Additionally, Stiva’s friend, Konstantin Levin, has come to visit with the intention of asking Stiva’s sister-in-law to marry him. While the household is in complete chaos, Stiva receives word that his sister, Anna, will be visiting them. While Anna Karenina certainly embraces elements of naturalism-as seen in its realistic depictions, such as that of childbirth- it also showcases Tolstoy’s desire to stimulate the intellect, which was not always a goal of naturalism.Īnna Karenina opens with a family crisis resulting from an adulterous relationship in the Oblonsky household between Stiva Oblonsky and the family’s governess. Naturalism was a push against the romantic era, renouncing the subjective, emotional style of romanticism for what was perceived as a more true, objective description of life and humanity. Tolstoy was known as a naturalist writer. The story was subsequently published as a three-volume novel the following year. The magazine published installments through 1877. Leo Tolstoy began writing Anna Karenina as a serial story published in the Russian magazine Russian Messenger in January 1875.

Today, we will start with Anna Karenina, written by Leo Tolstoy. I’m Alisa Miller, and together, we will explore ten works of influential world literature, moving from earliest to latest by publication date, and examine how they make a difference in the world. Welcome to this course on literary masterpieces and why they matter. Episode #1 of the course Masterpieces of world literature and why they matter by Alisa Miller

Anna karenina by leo tolstoy 1878