Karenin Tolstoy Quotes

I think we can only defend Karenin in the fact that he found out (too late) that his wife was cheating on him, because to him it never occurred that his wife will be head over heels for another man since he “had complete assurance that his wife would always love him … he felt no distrust, because he had trust” (2.8.142). Adultery is something no one wants to be part of, because it can have a strong psychological and physical effect on that person to which it was done. In a marriage trust and respect is very important as Tolstoy has let us know through the novel, but when this is torn apart it can cause serious repercussions, and Karenin in this case was the victim. However, Karenin was no saint nor a good husband, he only care for his work
As explained in the last two paragraphs of (5.21.506), the novel punishes Karenin because of his lack of feelings by taking away his career as an official which he was so proud off and which was controlling him, however it was not just a punishment since it helps him to open to a new path, which was religion, which allow him to forgive Anna for her adultery as explained in (4.17.414), but also to love her step-daughter Annie. However, Tolstoy didn’t like the type of religion that Karenin was following, because he was following a dangerous religion that convinces people that they are better than anyone else since they have God on their side, but also that they can do anything they want, which to Tolstoy was like if Karenin who for a moment experienced real religion when he forgave Anna and he knew, was now just supporting his ego, but society was not going to be so passive about it, and will not let him stay like