the scene lovable. Everyone goes to the bathing house. Dolly bonds with some of the peasant women by talking about their children and domestic affairs.
Although Dolly is not sure how much she herself believes in the church, she wants to set a good example for her children. Tender domestic scenes ensue, and the children appear to be well and thriving—they all care about each other. Dolly finds herself connecting with the peasants through their shared experiences raising children and managing households.
Themes
