The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Essay

Introduction

Through The Brothers Karamazov novel, Fyodor Dostoyevsky describes the character called Ivan Karamazov as one who is intricately related to the concepts of life, The Universe, and death. This notion comes to the fore through Ivan’s habit of being contemplative as he ponders over issues. For example, Ivan demonstrates his relationship with The Universe through his views that God’s love is refuted by the unnecessary suffering that humans endure. Conversely, Ivan’s relationship with death becomes evident through his views that humans are not immortal. Further, the character’s intimate relationship with life is exhibited through their concern with the troubles that humans, particularly children, endure. All in all, through The Brothers Karamazov novel, Dostoyevsky describes Ivan as a character who is intimately related with the concepts of death, life, and The Universe through the character’s dispositions.

Relationship with the Universe

For example, Ivan’s relationship with The Universe that makes him assume a global worldview is exhibited through their act of holding God accountable for the misery endured by humans. The Universe refers to the worldwide society of human beings. Ivan is concerned that God allows people, especially children, to undergo suffering. These ideas, as expounded through Ivan’s The Grand Inquisitor poem, show that he is empathetic towards humanity’s suffering. The character’s empathetic stance is especially exhibited through his genuine concern with the misery that the world’s children go through. In this regard, he poses the philosophical question ‘if everyone must suffer, in order to buy eternal harmony with their suffering,…. tell me what have children got to do with it’ (Dostoyevsky 23). These developments prove that Ivan is intimately linked with the concept of The Universe.

Relationship with death

On the other hand, Ivan’s idea that humanity is not immortal proves that he is intricately related to death which helps him to escape accountability for his life activities. He affirms this stance by stating that ‘Everything is permitted’ (Dostoyevsky 42). He adds that with immortality quashed ‘everything would be lawful’ (Dostoyevsky 53). He thus confirms that he is in agreement with the concept of death being an appropriate and inevitable rite of passage.

Relationship with life

Conversely, Ivan demonstrates his intimate relationship with life – that is represented by fellow humans – through his concern with the wanton cutting off of human life. As such, Ivan becomes very depressed when Smerdyakov kills Fyodor Pavlovich. The concern that Ivan demonstrates is significant considering that Fyodor is generally a disagreeable person based on the latter’s unbecoming behavior. For example, Pavlovich has abandoned Smerdyakov despite the latter’s disability. Ivan thus proves his genuine love for and relationship with the concept of life through the remorse he depicts following Fyodor’s murder.

Conclusion

In summary, Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov novel depicts Ivan as a character who has strong ties with the 3 concepts of death, The Universe and life. These relationships define Ivan’s persona and completely alter his views. For example, Ivan is genuinely concerned with humanity’s misery, thus demonstrating his relations with not only life but also The Universe. He confirms his intimate ties with death by denouncing morality, thus paving way for sins such as murder. His views that humanity is not immortal indicate his intimate ties with death. Ivan also proves that he is close to the concept of life by showing genuine concern for the suffering that children endure in the world. Further, these views prove that Ivan is a global persona who is intimately related to the universal communion of humanity.

Works Cited

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Washington, D.C: Plain Label Books, 1942. Print.