Week V - 28/02/2013 - 06/03/2013 - Book VI and VII

[Samadrita, Creator cum Novice Moderator]

This portion covers Book VI: The Russian Monk and Book VII: Alyosha, starting from Book VI. Chapter 1. The Elder Zosima and His Visitors till the end of Book VII. Chapter IV. Cana of Galilee

[Cheryl]

If I had to describe this section I would say: philosophical and biblical penetration. The stories too were intriguing. I remember disappearing into those stories as a child: Joseph and the striped gown (Joseph is still one of my favorite biblical characters); Abraham and Isaac...and so on.

[Cheryl]

Sorry, just realized that I'm a couple days ahead on this thread., hope I didn't screw things up...

[Garima]

Cheryl wrote: "If I had to describe this section I would say: philosophical and biblical penetration. The stories too were intriguing."

Agreed. Plus it was interesting to read about the turning points which led Elder Zosima to change for the better. Book VII had my attention throughout. I love the dramatic tone of lines such as: something occurred that was so unexpected for everyone, and so strange, disturbing, and bewildering, as it were, from the impression it made within the monastery and in town, that even now, after so many years, a very vivid memory of that day, so disturbing for many, is still preserved in our town..

Anyway, I was completely ignorant about the concept of Incorruptibility.

[Dolors]

It happened exactly the same to me Garima! I had no idea whatsoever that saintly figures were supposed not to decompose as proof of their divinity. What most struck me about this section was the last chapter Cana of Galilee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cana, which apart from being full of religious symbolism as how the first miracle of transforming water into wine was performed which could be linked to the concept of "Incorruptibility", was Alyosha's spiritual transformation and his resolution to spread Zosima's belief in the goodness of people. I found that last chapter proved to be a great counter argument to Ivan's cold skepticism presented in his dissertation "The Grand Inquisitor".

[Cheryl]

Yes, Garima, I loved the tone and as Dolors mentioned, the counter argument going on. Two very different views; or three, I should add. I'm not too familiar with Roman Catholicism, so I too was surprised to learn about the theory of incorruptibility.

I do like how these books/sections seem to form dramatic turns for the novel. The quote you mentioned was one I highlighted. This one as well: "something glowed in Aloysha's heart, something filled it till it ached, tears of rapture rose from his soul, he stretched out his hand, uttered a cry, and waked up." You read this and think, what change is about to take place?

[David]

Cheryl wrote: "Yes, Garima, I loved the tone and as Dolors mentioned, the counter argument going on. Two very different views; or three, I should add. I'm not too familiar with Roman Catholicism, so I too was sur..."

Dostoevsky was not Roman Catholic. Like most Russian Christians he was Russian Orthodox, The religious figures in Brothers Karamazov are Russian Orthodox. The two religions share some similarities in liturgy and belief but they are not the same, If I recollect correctly from other material I've read, Dostoevsky had a strongly negative attitude toward Roman Catholicism, He thought it was too worldly and political an institution. He was particularly scornful toward the Jesuits.

[Samuel]

This section in particular has converted me to Orthodox Christianity.