"Anna Karenina" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story explores the complex emotional landscape of various characters, chiefly focusing on Stipan Arkadiewitsch Oblonsky, whose infidelity has caused chaos in his home life, creating an atmosphere of tension among his family and servants. The initial chapters set the stage for overarching themes of love, family dynamics, and societal expectations within the aristocratic circles of Russia.
The opening of "Anna Karenina" presents the tumultuous aftermath of Oblonsky's revelation of an affair with their children's governess, which leads to a fracture in his marriage with his wife, Darja Alexandrowna (Dolly). As Oblonsky reflects on his guilty feelings and the repercussions of his actions, he grapples with his internal conflict and feelings of despair over his family's turmoil. Simultaneously, the narrative introduces an array of secondary characters, serving to highlight the complexity of human relationships and the societal pressures that govern their actions. This initial conflict promises to set in motion the intertwining lives and fates of those involved, particularly as Oblonsky anticipates the arrival of his sister, Anna Arkadievna Karenina, whose entrance is likely to add further complications to the familial landscape. (This is an automatically generated summary.)