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Biblical Allusions in the Brothers Karamazov Winter.Pdf Running head: BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Biblical Allusions in The Brothers Karamazov To what extent does Fyodor Dostoyevsky implement biblical allusions in his novel, The Brothers Karamazov? Lindy Winter Collin College Word count: 3450 BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 2 Abstract Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, written in 1880 in the Russian language (although translated to English in 1912), is the last book that Dostoyevsky wrote. This passionate novel covers a multitude of significant themes that reflect Dostoyevsky’s own religious and philosophical views such as free will, the existence of God, and ethics. Throughout the novel, however, these themes could not be expressed without the use of biblical allusions, which are indirect references to the bible. Therefore, in order to fully comprehend Dostoyevsky’s purpose for this final novel, this essay will examine the question: to what extent and why does Fyodor Dostoyevsky implement biblical allusions in his novel, The Brothers Karamazov? Answering this question requires a complete and thorough investigation of reviews and criticisms on Dostoyevsky’s novel, background of the author’s life, context of the time period, and an exploration of religious texts that relate to the book. Primary sources, such as scriptural accounts in The Bible, are used to prove the existence of biblical allusions as well as discover a relationship between the novel and biblical text. Furthermore, secondary sources such as literary analyses are critically observed in order to understand the reasoning for Dostoyevsky’s use of biblical allusions. The research primarily focuses on the overall implementation of biblical references in the novel and why they are used. Thorough analysis and investigation of the previously mentioned strategies shows that Dostoyevsky ultimately implemented biblical allusions in a highly profuse and distinctive manner, allowing his readers to understand character relationships on a deeper level, realize his personal religious and philosophical views, and further appreciate the role of faith in the entire novel. Word count: 268 BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 3 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 2 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Methodology..................................................................................................................................... 6 3. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Works Cited ........................................................................................................................................ 16 BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 4 1. Introduction Since its publication in 1880, a plethora of biblical criticisms have been written over The Brothers Karamazov and it’s author, Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Dostoyevsky used countless biblical allusions in this novel in order to develop distinct themes of character, moral, and freedom. And, in retrospect, biblical allusions in the novel, which are used to effectively but indirectly indicate theological literature, do not go unnoticed because of the knowledge that they give the characters and the conclusions that they largely support. These recurrent allusions, calling attention to biblical references without explicitly mentioning them, are also specific to the bible and not other literature because of the overarching theme of religion that Dostoyevsky evidently places in the novel. Without them, the novel would have an entirely different significance, as it does to those readers who simply overlook them. The mythopoeic style created by Dostoyevsky in this novel (by his presentation of arguments created through stories such as the Grand Inquisitor in book five, chapter five) creates an effect that highlights his main ideas through specifically placed events- which affect the reader by emphasizing his overarching purpose for the novel. It is also important to understand Dostoyevsky’s diction, his choice of words or phrases, as well as his syntax, that is, his arrangement of words in his writing. He uses these two methods to demonstrate the fuller meanings behind the conversations of the main characters made in the novel and his underlying personal opinions. Ultimately, Dostoyevsky’s style, methods, and themes can be defined through examining the biblical allusions throughout the novel, because they outline the knowledge of the main characters and define his personal religious views. Also, literary critics have vastly implied that simply recognizing BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 5 biblical allusions in a text, even for people who are not biblical scholars, can be very a useful skill as it demonstrates that the idea being described in that text is not a new idea; it has been around for ages and it adds an overall greater impact. Lastly, the topic of biblical allusions in The Brothers Karamazov has been chosen because it is so easily overlooked while reading the novel, thus many do not understand the significance that it adds to its entire philosophy. BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 6 2. Methodology The biblical references in this Russian novel are not only the basis for the arguments made, but they are imperative to the development of characters. Thus, the effect of biblical allusions on the main characters can be seen in both the way they speak as well as act, as evidently depicted by Dostoyevsky. Through simple quotes such as, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace” (book I, chapter 1, pg. 21), Dostoyevsky is able to implement biblical references even for the purpose of “enriching motifs, characters, themes, or plots” (Foster, pg. 30). Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov is one of the most well known philosophical novels of all time. It focuses on the life of the Karamazov family, but it’s core messages express complex moral and philosophical arguments about the existence of mankind. In Zunnjic’s analytical essay, Selections from The Brothers Karamazov (1880), research reveals the inner meanings of the arguments between the father and his older sons (Fyodor, Ivan, Dmitri, and Smerdyakov) and the youngest son, Alyosha. The findings show that Dostoyevsky’s purpose for these contrasting characters was to illustrate Christian Orthodoxy as the remedy for the illnesses depicted in the “evil” characters. Three questions are proposed and answered to explain Dostoyevsky’s purpose for the “good” versus “evil” themes presented through the characters. 1) Does God Exist? What is Ivan's answer? 2) What manner of man I am? And 3) What does it mean to accept God? Dostoyevsky clearly presents these questions in The Brothers Karamazov, and answers them through his own use of biblical references, through the characters dialogue, for support. In fact, none of the themes of “good” versus “evil” could even be discussed in Dostoyevsky’s novel without the support of biblical allusions. BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 7 Although it is obvious that Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov is infiltrated with religious themes and ideas (as presented through the character’s arguments), finding the tangible location of the biblical allusions is slightly more difficult. However, through careful observation, research, and a close comparison with the bible, a large majority of the biblical allusions have been identified. All of the references in the following list, therefore, represent specific quotes from the novel that allude to the bible: Book I, chapter 1, pg. 21 – Luke 2:29 Book I, Chapter 5, pg. 31 - John 20:25-28 Book I, Chapter 5, pg. 32 - Mark 10:21 Book I, Chapter 5, pg. 36 - Luke 12:14 Book II, Chapter 2, pg. 47 - Psalms 14:1 Book II, Chapter 2, pg. 49 - Luke 11:27, 10:25 Book II, Chapter 2, pg. 50 - John 8:44 Book II, Chapter 3, pg. 54 - Matthew 2:18 Book II, Chapter 3, pg. 56 - Luke 15:7 Book II, Chapter 5, pg. 64 - John 18:36 Book II, Chapter 5, pg. 68 - Acts 1:7, Matthew 4:1-11 Book II, Chapter 6, pg. 75 - Luke 7:47 Book III, Chapter 6, pg. 121 - Numbers 22:21-33, Genesis 1:3-5, 14-19 Book III, Chapter 7, pg. 126 - Matthew 17:20 and 21:21 Book III, Chapter 8, pg. 129 - Matthew 7:2 Book IV, Chapter 1, pg. 160 - Matthew 3:16 Book V, Chapter 3, pg. 218 - John 1:1-2 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 220 - Genesis 3:5 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 221 - Genesis 1:26 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 226 - Isaiah 11:6, Revelation 15:3 Book V, Chapter 5, pg. 229 - Revelation 8:10-11 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 231 - Mark 5:41-42 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 232 - John 8:31-33 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 233 - Matthew 16:19 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 234 - Revelation 13:4 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 236 - Matthew 4:6 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 237 - Matthew 27:42 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 239 - Revelation 13 and 17 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 240 - Revelation 17:16 Book V, Chapter 4, pg. 241 - Revelation 6:11 Book VI, Chapter 1, pg. 269 - Genesis 11-35 Book VI, Chapter 1, pg. 270 - Genesis 49:10 BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV Winter 8 Book VI, Chapter 2, pg. 272 - Genesis 9:15 Book VI, Chapter 2, pg. 280 - Matthew 24:30 Book VI, Chapter 3, pg. 288 - Matthew 2:2 Book VI, Chapter 3, pg. 290 - Genesis 49:7 Book VI, Chapter 3, pg. 292 - Matthew 20:25-27 Book VI, Chapter 3, pg. 293 - Matthew 26:52 Book VI, Chapter 3, pg. 295 - Matthew 7:1-5 Book VI, Chapter 3, pg. 297 - Luke 16:19-31 Book VII, Chapter 3, pg. 328 - Mark 16:9 Book VII, Chapter 4, pg. 329-331 - John 2:1-10 Book VIII, Chapter 8, pg. 399 - Matthew 26:39 Book X, Chapter 7, pg. 512 - Psalm 137 Book XI, Chapter 9, pg. 579 - John 20:25-29 Book XI, Chapter 9, pg. 585 - Jonah 1:17 Book XII, Chapter 2, pg. 607 - Revelation 4:1 Book XII, Chapter 12, pg. 671 - Matthew 18:18 Book XII, Chapter 13, pg.
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