The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

The Brothers Karamazov
Week 1 - Part One, Book I

Welcome to our group read of The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

1) What did you think of the epigraph to the book? Did it evoke any emotions for you? Do you think it may be foreshadowing the unfolding of events? Did it influence your reading of Book 01?

2) What are your first impressions of the book?

3) In Book One, the narrator introduces us to the history of the Karamazov family and how the three Karamazov brothers grew up. What is your impression of these individuals? What are their similarities and differences? How do their character, philosophies, and personalities stand out to you? How did their experiences shape their present selves? Can you see where their characters, personalities, and philosophies are helpful to their circumstances? Unhelpful?

4) What of Fyodor Karamazov's character, philosophy, and personality? How does his character, philosophy, and personality manifest in the relationship with each of his sons?

A first time for me.i haven’t read this author in decades. I am reading an antique everyman’s library edition. Its pages are paper thin and the type is tiny.

First, what a terrible person they had for a father. Like a lot of families, each sibling is so very different from the others. I found the control the elders had was very strange and somewhat creepy. To be entirely inthe control of another sounds very unhealthy to me,

A thank you to Gem for the detailed cast of characters. I already needed to refer to it when the author started using Dimitri’s nickname.

I read this book some years ago. And being me, it's sure that I've forgotten all of it, so I'll read it "again".

The first book gives us a good glimpse of the characters. I only remember about the name of the Stariets Zosima (at least it's the way that the name is in my Brazilian edition) and he seems to be a good man. Maybe I need to look for it, because I don't know many things about the religious figures of Russia, I never heard about these figures that seems as the Jesuits of Catholic tradition (as is the current Pope). I'm not Catholic, I'm atheist, but they behave as the Bible depicts Jesus' preachings, so they act as all the christians are supposed to act.

This first part of the book moves very quickly from the buffoonish and neglectful father to the brothers who are so very different in their outlooks. Dmitry is more of a mystery to me than are Ivan and Alyosha. Ivan seems to be the intellectual of the family, and Alyosha is definitely the holy man. I fear for Alyosha due to his attachment to the dying Father Zosima; what happens to him and his faith when his elder dies? I'm also amazed at the continued contact between the sons and their horrible father. He is a unrepentant degenerate, has shown no love for them, and is likely not a source of any great inheritance. Alyosha seems to be practicing Christian forgiveness toward the old man, but forgiving doesn't mean that he needs to continue seeing his father.

In Fyodor Karamazov, Dostoyevsky has created a character both vile and pitiful. He is considered by many around him as a very sinful man. In stark contrast to Fyodor is his son, Alyosha, a beautiful soul who Dostoyevsky reveals at the outset as the unlikely hero of the story. They are polar opposites, and I’m curious how their relationship will develop and how Alyosha will withstand his father’s corrupt presence. Will it wear at his goodness, kindness, and gentleness?

It is curious to me that Dostoyevsky in Chapter One of Book One titled “Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov,” begins the first paragraph of a chapter that’s about Fyodor with Alyosha’s full name, perhaps hinting at a unique intertwining of fate:

“Alexei Fyodorovich Karamazov was the third son of a landowner from our district, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, well known in his own day… [etc…]”(P&V translation)

Dostoyevsky goes on to outline the senior Karamazov’s libertine character and exploits in detail for the rest of the chapter. Hmmm…

His two older brothers, Dmitri and Ivan, are tougher; there are hints of secrets between them, collusion even. Despite the comedic elements, I get a sense of anger and disgust lurking beneath the surface of the novel.

Also, it was sad how after their mother’s death the boys end up living with the household servant, Grigory, (before finally being taken in by distant relatives) because it was better than living under their dissolute father’s roof. So much dysfunction!