Divine Retribution: The Themes of Vengeance and Hypocrisy as They Relate to the Epigram in Anna Karenina

	“Vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I shall repay”. It is with these words that Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy begins what is arguably one of his most famous literary works, Anna Karenina. Perhaps never before in literary history has an epigram so aptly captured the essence of an entire novel. Indeed, it is these dual themes of hypocrisy and vengeance that pervade much of Tolstoy’s work. Much like an artist’s painting reflects the artist himself, Anna Karenina provides the reader with a brief glimpse into Tolstoy’s beliefs and views. Moreover, it is in this sense that Tolstoy is able to use his novels as a sort of literary canvas with which he is able to clearly express his inner sentiments and religious ideas. Indeed, religion has had a profound impact on society throughout the ages, and thus, it comes as no surprise that Tolstoy’s Catholic upbringing had a similar impact on much of his literary work. It becomes evident that Tolstoy’s views on hypocrisy and vengeance in society are influenced largely by his faith. Essentially, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is an expression of Tolstoy’s views on hypocrisy and vengeance as well as his religious view that it is God’s place to punish sinners, not society’s. 
	The full text of the epigram can be found in the Bible in the book of Romans, chapter twelve, verse nineteen.  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord”. This statement serves as a message to all Christians that God’s punishment of sinners is inescapable and inexorable, a major theme that runs throughout much of Tolstoy’s work; however, it becomes evident that in Anna Karenina few characters actually take this biblical message to heart. This is overwhelmingly evident in Tolstoy’s portrayal of Russian society. After her affair is brought to light, Anna Karenina is essentially excluded from Russian society. “But not only those old ladies, almost everyone in the room, even the Princess Myakaya and Betsy herself, looked several times in the direction of the couple as though that were a disturbing fact” (Tolstoy 128).  Furthermore, the theme of hypocrisy is evident in Russian society as well. In the initial part of the novel, members of Russian high society have a conversation about adultery. Many of them, despite being married, continue to have extramarital affairs. “‘They ought to find out how to vaccinate for love, like smallpox. I was in love in my young days with a deacon,’ said the princess Mykaya. ‘I don’t’ know that it did me any good. No; I imagine, joking apart, that to know love, one must make mistakes and then correct them,’ said Princess Betsy. ‘Even after marriage?’ said the ambassador’s wife playfully. ‘It’s never too late to mend’” (Tolstoy 125). Despite the fact that several of the women in Russian society are having affairs themselves, they still exclude Anna from society when her extramarital affair with Vronsky is brought into the light.
	The character of Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonksy is another prime example of hypocrisy in society. Anna Karenina opens with a detailed account of how Oblonksy’s affair with a French governess shakes the family to its very foundation.  “Everything was in confusion in the Oblonsky’s house. The wife has discovered that the husband was carrying on an intrigue with a French girl, who had been a governess in their family, and she had announced to her husband that she could not go on living in the same house” (Tolstoy 1). Luckily for Oblonsky, his sister Anna arrives and is able to quickly mend the relationship between Oblonsky and his wife Dolly. Oblonsky swears he will never be unfaithful to his wife again; however, Oblonsky continues to have extramarital affairs, despite his promise to Dolly. Furthermore, Stephan Oblonsky demonstrates his hypocrisy during a conversation with Anna Karenina’s wife, Alexy Karenin. “‘Yes, I imagine that divorce--yes, divorce,’ Stepan Arkadyevitch repeated, reddening. ‘That is from every point of view the most rational course for married people who find themselves in the position you are in. What  can be done if married people find that life is impossible for them together? That may always happen’”(Tolstoy 396). Oblonsky actually manages to tell Anna’s husband that the should divorce Anna due to her extramarital affair with Vronsky, when he himself continues to have affairs outside of marriage. This stark contrast between what is said in public and what is done in private is a prime example of hypocrisy within the pages of Anna Karenina. 
	Tolstoy further addresses the theme of vengeance through the title character of the novel, Anna Karenina. Ultimately, Anna takes the ultimate ‘vengeance” upon herself for her horrible sins by taking her own life. “And exactly at the moment when the space between the wheels come opposite her, she dropped the red bag, and drawing her head back into her shoulders, fell on her hands under the carriage, and lightly, as though she would rise again at once, dropped on to her knees. and a the same instant she was terror- stricken at what she was doing. ‘Where am I? What am I doing? What for?’ She tried to get up, to drop backwards; but something huge and merciless struck her on the head and rolled her on her back. ‘Lord forgive me all!’ she said, feeling it impossible to struggle” (Tolstoy 692). Anna essentially punishes herself for her sins by throwing herself under the wheels of a running train. As evidenced in the epigram, it is Tolstoy’s view that the punishment of sinners should not be placed in human hands, but rather in the hands of God. It is in this sense that Anna Karenina becomes a sort of example to the reader of what not to do. Anna sought atonement for her sins in the wrong manner. Such atonement is not attainable through the taking of one’s life, but through faith in God and confession of one’s sins.
	In the end, Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel, Anna Karenina, serves as a sort of beacon that warns society about several of its most serious faults, namely hypocrisy and vengeance. By using characters who are imperfect and sinners, Tolstoy not only adds more depth to his novel, but also gives his audience prime examples of what not to do. Through the inherent manifestation of these common human flaws in several of his characters, Tolstoy is able to subtly urge his readers not to take the path of sin. Undoubtedly, Tolstoy’s involvement in the Russian Catholic Orthodox church had much influence upon the writing of this novel. Ultimately, Anna Karenina was, and still is, a poignant example of how these flaws can bring about the downfall of an individual such as Anna herself. It is only through faith in God that one can hope to correct these flaws, and in the process become a better member of society. 

Works Cited

Tolstoy, Leo. Anna Karenina. Barnes & Noble Books: New York City, New York, 1997.