Dostoevsky’s characters are extremely complex; just when one thinks they have the character down solid, new information is supplied, revealing new attributes to their personality. I think that the characters are intertwined making one main personality. Dmitry, Ivan, Alyosha, Zosima, Fyodor, Grushenka, Madame Khokhlakov, and Smerdyakov all have things in common; the similarities between the eight characters mentioned are so uncanny it’s hard not to notice them. Although there are exceptions, majority of them have struggled with their faith, are money hungry, and are sensualists.
Time and time again the word sensualist has been used to describe many of the characters. “She (Grushenka) is noted for sensual activity with men, and her tempting behavior (Kpeters).” There is no doubt that Dmitry and Fyodor are sensualists as well. Both have also been called sensualists repeatedly in the book. “She [Stinking Lizaveta] is suspected to have been seduced by Fyodor, the only man in the city who would be evil enough to make sexual advances on such a woman and leave her to herself afterwards (98-99) (Schwemmer).” Kaubry brings up more evidence supporting this about Dmitry: “You’re [Dmitry] a sensualist after your father. (67)” Surprisingly enough Zosima was also sensualist in his early life and acted very much like Dmitry, both having squandered away large sums of money on women.
Dmitry, Ivan, Zosima, Alyosha, Khokhlakov, Smerdyakov, and even Fyodor have all struggled with their faith. Ivan believes in the word of God but does not accept it. While having lunch with Alyosha one day he explained his beliefs, forcing Alyosha to question his faith. Jdehart brings up the almighty question in his blog when Ivan asks Alyosha: “Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men happy in the end, giving them peace and rest at last, but that it was essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature- that baby beating its breast with its fist, for instance- and to found that edifice on its unavenged tears, would you consent to be the architect on those conditions?” Alyosha immediately responds no. Alyosha again questions his faith after Zosima dies. He repeats what Ivan told him to Rakatin. But when Alyosha reaches his lowest point, he has a conversion similar to Zosima’s. The idea that Ivan might have a conversion hasn’t been ruled out yet either; he’s still questioning his faith. Ivan and Smerdyakov seem to share some of the same beliefs when it comes to religion as well. “The grown up Smerdyakov is introduced as having elements that strongly resemble Ivan, because Smerdyakov shows that his doubts in God and the bible even from the age of ten, when Gregory reads him the Creation in Genesis and Smerdyakov asks "Where did the light come from" (121). (Schwemmer)” Dmitry also seems to be confused on where he stands in his faith. Kabury pulls this quote out of the book: “after your mother- a holy fool.” Dmitry obviously has faith but right now it’s just being covered up by his addiction to sensualism. Kaubry describes him as “being at a cross roads, he could turn out to be just like Zosima, he could gone down a path towards Christ; or he could kill his dad, steal the money and run off with Grushenka.” Madame Khokhlakov was the “woman of little faith” in the book. She described how she wanted to be more holy but wasn’t sure how. After speaking with Zosima she said in tears she would actively love and try to change her ways. But after Zosima died she seemed to have changed her mindset. “’I’m all for realism now, I’ve been taught a good lesson about miracles (384)’”. And on page 385 she says, “Oh, I’m a realist now, Dmitri Fyodorovich. From this day on, after all that story in the monastery, which upset me so, I’m a complete realist, and want to throw myself into practical activity. I am cured. Enough! as Turgenev said.” Fyodor says he is an atheist but has an understanding of the bible that contradicts his beliefs. “There is an eternal struggle in Fyodor. He struggles with the question of God. His knowledge of the bible and of Diderot shows this. It seems that he has chosen not to believe in God. This struggle is shown since he always misinterprets the Bible and gives the text a twisted meaning. (Krause)” Even Grushenka, the wicked woman who uses men, has a bit of a conversion. When Alyosha comes to visit her she had planned to seduce him but instead realizes her wicked ways and had a change of heart. She has another change of heart when she professes her love and dedication to Dmitry.
Grushenka, Fyodor, Dmitry, and Zosima (at one point) are all very attached to money and materialistic items. “Grushenka is a money driven beast, who is attractive to the males perspective and with this exterior superiority she is able to manipulate a man’s love for her own benefit. (KPeters)” KPeters also states that, “she is drawn to money, and essentially seeks that in all of her relationships.” Dmitry is described in the beginning of the novel to have “led a wild life, and spent comparatively, a great deal of money.” (11) Fyodor, being the stingy man that he is, mooches and doesn’t even want to give money to his own children. Before Zosima’s had a conversion, he too, threw his money away on pointless things.
Although Dostoevsky seems to have added small differences in each character, overall he has created one main personality that all of the characters share. It takes a lot of study of the book to see all of the resemblances, but they are definitely evident.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Madame Khokhlakov
Samantha Brodbeck
Eng 3H
Madame Khokhlakov is a very straightforward character; she doesn’t play games and isn’t afraid to show her true colors. From looking at her interactions with others, one can infer several characteristics that appear frequently. One being that she is a drama queen to the max. She is also a woman of many words; it’s hard to get 2 cents in when holding a conversation with her. Kokhlakhov takes pleasure in being involved with other people’s lives as well. To top it all off, she possesses the trait of arrogance.
Khokhlakov’s ability to talk for hours upon hours appears in almost every passage involving her. I think there are two reasons for this. One being she doesn’t respect others, and the other because she’s simply just a chatterbox. On page 55, Zosima was out blessing his visitors; he then comes to Madame Kokhlakov who praises him excessively. “’You look so healthy, so cheerful, so happy…Oh, how you speak! What brave and lofty words!’” Throughout the chapter “Gold Mines”, the woman would not let Dmitry get a word in. On several different accounts she knows exactly what he’s going to say and tells him she has heard it all beforehand. Every time he tries to talk he is cut short. When dealing with someone who talks a lot, it is usually the case that they gossip excessively as well; Madame Kokhlakov is no exception. While speaking with Dmitry about the gold mines, she randomly threw in the news about Zosima and asked if he had heard yet. When Alyosha comes to visit the house she tells him about Katerina and Ivan. “…She loves your brother Ivan, and is persuading herself as hard as she can that she loves your brother Dmitry. (185)” This information was based on a hunch but she told Alyosha the news as if it were fact. On page 180 she says, “’Did you spread it around? Did you show everyone? He stored the son to his mother!’” This passage shows that these might have been her actions when she received the news. She even goes as far as embarrassing Lise with her big mouth. “’…Ah, I even forgot that this is the main thing: tell me, why is Lise in hysterics? The moment she heard you were coming, she immediately had hysterics!’ (181)” Many times when speaking, she does so very quickly and tends to ramble. On page 180 she spoke to Alyosha, in a “nervous, quick voice.”
The most prominent attribute Madame Khokhlakov brings forth is how dramatic she is. In every passage that she talks there is a great deal of emotion. It’s common to see exclamation points when she is speaking. She gets very excited to meet people at he door; for example, when Alyosha came to visit she met him in the front hallway. It was similar when Dmitry came to visit; she basically ran to greet him. Like the typical drama queen, she cries. On page 58, she wept after Zosima gave her advice on how to have more faith (crying on 53,). Hysterics are not uncommon; mostly it’s over Lise’s illness. “’…She’s so sick, she was sick all night, in a fever, moaning! I could hardly wait for morning and Herzenstube (181, see 182 and53).’” She gets hysterics when she sees Alyosha’s bitten finger as well.
Khokhlakov thinks she is a know-it-all. Not only does she think she knows what’s best for Katya, but for Dmitry as well (a man she is not close to whatsoever). This becomes very evident when she has a conversation with Dmitry about the gold mines. Sentence after sentence is Khokhlakov telling him “his ideas and goals.” “’I shall tell you your idea: you will discover mines…you’ll build buildings, start various enterprises. You will help the poor.’ (385)” Again on page 386 she told Dmitry that his goal is the mines and that it’s “precisely what he needs and thirsts for” but of course without knowing it. She even goes as far as saying “I’ve thought for you (385).” On page 185 she says that Katya likes Ivan and not Dmitry, because that is what Khokhlakov thinks would be best for Katya.
Another not so glorious attribute Madame Khokhlakov possesses is arrogance. On page 384 she calls herself “an experienced doctor of souls.” The trait makes her feel the need to help others because she thinks they are incapable of helping themselves. She tells Dmitry that she took his fate into consideration long ago; it’s like she’s saying that Dmitry isn’t educated enough to decide what’s best for himself. The entire chapter deals with Madame Khokhlakov telling Dmitry what he is going to do for the rest of his life. Dmitry isn’t the first person she’s helped either, and she let the reader know that. “’You will not be the first I’ve helped, Dmitry Fyodorovich. You’ve probably heard about my cousin, Madame Belmesov, her husband was ruined...what did I do…? I sent him into horse-breeding, and now he’s flourishing.’” It sounds like she’s taking credit for the hard work this man put into horse breeding; it was only her idea. It also sounds like she is boasting about how good of a person she is for helping others. “...Just marvel at my instinct (383), in this sentence she is downright bragging.
Madame Khokhlakov acts about the same every time she appears in the novel: emotional, arrogant and chatty. She is a very comical character who keeps things interesting. Although she doesn’t have the best qualities, I don’t think her intentions are bad.
Eng 3H
Madame Khokhlakov is a very straightforward character; she doesn’t play games and isn’t afraid to show her true colors. From looking at her interactions with others, one can infer several characteristics that appear frequently. One being that she is a drama queen to the max. She is also a woman of many words; it’s hard to get 2 cents in when holding a conversation with her. Kokhlakhov takes pleasure in being involved with other people’s lives as well. To top it all off, she possesses the trait of arrogance.
Khokhlakov’s ability to talk for hours upon hours appears in almost every passage involving her. I think there are two reasons for this. One being she doesn’t respect others, and the other because she’s simply just a chatterbox. On page 55, Zosima was out blessing his visitors; he then comes to Madame Kokhlakov who praises him excessively. “’You look so healthy, so cheerful, so happy…Oh, how you speak! What brave and lofty words!’” Throughout the chapter “Gold Mines”, the woman would not let Dmitry get a word in. On several different accounts she knows exactly what he’s going to say and tells him she has heard it all beforehand. Every time he tries to talk he is cut short. When dealing with someone who talks a lot, it is usually the case that they gossip excessively as well; Madame Kokhlakov is no exception. While speaking with Dmitry about the gold mines, she randomly threw in the news about Zosima and asked if he had heard yet. When Alyosha comes to visit the house she tells him about Katerina and Ivan. “…She loves your brother Ivan, and is persuading herself as hard as she can that she loves your brother Dmitry. (185)” This information was based on a hunch but she told Alyosha the news as if it were fact. On page 180 she says, “’Did you spread it around? Did you show everyone? He stored the son to his mother!’” This passage shows that these might have been her actions when she received the news. She even goes as far as embarrassing Lise with her big mouth. “’…Ah, I even forgot that this is the main thing: tell me, why is Lise in hysterics? The moment she heard you were coming, she immediately had hysterics!’ (181)” Many times when speaking, she does so very quickly and tends to ramble. On page 180 she spoke to Alyosha, in a “nervous, quick voice.”
The most prominent attribute Madame Khokhlakov brings forth is how dramatic she is. In every passage that she talks there is a great deal of emotion. It’s common to see exclamation points when she is speaking. She gets very excited to meet people at he door; for example, when Alyosha came to visit she met him in the front hallway. It was similar when Dmitry came to visit; she basically ran to greet him. Like the typical drama queen, she cries. On page 58, she wept after Zosima gave her advice on how to have more faith (crying on 53,). Hysterics are not uncommon; mostly it’s over Lise’s illness. “’…She’s so sick, she was sick all night, in a fever, moaning! I could hardly wait for morning and Herzenstube (181, see 182 and53).’” She gets hysterics when she sees Alyosha’s bitten finger as well.
Khokhlakov thinks she is a know-it-all. Not only does she think she knows what’s best for Katya, but for Dmitry as well (a man she is not close to whatsoever). This becomes very evident when she has a conversation with Dmitry about the gold mines. Sentence after sentence is Khokhlakov telling him “his ideas and goals.” “’I shall tell you your idea: you will discover mines…you’ll build buildings, start various enterprises. You will help the poor.’ (385)” Again on page 386 she told Dmitry that his goal is the mines and that it’s “precisely what he needs and thirsts for” but of course without knowing it. She even goes as far as saying “I’ve thought for you (385).” On page 185 she says that Katya likes Ivan and not Dmitry, because that is what Khokhlakov thinks would be best for Katya.
Another not so glorious attribute Madame Khokhlakov possesses is arrogance. On page 384 she calls herself “an experienced doctor of souls.” The trait makes her feel the need to help others because she thinks they are incapable of helping themselves. She tells Dmitry that she took his fate into consideration long ago; it’s like she’s saying that Dmitry isn’t educated enough to decide what’s best for himself. The entire chapter deals with Madame Khokhlakov telling Dmitry what he is going to do for the rest of his life. Dmitry isn’t the first person she’s helped either, and she let the reader know that. “’You will not be the first I’ve helped, Dmitry Fyodorovich. You’ve probably heard about my cousin, Madame Belmesov, her husband was ruined...what did I do…? I sent him into horse-breeding, and now he’s flourishing.’” It sounds like she’s taking credit for the hard work this man put into horse breeding; it was only her idea. It also sounds like she is boasting about how good of a person she is for helping others. “...Just marvel at my instinct (383), in this sentence she is downright bragging.
Madame Khokhlakov acts about the same every time she appears in the novel: emotional, arrogant and chatty. She is a very comical character who keeps things interesting. Although she doesn’t have the best qualities, I don’t think her intentions are bad.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Gold Mines
I don’t think Khokhlakov’s offer of the gold mines is all that funny. But I also don’t think that this novel is very funny so it’s possible it’s one of the more comical scenes. I think it’s creepy if anything.
Madame Kholkhlakov doesn’t know Dmitry that well and doesn’t like him. Why on earth would she want to help him? And how did she get the idea of mines? It’s weird that this woman who barely knows this man is telling what he he’s going to do; even makes him answer on the spot. “’Enough, Dmitry Fyodorovich, enough!’ Madame Khokhlakov interrupted insistently. ‘The question is: are you going to the mines or not? Have you fully decided? Answer mathematically.’(386)” This is a life changing decision and she’s making him decide right away? She’s acting like a control freak.
Dostoevsky creates an eerie affect about this woman. To make her sound even weirder, she realized this all from his gait. “I even studied your gait and decided: this man will find many mines (385).” Deciding a man’s future based on their walk? I don’t know if I’ve heard that one before. She’s seems to have lost her mind and become crazy. What’s more is the fact that she had a feeling Dmitry was coming, although they are rarely visit. It’s almost as if she has a fortune-teller aura about her.
Madame Kholkhlakov doesn’t know Dmitry that well and doesn’t like him. Why on earth would she want to help him? And how did she get the idea of mines? It’s weird that this woman who barely knows this man is telling what he he’s going to do; even makes him answer on the spot. “’Enough, Dmitry Fyodorovich, enough!’ Madame Khokhlakov interrupted insistently. ‘The question is: are you going to the mines or not? Have you fully decided? Answer mathematically.’(386)” This is a life changing decision and she’s making him decide right away? She’s acting like a control freak.
Dostoevsky creates an eerie affect about this woman. To make her sound even weirder, she realized this all from his gait. “I even studied your gait and decided: this man will find many mines (385).” Deciding a man’s future based on their walk? I don’t know if I’ve heard that one before. She’s seems to have lost her mind and become crazy. What’s more is the fact that she had a feeling Dmitry was coming, although they are rarely visit. It’s almost as if she has a fortune-teller aura about her.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Dostoevsky describes Alyosha's conversion at the end of book 7. It relates to one of the main themes of the book with the corn of wheat that must die in order to bring forth a beautiful fruit. Alyosha has a life-altering moment.
"He fell to the earth a weak youth and rose up a fighter, steadfast for the rest of his life...(363)" Alyosha had this beautiful image/dream of Zosima rejoicing and then fell to the ground and rose up to become a man who is strong and knows what he wants in life.
I guess if you're a strong believe in miracles and conversion the story is believable, but if you're not then it's not. It's hard to grasp the idea that one change just change in an instant; almost as if something has possessed them. It's possible the image of Zosima really made Alyosha that happy to reach his full potential considering that is what Zosima wanted. It could also be due to the fact that Alyosha helped Grushenka be a better person and realize that she can be good. It was as if he "gave her the onion".
"He fell to the earth a weak youth and rose up a fighter, steadfast for the rest of his life...(363)" Alyosha had this beautiful image/dream of Zosima rejoicing and then fell to the ground and rose up to become a man who is strong and knows what he wants in life.
I guess if you're a strong believe in miracles and conversion the story is believable, but if you're not then it's not. It's hard to grasp the idea that one change just change in an instant; almost as if something has possessed them. It's possible the image of Zosima really made Alyosha that happy to reach his full potential considering that is what Zosima wanted. It could also be due to the fact that Alyosha helped Grushenka be a better person and realize that she can be good. It was as if he "gave her the onion".
Alyosha's Faith
Alyosha hasn't completely lost his faith and still believes in God, but he almost seems like he is mad at God. "He loved his God and believed in him steadfastly, though he suddenly murmured against him." I think he's just upset and is doing things that he wouldn't normally do and doesn't understand why God is "punishing" Zosima.
Alyosha struggles with why people are bad mouthing Zosima. He asks why this shame should be permitted and why everyone is following Ferapont now on page 340. Alyosha believes that Zosima was a very good man and doesn't deserve any of the disgrace that has fallen upon him.
When Ratakin comes to find Alyosha, he does things that surprise Ratakin a great deal. Alyosha accepted the vodka and the sausage, and even agreed to go see Grushenka. That's out of the ordinary for Alyosha. I think he was just doing it to kind of get back at God. I don't think that means he lost his faith. He seems to be taking the insight of Ivan; he still believes in God but doesn't understand why God makes people suffer as he does. "'I believed, I believe, and I want to believe, and I will believe, and what more do you want!'" Although Alyosha is upset, he still says he believes in God.
Alyosha struggles with why people are bad mouthing Zosima. He asks why this shame should be permitted and why everyone is following Ferapont now on page 340. Alyosha believes that Zosima was a very good man and doesn't deserve any of the disgrace that has fallen upon him.
When Ratakin comes to find Alyosha, he does things that surprise Ratakin a great deal. Alyosha accepted the vodka and the sausage, and even agreed to go see Grushenka. That's out of the ordinary for Alyosha. I think he was just doing it to kind of get back at God. I don't think that means he lost his faith. He seems to be taking the insight of Ivan; he still believes in God but doesn't understand why God makes people suffer as he does. "'I believed, I believe, and I want to believe, and I will believe, and what more do you want!'" Although Alyosha is upset, he still says he believes in God.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Zosima's philosphy
Zosima makes some very good points in his speech before he dies. A valid point he makes is about how materialistic things complicate life and can make one unhappy. The less one has, the more they appreciate what has been given to them. If one has a lot, then they take what they have for granted. He refers to the term isolation a lot.
He talks about how man isolates himself from others and just worries about his possessions all the time. "...they distort their own nature, for they generate many meaningless and foolish desires, habits, and the most absurd fancies in themselves. They live only for mutual envy, for pleasure-seeking and self-display. (314)" People are too worried about what others think; too much time is spent trying to impress others. Instead of actually having relationships with people, all the time is spent bettering one's status.
Zosima also points out that people have obscured priorities. "To have dinners, horses, carriages, rank, and slaves to serve them is now considered such a necessity that for the sake of it, to satisfy it, they will sacrifice life, honor, the love of mankind, and will even kill themselves if they are unable to satisfy it (314)." Instead of loving one's neighbor and things like that, life becomes revolved around becoming higher ranked and proving oneself in society. Everything needed to get to heaven is basically thrown out and now people just care about getting rich with no regards to what is at stake.
He talks about how man isolates himself from others and just worries about his possessions all the time. "...they distort their own nature, for they generate many meaningless and foolish desires, habits, and the most absurd fancies in themselves. They live only for mutual envy, for pleasure-seeking and self-display. (314)" People are too worried about what others think; too much time is spent trying to impress others. Instead of actually having relationships with people, all the time is spent bettering one's status.
Zosima also points out that people have obscured priorities. "To have dinners, horses, carriages, rank, and slaves to serve them is now considered such a necessity that for the sake of it, to satisfy it, they will sacrifice life, honor, the love of mankind, and will even kill themselves if they are unable to satisfy it (314)." Instead of loving one's neighbor and things like that, life becomes revolved around becoming higher ranked and proving oneself in society. Everything needed to get to heaven is basically thrown out and now people just care about getting rich with no regards to what is at stake.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Zosima's childhood
During Zosima's early life, he showed numerous Karamozov traits, especially those relating to Dmitry. He was jealous, careless with money, and liked the smell of revenge. His life and general also reflected Dmitry's to a certain extent.
After Zosima's brother Markel died, his mother sent him to a cadet school. After that he joined the ranks; similar to Dmitry who also was involved in the military. While being in the military he got money and spent it freely and carelessly. The girls in the area knew he had a money and soon he fell for a girl of high-status. Later Zosima found out that this girl had a fiancee and Zosima got very jealous. He wanted revenge at the girl who he felt was laughing at him and the man; he challenged him to a duel. The story of Zosima and Dmitry is almost uncanny. Dmitry met a girl he too did not marry, and did not love but just respected, exactly like Zosima. Dmitry also tried to get revenge.
Zosima described himself to be wild and crazy. He drank too much sometimes, and recalled a night where he beat a man. This parallels to the man that Dmitry beat outside the bar when he he drank too much one night.
And this is a side point, but I also think that Zosima shows characteristics of Alyosha too. They both steal other people's ideas, or as Ivan calls it "literary theft". Zosima lives my his brother's theory and tells other people what his brother said, just like Alyosha takes things from books and what Zosima says and tells other people.
After Zosima's brother Markel died, his mother sent him to a cadet school. After that he joined the ranks; similar to Dmitry who also was involved in the military. While being in the military he got money and spent it freely and carelessly. The girls in the area knew he had a money and soon he fell for a girl of high-status. Later Zosima found out that this girl had a fiancee and Zosima got very jealous. He wanted revenge at the girl who he felt was laughing at him and the man; he challenged him to a duel. The story of Zosima and Dmitry is almost uncanny. Dmitry met a girl he too did not marry, and did not love but just respected, exactly like Zosima. Dmitry also tried to get revenge.
Zosima described himself to be wild and crazy. He drank too much sometimes, and recalled a night where he beat a man. This parallels to the man that Dmitry beat outside the bar when he he drank too much one night.
And this is a side point, but I also think that Zosima shows characteristics of Alyosha too. They both steal other people's ideas, or as Ivan calls it "literary theft". Zosima lives my his brother's theory and tells other people what his brother said, just like Alyosha takes things from books and what Zosima says and tells other people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)