The Modernity of Anna Krenina

So a while back ago we had the previliedge of sitting down and listening to the thrilling discussion on the idea of the Modernity of Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. Scholar Rosamund Bartlett gave the lecture as a focus on the idea of connectivity and relationship as well as infidelity and the breakdown of family. She wove the idea that trains symbolized these ideals as being a literal representation of the wrongness in society as seen by Tolstoy. Even Anna's ultimate suicide by train symbolizes Tolstoy's fear that society will suffer the same fate; modernize itself to death and degradation. Although repulsed by trains, Tolstoy cannot help but fascinate about them and the possibilities they bring.

I wish I would have read the book before the lecture, but Mrs. Bartlett still did a grand job for non-readers. I sincerely thank her and hope there will be more lectures of this nature soon to come.