Question 1 from Oprah's book club, Part III
Trace the ways Anna has thought of her affair with Vronsky up to this point. Discuss what Anna says makes her happy and unhappy about her situation. Do you think she is being realistic or naive?
AK Daffodil Reading Group
Currently reading and discussing Anna Karenina, Oprah's book club selection. START AT THE BOTTOM in the right-hand column!
Daffodil Reading Schedule
| DATE | MILESTONE |
| 6/11 | Part One, Chapter XVIII-p 66 |
| 6/18 | Part One-p 115 |
| 6/25 | Part Two, Chapter XX-p 180 |
| 7/2 | Part Two-p 236 |
| 7/9 | Part Three, Chapter XVI-p 294 |
| 7/16 | Part Three-p 352 |
| 7/23 | Part Four-p 435 Halfway! |
| 7/30 | Part Five, Chapter XX-p 505 |
| 8/6 | Part Five-p 549 |
| 8/13 | Part Six, Chapter XVII-p 613 |
| 8/20 | Part Six-p 669 |
| 8/27 | Part Seven, Chapter XVIII-p 725 |
| 9/3 | Part Seven-p 768* |
| 9/10 | Finish Anna Karenina |
Previous Posts
- Finished part two!
- Back from the ballgame! On to part 2!
- What edition do you have?
- Question 8: Imagination vs. experience
- Question 7: Levin & Kitty vs. Anna & Vronsky
- Question 6: Things going double
- Question 4: Why are reading and living in opposition?
- Question 5: Compared to murderer?
- Question 3: Why can Anna reconcile?
- Question 2: What is this something?
1 Comments:
I think this has been one of the strengths of Tolstoy's writing -- he is masterful at explaining the thought processes of his characters. As Christians, I guess we've all realized that Satan often gets us to do things simply by getting us to think about them enough. Every divorce prevention book I've ever read talks about how important it is not to even *think* about being with someone else; it's the kiss of death in many cases.
I found myself wanting to tell Anna, "NO! Quit thinking about the possibility of being with this man! Quit thinking you can have this social, flirtatious relationship with him. THERE WILL BE A COST." And there has been a huge cost.
I was telling my dad about this book last weekend. Though some people would question the "rightness" to read a book that's primarily about adultery, the insight into the gradualness of this process has been good for me. It's been a reminder that I need to check my own thought life. Seeds of discontent can blossom into unwanted weeds.
I doubt seriously that when Anna thought about her unhappines with her marriage that she also thought, "Well, I'll just go find someone else." That unhappiness just shows through to others and presents opportunities to those who would take advantage of them.
Anyway -- I don't know if I've answered this particular question but there are my current thoughts.
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