Brothers Karamazov (B) 04: Book III - Chapter 10, Book IV - Chapter 5

[Andrea]

Please post your thoughts on this section.

[Rosemary]

An interesting way to introduce the women! I didn't feel much sympathy for either of them. Katerina goes from one extreme to the other in her feelings for Grushenka, and it's hard to imagine what anybody sees in Grushenka.

I don't know if this is the case in the Russian but in the Constance Garnett translation, one woman is referred to by her first names, Katerina Ivanovna and the other by her surname, Grushenka. The latter is only called Agrafena Alexandrovna in dialogue. I suppose that is intended to make us feel more sympathy for Katerina? It didn't work for me because she was so over the top.

[Andrea]

Grushenka is actually an affectionate name derived from Agrafena. Kind of like Peggy is substituted for Margaret. Literally it means "pear", as in fruit. Since male characters refer to her by such a name, it may indicate her close familiarity with many men (perhaps hinting at her promiscuity). Katerina Ivanovna is referred by her first and patronymic names, which indicates respect she evokes in those discussing her.

I hope that helps a little.

[Rosemary]

Oh OK! I had no idea (obviously ... LOL)
That makes a big difference!

[Sera]

Andrea wrote: "Grushenka is actually an affectionate name derived from Agrafena. Kind of like Peggy is substituted for Margaret. Literally it means "pear", as in fruit. Since male characters refer to her by such ..."

Thank you, Andrea. This point is very helpful indeed.

It's amazing to me how much trouble is stirred up over these two women.