Dichotomous Natures- The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The plot is basic. Fyodor Pavlovich, who was often referred to as a buffoon by many characters and who had abandoned his three legitimate sons to be raised by distant relations, was killed. Two of his son hate him, one of which, Dmitri, shares his affection for the infamously promiscuous Grushenka, while the third, Alyosha, has dedicated his life to the monastery. Relatively speaking, for a 700-page book nothing happens. Dostoevsky could have easily condensed the plotline into 200 pages, but the significance of the novel is not a series of captivating evens, but rather, Dostoevsky’s attempt to reconcile his philosophy on life: the role and destiny of the poor, the human mind, and the existence of faith and God during severe times. I was partial to the latter and most frequently occurring theme.
Ultimately, the novel ended with a positive view on religion; however, that view was not expressed throughout. Some characters struggled with their beliefs, while tensions formed between devote Christians and non-believers. Sometimes, those who were considered religiously sound were admirable; other times they were not, and even though religion was victorious in the end the atheists, who repeatedly asked how God and evil could coexist, were not portrayed as awful, immoral creatures. Even those associated with the monastery questioned their devotion when injustices were prevalent, and some were willing to partake in dishonorable tasks to further such justice. The characters struggled with their dichotomous natures.
Dmitri was falsely convicted of his father’s murder on the basis that he notoriously denounced his hatred towards his father for stealing his inheritance and for loving the same woman as he. Alyosha, Dmitri’s brother and a symbol of purity throughout the novel had to decide whether or not to aid his brother’s escape. His instinctive brotherly affection led him to the resolution that his brother’s proclamation of innocence was true; nevertheless, does he brake the law and aid a supposed criminal, or does he follow his religious instinct and let the event take its course punishing where need be? The line between good and evil was quickly dissolved.
The Brother’s Karamazov is a book that necessitates multiple readings, for the characters tend to have long chains of ideas and dreams that are interspersed throughout confuse and enrich the plot simultaneously. I can best describe this experience as trying to read Plato for the first time with complete understanding. I appreciated Dostoevsky’s articulations; his artful wording captivated me. Written right before his death, this novel seems to be his way of answering his life’s most unnerving questions.

Reading List

• Jane Eyre Charllote Bronte
• When Engulfed in Flames David Sedaris
• The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini
• Black Swan Green David Mitchell
• The Brothers Karamazov Fyodor Dostoevsky
• A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini (459)