Classics for Beginners discussion

Anna Karenina is divided into 8 Parts. This thread is for Parts 1 & 2. Please discuss ONLY parts 1 and 2 in this section. If you mention something that you think might be a spoiler for other readers, please use spoiler html if necessary. Here is how to create a spoiler :

spoiler html= <**spoiler**> (if using don't include the **)

How is marriage portrayed in this section? Does it bring happiness?What do you think of Stiva and his behavior?

What is the train a symbol of? As you read through the book, see if that symbolism changes.

How is Anna describe in the beginning? Is she a sexy vamp? Why does she dance with Vronsky?

What do you think is the meaning of the very first sentence, which is "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

As you read the book, see if there are any happy families.

It would be interesting to know what everyone's first impressions are of this book. What do you already know about it? What do you think it's going to be like? What do you think of the main characters so far?

I know my thoughts about the characters changed completely by the end of the book.

☯Emily wrote: "How is marriage portrayed in this section? Does it bring happiness?What do you think of Stiva and his behavior?"
Marriage in this book is a necessary, if in this case, evil straight jacket for both. For women, however, as this was their main way of economic security, more than for men.

☯Emily wrote: "How is Anna describe in the beginning? Is she a sexy vamp? Why does she dance with Vronsky?"
I see her more as a very emotional women, whose sexuality was never fully explored, which made her perfect for Vronsky to exploit. I think this can still be said for women who fall for men like this even now and the Vronsky's of this world can smell them a mile off.

I have read a little over 150 pages, and I am struggeling with it. The language is easy-going, but the number of characters/names is very high. I have not got the right "feeling" for reading it yet.

The main problem with Russian literature is the names. I found a listing of the main characters. There might be some spoilers in the descriptions. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/anna/c...