The Brothers Karamazov

Abstract

The Brothers Karamazov is a novel with a simple plot about a murder and a complex discussion of faith, doubt, and morality. The brother's father, Fyodor Karamazov, is a cruel and lustful man who has fathered three sons: Dmitri, a man driven by his passions; Ivan, a man driven by his intellect; Alexei, also called Aloysha, who is driven by his faith in Christ. Dmitri, the oldest son, comes of age and returns to see his father to ask for his inheritance. Although Dmitri is engaged to a beautiful girl named Katerina, he has fallen in love with a woman named Agrafena, also known as Grushenka, and wants to run off with her. Fyodor laughs at this request for money, and it's revealed that Fyodor and Dmitri are romantic rivals for the love of Grushenka. Dmitri and Ivan hate and are embarrassed by their father. Alexei, who was raised in the monastery and mentored by the good Father Zossima, only hopes to redeem his family members. We then find out that Fyodor probably fathered another son with a mentally disabled woman. This son is named Smerdyakov and works as a servant in Fyodor's house. He also hates the old man. Ivan is skeptical of God and morality and debates the existence of God with Alexei. Ivan also shares his philosophy with Smerdyakov that the world is immoral and everything is permissible. Meanwhile, Alexei is confronted by the death of his mentor Father Zossima and then begins to mentor a young sickly boy named Ilyusha. These experiences test and strengthen his faith. Meanwhile, Dmitri continues his quest for Grushenka.

When Fyodor is found murdered, the town suspects all of the brothers. However, the circumstantial evidence seems to point at Dmitri. Dmitri is arrested and must stand trial.