Originally Posted by Karen 2nd October 2006


Meek says this about Anna:

http://www.barcelonareview.com/51/e_int.htm


JM: The thing about Anna is that she is the axis around which the book turns. She’s also a character that faces both ways. Mutz is a sensible, clever, thoughtful, self-aware man, but he lacks the passion and the fire, the hunger, the extremity of longing that Balashov and Samarin have. They have that, but they lack Mutz’s sense of proportion and caution, delicacy and restraint. Anna understands that it’s much better to be like Mutz, but she also can’t deny the part of her that yearns for people like Samarin and Balashov, even though they end up treating her very badly. So, in that sense, she’s a fuller human being, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy, because she’s flawed. Whichever way she moves, she knows it can be very difficult to find that balance. But that’s the situation that we’re all in, assuming you and I are normal, whatever that means.


So, what is Anna's importance in this story?

Herestoyou


She's important as the female figure in this male dominated story. These men all affect her life in major ways and she's left trying to sort out her own feelings/destiny as it relates to them. In addition, as Meek said, she sees something in all of these men that sometimes take her down the wrong path. Yes, she's a flawed character, but all of the characters in the book are flawed; it's a human condition. Our world tends to revolve around the male/female dynamic in many cases, so her role adds to the story of these different men. Also, in my opinion, women often look at the world differently than men, so her take on the war was interesting to read, too. Plus, if there wasn't this female presence in the book, I don't know if it would be as interesting to read. Imagine the book WITHOUT Anna in it.

Nurseanne8


Herestoyou you covered the question on the importance of Anna completely abd I have nothing to add except you are right the book would not be complete without her presence-and I am glad that you spoke up for women as a group-sometimes we tend to ignore how the power and impact women have on world events!! Anne r

Deppraved


I can't imagine this book without the character of Anna. Meek did a great job of portraying a woman's emotions. Any mother who has had to experience guilt can relate. Any daughter who has been at odds with her father can relate. Any woman who has been involved with self-centered men can relate.

How important is my favorite character?

Nurseanne8


Who is your favorite character?

Deppraved


Anna Petrovna...maybe because she is the female lead.

In other words, she is important because she is my favorite character--lame, I know, but true.

OOOH, can I play her?

Karen

Ohhh that's a tough one...

I am so conflicted about Anna, and for an author that's a good thing as they have you thinking about the character and trying to analyse them. But I have to say, I think I rather like ......hmmm...