Question by Idyllic: In Leo Tolstoys Anna Karenina, why is she and other characters named ‘Mme’?
Is Mme another name for her? Other characters also have this name. Whats up with that?! Im reading the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
Answers and Views:
Answer by Gravedigger
It’s short for “Madame”.
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Annabella says
It means "Madame" and is the French word for "Mrs", because at the time, the upper classes in Russia spoke French.
The Ropes says
Yup, it's short for Madame – sign of respect.