Reading the Chunksters discussion
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The Brothers Karamazov
Archived 2012 Group Reads
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Brothers Karamazov (B) 02: Book II - Chapter 3, Book III - Chapter 1
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Andrea
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rated it 3 stars
Sep 29, 2012 09:04PM
How's everyone doing? It doesn't seem we have many readers again....
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I am very tempted to join you. I thought I had read this book years ago at university - so I had crossed it off my '1001 books' list - but having read the plot summary and everybody's comments on the first section, I'm pretty sure I never did. I must have been thinking of Crime and Punishment. I'll see if I can pick up the Brothers at the library this week ;)
Even though I've read it before, I'm really enjoying the book so far. Fyodor Pavlovitch is a really difficult character for me. I have never really been able to get a sense of who he is; it seems like in all of his actions and words, he's putting on a show. But why? Is he really just pure evil? He is mentioned as being touched by Alyosha's lack of judgement toward him, and I think the narrator calls him 'sentimental' at one point, so there must be some (ever so small) depth to his character. But then comes the story about Stinking Lizeveta...I guess maybe we are supposed to see him as truly despicable. His character is just hard for me to imagine, I guess, since I've never known someone who was so plainly terrible.
I do hope more people join in the discussion! At this point it's a bit hard for me because I've gotten ahead (I'm in Ch. 6 of Book 3 right now) so I'll think of things to discuss as I'm reading them, but then I forget them by the time the corresponding thread is up! I'll have to start highlighting things or taking notes!
I'm ahead with Lonesome Dove and I make notes. I have written out the schedule so I know where each week's section ends. Then often I just write what happened in that section, or some brief impressions if I have them, and that's enough to remind me so I can join in the discussion without giving spoilers.
I'm enjoying this! I didn't expect to because I read The Idiot last year and really struggled with it. But this one's a lot more accessible.Meghan, I completely agree about Fyodor Pavlovitch putting on a show. I have no idea why or for whom. I see him as one of those people who is very dangerous because they think of nothing and nobody but themselves.
He was jaw-droppingly rude at the monastery.
The only character I like so far as a person is Alyosha, and I'm worried he's going to be corrupted by the world outside the monastery. Perhaps not, though, because Dostoyevsky does create some very pure characters, like the hero of 'The Idiot'.
The others are entertaining to read about, though not exactly likeable.
I finished this section and I liked it a lot less then the first section. Although we learn a lot about the chracters through their comments durting the meeting, I had a hard time keeping up with what was going on. I'm interested to see what other people have to say about this section.
I had a hard time following the narrative of the second section. But at the same time we got to know the characters a bit better. I agree that Fyodor Pavlovitch is an extremely repulsive person. Whatever motivates him to blurt out lies and put on a show is beyond my understanding. However I am leaning towards Dostoyevsky's desire to show him as a very shallow, disrespectful and simply put stupid person, who would lie in a monastery where such act is considered a sin. While for now Alyosha comes off as a typical "saint" character that dramatists of that period loved to write about, I am interested where Dostoyevsky is going to take Mitya.
Great comments Andrea! I am glad that I am not the only one that had a hard time with this section.
I'm still playing catch up but I hard a time with this section too. I know I missed a lot but I'm going to plow on and hope it won't matter too much.
I found this section to be fascinating since the discussion between the separation of church and state and which one should reign supreme to still be a relevant topic today. The question of whether the church prevents the despair of the individual once society has ostracized him as a criminal to be a good one. If the church is no longer available to these type of people, then where do they go. Fyodor Pavlovitch and his cronies seemed to think that we should give up on them. I was happy to see that the elder disagreed because the church can often provide a solid safety net for those who are interested.
Fyodor Pavlovitch reminds me of a court jester-like character. Yet at the same time, I think he took his buffoonery over the top oftentimes, because he felt that this approach was a way in which to get positive attention. He had to have known that people didn't like him, and frankly, I don't think that he liked himself very much, which is why he resorted to acting like the town fool.Underneath the laughter, though, there is something about Fyodor Pavlovitch that is very creepy and sinister to me. He was a horrible father who cared little for his children, but I think that underneath the surface that he is truly a bad man.
Sera, I think sometimes I'm trying to follow the story and adapt to the language that I miss things. I really enjoy reading your posts because it always helps me see things more clear. So thanks! :)
Thanks, Andrea :)The conflict between socialism and religion (or the belief in the lack thereof) was an important issue during the Russian revolutions. I find it interesting as to how this theme of politics and religion still permeates many societies today, including the US.
