The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Review)
I finished “The Brothers Karamazov” in the spring and neglected to give a full review. As a substitute for a more cogent analysis, I’ll include the thoughts and quotes I jotted as I was reading. Generally, however, “The Brothers Karamazov” certainly earns all its laudatory praise.
A former literature professor I once encountered insisted I read the book, as it had long been his favorite. I now share his assessment that Dostoyevsky’s work is worth reading, but I’ll add that it’s a book best suited for the classroom or at least as part of a book club. The words, ideas, and stories demand discussion as fellow readers explore the text. To read such a heavy tome alone is a lonely trek.
The following excerpts are the points I would have explored in discussion with others who were also reading “The Brothers Karamazov:”
It was interesting that when Fyodor Karamazov asks Father Zosima about eternal life during their first meeting that the elder responds with a great deal of wisdom and philosophy, but does not discuss Christ. This struck me as an unlikely exchange.
There was an early point on government institutions when Zosima and the monks debated the role of church and state, including ecclesiastical courts versus criminal/civil courts. Father Zosima commented that “the only effectual one [punishment], the only deterrent and softening one, which lies in the recognition of sin by conscience.”
Father Zosima: “Remember, young man, unceasingly…that the science of this world, which has become a great power, has, especially in the last century, analyzed everything divine handed down to us in the holy books. After this cruel analysis the learned of this world have nothing left of all that was sacred of old. But they have only analyzed the parts and overlooked the whole, and indeed their blindness is marvelous. Yet the whole still stands steadfast before their eyes, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Captain Snegiryov explaining his son's conduct to Alyosha: "Schoolboys are a merciless race. Individually, they are angels, but together—especially at schools—they're often merciless." Snegiryov continued: "How should the rich know [what justice is]. They don't explore such depths once in their lives." Later he said: "there are no people stronger on earth stronger than the rich."
In the midst of reading “Brothers Karamazov,” I wondered who still has the philosophical conversations that Alyosha had with his brothers and so many others? Where do these conversations occur? Anywhere beyond universities, bars, and churches? Does the lack of meaty conversations in modern society ruin the impact of books like “The Brothers Karamazov?”
After Father Zosima’s death: “...I repeat again for the third time and am prepared to admit that it might be difficult to defend my feeling. I am glad my hero showed himself not too reasonable at that moment. For any man of sense will always come back to reason in time. But if love does not gain the upper hand in a boy's heart at such an exceptional moment, when will it?”
One of the phenomenal stories within the story was “The Story of the Wicked Woman and the Onion.” A wicked woman once gave an onion to a beggar woman. After she died and went to hell, her guardian angel upon the instruction of God, went with an onion and tried to pull her out. But all of the other sinners grabbed onto her. She kicked at them and said, "no, it's my onion." Then the onion broke, and she plunged back to the fires.
It was interesting during the interrogation that Mitya expressed his belief that a thief is lower than a scoundrel. He had wasted his betrothed's $1,500 and kept the other $1,500, which he sewed into his collar. This action made him a thief. What is interesting, is how the different characters create levels of shame according to their crimes.
Alyosha talking to Collier: "what does ridiculous mean? Isn't everyone being or seeming ridiculous? Nearly all clever people are fearfully afraid of being ridiculous. And that makes them unhappy." This section seemed particularly insightful when considering that even children are feeling this fear today.
Alyosha and Liza Khokhlakov discuss evil after they decide not to marry, she makes the comment that she wants to destroy herself. She also talks about how everyone loves evil—not just an isolated moments, but people always love evil.
Before Mitya's trial, Ivan began to feel sick at heart. “He asked himself, is it because I am a murderer at heart?”
During his conversation with the devil, Ivan heard about a legend that the devil discussed. In the legend, there was a philosopher who rejected everything—laws, conscience, and faith. He expected after death, to find nothing. But he was shocked and indignant to find a new life. He was sentenced to walk a quadrillion kilometers, and then he would be able to go to heaven. Instead, he simply laid down. After 1000 years, he stood up and walked the miles. Then he made it to heaven. In the two seconds he was there, he declared that walking all of those miles was worth it. In fact, walking many times those miles would have been worth it. The devil concluded by noting the conflict between belief and disbelief is torture for the conscientious man.
As man disavows the belief in God, then man becomes God and all things are lawful. (this is the devil's prediction on the future of mankind).
During the closing arguments, the attorney commented about the elder Karamazov's pursuit of sensuality. He commented that this eliminated the responsibility and duties of life—in parenting and civic duty. He demonstrated the worst of individuality. The attorney present at this as being of great concern to society and its well-being.
The defense lawyers closing argument on what it really means to be a father was quite poignant. He discussed that it only takes a moment of passion to conceive a child, but it takes much more to actually father child in the full sense of the word. He also emphasized the rational mind of the modern Russian. "Better to let 10 guilty men go free then convict one innocent man." "In your hands is the fate of my client. In your hands is the fate of Russian justice. You will defend it. You will savor it. You will prove that there men to watch over it. That it is in good hands."
When discussing the possibility of escape, Mitya discussed how he is Russian to the core and that he hates America. He said he could not bring Grushenka to America because she would be miserable there. He loves Russia; he loves Russia's God.
Alyosha's eulogy and compact over Elusha's death was beautiful. He remembers the good and the bad and he encouraged the boys to not fear life.
These notes highlight the breadth of ideas and philosophy that Dostoyevsky covers in his novel. The result is a most thought-provoking book and one that was well worth the time it took to complete.
