In depicting Anna's affair with Count Vronsky, Tolstoy examines how unbridled passion can both liberate and destroy. The novel delves deep into the consequences of choosing desire over duty, showing how society's rigid moral codes and the characters' own internal struggles create an inevitable collision course toward tragedy.

Through multiple relationships, particularly Anna's loveless marriage to Karenin and Levin's pursuit of Kitty, the novel dissects the institution of marriage in aristocratic Russian society. Tolstoy contrasts artificial social conventions with genuine emotional connections, questioning whether true happiness can exist within society's prescribed boundaries.

Levin's spiritual journey serves as a philosophical counterpoint to Anna's emotional odyssey. His search for meaning through work, love, and faith represents a broader exploration of how individuals find purpose in life, particularly when confronted with society's changing values and modernization.