Category: Brothers Karamazov

Embarking on a journey to dissect and discuss “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky is akin to embarking on a deep dive into the human psyche, exploring the nuances of faith, doubt, freedom, and the nature of evil. With the creation of a specialized course dedicated to enthusiasts who have traversed the complex narrative of the Karamazov family more than once, we unveil a new layer of academic and philosophical inquiry. This course, inspired by Robert L. Belknap’s seminal work, “The Structure of ‘The Brothers Karamazov'”, aims not just to analyze Dostoevsky’s text but to provide a structured approach to understanding its profound thematic elements and narrative techniques.

Robert L. Belknap’s analysis, with its meticulous breakdown of Dostoevsky’s narrative structure and inherent relationships, serves as the cornerstone of our course. Belknap’s dissection of the Karamazov narrative, with its emphasis on the diverse interpretations and the multifaceted technique employed by Dostoevsky, mirrors our course’s objective: to navigate the labyrinthine depths of “The Brothers Karamazov” and to uncover the intricate web of relationships and themes that lie beneath its surface.

The course is structured to guide participants through the inherent relationships within the novel, as Belknap elucidates, by paralleling the interconnected systems of the human body with the narrative’s structure. This analogy serves as a foundation for our exploration, as we delve into the dynamics of the Karamazov family, and extend our analysis to the broader societal and philosophical implications that Dostoevsky imparts through his characters and their conflicts.

Belknap’s identification of “Karamazovism” as a central theme – embodying the contradictions, passions, and existential dilemmas faced by the Karamazov family – will be a significant focus of our study. This theme, reflective of the tumultuous and often paradoxical nature of human existence, will provide a lens through which course participants can re-examine the novel’s complex narrative and thematic richness.

Moreover, our course will tackle the methodological challenges posed by Belknap, encouraging participants to engage critically with the text and its multitude of interpretations. By addressing these challenges, the course aims to foster a deeper understanding of Dostoevsky’s masterpiece, moving beyond surface-level analysis to grasp the philosophical underpinnings and the intricate craftsmanship of the novel.

This course, then, is not merely an academic endeavor but a journey of discovery for those captivated by Dostoevsky’s magnum opus. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with “The Brothers Karamazov” through the analytical framework provided by Belknap’s insightful commentary, encouraging a dialogue that transcends the confines of the text and touches upon the universal questions of morality, faith, and the human condition.

I have tested different AI engines (GPTs) to see what they know about a certain event in the Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. This is because the Brothers Karamazov is a famously complex book that is challenging to understand, and a way to test GPTs on something else than math and programming.

I decided to ask a rather straightforward question which anyone who has read the novel, perhaps twice, can answer:

“In the Brothers Karamazov, Alyosha is sent to a poor man with money. In which book of the 12 books does this happen, how much money does Alyosha hand over and to whom, who is the sender of the money and importantly why does this person think this poor man should have this money?”

The answer I would give is: This is taken from Book IV “Lacerations” and its last Chapter VII “And in the Open Air”. Alyosha goes over to Captain Snegiryov’s hut to hand over 200 rubles. They are from Katerina Ivanovna and no one else knows about this. She gives the money since Alyosha’s brother Dmitry has insulted both her and Captain Snegiryov, and since the captain and his family are in a very unfortunate position. The captain oscillates between initial euphoria and subsequent rejection, showing that pride for his family means more to him than the money. In a world where honor can be easily negotiated, his actions underline the profound significance of preserving one’s dignity even when surrounded by cacophonies of judgment and disdain.

So let us see how different models handle this question on March 16, 2024.

Here is Chat GPT-4 with no training in any literature:

”In “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alyosha is sent with money to Captain Snegiryov and his family. This event occurs in Book 4, titled “Lacerations/Strains” (the exact title can vary depending on the translation). Specifically, this scene unfolds in Chapter 3, “A Little Demon.” Alyosha is sent with 200 rubles, which are provided by his brother Dmitri (Mitya) Karamazov.

Dmitri sends this money because he feels remorse for his earlier behavior towards the Snegiryov family, particularly an incident involving Captain Snegiryov’s son, Ilyusha. During a confrontation, Dmitri had insulted Captain Snegiryov and, in a fit of anger, had twisted Ilyusha’s ear. This act of sending money is Dmitri’s way of attempting to make amends for his actions and to provide financial support to the impoverished Snegiryov family. Dmitri specifically instructs Alyosha to tell the Snegiryovs that the money is an act of charity, coming from a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, though Captain Snegiryov quickly deduces the true source of the money. This gesture reflects Dmitri’s complex personality, demonstrating his impulsive nature but also his deep capacity for guilt and a desire to seek redemption.”

–> My reflection:

This GPT starts off in an excellent way, noting the right book and even highlighting that it has different names depending on the translations. But then the downfall starts: Suddenly, this is now chapter 3 in book IX “Brother Ivan Fyodorovich” where we meet Lise for the last time, as she slides into brain fever and madness. And of course, it is not Dmitry who sends the money, but Katerina Ivanovna. Then it continues that path, guessing as it goes along.

Dostoyevsky’s Scholar – a trained GPT:

This is a GPT I have trained on all of Dostoyevsky’s main books, meaning it should be able to give us a better answer.

“In “The Brothers Karamazov,” Alyosha is tasked by Katerina with delivering 200 rubles to a poor captain as a gesture to make amends for Dmitri’s violent behavior towards him. This event occurs in Book 4, titled “Strains”. Katerina’s motivation for sending the money is to compensate for the disgrace Dmitri caused to the captain, in front of the captain’s young son, by beating him severely. This act of sending Alyosha with money to the captain showcases Katerina’s sense of moral responsibility and her attempt to rectify the wrongs done by Dmitri.

The captain, upon being offered the money, initially reacts with joy at the prospect of receiving such a significant sum. However, he soon decides to reject the money, explaining to Alyosha that accepting it would prevent his son from ever being able to admire or respect him. This decision reflects the captain’s pride and his desire to maintain his dignity and the respect of his son, despite their dire financial situation.

This narrative segment from “The Brothers Karamazov” not only highlights Alyosha’s role as a mediator and peacemaker among the characters but also emphasizes themes of dignity, repentance, and the complex interplay of pride and morality within human relationships.”

–> My reflection:

Here, everything is right. It not only says that it is 200 rubles from Katerina to the captain (misses his name “Snegiryov” though) to cover up for Dimitry’s bad behavior. It also correctly says the captain refuses the money at the end since he cares about their dignity. It also weaves in a theme in the novel – Alyosha taking on the role as mediator, wandering between people to help them, just as his dear forerunner Father Zosima.

Perplexity.ai:

I used the free model meaning the answer might be different if I paid:

“In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel “The Brothers Karamazov,” the event where Alyosha is sent to a poor man with money occurs in Book IV. Alyosha hands over 200 rubles to the destitute Captain Snegiryov. The sender of the money is Katerina, who believes that the poor man should have this money to alleviate his poverty. Captain Snegiryov initially refuses the money, expressing that accepting it would compromise his son’s love and respect, highlighting his pride and integrity despite his dire circumstances.”

–> My reflection:

This short answer starts off correctly but sounds more like a high school student semi-guessing. Book IV is correct, the sender and receiver are correct, but it focuses solely on the money alleviating the poverty and misses the key question about Katerina and the captain both being subjected to neglect and torn from Dmitry. The last sentence is wrong: the captain first accepts the money but later refuses to take the money since it compromises their honor.

Poe.com:

I used the free model of Poe, meaning it perhaps is not as good as Claude-2.

“In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel “The Brothers Karamazov,” Alyosha Karamazov is not sent to give money to a poor man. There is no such specific event described in the novel where Alyosha hands over money to anyone on behalf of a sender who believes a poor man should have the money. It is possible that you may be confusing or misremembering details from the book or referring to a different literary work.”

–> My reflection:

Ignorance is bliss. Suddenly, this has not happened, and it even taunts me as being confused and misremembering. The worst mix: Giving the wrong answer and then treating others badly.

Microsoft Co-pilot after checking Sparknotes:

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find the specific information you’re looking for in my search results. The Brothers Karamazov is a complex novel with many characters and events. It might be helpful to look at a detailed summary or analysis of the book to find the answers to your questions. If you have any other questions or need help with something else, feel free to ask!”

–> My reflection:

Better than Poe but still very bland. It can’t give me the answer but still answers in a happy tone. Why I don’t know since it didn’t help me, but I’d rather hear a happy tone than being called confused.

Caveat and summary:

Earlier, I used Poe with Claude-2 for creative writing, and it excels at this. For example, give it a standard text and ask it to rewrite and something deeper and more poetic will arrive. Perplexity is often very good at providing references, but here it missed the main story. Chat GPT 4 with no training opens strongly but then goes on a wild trip. I can’t even comprehend why it confuses Alyosha and Snegiryov with Alyosha and Lise – two very different settings and storylines and hundreds of pages apart. And then the ones at the bottom: Poe insulting me, and Co-pilot not knowing a thing but still being happy.

Finally, since my highly trained “Dostoyevsky’s Scholar” GPT gives me not just the correct factual answer but also adds the necessary depth, my conclusion is clear: A GPT requires extensive training, uploaded files to look in, and a specified area to help in. And for all of these it requires me, who knows this novel, to check if the answer is correct or not. And this will be true for all GPTs and models and products in the coming years: These models can lie to us very persuasively and get away with it if you are not there to check them.

I am using a novel here and in this case, errors can be annoying or amusing, but handling medical, juridical, production-related, and financial questions over and trusting the GPT blindly, and we will have millions of people risking wrong treatment, being paid too little, or having machines or trucks that malfunction as examples. The same goes for what I work with: Send in a GPT to answer any intranet question without tidying up the content, and the answers will be thereafter.

“What is ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ really about?”
A straightforward question, but with answers that evolve as we journey through life:

For a 5th grader, it might unfold as a tale of three brothers – Dmitry, Ivan, Alyosha, and the enigmatic Smerdyakov – grappling with the mysterious death of their controversial father, Fyodor.

A high school student delves deeper, observing these brothers each as a symbol of distinct philosophies and perspectives. Amidst a gripping murder mystery, the story challenges their very notions of faith, morality, and free will.

University scholars find themselves submerged in its profound existential and theological currents. The family’s saga is but a canvas for intricate debates on God, humanity, and the essence of morality.

Literature aficionados recognize Dostoevsky’s brilliant blend of psychology, philosophy, and theology. Every character becomes more than just a person; they morph into living representations of philosophical ideals.

Venturing further into its depths, esteemed scholars like Robin Feuer Miller and Joseph Frank perceive this masterpiece as a reflection of Dostoevsky’s intricate insights into the maelstrom of human emotions, our confrontations with moral quandaries, and the delicate balance we strike between our shadowed inclinations and moments of salvation.

Today, our understanding is further enriched when viewed through the prisms of eminent thinkers like Kierkegaard, who challenges our concepts of faith and despair; Jung, who would dissect the archetypal shadows lurking within the characters; and de Beauvoir, who would critique the portrayal and struggles of the novel’s women, questioning the societal constructs of their time.

So, what exactly is ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ about? Your vantage point determines its depths. As we journey through literature, each revisit uncovers fresh nuances, offering a renewed perspective of its world.

It is with great joy I tell you that my series of videos when I describe and analyze all the books in the Brothers Karamazov is ready. For more than two hours I do my best to really understand this masterpiece. This is a great result for me but also marks the start of something new. Now I can take on any challenge regarding this book. Hurrah for the Karamazovs!

Here is the first, with the rest in the right-hand menu (just click Watch on YouTube):

The Book of Job has been a source of wisdom and insight for generations. The story of Job, a righteous man who undergoes a series of trials that test his faith, has inspired countless writers and thinkers to reflect on the nature of God, suffering, and humanity. One such writer was Fyodor Dostoevsky, whose novel The Brothers Karamazov explores these same themes in its own way. There are three key passages from the Book of Job that are particularly relevant to the novel.

The first, Job 1:1-22, introduces us to Job and his trials:

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.'”

Job 1:8.10

Job is a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and turns away from evil. Yet, God allows Satan to test him by taking away his possessions, his children, and his health. Despite his suffering, Job refuses to curse God and instead remains faithful. In The Brothers Karamazov, we see similar challenges faced by several characters. For instance, Ivan, the intellectual and skeptic, struggles to reconcile his belief in God with the existence of evil in the world. He argues that the suffering of innocent children is evidence that God does not exist, or if He does, He is not just. Ivan’s struggle echoes Job’s, as both men question the justice of God.

The second passage, Job 38:1-11, is a reminder of the limits of human understanding in the face of God’s vastness and complexity.

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.'”

Job 38:1-4

In this passage, God speaks to Job from a whirlwind and reminds him of the limits of his own knowledge. God asks Job a series of rhetorical questions that reveal the wonders of creation and the complexity of the natural world. This same theme is echoed in The Brothers Karamazov, as characters such as Father Zosima and Ivan confront their own limitations and question the nature of God’s justice. Father Zosima, a wise and compassionate monk, acknowledges that he does not understand everything and that there are mysteries beyond human comprehension. Ivan, on the other hand, struggles with the concept of divine justice given how the world works. These characters, like Job, are forced to confront their own limitations and the vastness of God’s mystery.

The third and most powerful passage, Job 42:1-6, is Job’s humble acknowledgment of his own limitations and repentance for questioning God’s ways.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.'”

Job 42:1-6

In this passage, Job repents his earlier questioning of God’s justice and acknowledges that his understanding was limited. He says, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.” This act of humility and submission is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, even in the midst of suffering and confusion. It is this same faith that sustains the characters in The Brothers Karamazov, even as they face some of the most profound questions of the human experience. For example, Alyosha, the youngest and most devout of the Karamazov brothers, forgives his brother Dmitri for a crime he did not commit. This act of forgiveness is an expression of Alyosha’s faith in God’s mercy and love. Similarly, Ivan, after suffering a mental breakdown, seeks forgiveness and redemption.

Taken together, these passages offer a rich and complex framework for understanding both the Book of Job and The Brothers Karamazov. They remind the readers of the importance of faith, humility, and trust in God, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. They also offer a powerful critique of the limits of human understanding and the importance of acknowledging our own limitations. For anyone grappling with the challenges of faith and suffering, these passages offer a source of wisdom and insight that is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

Furthermore, The Brothers Karamazov is a rich and complex exploration of the human experience, and the parallels with the Book of Job offer a deeper understanding of the novel. Just as Job questions the justice of God, the characters in the novel question the nature of love, justice, and redemption. For example, Dmitri, the eldest of the Karamazov brothers, struggles with his own passions and desires, and ultimately seeks redemption through his love for Grushenka. Similarly, Ivan’s struggle with the concept of divine justice reflects the larger theme of justice and injustice in the novel, particularly in the trial of Dmitri for the murder of his father.

In conclusion, the parallels between the Book of Job and The Brothers Karamazov offer a deeper understanding of both works. The themes of faith, suffering, and humility that are present in both works remind us of the importance of acknowledging our own limitations and trusting in God, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. The novel, like the ancient text, offers a powerful critique of the limits of human understanding and the importance of acknowledging the mysteries of the world around us. Ultimately, both works offer a profound exploration of the human experience and a reminder of the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and redemption.

And Martha brought up the boy. They christened him Paul and registered his patronymic as Fyodorovich as a matter of course, without asking anyone’s permission. Fyodor Karamazov did not object to this; in fact, he found it rather amusing. And later he called him Smerdyakov—the Reeking One—from his mother’s nickname—Lizaveta Smerdyashchaya, Reeking Lizaveta.

Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

---

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” features a complex and multi-layered character named Smerdyakov. Meanwhile, what few seem to have noticed is that he is baptized to ‘Paul’ (‘Pavel’ in Russian), creating a strong link to the Bible. This deliberate choice of name provides insight into the deeper themes and messages that Dostoevsky wished to convey through this character, particularly in relation to the biblical figure of Paul.

The biblical figure of Paul, formerly known as Saul, underwent a profound conversion that transformed him from a fierce oppressor of Christians to one of their most ardent supporters. Through his letters, we see Paul grappling with the morality of his actions and the consequences of his beliefs, as well as the struggle to reconcile his faith with the reality of a world often at odds with his beliefs. This theme of conversion is mirrored in Smerdyakov’s character, who, like Paul, undergoes a transformation of his own.

However, while Paul’s conversion was a spiritual awakening that brought him closer to God and morality, Smerdyakov’s transformation is a descent into evil. In the novel, Smerdyakov adopts a nihilistic philosophy from Ivan, which leads him to reject the Christian gospel and commit a heinous act of violence. This contrast between Paul and Smerdyakov highlights the duality of human nature and the destructive potential of beliefs that reject morality and meaning in the world.

Furthermore, the naming of Smerdyakov as Paul underscores the importance of belief in shaping individual identity and the direction of one’s life. Through Paul’s conversion, he becomes a new person, filled with the grace and love of God, while Smerdyakov’s embrace of nihilism leads him down a path of evil and destruction. This comparison serves to emphasize the idea that beliefs have the power to shape our lives and actions, and challenges readers to consider the impact of their own beliefs on their lives.

In conclusion, the link between Paul and Smerdyakov in “The Brothers Karamazov” is a complex meditation on the nature of belief and the human capacity for both good and evil. The naming of Smerdyakov as Paul is a deliberate reference to the biblical figure of Paul, and a commentary on the themes of conversion, sin, and morality that are central to both the Bible and Dostoevsky’s work. Through the characters of Paul and Smerdyakov, we can see the impact of beliefs on our lives and the world around us, and be reminded of the importance of considering the impact of our beliefs on our own lives.