Leo Tolstoy as one of the great misogynist - Book Report/Review Example

Literary critics who name Leo Tolstoy as one of the great misogynist use the argument of how Tolstoy developed the character of Anna and the other female characters unfavorably. But then, upon critical analysis, there is more depth given to the characters of Anna, Kitty and Dolly than the tragedies that happened to them. The first argument I have to raise is how Tolstoy developed the character of Anna as a woman that defies the prototype of female literary heroines at that time. It is evident in how Tolstoy depicted Anna's appearance when she first saw Vronsky at the train station.

Tolstoy focused not only on the physical attributes of Anna but as well as her spiritual aura. It must be noted that Vronsky was drawn not in Anna's beauty or figure but rather in her eyes. The manner of how Tolstoy characterized Anna is very crucial because it symbolizes the intellect and maturity of Anna which is far from the femme fatale portrayal of other adulteresses in romantic fiction. Tolstoy has built the character of Anna with such power and grandiose because of her beauty, intellect, and principles in life.

The decision of Anna to commit adultery and be with Vronsky was heeded by most people to be misogynistic because it is miserable for Anna to find true love when in fact she is already married. This may be indeed miserable but then the manner of how Anna handled this was far more than being misogynistic. When Anna met Vronsky, she was reluctant with the idea of having a relationship with him because of her marriage with Karenin. Anna's decision to finally give in to her feelings and be with Vronsky reflects an important breakthrough for women.

During the time when Tolstoy wrote the novel, women are expected by society to act properly and accordingly. They were not given much of power and are treated as somewhat like ornaments to men. Anna depicts the reality of a woman who searches for true happiness. Despite being shunned by the society that expects a woman to be loyal to her husband without truly loving him, Anna still chose to be with Vronsky. She realized that it is better for her to suffer and be with the person she loves than to be accepted by the society without being satisfied with her own life.

Tolstoy has given the character of Anna power over her life. It was evident that Anna was rejected by the very society from which she belongs and for some this reflects the misogynist in Tolstoy. I personally did not think the same because more than what the society has done to Anna, the most important thing is how Anna handled her own life. In the end, she still stood by her own happiness and chose to flee with Vronsky. Yet she never abandoned her responsibility as a mother. She would even secretly give a birthday present to her son which shows her maternal love.

It reflects Tolstoy's idea to not let the society dictate your own life. In this part, he encourages one to see beyond what the society dictates and look within oneself the true meaning of happiness whether as a lover or as a mother. With this, I say that Anna has succeeded in finding her own happiness and taking over her life. It is indeed an achievement for a woman especially during her time. Anna symbolizes the start of women's emancipation in the society.As Anna continues her search for freedom, she again faces problems regarding her motherhood.

She lost her custody of Seryozha and