The Brothers Karamazov

(1879-80)

The Brothers Karamzov explores the big questions of life through the story of a highly dysfunctional "family": three sons basically neglected and abandoned by their father Fyodor. The oldest, Dmitry, is engaged to the beautiful Katerina Invanova yet irresistibly drawn to Grushenka, the same woman his wealthy lecherous buffoon of a father is lusting after. To make matters worse, Dmitry has given up rights to a future inheritance to finance his extravagances and now feels his father is cheating him. Perhaps the half brothers he is just getting to know can help resolve these problems. Ivan is a highly educated man who rejects the ideas of a creator God and an immortal soul. Alexey, the youngest, is a gentle spiritual man, apprenticed to the local monastery. How will these three very different brothers affect Smerdyakov, Fyodor's cook, who is also rumoured to be his illegitimate son? Will these family problems be resolved or go on to affect the whole community and the whole society? Read Fyodor Dostoevsky's last and possibly greatest novel to find out! --Submitted by Aloe

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This novel was Dostoevsky's last and finest work, telling the story of the four Karamazov brothers--each with his own distinct personality and desires. Exploring the secret depths of humanity's struggles and sins, Dostoevsky unfolds a grand epic which attempts to venture into mankind's darkest heart, and grasp the true meaning of existence.

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I came across these clips while looking for some material on Rene Girard. The Brothers Karamazov: Devils, Saints, and Scoundrels: Part 1: Hey, That's My Onion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDnlFITo-pA

Posted By Shatov at Fri 7 Aug 2009, 7:53 PM in The Brothers Karamazov || 0 Replies

The Brothers Karamazov: Chapter Five

In the beginning of this chapter, it is clear that Alyosha is greatly 'moved' by his brothers arrivals. Quickly, he becomes close to Dmitri (who, as we know, moved into the father's home) while he is distanced from his other brother, Ivan. Alyosha senses that Ivan is struggling toward an inner goal that makes him indifferent to the outside world. It is clear to the reader at this point that Alyosha's two brothers are as unlike as any two people can be, although it is also clear that Dmitri speaks highly of Ivan. Dmitri is 'embroiled' with his father in a conflict over the inheritance, and it is finally arranged that the parties involved will have a discussion about the inheritance (and other issues) in Zosima's cell. This entire idea makes Alyosha extremely nervous -- as he is studying under Zosima and does not want to 'make waves' with respect to the elderly man's opinion of himself. Alyosha understands all too well that his father will become a sarcastic member of the discussion and he also knows that Ivan is an atheist.

Posted By mea505 at Wed 1 Jul 2009, 9:46 AM in The Brothers Karamazov || 0 Replies

The Brothers Karamazov: Chapter Four

In this chapter, when Alyosha is about 20 years old, Dmitri moves in their father's residence, while Alyosha had been living in the monastery in the village where his father lived. Although Alyosha is religious, his character is depicted as being so not in the 'mystical or superstitious way,' but simply due to the ways in which he thought about humankind: an innate and generous love of his fellow man. In describing Alyosha, it is clear that he does not hate his father; he is never critical of him or unkind to him (but, perhaps his real thoughts are left to be discerned by the reader, not the author). It is also clear that almost everyone loves Alyosha, for despite the fact that he remains somewhat separated from all others in the chapter that describes his character, he displays a kind of blissful serenity. Alyosha has also been a very good and popular student in spite of his passive nature towards others and his seemingly innocent character. The only problem that he encounters as a student is the fact that other students often teased him with regard to his embarrassment when discussing members of the opposite sex. Alyosha grows close to Fyodor Pavlovich after he moves back to his father's town. Fyodor happens to be an important figure in Alyosha's early life, as he donates a great deal of his money to the monastery, that is, after he visits his mother's grave (something he knew nothing about until later in the chapter, at least with respect to the location). It is at this point that Alyosha informs us that he plans to enter the monastery and study under the elder Zosima.

Posted By mea505 at Wed 1 Jul 2009, 9:37 AM in The Brothers Karamazov || 0 Replies

The Brothers Karamazov: Chapter Three

In this chapter, as it unfolds to the reader, Fyodor Pavlovich gets married again, to Sofia Ivanovna (after he is able to rid himself of his first son, the four-year old Dmitri). This marriage lasts longer -- for a period of eight years. Sofia Ivanovna, different from his first wife, is a sixteen year old orphan, who was raised in another province, which happened to be a place where Fyodor Pavlovich just happened to have visited during a business trip. In spite of the fact that Fyodor Pavlovich remains drunk for the majority of the time, he is able to handle his finances in a shrewd manner and his own fortunes continue to increase. And, in this situation, Fyodor, once again, convinces his bride to be, Sofia Ivanovna, to elope with him, rather than become married in the traditional manner, which, it turns out, is totally against the wishes to her guardian. Fyodor Pavlovich treats Sofia in a deplorable way, holding orgies within the household; this causes Sofia to become nervous and hysterical, which leads Fyodor to call Sofia "the Shrieker." However, in spite of Sofia's disposition, she is able to give birth to two more sons, Ivan and Alexei, who is nicknamed Alyosha. Upon his fourth birthday, Sofia (his mother) dies, and the two additional children are taken care of by the same servant who cared for Dmitri. Later, Sofia's former guardian, who is a general's widow, takes care of all three children, until she, too dies. Before her death, however, she is able to leave funds that are to be used specifically for the children's education (Alyosha and Ivan). Ivan becomes a rather brilliant student and gains a certain degree of notoriety within the literature circles, particularly when he writes an article about the ecclesiastical courts (previously defined in a thread). Eventually, however, Ivan then moves to live with his father again, in spite of the shame that Fyodor causes him. It turns out, however, that this arrangement is actually by Dmitri (in part), who, after being told about his ruined inheritance, has requested that his brother join him and their father, hoping that Ivan might be able to help mediate the dispute (over the inheritance).

Posted By mea505 at Thu 25 Jun 2009, 4:40 AM in The Brothers Karamazov || 0 Replies

The Brothers Karamazov: Chapter Two

The First Son Sent Packing: Chapter Summary As soon as Adelaida Ivanovna flees from her marriage to Fyodor Pavlovich, Fyodor Pavlovich forgets all about his three-year-old son. For a year, a servant raises the neglected Dmitri. Dmitri is then passed around among a number of his mother's relatives, including her cousin, Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov. These relatives lead Dmitri to believe that he has inherited some of his mother's money and property, which is now in the care of his father. After a wild young adulthood and a stint in the army, Dmitri visits his father to learn the details of the inheritance. Fyodor Pavlovich evades Dmitri's questions and gives him a small sum of money to quiet him. After Dmitri leaves, his father successfully manipulates him by sending him other small payments, which lead Dmitri to believe that he has a sizable inheritance. But when Dmitri next visits his father, Fyodor Pavlovich tells him that he has paid out all of the money from his mother's inheritance, and that Dmitri might even owe a small sum to his father. Dmitri, stunned, quickly concludes that his father is attempting to cheat him, and he remains in the town to fight what he believes is his father's unwillingness to hand over the fortune that is rightfully Dmitri's. It should be interesting to readers that each character in Dostoevsky's quartet of personalities works as a foil, or contrast, for each of the others. Because the novel's philosophical themes are immediately connected to the personalities of its characters, the conflicts and contrasts between the main characters come to symbolize some of the most fundamental problems of human existence. The difference between Ivan and Alyosha, for example, represents the conflict between faith and doubt. Though none of these philosophical issues are given extensive treatment in this section, each of them, along with many others, is expanded and developed as the novel progresses. In the end, the story of the Karamazov brothers enacts a part of the drama of ideas on which civilization itself is based. For these reasons, and many more, it is important for all of those who are involved with this study to be sure to place their appropriate inputs as they choose and desire.

Posted By mea505 at Tue 23 Jun 2009, 4:42 AM in The Brothers Karamazov || 2 Replies

Genesis: "The Brothers Karamazov"/Chapter One

This is intended to be the first of many chapter discussions concerning the book, The Brothers Karamazov. All of those who are participating in this discussion are encouraged to post their individual replies. My own copy of The Brothers Karamazov was translated from the Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. Book One: A Nice Little Family In this chapter, Alexi Fyodorovich Karamazov, who is usually called Alyosha, is the third son of a brutish landowner by the name of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, who continues to remain famous for his dark and violent death. The narrator tells us the story of Fyodor Pavlovich's life. As a young man, he is known as a "loutish buffoon." He owns a very small amount of land and earns a reputation of "sponging off of other people." Nevertheless, he somehow manages to marry a very rich, beautiful and intelligent girl by the name of Adelaida Ivanovna Miusova, who convinces herself that eloping with a bold and sarcastic man like Fyodor Pavlovich is one of the most romantic things that she can do. After they are married, Adelaida Ivanovna realizes that she feels nothing but contempt for Fyodor Pavlovich, and when their son, Dmitri, is three, she runs away with a poor seminary student, leaving Fyodor Pavlovich with the boy, who begins to travel around the area, tearfully complaining about his wife's desertion. In his wife's absence, however. Fyodor Pavlovich turns his home into a harem and spends much of his time indulging in drunken orgies, financed by the fortune that he gained from Adelaida Ivanovna. It is when Fyodor Pavlovich hears about his wife's death due to starvation (or disease), he runs down the street, drunkenly celebrating his new-gained freedom. There is another version of this story, however, which says that Fyodor Pavlovich instead weeps like a child. The narrator tells us that both of the stories may be true -- for even wicked people like Fyodor Pavlovich are generally more naive and simple than one is inclined to suspect (he may have both wept and rejoiced concerning learning about his wife's death in a Petersburg garret. Book One provides a history of the major characters and their relationships, so the narrator can jump right into the main story in Book Two, without stopping to explain things as he goes to discuss the rest of the story. The Brothers Karamazov is a cross between a realistic novel and a philosophical record. The characters have extremely complicated and intricate psychologies, and yet they also represent certain ideas and concepts. This combination of realism and philosophical symbolism is evident in these chapters, as each meticulously drawn character comes to embody a more abstract set of concepts and beliefs. Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, the father, with his orgies and his abhorrent treatment of his wives and children, embodies amoral, obnoxious Epicureanism (or a commitment to seeking pleasure rather than living responsibly or virtuously). Ivan Karamazov's brilliant mind and burgeoning literary reputation embody the struggle to reconcile intellect with religious belief. Dmitri Karamazov's violent hatred of his father and uncritical love of his brothers stand in opposition to Ivan's critical faculties. Dmitri's character illustrates the effects of action based on emotion rather than on the intellect. Finally, Alyosha, whom Dostoevsky describes as the hero of the novel, is nearly the opposite of Fyodor Pavlovich. His love of mankind shows that is is innocent, pious, and virtuous without being mystical or fanatical. Of similar importance, there are several religious concepts in these chapters that may be unfamiliar to the modern reader, who may not be a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, to which the Karamozovs belong. First, the article for which Ivan has gained notoriety before the story begins deal with the question of ecclesiastical courts. These are simply courts of law that decide cases based not on the political laws that govern nations, but on religious law and the strictures within the church. Ecclesiastical courts in Russia that the time of the novel do not have the power to try or punish criminals. Ivan's article argues that ecclesiastical courts should be given authority over criminal prosecution and punishment because if criminals knew they were defying God when they committed their crimes, many of them would choose to obey the law. Given Ivan's reputation for religious doubt, many of the people who knew him suspect that he does not entirely believe his own argument. Ivan's argument is motivated not by a desire to punish, but, paradoxically, by compassion for mankind. He believes that without religious authority, people would ultimately descend into lawlessness and chaos. At the same time, because he does not believe in the church, Ivan rejects the notion of binding morality. His article is sincere in that he believes his recommendations would improve the human condition, but insincere in that he does not believe in the ideas and institutions under which his recommendations would be carried out. The article, and the larger debate about ecclesiastical courts, thus serves to offer a preliminary insight into the nature of Ivan's anguished mind: he is so committed to intellectual logic that he is led to advocate ideas he does not believe in his own heart. I understand that the above synopsis encompasses all of the chapters in Book One; however, the next posting, which will be called "Chapter Two" (appropriately) will discuss only chapter two. This is being provided for those readers who are already into, for example, book two.

Posted By mea505 at Mon 22 Jun 2009, 3:33 PM in The Brothers Karamazov || 0 Replies

What would be the point?

Many of those whom have already read my most recent thread concerning re-reading and re-evaluating the book, The Brothers Karamazov are probably thinking, well, what is the point? I would like to take the time to address such a response. Each time a book is re-read, new ideas most likely come forth; moreover, there will probably be new readers who would want to read the book for the first time, rather than merely read what others have already said about the book. These new and fresh ideas are valuable, and, in fact, I find it very useful at times to go back and re-read a book, especially one of this caliber because of this very reason. I would therefore like to entertain the possibility of approaching this book with that in mind: bringing forth new readers, new ideas, new interpretations regarding, perhaps, one of the most important authors who ever lived. So, consider this when responding to my post. I would like to initiate a new discussion about the book, The Brothers Karamazov with the idea of doing just that: allowing others to chime in, perhaps, even when they have read the book for the first time. Thanks. Mark:yawnb:

Posted By mea505 at Sat 13 Jun 2009, 8:42 AM in The Brothers Karamazov || 4 Replies

The Brothers Karamazov

Although I have already read the book, I am enticed to read it again, and would like to initiate a "new" discussion about it (I am not interested in reading an old discussion, as new ideas seem to come up as new members chime in). Anyone interested in starting such a new discussion about this marvelous book? In reading and reviewing this book, I want to discuss each and every chapter as we read it, to be sure that everything is totally absorbed and understood. Any takers?

Posted By mea505 at Fri 12 Jun 2009, 1:52 PM in The Brothers Karamazov || 15 Replies

Finally finished

After 9 months on and off (exhausting read). Thoughts... 1. I think you have to be christian to really like this book - I'm still a proud atheist LOL, never been religious so many of the references went over my head. 2. What do you think happened to Ivan and Mitka? Does the epilogue at the end foreshadow anything? Is alyosha speaking about ivan/Mitka and not Illushka at the funeral? Sad as I don't think either brother has that "happy childhood memory" Alyosha speaks of. Although Illushka dies it brings the children together and sad to say the guilty verdict is the closest the three brothers have been. 3. Does Illushka dying allude to ivan/dimitri dying - Alyosha's speech at times comes off as sappy until you realize he's probably going to go through one or both of their deaths in the immediate future, so part me thinks there's a purposeful mirroring of the boys to the brothers. I guess Kolya is a mini Ivan before Alyosha intervenes. Not so sure on Illyushka. 4. The Peasants stood up and voted Mitka guilty - that seemed to come from nowhere - what is the deal with that? It seemed like a briefly "thrown in" commentary not developed in the book and abandoned afterwards. Not quite sure on the moral of that comment ie "the peasants had their say". Is it greed on their part, envious of Mitka's lifestyle/Fyodor's well-to-do ness. Or maybe commenting on Mitka's greed, forgetting the needy until it is too late? That dream he had of the starving/homeless people also seemed like a random "throw in". 5. The prosecutor's speech - my god my most hated/boring chapters. Though it does help point out a strong moral of the book - sometimes a THOUGHT is just as powerful as A PESTLE. Mitka is guilty not of the murder, but being a base individual, and ditto for Ivan. Raskolnikov actually had to remorse over his murder because he was actually guilty, but Mitka's arch is quite different. I'd think he'd get furious at the injustice and it would cloud his recovery and salvation, but he seems defeated. I guess he accepts the fact he can't blame anyone for thinking he's guilty and recognized his character did him in...but part of me is still suspicious of him. 6. The writing itself (I read the Pevear version) - MY GOD was Dostoevsky paid by the word? I loved his other books, but this seems like a completely different writer. I know it was an innovative book at the time - one of the first novels to do so much character switching and narrator commentary. All Fyodor's other classics were known for being deep individual character studies, so this is quite different. But anyway... Garnett was criticized for omitting sections - I can honestly see why - I know changing a classic is frowned upon, but I'd love to see this book abridged...way too much supercilious descriptions etc. And a lot of awkward clause placements that could be more efficiently condensed. It's too easy to get confused to which character the pronouns (he / she) are referring to quite often. And a few mistakes, like Kolya's mother being 30, yet Kolya was born when she was 18 and he's now 13 and her husband died 14 years ago...odd math. There are some clunky sentences like "with an errand to her besides"...odd wording. I may not be sold on Pevear. I know it's supposedly close to the Russian as can be...but their word order, clause structure is not the same. I compared Monas' Crime and Punisment to Pevear's and thought Monas upstaged them - Pevear's reads like an android by comparison. I do plan on rereading this in the future (not the immediate future) but may pick up another version like 5-10 years from now. Many gripe about Garnett, but anyone have experience with MacAndrew or Katzner?

Posted By Psynema at Thu 4 Jun 2009, 12:20 PM in The Brothers Karamazov || 6 Replies

Brothers Karamazov: Theology/Philosophy

Hey all Brothers Karamazov readers, I read the Brothers Karamazov Novel, and i just want to ask: Do you think the second half of the novel represents the lived experience of the theology/philosophy of the first half?

Posted By dbk04 at Sun 12 Apr 2009, 9:08 PM in The Brothers Karamazov || 3 Replies

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