the central character of the play, fedor protasov, is tormented by the belief that his wife liza has never really chosen between him and the more conventional victor karenin, a rival for her hand. he wants to kill himself, but doesn't have the nerve. running away from his life, he first falls in with gypsies, and into a sexual relationship with a gypsy singer, masha. however, facing masha's parents' disapproval, he runs away from this life as well. again he wants to kill himself, but lacks the nerve; again, his descent continues.