Beyond Shining Eyes: A Philosophical Analysis on an Existentialist Anna

Beyond Shining Eyes: a Philosophical Analysis on an Existentialist Anna

The most complex character in Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, is the eponymous character. Her multifaceted vibrancy is depicted throughout the entire novel. Her emotions and passions are always so alive and intense. She is the quintessence of vivacity and joie de vivre. Anna Arkadyevna Karenina is an embodiment of existentialism according to the philosophies of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

Jean-Paul Sartre, arguably the most known existentialist today, believes that “existence takes priority over essence” (Gaarder 379). By this, he means that one should never let his life be dictated by anything other than his own personal judgment. Humans are, in fact, “free individuals, and this freedom condemns us to make choices throughout our lives” (Gaarder 380). Sartre emphasizes that each person should “never disclaim the responsibility for his actions” (Gaarder 380) nor should one “avoid the responsibility of making [his] own choices on the grounds that [he] ‘must’ . . . live up to certain . . . expectations regarding how [he] should live” (Gaarder 380). In Anna Karenina, particularly in the milieu of social butterflies where it is not uncommon for opinions to be borrowed, essence is ruled by social dictates. As a result, the decisions made by the people in high society cannot likely be done without taking into consideration the conventions of social mores. It is Sartre’s belief that these people “slip into the anonymous masses [and] will never be other than members of the impersonal flock, having fled from themselves into self-deception” (Gaarder 380). Among the members of the beau monde, it is, perhaps, only Anna herself that is bold enough to challenge society while simultaneously remaining entirely conscious of her actions and being accountable for the consequences thereafter. It is only she who is able to “live authentically or truly” (Gaarder 380), which is a characteristic that Sartre believes to be necessary. The pretentious world around her continues to dissemble and sham, but Anna simply cannot participate in this social farce. Anna’s maverick and non-conformist thoughts and actions epitomize what Sartre refers to as existentialism.

Tolstoy’s portrayal of Anna is very heroic: she is a martyr who eventually loses everything she has, including her beloved son, because she bravely chooses to defy society’s impositions. Her presence in itself is a challenge to society in that her free spirit, which ought to be condemned, is tucked behind the safety of her beauty. Anna is definitely more than the pretty face that society demands her to be; she is, both in existence and in essence, an entire human person.

Sartre’s philosophy revolves principally around the purpose of existence. He insists that the meaning of life is determined and defined by the paths