CLT 361 prompt 2
The
notebooks for TBK gives the reader insight on the influences and
circumstances which lead Dostoevsky to create this novel. The introduction
reveals that Dostoevsky had completed the first four chapters of TBK in
rough form after traveling to a monastery with a fellow Russian philosopher
shortly after the death of his youngest son in the months between March and
August of 1878. The introduction goes on to say that despite the unclear origin
of the exact time frame which it took Dostoevsky to write and complete TBK
(between 3-5 years including publication) it is regarded by some to be a
compilation and collection of ideologies he had been writing throughout most of
his career. Irregardless of hearsay and estimations of literary historians, the
first two books were finished in the fall of 1878 and published Jan. 1879.
In
the introduction the author Edward Wasiolek chronicles Dostoevsky’s extensive
works and his views on the sanctity of God, the Russian state, Orthodox faith,
society and organic processes of social reform. He also details letters
Dostoevsky wrote and speeches he gave about TBK and the relation between
his views and his work. Edward Wasiolek characterizes the novel as a confession
of Dostoevsky and hints that similar themes of his views can be found in his
other literary works. These themes, in view of the author, mirror convictions
which Dostoevsky had struggled to give voice to for many years. The time period
between 1871-1877, which immediately followed his return from Europe and four
year voluntary exile is cited by the author as when the most direct and
explicit preparation for the writing of TBK takes place. The
introduction ends with a summary of events which took place in Dostoevsky’s
life preceding the 1878 publication of the first two books of TBK.
After
the introduction the book is then split up into 10 chapters, each focusing on
one of the twelve books in the novel with the exception of the first two
chapters which both include two books in TBK. Each chapter provides a
short introduction of the book(s) it is addressing followed by actual pictures
of Dostoevsky’s handwritten notes, the script or intended script as shown with
crossed outs sentences or words indicative of Dostoevsky’s frequent change of
mind, followed by extensive foot-notes.
Chap 1: Books 1 & 2 “A Nice Little Family”
& “An Inappropriate Gathering”
-written in 1878
- published in “Russian Messenger” January 1879
Chap 2: Books 3 & 4 “Sensualists” & “Strains”
-book 3 written December 1879
-book 4 written around February 1879
Chap 3: Book 5 “Pro and Contra”
-“Rebellion” chapter of book 5 sent to “Russian Messenger”
for publication May 1879
-“The Grand Inquisitor” chapter finished in second half of
May 1879
-“The Grand Inquisitor” notes parallel final version with
several exceptions:
ie: Aggression of
the Grand Inquisitor against Christ much stronger than in the novel version (Author
suggests Dostoevsky felt he had to suppress what appeared to be a daring attack
on Orthodox Christian principals).
Chap 4: Book 6 “The Russian Monk”
-Dostoevsky considers this the most important book in the
novel
-published August 1879
Chap 5: Book 7 “Alyosha”
-Book almost called “Grushenka”
Chap 6: Book 8 “Mitya”
-Notes written September 1879
-Published in October/November issues in “Russian Messenger”
(larger portion of chapters in November)
-No notes whatsoever for what is considered the most
important chapter “In the Dark”
-Grushenka is written as more drunk and wilder in notes than
in novel.
Chap 7: Book 9 “The Preliminary Investigation”
-notes written November/ December 1879
Chap 8: Book 10 “Boys”
-notes written January/ February 1880
-In the Novel version, Ivan did not return to see ( spoiler
) hang themselves, whereas he did in the notes version.
Chap 9: Book 11 “Brother Ivan Fyodorovich”
-notes written June/July 1880
-First five chapters published July 1880, the remaining five
in August 1880
-The order of events in the notes version is different in
the final novel version
Chap 10: “A Judicial Error”
-originally titled “Trial”
-notes written August 1880
-published first five chapters September issue of “The
Russian Messenger”
-remaining nine chapters published October 1880
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