Previous
Part 3, Chapter 20
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
Petrisky comes into the cottage that he and Vronsky share and says that Serpukhovskoy has arrived; there is a raucous party for Serpukhovskoy at the commander’s house. Serpukhovskoy argues to Vronsky that women are the main obstacle in a man’s career and drive for ambition. Vronsky replies that Serpukhovskoy has never been in love. Vronsky then receives Betsy’s note and says that he must leave.
Once Vronsky has rationalized that Anna’s love for him is an extremely powerful tool that fits within the organization of his ambitions, he is able to remain aloof. Just as Anna commands charisma at the party by cherishing her secret with Vronsky, so Vronsky is not affected by Serpukhovskoy’s success because he has his secret with Anna.
Themes
