Dostoevskij’s guide to spiritual epiphany in The Brothers Karamazov
By Julian W Connolly
Prompt 2
At the end of Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky’s readers may feel pleased, displeased, or a combination of both. Although a seemingly ‘‘happy’’ ending may satisfy the readers look for a positive resolution. The very suddenness of his transformation has vexed readers who wish that Dostoevsky had shown precisely how this transformation was achieved. As an artist Dostoevsky was drawn to moments of sudden illumination or insight. In The Brothers Karamazov he approached the experience in a completely different manner, creating a series of epiphanic episodes depicted in extensive detail. At the same time, the epiphanic scenes are constructed in a deep meaningful manner, and permit sensitive interpretative attention.
There are three main events described by Julian Connolly that describe spiritual epiphany in The Brothers Karamazov. Alyosha’s dream in book seven chapter four, Dmitri’s dream after his interrogation in book nine chapter eight and Ivan’s vision of his conversation with the devil in book eleven chapter nine. Dostoevsky seems to lead up to these major episodes through other incidents. He uses other characters like Zosima and reflects upon his thoughts and such during his own childhood. When Dostoevsky sets the stage, he goes into great depth about the intimate thoughts going through Alyosha’s mind. During the incident, the readers are able to closely track the emotional shift within him. Dostoevsky carefully lays out in clear fashion a sequence of events leading up to his dramatic vision. In doing so, Dostoevsky creates a pattern against which the following experiences of Dmitri and Ivan can be measured.
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