The Brothers Karamazov

Dostoevsky's notes for Chapter 5 of 'The Brothers Karamazov' (1880)

We are beginning a new text next week, The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I'd be interested in hearing any comments you have about what you know about the text or the author. Read anything by him before? Seen any films or shows that interpret or reference his work? We are reading a text that was originally written in the Russian language. As with the previous text, our goal is not to understand how this text is a construction of its historical context, but knowing the social, cultural, political and economic history of the time period of its creation will be helpful in understanding the novel. Also, knowing the literary conditions of the text's construction will also be helpful in appreciating the novel. What other writers were producing when Dostoevsky was alive? What kind of education did the author have? What literature was he exposed to during his lifetime? How is the text generally understood in the world of literature? How is the text positioned in Russian culture? What topics would a Cultural Studies scholar tend to look at in this text?

Take a moment to begin reading the novel. Reflect on the above questions. Write any thoughts you have. Also, feel free to email me quotes, references, images, comments, sources, or any other material that comes to mind as you read The Brothers Karamazov.