Anna and Gurov quickly fell in love. Gurov realized in the middle of the story that he was in love with her and traveled to her hometown to visit her and tell her how he felt, which is the most romantic thing he did in the story. Anna and Gurov did everything they could to see each other, which creates the second theme of deception. The two main characters would sneak behind their spouses' backs to have their secret affair. Anna even lied to her husband and told him that she was sick just to see Gurov. The two themes clash because they are romantic with themselves, but they are creating distance between their spouses who they have been with for many years and who they should love