Alyosha leaves the cell, aware of the tense sorrow that hovers over the monastery. All members of the holy community, he is sure, anticipate some sort of miracle, one occurring immediately after the elder’s death. There are, in fact, already rumors of Father Zossima’s being responsible for a recent miracle. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Book IVSummary and Analysis Part 1: Book III: Chapters 6-11
Smerdyakov, at present, is arguing with his foster father as Alyosha arrives. He asserts that it is permissible for a man to renounce his faith in God in order to save his life. To prove that man cannot function by faith alone, he says that no man has enough faith […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book III: Chapters 6-11Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book III: Chapters 1-5
After Alyosha leaves the monastery, he finds himself growing increasingly fearful of his interview with Katerina Ivanovna, even though he knows that the girl is trying to save Dmitri from disgrace. But he has promised to see her, so he departs. He takes a shortcut to Katerina’s house and is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book III: Chapters 1-5Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book II: Chapters 5-8
Breathless, the overwrought Karamazov apologizes for being late, explaining that he was incorrectly informed of the time. He then goes forward, receives Father Zossima’s blessing, and sits quietly in the background. As the discussion resumes, Ivan begins to detail his views on immortality and virtue but is interrupted by Miusov, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book II: Chapters 5-8Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book II: Chapters 1-4
A very old monk emerges, greets the guests, and then leads them to Father Zossima’s cell. All are invited to have lunch with the Father Superior following the interview, he says. First, however, they must wait for Zossima. The wait, though not long, seems interminable to Miusov. Uncontrollably, he finds […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book II: Chapters 1-4Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book I
Adelaida Ivanovna believed in her young rebel-husband. Perhaps his spirit was bold and irrepressible, but he was the new breed of liberal Russian manhood. She believed it firmly. She tried to believe it for a long time. Then she was forced to face the ugly reality that instead of a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Book ICharacter List
Dmitri (Mitya) His oldest son, who develops an intense hatred for his father and who is convicted of murdering him. Ivan The second son, who develops into the extreme intellectual and who questions all values of life. Alyosha (Alexey) The youngest son, who is deeply religious and who functions as […]
Read more Character ListBook Summary
Dmitri comes of age, as the novel opens, and asks his father for an inheritance that, he has long been told, his mother left him. His request is scoffed at. Old Karamazov feigns ignorance of any mythical monies or properties that are rightfully Dmitri’s. The matter is far from ended, […]
Read more Book Summary