A Source for Frou-Frou in Anna Karenina

Abstract

T HE HORSE race in Book II of Anna Karenina has long been recognized as a symbolic interpretation and foreshadowing of the Anna-Vronsky relationship in the novel. In what has become a classic commentary of the episode, R. P. Blackmur has pointed out Vronsky's failure keep up with the mare's pace, leading to her fall and destruction, forebodes the broken rhythm in the relationship between Vronsky and Anna.1 David Stewart has called the horse race one of the crescendoes in the novel, a scene that is accomplished in a short interval, complete in itself, satisfying, yet concealing still its ultimate fulfillment until we have completed the novel.2 Even the uninitiated reader recognizes Frou-Frou is more to Vronsky than a race horse. She is a dark bay mare, in the words of Tolstoy: not altogether free from reproach but she had in the highest degree the quality makes all defects forgotten. Her eyes were prominent, bright, spirited; about all her figure ... there was a certain expression of energy, and, at the same time, of softness (p. 217).3 Vronsky's relationship with her is symbiotic and suggestive: . the nearer he camie, the more excited she grew. Only when he stood by her head, she was suddenly quieter, while the muscles quivered under her soft, delicate coat (p. 217). The language recalls Vronsky's