Is Frou-Frou's death a foreshadowing of Anna's in Anna Karenina?

Question

The only thing Vronsky loves more than Anna is Frou-Frou his horse.In the race he rides her too hard, she falls, and her back breaks. He kicks her in a rage trying to get her up and then shoots her when he realises she can't.At the same time Anna breaks down and loses all sense of propriety. Later in the coach home she confesses, unrepentantly to Karenin. From here on out her life is on the downhill road to her eventual death.Is the race symbolistic of what is to come?

Answer 1

Synbolism and foreshadowing are both devices but not the same thing. The horse race and death of the horse is symbolism. Tolstoy notes that Vronsky will remember what happened with Frou-Frou as the darkest moment of his life. This is the same day as he finds out he is having a daughter, yet, Vronsky, in his selfishness does not consider this to be as momentous.

Anna's death has already been forshadowed. Frou-Frou's death is symbolic of the change in fortunes for Vronsky and Anna. Up until this point, they could have gone back to their previous lives without serious repercussion.