Idle Minds and Wagging Tongues: Conversation in Anna Karenina :: Essays Papers

Idle Minds and Wagging Tongues Conversation in Anna K arninaPerhaps one of the most striking scenes in Anna K arenina is that of heap and Levins silent declarations of love to each other, etched out cryptically in chalk on a card table, with each understanding innately the exact words the other was saying (362). With the relationship between Kitty and Levin serving as Tolstoys model for a strong and successful love, it go forths peculiar(a) that such a relationship should be founded on silence, and in such sharp contrast to the chatter of Society surrounding the couple at the party. How then(prenominal) are we to understand the significance of conversation in the novel, if the most sincere relationships and understandings are not founded upon dialogue, but on unspoken knowledge? Entire subplots and themes are conveyed through conversations between the charactersthe peasant problem and farm management, religion, marriage and faithfulness. Everyone is trying to grasp what a good li fe is, but the ideas expressed in conversation, however, appear quite often to contradict both the inner monologue of the characters and their actions, or fall pathetically short of expressing the power of the feelings of characters. For most of the characters, neither Society sarcasm nor intellectual discourse does justice to their real passions, and even personal exchanges are steeped in insincerity. Unless they find a means to express their passions any(prenominal) other way, they are doomed to a life of dissatisfaction at best, or a tragic end at worst.Within the opening conflict of the novelStivas passage of arms with the French governess and his wifes reaction when learning of itTolstoy first presents this tension between honesty and speech. Before Dolly and Oblonskys exchanges, Tolstoy interposes a short oppositeness between Oblonsky and his son, Grisha. Oblonsky is conscious of not caring as much for the boy as for the girl, but does his best to treat them both alike (7) . Although he says, sober morning to Grisha, Oblonskys words are insufficient to mask his inner feelings, and his actions betray him through a cold smile (7). Grisha, significantly, does not reply. To reply with some pleasantness would be to pretend that Oblonsky was sincere in his greeting, and Grisha is too nave to use speech to do anything but to tell the truth. Short of accusing his induce of not loving him, which he is already old enough to understand would be entirely inappropriate, he can only remain silent.