Tolstoy’s masterpiece is an unforgettable – some say life changing – exploration of fate and freewill, the nature of happiness and suffering, punishment and forgiveness, class, power and subjection, love and illicit desire, good and evil. In many respects it was Tolstoy’s crowning achievement. We examine its intricate structure, its revolutionary ideas and its enduring relevance.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Tolstoy L., Anna Karenina (available via Project Gutenberg's website)

COURSE OUTLINE

• The world of “Anna Karenina”
• Tolstoy’s exploration of love, desire, power, corruption and happiness
• The style and structure of the novel

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Know the significance of the novel
2. Gain an understanding of the key ideas (power, desire, love, happiness etc.) in the novel
3. Analyse and understand its form and structure
4. Evaluate its enduring popularity and relevance