Wow, wow, WOW.
I’ve said many times before that Dostoevsky is one of my all-time favorite novelists. I read The Brothers Karamazov almost two years ago and was stunned by his prophetic voice, as well as the strength and multidimensionality of his characters. It’s true that reading his works does require some patience from the modern reader — I mean, if you’ve only read fast-paced commercial fiction, you might want to do some literary marathon training first — but there is such a payoff at the end.
The whole sixth (and final) part of the novel was very hard to put down, as the momentum just keeps building until the final chapter and epilogue, where things just explode like a firework. Besides the culmination of the plot, in the epilogue there is a startling moment when Raskolnikov is in the hospital and has a nightmare. This nightmare, like the “Grand Inquisitor” parable from The Brothers Karamazov, touches on some deeper, wider resonances of the novel’s themes and is quite prophetic of what was happening and what was about to happen in the world.
It speaks of a “disease” to attack mankind, in which all affected think themselves enlightened and in sole possession of the truth, and as a society they do not know “how to judge and [can] not agree what to consider evil and what good” nor how to tell “whom to blame, whom to justify.” But I’ll let you read it for yourself.
One of the main themes, as you may have guessed from the title, is sin, remorse (or the lack thereof) and atonement. But however straightforward the title may be, one thing I love about Dostoevsky is how he treats his themes in a nuanced manner — asking questions, exploring alternatives, raising doubts…all through the thoughts and actions of his many characters.
Incidentally, it’s also what I love about Flannery O’Connor. Neither of these great writers shy away from presenting humanity in its often shocking selfishness and cowardice — but somehow both of them make me love and root for these same unattractive characters! Their characters and situations are palatable (all right — more than palatable!) but not sugarcoated.
I suppose it goes back to the idea of Incarnation, the very mystery we Christians are soon to celebrate: the mystery of Love Incarnate coming in all humility to be born into a cold and miserable world…bringing light and hope through solidarity with the people in darkness.
Dostoevsky’s protagonist Raskolnikov is an awful person — or at least someone you would not want to invite to a party — but yet so full of potential for redemption, though he resists it almost at every turn. I rooted for him. I stood with Sonia and Dounia and all his few friends and hoped he would rise out of himself. And I don’t think I’ll ever forget the brief scene toward the end at the crossroads —
He knelt down in the middle of the square, bowed down to the earth, and kissed that filthy earth with bliss and rapture.
A great image, encapsulating this very idea that has been enchanting me for years: “finding purest gold in miry clay.”
I’m glad I found this. I’ve often thought about reading Dostoevsky but frankly wasn’t sure I’d make it through! You’ve peaked my interest, so I’m going to put him on my reading list. Thanks!
I’m not gonna lie, it takes some stamina at times…but it’s so worth it, in my opinion! Give him a shot. Crime and Punishment is a good one to start with, I think. Easier than The Brothers Karamazov and a bit less confusing than The Idiot.