1. The Mystery of Chronology
In The Brothers Karamazov there is no precise indication of the year in which the novel takes place. From the narrator’s words, we only know that it happened 13 years ago:
“I, however, would not indulge in these very uninteresting and vague explanations and would simply begin without a preface: if you like it, they will read it anyway; but the trouble is that I have one biography, and Dostoevsky planned a duology for two novels; “The Brothers Karamazov” is the first novel from it.. The main novel of the second is the activity of my hero already in our time, precisely in our current current moment. The first novel took place thirteen years ago, and there is almost not even a novel, but only one moment from the first youth of my hero.”
What time are we talking about? To find out, let's turn to Ivan Karamazov. The narrator tells us that at the very beginning of the novel he is 23 years old. We also know that several years earlier he wrote an article “on the question of the church court that arose everywhere at that time.” We are talking about the judicial reform of 1864: according to it, the public began to be allowed into court hearings, speeches by the prosecutor and lawyer became mandatory, and a jury was introduced, which made decisions based on the evidence presented and the arguments of both sides. In addition, a preliminary investigation procedure was introduced - the collection of evidence and testimony by an independent representative of the court (judicial investigator). Heated discussions began in society and the press about the church court: whether the role of the state in it would increase, or whether it would remain under the control of the Church. In one of the last issues of the magazine “Epoch” for 1864, which was published by Dostoevsky, a response from lawyer Osip Filippov was supposed to appear, but due to “sharp criticism of the recently published statute” it was banned by censorship. Most likely, Ivan Karamazov spoke about the reform at about the same time. Therefore, his article attracted “the attention of even non-specialists.”
Ivan Karamazov. Sketch by Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin for the production of The Brothers Karamazov. 1927 Central State Archive of Literature and Art
In addition, from the words of the narrator, we know that Ivan Karamazov wrote this article after graduating from university, and unexpected fame prevented his plans to take advantage of the inheritance and go abroad. He received access to the inheritance when he became an adult, and in Russia in the 19th century this happened at the age of 21. We graduated from university at about the same age back then. It turns out that at the time of writing the article in 1864 he was just 21 years old, and he would have turned 23 in 1866. This means that The Brothers Karamazov takes place in 1866.
Is the clue about 13 years from the beginning of the novel correct in this case? Yes. 1866 plus 13 equals 1879. Just this year, “The Karamazovs” began to be published in the magazine “Russian Messenger”. It is interesting that the plots of all Dostoevsky’s novels where there are murders date back to the 1860s: “Crime and Punishment”, “The Idiot”, “Demons” and “The Brothers Karamazov”. It’s as if bloody high-profile crimes, like young heroic ideologists driving themselves crazy, have become a sign of a new post-reform era.
The mystery of the “modern mother”
On the day of the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, his son Mitya is looking for someone to borrow money from. Among others, he comes to Ekaterina Osipovna Khokhlakova, the mother of the sick girl Lisa. Khokhlakova tries to engage him in a conversation about literature, economics and politics (but in the end does not give him money):
“I wrote to the writer Shchedrin about this. This writer showed me so much, indicated so much in the appointment of a woman that I sent him last year an anonymous letter in two lines: “I hug and kiss you, my writer, for a modern woman, continue.” And she signed: “Mother.” I wanted to sign “modern mother” and hesitated, but settled simply on mother: more moral beauty, Dmitry Fedorovich, and the word “modern” would have reminded them of “Sovremennik”..."
Khokhlakova is perhaps the most comical hero of “The Karamazovs”. This impression is created due to a special speech with frequent exclamations, the habit of interrupting other characters, moving away from the main topic of conversation, and also, oddly enough, because of the chaotic erudition of this lady. In a conversation with Mitya, she does not throw out random facts, but briefly retells a summary of recent Russian and world news, among other things, talking in horror about the fall of the credit ruble. We are talking about paper money that was devalued due to unsuccessful attempts at financial reform. A crisis began, and in 1866 the credit ruble fell by 35%.
In addition, she persistently advises Mitya to leave her old life and go to the gold mines. In 1861, the authorities allowed gold mining in new territories - officials and nobles left their jobs in large cities to go to Siberia and the Far East.
Issue of the Sovremennik magazine in the closing year. St. Petersburg, 1866 rufact.org
Khokhlakova also reports that she is very concerned about the issues of “women’s development and the political role of women”: that is why she wrote to Saltykov-Shchedrin. As mentioned above, the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” is set in 1866. In May 1866, the Sovremennik magazine, where Saltykov-Shchedrin worked, was closed. That is why Khokhlakova decided to do without the word “modern” in her message, not wanting to upset the writer.
Main characters
- Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov is the head of the Karamazov family, a small landowner, a depraved, greedy, selfish old man.
- Dmitry Fedorovich (Mitya) is Karamazov’s eldest son, a drunkard, a carouser, a rowdy, a man with unbridled passions.
- Ivan Fedorovich is the middle son, restrained, rational, in whose soul there is a struggle between faith in God and his denial.
- Alexey Fedorovich is the youngest son, a sincere, honest, deeply religious young man.
Mystery of murders committed in the future
During the court hearing in the case of Mitya Karamazov, comrade of the prosecutor. In the 19th century, the word “comrade” was used to describe a deputy official: comrade of the prosecutor, comrade of the chairman, comrade of the minister. gives an example of a crime that seems similar to him:
“Here a young brilliant officer of high society, barely starting his life and career, meanly, in silence, without any remorse, kills a petty official, partly his former benefactor, and his maid in order to steal his debt document, and together with the rest of the official’s money : “They will be useful for my high society pleasures and for my career ahead.” Having stabbed both of them, he leaves, placing pillows under the heads of both dead men.”
This is a real case: as in other novels, Dostoevsky saturates the text with references to crime chronicles. Many characters in the novel talk about high-profile crimes of that time, but especially often - a fellow prosecutor and a lawyer, who cite these cases as examples proving their case.
The officer who stabbed the petty official and his maid was a retired warrant officer of the Life Guards Engineer Battalion, Karl von Landsberg: according to the prosecutor, this is an example of a monstrous murder like the atrocity committed by Mitya. The lawyer, on the contrary, recalls the case of the 18-year-old boy Zaitsev, who, in order to steal 1,500 rubles, stabbed to death his peer, an employee of a money change shop. Real evidence was collected against him: the money changer told what bills were stolen, and exactly the same wad of money was found with the criminal. Unlike this case, in Mitya's case there is no evidence confirming his guilt.
While waiting for the verdict, the public, impressed by the lawyer’s speech, recalls the case of actress Nastasya Kairova, who tried to cut the throat of her lover’s wife, but failed and was subsequently acquitted. The defense attorney was able to convince the court that Kairova was a victim of circumstances.
However, all these crimes were committed in the 1870s - as we remember, the trial takes place in 1866. Why does Dostoevsky distort reality and introduce such an obvious anachronism?
It was very important for Dostoevsky to introduce crime chronicles of recent years into his novels. First, he believed that crime characterized society; secondly, thanks to this technique, his books became sharp and relevant. This is why there are so many crimes of the 1870s in Karamazov. Paradoxically, at the same time he wanted to show that this is a novel about the 1860s: about reforms, which Dostoevsky treated with enthusiasm and apprehension at the same time, not fully believing that the transformations would really benefit the country, about post-reform Russia and the ideological generation sixties. This would allow him to show in the second part of the novel what happened to the country and people in 1880.
The secret of the cafe-restaurant on Petrovka
At the very beginning of the novel, the footman, and at the same time the illegitimate son of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, Smerdyakov shares his plans for life with the neighboring young lady Marya Kondratyevna:
“Let’s say I’m only a broth maker, but if I’m lucky I can open a cafe-restaurant in Moscow on Petrovka.”
Why does Smerdyakov want to open an establishment on Petrovka? In the middle of the 19th century, there were almost no restaurants on crowded Petrovka: there were shopping arcades, merchant houses and mediocre shops. A cafe-restaurant is a special type of establishment in which, unlike taverns and restaurants, non-alcoholic drinks, food, and sweets were served. There you could read the newspaper, play chess and dominoes. They began to appear in Russian cities in the 1840s and gradually gained great popularity: prices here were lower than in regular restaurants, and the menu was more varied than in cafes. However, something else is much more important. The regulations on tavern establishments prohibited women from visiting taverns and restaurants; they could only go to the table in hotels. But the document said nothing about pastry shops, coffee houses and cafe-restaurants. The owners of such establishments took advantage of this: in the early 1860s, special isolated rooms began to appear where women could have a snack. The service proved incredibly popular, and in 1864 the bans were lifted.
Confectionery Gloppe. Painting by Jean Béraud. 1889 Musée Carnavalet
Smerdyakov dreams of opening a democratic, but moderately sophisticated establishment on one of the shopping streets of Moscow, counting on the most diverse audience of both sexes: merchants, their clients, theater actors, and so on. This detail speaks of him as an extremely practical, observant and perceptive person. Later, these same qualities will help him kill his father in cold blood, frame his brother and remove suspicion from himself.
Other characters
- Katerina Ivanovna is Mitya’s fiancée, a proud, determined, sacrificial girl.
- Grushenka is the cohabitant of a rich merchant, a vile, calculating young woman, the subject of enmity between the old man Karamazov and Mitya.
- Zosima is an elder, Alyosha’s mentor, who foresaw Mitya’s difficult fate.
- Smerdyakov is a young lackey in the house of Karamazov Sr., his illegitimate son, a cruel, evil man.
- Mrs. Khokhlakova is a widow, landowner, neighbor of the Karamazovs, whose daughter Liza is in love with Alyosha.
- Pyotr Aleksandrovich Miusov is Mitya’s cousin, a nobleman, an enlightened intellectual.
The mystery of the accusation
Anticipating the testimony of witnesses at the trial of Mitya Karamazov, the narrator reports:
“I will only note that from the very first minutes of the trial, a certain special characteristic of this “case”, noticed by everyone, clearly emerged, namely: the extraordinary strength of the prosecution compared with the means that the defense had.”
Indeed, in the 1860s it was easier for the prosecution to prepare for a trial. Forensic investigators examined the crime scene, interviewed witnesses and suspects, and collected evidence to provide the prosecutor and defense attorney with the most complete information that they could use during the debate. At the same time, the prosecutor could participate in interrogations and searches, he could ask the judicial investigator to check this or that circumstance, but the defense lawyer could not. Instead, the accused himself could have done this, however, having no experience in such cases and often being unable to navigate, he made mistakes. The judicial investigator was the guarantor of the observance of his rights: he was not subordinate to the prosecutor and could either agree with his instructions or refuse to carry them out.
However, the investigator in the Mitya case, Nikolai Parfenovich, was not impartial. He felt “extraordinary respect for the prosecutor and almost became close with him in heart. <…> ...In turn, young Nikolai Parfenovich turned out to be the only person in the whole world whom our “offended” prosecutor sincerely fell in love with.”
During the interrogation of Mitya immediately after his arrest, the investigator and the prosecutor act together:
“...They managed to agree on something and agree on the upcoming matter, and now, at the table, Nikolai Parfenovich’s keen mind grasped on the fly and understood every instruction, every movement in the face of his senior comrade, from a half-word, from a glance, from a wink with an eye.” .
Most likely, Nikolai Parfenovich wanted to help his friend. The case of Mitya Karamazov did not seem controversial or particularly problematic; it was easy to prove his guilt. And this would help the prosecutor earn recognition and fame.
The main idea of the novel
In the brief chapter-by-chapter retelling of the novel, a religious theme can be traced, the details of which are more convenient to read in the full version of the work. Dostoevsky puts into the characters of the brothers all manifestations of the Russian soul. Each of the images of the brothers is a stage in the development of Russian society. Generations correspond to layers of society: the older (Fyodor Karamazov) dies, the middle (Dmitry and Ivan) rushes about, comes to religion in its own way, through suffering, and the nascent (Alyosha, boys) has to build a new world. The author raises the problem of moral and religious revival of man. Dostoevsky also draws attention to the fact that you can come to enlightenment only after admitting your guilt and personal responsibility for everything that happens.
The mystery of affect
To save Mitya from hard labor, his ex-fiancee Katerina Ivanovna invites a famous doctor. Alyosha Karamazov tells the worried Grushenka what exactly he must do:
“Well, what about the doctor, why did she prescribe the doctor? - As an expert. They want to conclude that my brother is crazy and killed in a state of insanity, not remembering himself,” Alyosha smiled quietly, “but my brother will not agree to this.”
Indeed, after the judicial reform, defense lawyers, in order to achieve a reduction or cancellation of punishment, could refer to the state of mind of the accused; in the newspapers it was called affect. To do this, during the preliminary investigation, a forensic doctor had to examine the accused. Later, in preparation for the trial, it was necessary to conduct an audit with the participation of two third-party specialists: based on their opinions, a decision could be made to dismiss the case. But proving Mitya’s madness was problematic.
The detailed description of the preliminary investigation does not say that the zemstvo doctor Varvinsky, who acted as a forensic doctor, and the city doctor Herzenstube checked Mitino’s mental health. But the doctors noticed “some abnormalities” in the second suspect, Smerdyakov. Lawyers of the 19th century, who commented on Judicial statutes and judicial practice, paid special attention to the fact that untimely examination often did not make it possible to prove that a person committed a crime while not in his right mind. Dostoevsky hints that Varvinsky was biased: it is no coincidence that he first appears in the novel in the company of a police officer, a fellow prosecutor, and a judicial investigator (as already mentioned, the latter two managed to come to an agreement).
Brothers Karamazov summary
The novel “The Brothers Karamazov” by Dostoevsky, written in 1880, was conceived by the writer as the first part of the epic work “The History of the Great Sinner”. However, Fyodor Mikhailovich’s creative plans were not destined to come true - two months after the publication of the book, he died. For a reading diary and preparation for a literature lesson, we recommend reading online a summary of “The Karamazov Brothers” by chapters and parts .
The main characters are Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov - the head of the Karamazov family, a small landowner, a depraved, greedy, selfish old man. Dmitry Fedorovich (Mitya) is Karamazov’s eldest son, a drunkard, a carouser, a rowdy, a man with unbridled passions. Ivan Fedorovich is the middle son, restrained, rational, in whose soul there is a struggle between faith in God and his denial. Alexey Fedorovich is the youngest son, a sincere, honest, deeply religious young man. Other characters Katerina Ivanovna is Mitya’s fiancée, a proud, determined, sacrificial girl. Grushenka is the cohabitant of a rich merchant, a vile, calculating young woman, the subject of enmity between the old man Karamazov and Mitya. Zosima is an elder, Alyosha’s mentor, who foresaw Mitya’s difficult fate. Smerdyakov is a young lackey in the house of Karamazov Sr., his illegitimate son, a cruel, evil man. Mrs. Khokhlakova is a widow, landowner, neighbor of the Karamazovs, whose daughter Liza is in love with Alyosha. Pyotr Aleksandrovich Miusov is Mitya’s cousin, a nobleman, an enlightened intellectual. Summary
Part one
Book one. The story of one family
I. Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov The first wife of Fyodor Pavlovich was a girl from the noble noble family of the Miusovs. The young woman fled from her oppressive husband to St. Petersburg, “leaving Fyodor Pavlovich in the arms of three-year-old Mitya,” and after a while she died of typhus.
II. The first son was sent away. The boy was taken in by his cousin, Pyotr Aleksandrovich Miusov. Having matured, Mitya tried to demand his mother's inheritance from his father. Fyodor Pavlovich began to “get off with small handouts and temporary expulsions,” and four years later he announced that all the money had run out. III. Second marriage and second children Having given Mitya up to be raised, Fyodor Pavlovich “very soon after that he married a second time.” This time he chose an unrequited orphan who gave him two sons, Ivan and Alexei. After a while, the second wife also died, unable to withstand the difficult married life with Karamazov.
IV. Third son Alyosha Alyosha “was loved by everyone wherever he appeared, and this was even from his very childhood years.” Having matured, the “chaste and pure” young man decided to go as a novice to a monastery. This choice was made by Alyosha under the influence of Elder Zosima.
V. Elders The conflict between Dmitry and Fyodor Pavlovich over the inheritance is heating up to the limit. Then Alexey suggests that the whole family gather with Elder Zosima and discuss the problem together.
Book two. Inappropriate meeting
I. We arrived at the monastery. The entire Karamazov family gathers at the monastery, as well as Pyotr Miusov, Dmitry’s guardian. The whole company agrees to “behave decently here.”
II. The old jester In Zosima's cell, a verbal skirmish takes place between Pyotr Miusov and the elder Karamazov. Pyotr Alexandrovich asks the elder for forgiveness for Fyodor Pavlovich’s unworthy behavior.
III. Believing women The elder asks those present for permission to go out for a while, “to bless those who were waiting for him.” The small outbuilding is crowded with women who have come to the old man with their troubles. Zosima listens to everyone, consoles and blesses.
IV. A lady of little faith The landowner Khokhlakova comes to the old man and admits that she lacks true faith. The elder replies that faith is achieved by “the experience of active love.”
V. Wake up! Wake up! During the absence of the elder in the cell, a heated argument breaks out between Ivan Fedorovich, Pyotr Miusov and two hieromonks on religious topics.
VI. Why does such a person live? Fyodor Pavlovich makes a scandal, accusing his eldest son of wasting his mother’s capital and his love affairs - having brought with him his bride, Katerina Ivanovna, he, according to his father, “goes to see a local seductress.” “The scene that has reached the point of disgrace” ends with Zosima swearing at the feet of Dmitry.
VII. Seminarian-careerist Left alone with Alyosha, Zosima orders him to leave the monastery after his death. He blesses him “for great obedience in the world” and predicts great happiness in great sorrow.
VIII. scandal and several hieromonks and a local landowner receive an invitation to dine with the abbot. Fyodor Pavlovich decides to do one last mischief. He bursts into the abbot’s office and insults everyone present, including the clergy.
Book three. Voluptuaries
I. In the servant’s room, Fyodor Pavlovich is served by only three people: “old man Grigory, old woman Martha, his wife, and servant Smerdyakov, still a young man.” Grigory is an honest and incorruptible servant who, despite his wife’s persistent entreaties, does not leave his master.
II. Lizaveta stinking 25 years ago, Gregory came across a local holy fool in the bathhouse - Lizaveta stinking, who had just given birth to a baby. Everything indicated that the baby was the illegitimate son of Fyodor Pavlovich. Karamazov allowed him to keep the child, and named him Pavel Fedorovich Smerdyakov. Having matured, the boy became a footman in the Karamazov house.
III. Confession of a warm heart. In the poems, Alyosha meets his older brother, who admits that he “happened to plunge into the very, deepest shame of depravity,” and in his hearts reads him a hymn to Schiller’s joy.
IV. Confession of a warm heart. In anecdotes , Dmitry talks about his acquaintance with Katerina Ivanovna. Having learned that her father, a lieutenant colonel, had embezzled government money, Dmitry offered the required amount in exchange for her maiden honor. To save her father, Katerina Ivanovna was ready to sacrifice herself, but Dmitry gave the girl the money for free.
V. Confession of a warm heart. “Heels up” Having become a rich heiress, Katerina returns the money to Dmitry. In addition, in the letter she confesses her love to him and proposes to marry her. Dmitry agrees, but soon falls passionately in love with Grushenka, the old merchant’s selfish cohabitant. For her sake, Mitya is ready to leave his fiancée without hesitation, and even kill his father, his main rival for the attention of the charming woman. He asks Alyosha to visit Katerina and tell him that everything is over between them, since Mitya is “a low voluptuous person and a vile creature with uncontrollable feelings,” who spent three thousand rubles of his bride on a spree with Grushenka.
VI. Smerdyakov learns that his father has a bag of money in store for Grushenka if she decides to come to him. He asks Smerdyakov to immediately warn him if Grushenka shows up at her father’s house. Smerdyakov is a vile, cruel young man with his own mind, suffering from seizures, who does not feel heartfelt affection for anyone.
VII. The controversial Alyosha goes to his father, where he finds his brother Ivan, Grigory and Smerdyakov, boldly discussing issues of faith.
VIII. Over cognac Under the influence of cognac, Fyodor Pavlovich forgets that he is in the company of Ivan and Alyosha, and tells how he cruelly humiliated their mother. These words cause Alyosha to have a fit.
IX. Voluptuaries At this moment, Dmitry bursts into the house in full confidence that his father is hiding Grushenka from him. In anger, he beats the old man.
X. Both together Alexey comes to Katerina and conveys Dmitry’s words about their breakup. However, Katerina Ivanovna already knows about everything from an unexpected guest - Grushenka. A scene takes place between the women, during which Grushenka shows all the meanness of her nature.
XI. Another lost reputation, Alyosha receives a letter with a declaration of love from Lisa, the sick daughter of the landowner Khokhlakova. He rereads it three times and, happy, falls asleep in a “tranquil sleep.”
Part two
Book four. Tears
I. Father Ferapont Father Ferapont, the main rival of Elder Zosima, lives in the monastery. This is a “great faster and silent person” who stubbornly ignores the elder.
II. At his father’s, Fyodor Pavlovich shares his plans with Alyosha: he does not intend to give money to any of his sons, since he plans to live for a long time and indulge in “sweet filth.”
III. Contacted schoolchildren On the way, Alyosha stumbles upon “a bunch of schoolchildren.” Six boys throw stones at one boy who desperately tries to fight them off. Alyosha wants to protect him, but the embittered boy bites his finger.
IV. At the Khokhlakovs ' house, Alyosha finds Ivan and Katerina at the Khokhlakovs' house - an explanation takes place between them. Lisa is happy to learn that Alyosha took her love message seriously and is ready to marry her “as soon as the legal time comes.”
V. Breakdown in the Khokhlakovs’ living room Alyosha becomes convinced that “brother Ivan loves Katerina Ivanovna and, most importantly, really intends to “win” her away from Mitya.” Ivan confesses his feelings to her, but receives a refusal in response. Although Katerina now despises Dmitry, she intends to remain faithful to him to the end, even if he marries Grushenka. Alyosha learns from Katerina that the other day Dmitry Fedorovich publicly insulted retired staff captain Snegirev. She asks me to take him 200 rubles.
VI. Breakdown in the hut Having found “a dilapidated house, warped, with only three windows on the street,” Alyosha discovers in it the Snegirev family, mired in terrible poverty: the head of the family who had drunk himself, his feeble-minded wife, his crippled daughter and his son, a boy who had bitten his finger.
VII. And in the open air, Alyosha asks to accept 200 rubles from Katerina Ivanovna, but Snegirev fiercely tramples on the bills - he does not intend to take payment for his shame.
Book five. Pro and contra
I. Conspiracy Alyosha returns to the Khokhlakovs. He talks to Lisa about love, about their common future. This conversation is overheard by Mrs. Khokhlakova.
II. Smerdyakov with a guitar While searching for Dmitry, Alyosha stumbles upon Smerdyakov. He informs him that both brothers, Ivan and Mitya, went to the tavern to talk about something.
III. The brothers meet. Ivan talks with Alyosha, and for the first time communicates with him on an equal footing. He shares his plans - to go to Europe, start a new life.
IV. Riot The brothers begin to talk about the Almighty, and Ivan is sure that “if the devil does not exist and, therefore, man created him, then he created him in his own image and likeness.” The deeply religious Alyosha only whispers helplessly: “This is a riot.”
V. Grand Inquisitor Ivan tells Alyosha a poem about the Grand Inquisitor who imprisoned Christ. He asks the son of God to save humanity from the torment of choosing between good and evil. The Grand Inquisitor waits for objections from Christ, but he only silently kisses him.
VI. It is still very unclear. Ivan finds Smerdyakov at his father’s, who advises the master to quickly leave this house, in which, apparently, trouble will soon happen. He hints that tomorrow he will have a “long fit.”
VII. “It’s interesting to talk to an intelligent person.” Ivan spends the whole night in painful thoughts, and the next morning he informs his father that he is leaving for Moscow in an hour. On the same day, the footman has a seizure.
Book six. Russian monk
I. Elder Zosima and his guests Alyosha comes to the dying Zosima. The elder orders the young man to urgently find his older brother Dmitry in order to “prevent something terrible.”
II. From the life of the deceased hieroschemamonk Elder Zosima, compiled in his own words by Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov The holy ascetic in the world belonged to a poor noble family. As an officer, he went to a duel, during which an epiphany descended on him, after which he went into a monastery.
III. From the conversations and teachings of Elder Zosima , Zosima talks about life and shares advice: do not forget about prayers, love your neighbor, ask God for fun, never judge anyone, work tirelessly.
Book seven. Alyosha
I. Corrupting spirit After the death of an elder, people gather near his cell, accustomed to “considering the deceased elder, even during his lifetime, as an undoubted and great saint.” The fact of the elder’s rotting becomes a great disappointment for believers. Ferapont is in a hurry to take advantage of this circumstance, whose righteousness and holiness are no longer in doubt.
II. Such a moment For Alyosha, the day of Zosima’s death becomes “one of the most painful and fatal days” in his life. In a depressed state, Alyosha is found by his friend Rakitin and persuades him to go to Grushenka.
III. Onion Grushenka affectionately greets young people. She is especially happy about Alyosha, and shamelessly jumps “on her lap like a caressing cat.” However, Alyosha does not react to Grushenka’s advances in any way - “the great grief of his soul absorbed all sensations.”
IV. Cana of Galilee Meanwhile, Alyosha returns to the monastery, where he falls asleep at the tomb of Zosima. He dreams of an old man - he is happy and cheerful, and asks not to be afraid of death, not to fear the Lord.
Book eight. Mitya
I. Kuzma Samsonov In an attempt to find the required amount, Dmitry Fedorovich turns for advice “to the merchant Samsonov, Grushenka’s patron.” He, in turn, wants to play a trick on his would-be suitor and advises him to sell the grove to a forest buyer nicknamed Lyagavy.
II. Lyagavy After a long, tedious search, Mitya finally finds Lyagavy. After the conversation, Mitya realizes that they played a cruel joke on him. Incessant thoughts about Grushenka drive him back to the city.
III. Gold mines Dmitry Fedorovich goes to Mrs. Khokhlakova in the hope of borrowing three thousand rubles from her. The landowner promises him “more, infinitely more than three thousand” - advice to go into gold mines.
IV. In the dark , Tormented by fierce jealousy, Mitya goes to his father. Grigory notices Mitya running away and chases him all the way to the fence. Without thinking twice, Mitya inflicts a strong blow on the old man with a copper pestle, which he took from Grushenka.
V. Sudden decision Dmitry, covered in blood, bursts into the office of the official Perkhotin, to whom he had previously pawned his pistols. He buys the weapon and goes in search of Grushenka to the neighboring village of Mokroe.
VI. I'm going myself! At the inn, Dmitry finds Grushenka in the company of Poles. He shows the owner the money and orders to call the gypsies, music, champagne - Mitya is ready to party!
VII. The former and undisputed Mitya makes it clear that he has only one night at his disposal, and he wants “music, thunder, din, everything that came before.” He joins the Poles and plays cards with them until the morning.
VIII. Delirium The night passes in a drunken stupor, a mad revelry, it resembles “something chaotic and absurd.” Early in the morning, a police officer and an investigator appear at the inn, and Mitya is arrested on suspicion of murdering his father.
Book nine. Preliminary investigation I. The beginning of the career of the official Perkhotin The young official Perkhotin, impressed by the sight of the distraught, bloodied Dmitry Fedorovich, decides that “he will now go straight to the police officer and tell him everything.”
II. Alarm Perkhotin reports what happened to the police officer and insists on “covering the criminal before he, perhaps, actually decided to shoot himself.”
III. The soul's journey through ordeals. The first ordeal Mitya refuses to admit to killing his father. He rejoices when he learns that old Gregory remained alive after the injury. During interrogation, Mitya frankly admits his hatred and jealousy towards his father, and this only aggravates his difficult situation.
IV. The second ordeal Soon Mitya gets tired of the interrogation. He gets excited, screams, withdraws into himself, and insults those being interrogated. However, they explain to him the degree of harm he is causing himself by “refusing to give this or that testimony,” and the interrogation continues.
V. The Third Ordeal Mitya tries to remember all the details of the terrible evening. He admits that he learned the conventional signs that Grushenka was supposed to give to his father from Smerdyakov.
VI. The prosecutor caught Mitya. A search of his personal belongings becomes humiliating for Mitya, but it is even harder for him to strip naked in front of strangers. Irrefutable evidence of Dmitry's crime is a torn envelope containing three thousand, found in the bedroom of old Karamazov.
VII. The great secret of Mitya. Booed Mitya is forced to admit that the money with which he caroused all night was received from Katerina Ivanovna. He is already fully aware that he is “lost”, and now he is only worried about Grushenka’s fate.
VIII. Testimony of witnesses. Dita The interrogation of witnesses begins. Grushenka manages to convince Mitya that she is confident of his innocence. Thanks to this support, Mitya “wants to live and live, to go and go on some path, towards a new calling light.”
IX. They took Mitya away After signing the protocol, Mitya learns that “he is a prisoner from now on and that they will now take him to the city, where they will imprison him in one very unpleasant place.” The investigation will continue in the city.
Book ten. Boys
I. Kolya Krasotkin Kolya Krasotkin “was dexterous, had a persistent character, a daring and enterprising spirit.” He was an excellent comrade, and deservedly enjoyed the respect of his classmates.
II. Children Kolya is forced to look after two kids in the absence of their mother. This time this activity does not bring him joy - he is in a hurry about some important matter.
III. Schoolboy Kolya meets with his friend. They discuss Ilyusha, who was stoned two months ago - the boy is seriously ill, and “he won’t even live a week.” The friends head to Alyosha Karamazov, with whom they want to talk.
IV. The bug Kolya tells Alyosha how Smerdyakov taught Ilyusha a “brutal joke, a vile joke” - to put a pin in a crumb of bread and feed it to a hungry yard dog. He fed such bread to the Bug, and for a long time he could not come to his senses, remembering the torment of the unfortunate animal. Even when Ilyusha got sick, he remembered everything and called Zhuchka. They tried to find her, but they never found her.
V. At Ilyusha’s bed, Kolya visits Ilyusha and is amazed at how weak he is. The sick boy is very happy to see his friend, but his happiness knows no bounds when Ilyusha brings Zhuchka to him, healthy and unharmed.
VI. Early development In the midst of the fun, the capital’s doctor, specially called by Katerina Ivanovna, comes to the Snegirevs. Kolya and Alyosha begin to talk about the meaning of life.
VII. Ilyusha The doctor's verdict is disappointing. Before his death, Ilyusha asks his father to take in “a good boy, a different one” and never forget him.
Book eleven. Brother Ivan Fedorovich
I. At Grushenka’s, Alyosha visits Grushenka, and she asks him to find out what secret appeared between Ivan and Dmitry, because of which the prisoner’s mood noticeably improved.
II. A sore leg From Mrs. Khokhlakova, Alyosha learns that Katerina called a doctor from Moscow so that he could confirm Mitya’s insane state at the time of the crime.
III. The imp Liza tells Alyosha that she takes back her promise to become his wife. She admits to the young man that she still loves him, but does not respect him for his kindness and tolerance of human vices.
IV. Hymn and secret Mitya understands that he will have to work hard in the mines for the rest of his life, and he comes to God - “it is impossible to be a convict without God.” Mitya tells his brother his secret - Ivan invites him to run away, but everything will be decided after tomorrow's court hearing.
VI. First date with Smerdyakov Upon arrival from Moscow, Ivan Fedorovich visits Smerdyakov in the hospital and finds out from him all the details of the mysterious attack and the crime committed.
VII. Second visit to Smerdyakov When meeting again, the footman accuses Ivan of wanting “the death of his parent” and deliberately leaving for Moscow so as not to be present at the terrible tragedy. Ivan begins to suspect Smerdyakov of killing his father.
VIII. Third and final meeting with Smerdyakov, Smerdyakov confesses to the murder, which he decided to commit under the influence of Ivan’s atheistic reasoning. Having reinterpreted Karamazov’s words in his own way, Smerdyakov realized that “everything, they say, is allowed to everyone.” The footman hands Ivan a stack of stolen bills and tells in detail how he committed the crime. At the same time, he constantly repeats that it is Ivan who is “the most legitimate killer,” and he only became an instrument in his hands.
IX. Crap. Nightmare of Ivan Fedorovich Smerdyakov’s confession deeply affects Ivan, and delirium tremens takes possession of “his body, which had long been upset, but stubbornly resisted the disease.”
X. “That’s what he said!” Alyosha runs to Ivan and reports that “Smerdyakov took his own life” - he hanged himself. Ivan is not surprised - in his delirium he talked with the devil, and he told him about it.
Book twelve. Judgement mistake
I. The fateful day On the day of judgment, Mitya repeats that he is guilty of debauchery, drunkenness and laziness, “but not guilty of the death of the old man, my enemy and father,” as well as of the theft of three thousand rubles.
II. Dangerous witnesses The court hearing continues, the defendant's defense attorney and the prosecutor speak alternately. An exact count of the money spent by Mitya at the inn on the fateful night is being carried out.
III. Medical examination and one pound of nuts The medical examination, which Katerina Ivanovna insisted on, “also did not really help the defendant.” The invited doctors testify that Dmitry Fedorovich “is in a completely normal condition.”
IV. Happiness smiles at Mitya. During the interrogation, Alyosha confidently says that it was not his brother who killed his father, but Smerdyakov, but he has “no evidence other than some moral convictions.” Katerina tells everything without concealment, from meeting Mitya to her last humiliating date with him. After her story in the courtroom, “something nice flashed in Mitya’s favor.”
V. Sudden catastrophe Ivan Fedorovich hands over to the bailiff his father’s money, which he “received from Smerdyakov, from the murderer.” But after this statement, Ivan has a severe seizure, and he is taken out of the courtroom.
VI. Prosecutor's speech. Characteristics The prosecutor makes an accusatory speech. He dissects with particular care the entire Karamazov family, in which he sees elements of a “modern intelligent society.”
VII. Historical image The prosecutor describes in detail the events of the fateful evening, explaining the motives for the actions committed by Mitya.
VIII. Treatise on Smerdyakov The prosecutor discusses Smerdyakov and his possible involvement in the murder of Karamazov. In the course of his reasoning, he comes to the conclusion that he is not guilty of anything.
IX. Psychology at full speed. Galloping threesome. The finale of the prosecutor's speech The prosecutor's speech, in which he devoted special attention to the psychology of crime, is very popular with the public. Many have no doubt that what he said is “all true, irresistible truth.”
X. Speech of the defender. Double-edged sword It’s the defender’s turn to speak. He presents facts that indicate Mitya’s innocence, and at the same time hints at “some abuse” of psychology in the prosecutor’s indictment.
XI. There was no money. There was no robbery. The defense lawyer's main emphasis in his speech is that there was, in fact, no robbery - “you cannot be accused of robbery if you cannot indicate with precision what exactly was robbed, this is an axiom.”
XII. And there was no murder. The defense lawyer is outraged that Mitya acts as the main suspect only because the prosecutors follow their logic: “Who killed if not him?”
XIII. Adulterer of Thoughts The defense attorney is confident that if the victim had not been the father of the accused, but some other person, the accusers would not be in a hurry “to ruin the fate of a person based solely on prejudice against him.”
XIV. The peasants stood up for themselves. They give the floor to Mitya, and he once again swears his innocence and asks for mercy. After a lengthy deliberation, the jury returns a verdict - “Yes, guilty!”
Epilogue I. Projects to save Mitya Ivan Fedorovich suffers from a severe nervous disorder, and Katerina Ivanovna is caring for him. Together with Lesha, they discuss the project of Mitya and Grushenka’s escape to America, which Ivan had previously planned.
II. For a moment, the lie became the truth. Mitya is lying in the hospital - after the verdict was announced, he “sick with nervous fever.” Alyosha invites his brother to run away, and he agrees. Katerina Ivanovna comes to Mitya, and in tears they ask each other for forgiveness.
III. Ilyushechka's funeral. Speech at the Stone His school friends and Alyosha come to Ilyushechka’s funeral. Near the stone where the boy loved to sit, they take an oath never to forget Ilyusha and each other. Alyosha encourages them to love life with all their hearts and do good deeds, since life is unimaginably beautiful, especially when “you do something good and truthful.”
Conclusion Dostoevsky's work has a complex, multifaceted structure. It is impossible to accurately determine its genre, since it contains signs of a social, everyday, philosophical, love and even detective novel.
After reading the brief retelling of The Brothers Karamazov, we recommend reading the novel in its entirety.
The secret of the peasant jurors
The verdict in Mitya’s case must be rendered by 12 jurors: “four of our officials, two merchants, six peasants and townspeople.” According to the narrator, the assembled board is very disliked by the public watching the process:
“In our society, I remember, long before the trial, people asked with some surprise, especially ladies: “Is it really possible that such a delicate, complex and psychological matter will be handed over to some officials and, finally, men for a fatal decision?” Will any official like that, much less a man, understand here?’”
Why does this type of jury selection confuse the public? According to the Judicial Statutes, officials and peasants were obligatory participants in each collegium - along with nobles, merchants and burghers. Officials below the 5th grade were automatically included in the lists of potential jurors (those who were higher grades were exempt from this duty), as well as peasants who were elected to volost courts or were representatives of rural self-government, for example, elders. In other cases, a strict and fairly high property qualification should have been in effect. Perhaps this is where the secret of dissatisfaction among court visitors lies.
A jury trial in a criminal case during the reign of Alexander II. Lithograph of the second half of the 19th century aria-art.ru
Potential provincial jurors had to own at least one hundred acres of land (more than 100 hectares) or real estate worth at least 500 rubles, or receive an annual income of at least 200 rubles per year. For residents of large cities, and especially the capital, the requirements were higher. These restrictions were considered a guarantee of law and order in court and did not allow frankly poor and ignorant people to resolve important issues.
The jury in the Mitya case is described in such a way that doubts really arise about its wealth and ability to objectively make decisions. “In fact, all these four officials who were included in the jury were small, low-ranking, gray-haired people - only one of them was somewhat younger , - little-known in our society, who vegetated on small salaries, who must have had old wives who could not be shown anywhere, and a bunch of children, maybe even barefoot, who spent a lot of time entertaining their leisure time somewhere with cards and, of course, who have never read a book. The two merchants, although they had a sedate appearance, were somehow strangely silent and motionless; one of them shaved his beard and was dressed in German style; the other, with a gray beard, had some kind of medal on his neck, on a red ribbon. There is nothing to say about the townspeople and peasants. Our Skotoprigonyevo townsfolk are almost the same peasants, they even plow. Two of them were also in German dress and that is why, perhaps, they were dirtier and more unattractive in appearance than the other four.” According to the law, more than 12 jurors were initially selected for each trial, and only then the prosecutor and lawyer could challenge the candidates, arousing suspicion. Afterwards, the board was composed almost randomly, observing, however, class proportions. Then why did the prosecutor’s comrade, the lawyer (and Dostoevsky himself) select just such a panel?
Because they wanted the decision on the case to be made by the “men,” as the public ironically called them after the verdict was announced. The prosecutor apparently hoped that they would believe the evidence and that his denunciation would impress them. The lawyer thought that he could deceive the “men,” impress and confuse. And Dostoevsky wanted to show that it is impossible to confuse such jurors. Criticizing the “adulterers of thought” - this is exactly what (“Adulterer of thought”) is called one of the chapters with the speech of Fetyukovich, Mitya’s lawyer (his prototype was the real lawyer Vladimir Spasovich, about whom the writer spoke unfavorably), he believed that legal rhetoric often contradicts everything possible moral principles, and in the pursuit of victory they deny the significance of not only testimony and evidence, but also the crime itself. Fetyukovich would definitely have won an educated jury over to his side - this is what happened with the audience who, after his speech, were waiting for a not guilty verdict. And the “men” remained faithful to the evidence and the facts provided.
