Why didn’t Anna Karenina love her Daughter?

Anna Karenina did not love her daughter, Annie, because she did not have the same incentives to bond with her as she did with her son, Seryozha. Incentives are factors that motivate people to behave in certain ways or to pursue certain goals. In Anna’s case, her incentives to love her children were influenced by her economic, social, and emotional circumstances.

Anna loved Seryozha more than Annie for several reasons. First, Seryozha was her first child, whom she had with Karenin when she was still relatively happy in her marriage. She had a strong maternal attachment to him since his birth and spent a lot of time with him in his early years. She also saw him as a reflection of herself and her values, as he inherited her intelligence, sensitivity, and generosity. Seryozha was also the only person who loved Anna unconditionally and did not judge her for her affair.

Annie, on the other hand, was born out of wedlock as a result of Anna’s affair with Vronsky. She was a symbol of Anna’s sin and shame, and a reminder of the consequences of her actions. Anna did not have a strong maternal attachment to Annie since she was separated from her for a long time after her birth due to her illness and Karenin’s custody. She also did not spend much time with Annie in her later years, as she was busy with Vronsky and his social life. She also did not see Annie as a reflection of herself or her values, as she inherited Vronsky’s features and temperament.

Second, Seryozha was more valuable to Anna than Annie in terms of economic and social status. Seryozha was a legitimate son of Karenin, who was a wealthy and influential government official. He had a secure future and a respectable position in society. He also had the legal right to inherit Karenin’s property and title. Annie, on the other hand, was an illegitimate daughter of Vronsky, who was a poor and disgraced army officer. She had an uncertain future and a lowly status in society. She also had no legal right to inherit Vronsky’s property or title.

Third, Seryozha was more important to Anna than Annie in terms of emotional satisfaction and fulfillment. Seryozha was Anna’s source of joy and comfort in her lonely and miserable life. He was the only person who understood her feelings and shared her interests. He was also the only person who remained loyal to her despite her scandalous reputation and social exile. Annie, on the other hand, was Anna’s source of pain and guilt in her unhappy and restless life. She was the person who caused her to lose Karenin’s forgiveness and Seryozha’s custody. She was also the person who made Vronsky lose interest in Anna and seek other women.

Therefore, Anna did not love Annie because she did not have the same incentives to bond with her as she did with Seryozha. Her economic, social, and emotional circumstances made Seryozha more attractive and valuable to her than Annie.

Previous
Previous

Did Anna Karenina love Vronsky?

Next
Next

Why did Anna Karenina cheat on Karenin?