The Brothers Karamazov

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” — John 12:24 (Epigraph to The Brothers Karamazov)

Part 1

The novel opens with the dysfunctional Karamazov family: Fyodor Pavlovich, a vulgar and neglectful father, and his three sons—Dmitri (passionate and impulsive), Ivan (intellectual and tormented), and Alyosha (spiritual and gentle). A fourth, Smerdyakov, is Fyodor’s illegitimate son and serves as his servant. Tensions rise over inheritance and Dmitri’s rivalry with his father for the affections of Grushenka.

Part 2

Alyosha, a novice monk under Elder Zosima, witnesses the elder’s death and subsequent scandal when his body decomposes unusually quickly, shaking faith. Meanwhile, Ivan expresses his philosophical struggles in the famous “Rebellion” and “Grand Inquisitor” chapters, questioning God’s justice in a world of suffering.

Part 3

Dmitri’s desperation for money and Grushenka’s favor leads him to threaten Fyodor. After a violent confrontation, Fyodor is murdered, and Dmitri is arrested, despite his claims of innocence. Circumstantial evidence points to him, while Smerdyakov’s suspicious behavior hints at darker involvement.

Part 4

The trial exposes the family’s secrets: Ivan, wracked by guilt, confesses Smerdyakov’s admission of the murder (and his own indirect role) before collapsing into fever. Dmitri is convicted, though Alyosha and others believe in his redemption. The novel ends with Alyosha inspiring hope among grieving children.

Key Ideas

• The conflict between faith and doubt, embodied in Ivan’s atheism versus Alyosha’s spirituality.
• Moral responsibility and the consequences of free will, explored through patricide and guilt.
• The search for meaning in suffering, central to Dostoevsky’s critique of nihilism.
• The complexity of familial bonds, torn by love, hatred, and inheritance.
• Redemption through suffering, a recurring theme in Dmitri’s arc.

Notable Adaptations