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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Ivan And His Doubles: The Failure Of Intellect In The Brothers Karamazov, Alex Donley
Ivan And His Doubles: The Failure Of Intellect In The Brothers Karamazov, Alex Donley
Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship
The purpose of this research is to explore Dostoevsky’s theodicy in The Brothers Karamazov, including key critical commentary that enhances an understanding of the text. One of the novel’s title characters, Ivan, embodies the emerging spirit of intellectualism and freethinking in nineteenth-century Europe. He confronts the Christian concept of God in two famous speeches. First, Ivan’s “Rebellion” epitomizes the problem of evil by asking why an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God allows earthy atrocities. Second, Ivan’s “Grand Inquisitor” rejects the moral freedom given to men, reasoning that it is too great a burden for mankind to bear. These arguments remain relevant …
One Big Thing: Suffering As The Path To New Life In Crime And Punishment, Kelly M. Kramer
One Big Thing: Suffering As The Path To New Life In Crime And Punishment, Kelly M. Kramer
Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship
After spending a whole semester reading and thinking about Dostoevsky, the main thing that has struck me about him is his treatment of the theme of suffering. Despite, and even through, his extremely complicated characters and events, he nevertheless focuses his novels, particularly Crime and Punishment, on presenting a nuanced yet unified picture of suffering. After a brief analysis of several of the relevant characters and plot points, his thoughts on what suffering does to and for the individual will be presented. In contrast to our culture’s almost idolization of suffering as an experience which gives one instant respect, …