Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1880)

Russia on the brink of revolution Prevailing Philosophies: Nihilism Great Man Theory

Talking Bout a Revolution In nineteenth-century Russia (reign of Alexander II) Russian Nihilism advocated the assassination of Russian leaders, widespread terrorism, and political and social revolution. The philosophy of this movement influenced Russian literature as well. For the most part, the Reformation, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment left Russia untouched, while the West was experiencing great intellectual movements.

Nihilism : 1. All values are baseless 2. There are no moral distinctions 3. Existence is meaningless.

Ubermensch/Extraordinary Man/ Great Man Theory The belief that some men, based on intellectual superiority, are worth more than the masses of humanity and are therefore exempt from the laws of ordinary men and do not have to submit to that moral code. Great men can commit heinous crimes without remorse or guilt.

Crime and Punishment In 1848, Dostoevsky joined a group of radical intellectuals called the “Petrashevsky Circle.” This group was interested in westernizing Russia and getting rid of the tsar; however, they were not a dangerous group, but instead mainly discussed literature and politics through this lens. Nonetheless, the group of 21 young men, including Dostoevsky’s brother Mikhail, was arrested in 1849 and after 8 months in prison was sentenced to death. One morning in December the men were sent outside to be executed, standing in front of a firing squad beside an open grave. Before they were shot, a messenger appeared, saying that the tsar had sent a reprieve, and instead the men were to spend 5 years in prison in Siberia. Novel written during a time of crisis after his arrest, solitary confinement, death sentence followed by hard labor and forced military service. Older brother Mikhail died soon after.

Dostoevsky is credited with: 1. Writing the first psychological novel. 2. Using symbolism and imagery to emphasize certain characteristics of a character's psychology. 3. Exploring the duality of man.

A few kind words “So great is the value of Dostoevsky that to have produced him is by itself sufficient justification for the existence of the Russian people in the world.” Russian philosopher Berdayev

Structure of Crime and Punishment The novel is broken up into 6 parts and an epilogue, and the sections are broken up into chapters. Each of the parts ends with great suspense due to the fact that Dostoevsky published the book serially. The suspense would keep his readers excited for the next installment.

Point of View Dostoevsky wrote much of the novel’s first draft in the first-person perspective of Raskolnikov, but later changed his perspective to a limited third-person point-of-view. Crime and Punishment is often considered the first psychological novel.

Setting The novel takes place in St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia at the time, in the summer of 1865, so the novel is a distinctly urban one. Dostoevsky paved the way for such fiction in Russian literature. The city of St. Petersburg is an important feature of the novel. Dostoevsky does not actually name streets and buildings, but readers familiar with the city, both then and now, could identify the places of which he wrote. Many sections of the novel take place in very small, cramped tenements, which leads to a tense, claustrophobic mood. Additionally, though many people equate Russia with the freezing cold climate of the winter, but this novel takes place in the summer. The heat in St. Petersburg is described in the novel as overwhelming and stifling. The climate reflects Raskolnikov’s feverish state throughout the novel.

Significant Names Raskolnikov, Luzhin, Svidrigaïlov, Zametov, Marmeladov and Razhumikin have some symbolic meanings in their last names. For every Russian reader it is the obvious fact; however, in translation the meaning of names becomes lost. Raskol’nik – schismatic Luzha – puddle Razum – reason, intelligence Zametit’ – to notice Marmelad – sort of sweet candy Svidrigaïlov – name from medieval Russian history, Lithuanian prince

Still controversial… One of the Dostoevsky murals in the new Moscow metro station that critics say would encourage disturbed people to commit suicide. Headlines: Dostoevsky images on metro ‘could cause suicides’ Moscow's Dostoevsky station could be 'suicide mecca'

Dang! Ivan Nikolaev, the artist behind the murals, is unapologetic. "What did you want? Scenes of dancing? Dostoevsky doesn't have them.” "I tried to convey Dostoevsky as a man, an artist, a philosopher."

Metro Dostoevskya

Carnivalism Classical and medieval culture of laughter that ridicules everything official (sounds a bit like nihilism) Look for elements of the grotesque Like a festival, normal social order doesn’t apply Character doubles Lots of yelling Scenes in public spheres

The Carnival The carnival is literally a paradox, a time of masks and sinful revelry just before the period of fasting, abstinence, and suffering. In the carnival, grave leaders become rambunctious peasants and vice versa. All traditions are turned upside down, and the greatest fools become the wisest of men.

Just like a circus… Everything – and everyone – is pushed to the limits Life at the most extreme margins