Anna Karenina Summary Sample on the Epigraph Meaning

What exactly is the Epigraph Meaning for Understanding the Anna Karenina Novel Idea?

The epigraph to the well-known novel Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy sounds the following: “Vengeance is mine; I shall repay. ” The critics of the book widely discussed its idea and significance. Nevertheless , the point is not only this an adequate perception of the fundamental ideas with this work is impossible with no understanding of this is of the epigraph. Ab muscles content of the epigraph is notably mysterious and adjusts it self to several interpretations simultaneously. None the less, despite the likelihood of a narrow and broader interpretation, ab muscles idea of the epigraph violates many dilemmas of the social relations of society in which events unfold, the fundamental facets of human life and the best to choose.

To start with, the epigraph provokes controversy since the author repeatedly reviewed the drafts of the novel and only at the conclusion approved the last version by which this epigraph was present (Fort 12). Therefore , it's reasonable to assume that the author has invested a unique meaning inside. Indeed, the epigraph could be the most controversial since Tolstoy does not mention where that he took it, although for each concurrent reader the knowledge of the quotation was self-evident. Most genuinely believe that it is from the “Epistle to the Romans, ” and this is of it advice avoiding revenge as well as carries this is of forgiveness and Christian love, even towards enemies (Rom. 12. 19). For that reason it is possible to assume that the entire world is organized correctly, on reasonable grounds, and each will receive what he/she deserves irrespective of efforts.

None the less, there were also authors convinced that the epigraph refers not to the Gospel, but to the works of Schopenhauer because Tolstoy used to be fond of this thinker. For that reason critics assume that Tolstoy considered pessimistic views on life and understanding of life itself as evil and suffering (Avalon 5). Particularly, it is possible to refer Schopenhauer’s pronouncements on punishment that nobody is authorized to act as a purely moral judge. Therefore , inspite of the variants of the interpretations, it remains common that Tolstoy introduced the idea that the person can not judge anybody, only God has the directly to claim justice that people deserve.

More over, in his novel, Tolstoy treat the characters whilst the Old Testament God. Mcdougal loves characters not due to their virtues, however for the fullness of living life, for the strength of dedication, for the capacity to act despite reason, benefit, or wise practice. Take what you need and pay it off – this really is probably the meaning of the novel. Tolstoy does not condemn Anna. If she had refused to love, her life might have been meaningless. Nor does he condemn Vronsky, whom only the tragic love and death of the beloved made a man in the full sense of the phrase. The author doesn't give any hope to Levin, does not guarantee Kitty’s family happiness, leaves Dolly and Stiva with very debateable prospects. All of this suggests that you were only liberated to give meaning to their life, therefore it is only a question of personal choice and personal responsibility. The final of the novel says: “my life now, my life time apart from something that can happen in my experience, every minute of it's no more meaningless, as it was before, however it has the positive meaning of goodness, that we have the ability to put in to it” (Tolstoy and Garnett 1759).

Consequently, people are liberated to invest any meaning in life, with no one will constitute that sense for them. Nevertheless , everyone only needs to keep in mind that we will need certainly to answer with this choice, and never as we think, but whilst the Higher Power decides, that will be beyond our control. Some one will call it God, someone will call it life. Appropriately, the main concept of ​​the novel is that individuals are free and even obliged to choose. Otherwise, the life will continue to be meaningless; and the retribution for this choice will be performed not based on ours, but according to higher laws.

The epigraph concentrates in itself and the socially accusatory pathos. Thus, the so-called high society won't have the right to condemn Anna. According to Tolstoy’s standards, she was right, for she lived with full dedication and paid in full measure. Levin was right aswell, and although that he considered confused and complicated way, it absolutely was complete and honest. In general, people would not have the power to evaluate Tolstoy’s heroes, since there is an author’s court over them, equal to God’s. Thus, everyone else who chooses and pays is acquitted for this author’s court. Consequently, all those who're cowards and hypocritical like Karenin and Countess Lidia Ivanovna are punished. It is a cruel moral, but there's absolutely no another one either in the novel nor life.

Ergo, Tolstoy’s novel forces every reader to rethink this is of life, as well as the nature of the option and its role. In turn, the epigraph reveals that one must not condemn others because you will find God’s will and life circumstances which could make sure that every person will receive what he/she deserved.

Works Cited

Avalon, Jillian. “”Life And Death: Spiritual Philosophy In Anna Karenina”. ” Claremont McKenna College. N. p., 2013. Web. 20 Sept. 2017.
Fort, Christopher. “The Epigraph To Anna Karenina And Levin. ” Tolstoy Studies Journal 23 (2011): 12. Web. 20 Sept. 2017.
The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha, Oxford UP, 2009.
Tolstoy, Leo, and Constance Garnett. Anna Karenina. Planet PDF. Print.