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Leo Tolstoy (9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910)

Leo Tolstoy (9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910). By: Lysie Eldridge. http:// russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/literature/leo-tolstoy /. Early Years. Born in Yasnaya Polyana, in the Tula Province of Russia to Princess Volkonskaya and Count Nikolay Tolstoy

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Leo Tolstoy (9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910)

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  1. Leo Tolstoy(9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910) By: Lysie Eldridge http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/literature/leo-tolstoy/

  2. Early Years • Born in Yasnaya Polyana, in the Tula Province of Russia to Princess Volkonskaya and Count Nikolay Tolstoy • Went to live with aunt after passing of both parents http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Lev_Nikolayevich_Tolstoy_1851.jpg

  3. Early Years • Received his primary education from French and German tutors • He enrolled in an Oriental languages program at the University of Kazan in 1843

  4. Adult Life • He left the university in 1847 and attempted to become a farmer, which he failed at • Convinced by his brother, Nikolay, to join the army, he fought in the Crimean War from November 1854 through August 1855 http://www.biographyonline.net/writers/leo-tolstoy.html

  5. Adult Life • Established himself as a moral and religious leader toward the last 30 years of life • Received rewards of international acclaim • Disagreement with his wife over his spiritual beliefs led him to going on a pilgrimage with his daughter, Aleksandra, in October 1910, where he died

  6. Writing Highlights • First started to write in a journal after he began farming where he poured out thoughts • Used current events to examine war, religion, feminism, and other related topics • His first great novel, War and Peace, reflected on Napoleonic wars and included satire of historical laws • Wrote his works on the genre of realism http://www.amazon.com/War-And-Peace-Signet-Classics/dp/0451530543

  7. Writing Highlights • Incorporates his own ideas and beliefs in his works • Wrote about events that had been going on in the world • His own crisis on spiritual beliefs were expressed in Anna Karenina • Expressed his ideas clearly and concisely in his works • Went into great detail in writings to thoroughly express the thoughts of the characters

  8. Historical and Cultural Context of Anna Karenina • Expresses Russian society in the Great Reforms • Tolstoy’s own personal transformations expressed through his character Levin • Serfs in the late 1800’s lived difficult lives, discussion on their education, lives, and farming techniques were a major theme discussed throughout novel http://www.toptenbooks.net/top-ten-books-all-time

  9. Historical and Cultural Context of Anna Karenina • Great Reform(1855-1881): • Lack of technological and industrial advancement • Alexander II attempted to end serfdom, which was opposed by many of the land owning nobility • Shift towards individualism • Debate over women’s rights http://moviecarpet.com/new-anna-karenina-images-have-landed-2012-10-05.html

  10. Analysis Of Anna Karenina*Spoiler Alert* • Strong use of symbolism in novel • One of most significant was the train • Used to represent the impending failure of the love affair between Count Vronsky and Ana • First introduced to the symbol when Anna and Vronsky first meet at the train station. A man was killed by jumping in front of the train. Anna referred to this incident as a “bad omen” • From then on the two carry on a rocky relationship filled with jealousy and unsure feelings between each other • You then see a train at the end of their relationship, and Anna’s life. She believed that Vronsky didn’t love her anymore and was cheating on her. On her way to go see and talk to him at his mothers, at the train station Anna remembers the man who jumped on the day they met. So to spite him, and make him feel how much he loves her, she jumps

  11. Analysis Of Anna Karenina • Several themes from the novel • Importance of Family Life • Positives • Levin builds up his family from originally nothing. Develops a closer relationship with his brother and is with him through his death • Difficulties • Limits individual freedom especially with Oblonsky and Levin. Anna must decide between her son and Vronsky. Anna loses meaning of life with the loss of her family • Social Change • Women’s rights • Talked about during a dinner conversation as well as talked about with the arrangement of marriages • Change in the things that people valued- old ideas to new freethinking and independent ideas • Seen when Levin tries to modernize his farming technique and in the council meetings

  12. Context of Excerpt fromAnna Karenina Dolly is married to Stiva Oblonsky, the brother of Anna Karenin. He had had an affair with their old countess. After Dolly found out of the affair she was very upset and wanted nothing to do with him. Oblonsky called upon his sister to help them reconcile. After helping the two work things out, she returns to her husband, and government official , Alexis Karenin, and son, Seryohza. Upon her return she begins an affair with Count Alexis Vronsky, a man she met when visiting her brother. The two carry out the relationship, and Anna in turn learns she is pregnant. After Anna’s husband learns of the affair, he allows it to carry on as long as Vronsky doesn’t come to their home and his reputation isn’t ruined by it. After crossing Vronsky at his house, Karenin wants a divorce but Anna refuses. Vronsky asks for Dolly’s help to convince Anna to carry through with it.

  13. Summary of Excerpt Anna meets up with Dolly to ask her opinion on the situation of her affair and the way she is living. They discuss Anna getting a divorce with Karenin and marrying Vronksy. Also, how Vronksy suffers from his position but endures it for Anna. The discussion of children also comes into play. Anna can’t dream of putting a child in the position where they would bear a strangers name and be ashamed of their parents. She can’t cant ask for a divorce because her husband wouldn’t give her one, and even if she did it would mean acknowledging her guilt to a man she hates as well as completely giving up her son.

  14. ExcerptInterior Monologue Definition: A piece of writing expressing a characters inner thoughts, feelings, and impressions Illustration from excerpt: pg 762 “For her this was one of those discoveries that leads… to simple a solution for too complicated a problem

  15. ExcerptMotifs Definition: A repeated element or theme Example: Mirrors being a motif in Hamlet Examples from novel: Adultery- Oblonsky with his countess Anna and Vronsky Forgiveness-Dolly forgives Oblonsky for the affair Anna begs Karenin for forgiveness after almost dying while giving birth Illustration from excerpt: Adultery- Anna’s affair with Vronsky is brought up in the discussion of the divorce Forgiveness- Getting a divorce from her husband would mean Anna acknowledging her guilt to her husband and wanting forgiveness for it, something she cant do

  16. Excerpt Rising Action Definition: Series of events that build up to the climax Example: In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Poole coming to Mr. Utterson to help figure out what was wrong with Dr. Jekyll was rising action Illustration from excerpt: This scene is rising action it gives insight into the complicated nature of the relationship between Anna and Vronsky. Also, how Anna feels she has to sacrifice many things to have him and keep his love

  17. Love and Hate in Excerpt • Love: -Anna doesn’t want to have anymore children, because she is afraid that their love wouldn’t be the same with children. She can either be pregnant and ill, or a committed and faithful companion. Her love for Vronsky is stronger than the alternative -The two people Anna loves more than anything are her son, Seryozha, and Vronksy. It pains her that no matter what she does in this situation, she cant unite the two into her life • Hate: -Anna can’t imagine asking her husband for a divorce. It would mean that she acknowledges she feels guilty in her having an affair . She can’t fathom the idea of admitting this to the man she hates more than anything -Anna is afraid of bearing children and having them hate her for the life she is bringing them into -Brief mention of Kitty hating Anna for taking Vronsky from her

  18. Fun Facts on Tolstoy • Gandhi and MLK were influenced by Tolstoy’s philosophy on nonviolent resistance to evil • Character Levin was based on himself • Gave away much of the wealth he inherited because he thought he was unworthy of it • Had a special interest in Buddhist philosophy http://thebluegrassspecial.com/archive/2010/november10/leo-tolstoy-one-hundred.php

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