Abstract This article analyzes each of the 'BrothersKaramazov' both individually and as an integral part of the very fabric of this classic Dostoyevsky tale. The paper discusses how each brother's personality and motivation are not only fascinating, but also play an indispensable role in the gradual development of the story's spiritual theme.
From the Paper "His high-strung, sensitive temperament causes such devastating events as his learning that Smerdyakov murdered his father, believing he had Ivan's own silent complicity in the crime, to drive him to a nervous breakdown. (Of course, after Smerdyakov commits suicide, Ivan is unable to prove his allegation and his own fragile mental state prevents him from making a convincing case in court on behalf of his innocent brother, Dimitry.) He has, however, by this time devised a plan for Dimitry's escape, though it will, of course, be necessary, under the circumstances, for others to carry it out.
At the end of the book, Ivan has basically hit bottom. During his strange nightmare of the devil--which he believes is real--he exhausts all his arguments against the existence of God and faith in Christ, pouring out all his doubt through the dream "devil," which is himself; and soon, a few positive spiritual signposts begin to emerge. He expresses (covertly, through the "devil" persona,) his intense desire to "join the (heavenly) chorus and shout 'hosanna' (to God,)" as well as to receive a "tiny grain of faith...(which) will grow into an oak tree...and save (his) soul." It appears that there is, indeed, hope for Ivan yet, which is one of the final spiritual messages of the book."
Abstract This paper reviews Fyodor Dostoevsky's last novel, "The BrothersKaramazov" and examines how the title characters can be seen as all representing different aspects of a single person. It analyzes how the four brothersKaramazov are very different people and how each has an individual, unique world view. Each has a different mother and accordingly a different role in society, but there is one thing that they do have in common and it unifies them despite the other differences. It discusses how each brother's personality represents a unique contribution to their father's character. As they are symbolically fit together in him, their weaknesses and inability to function become irrelevant.
From the Paper "However, Alyosha without his father presents a very different picture. One way of describing his behavior is that Alyosha has a "Jesus Christ" complex. He views himself as the savior of his family. He joins the monastery to bring salvation to his family, believing in the hope that if any of them follow in God's light, then by some miracle of substitution, all of them will be saved. It is for this reason that he valiantly defends the honor of Jesus Christ against Ivan's attack, and it is for this reason that he builds up a core of disciples. Alyosha is committed to a course of action in which it is his job to cure everyone of their ills."
Abstract This paper discusses how the deaths of Father Zossima and Ilusha in Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The BrothersKaramazov". The paper relates that their deaths cause problems for the orthodox expectations of a dead body, although neither fails to perform miracles. The paper also
looks at how the particular miracles they work, however, require the abandonment of the body in order to remember the person's life and spirit. Specifically, the paper discusses how Father Zossima's failure to obey these conventions, his insistence on rotting, compels Alyosha to truly examine the Father's life and his own faith.
From the Paper "In fact, Alyosha's reaction to Father Zossima's decay springs from the same fundamental emotion that grips young Ilusha following his father's disgrace. Both Alyosha and Ilusha are torn apart by injustices done to ones they love. Ilusha is stricken by his father's mortification owing to his filial devotion. In his case, however, the injustice done to his father is not directly attributable to divine ordination but is instead the result of Dmitri Karamazov's passion. Ilusha, in his innocence, cannot comprehend the world's essential unfairness and is thrown into a tumult even more impressive than Alyosha's. "
Abstract This essay examines "The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor," the parable that Ivan relates to Alyosha in Dostoyevsky's novel "The BrothersKaramazov." The essay compares four points of view in relation to the parable: the character of the Grand Inquisitor, the character of Christ (as portrayed in the parable), Dostoyevsky himself, and the philosophy of Nietzsche. The essay checks the parable against biblical Christianity and the ("God is dead") philosophy of Nietzsche in order to assess Dostoyevsky's stand in relation to religion and the Church.
From the Paper "Although deeply troubled by his inability to maintain a belief in the conventional forms of Christianity, Dostoyevsky was a deeply spiritual man, and even a deeply religious one. He was committed to what he saw as the essential core of Christian teaching ? that we must love each person equally and fight evil whenever possible by the simple imposition of our goodness in front of it. Friedrich Nietzsche, however, would probably have taken quite a shine to the Grand Inquisitor. He argued in one of his most important works ? Beyond Good and Evil ? that one should entirely reject the teachings of Christianity primarily because they lead one to concentrate upon a next (and in his view fictitious) world rather than addressing oneself to the problems of this world. He again rejected the practice and theology of Christianity in Twilight of the Idols and Genealogy of Morals a number of his later works, in which he argued that the idea of goodness and the idea that the weak are inherently noble as merely tricks played by the Church to control and thus weaken people. Nietzsche sees the force to make people obey certain often unnatural precepts as at the core of almost all socialization processes and human institutions. Religion, believed Nietzsche, teaches us not to think."
Abstract This paper discusses the ideological and philosophical issues raised by the characters of the book. While the writer acknowledges that the book encompasses a great deal of the Russia of Dostoevsky's time and even more of human experience, he claims that the philosophical discussion is what gives the novel resonance and power.
From the Paper "The story of the Grand Inquisitor is a complex parable presented as a poem written by Ivan Karamazov. This element in the story tells much about the history of the church in Russia at the time and about theological concerns of the time. The story is presented as a battle between the Old Cardinal and Christ, with the Old Cardinal imprisoning the returned Christ because the example Christ sets is seen by the Cardinal as having placed a burden on mankind that the human being cannot meet. The focus of the poem is on a dialogue between the Grand Inquisitor and Christ. The Grand Inquisitor represents the Church that has come into being purportedly in support of Christ's teaching and to maintain Christ's example, but the Grand Inquisitor shows that the Church is actually teaching what Christ should have represented to mankind. This all relates back to Christ's rejection of the three temptations--if he had accepted the bread, mankind would know security; if he had performed a miracle to get down from the pinnacle, human beings would have something miraculous to worship; and if he had accepted the power Satan offered him, he could wield that power for humankind."
This paper discusses the characters in Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" and ?The BrothersKaramazov? as the embodiment of the author's philosophical positions.
Abstract This paper discusses that the characters in Dostoevsky's novels are not only complex creations with personalities of their own but also are an extension of the author's intellectual dilemma. The paper author illustrates this philosophical embodiment in "Crime and Punishment" and more completely in ?The BrothersKaramazov?. This paper points out that the characters in both novels are a rich with Freudian syndromes, amazing since they were created before Freud's writings.
From the Paper The fourth son, Smerdyakov, is an interesting creation. An epileptic like Dostoevsky himself, he is initially portrayed as little more than an idiot. The child of "stinking Lizaveta", the village idiot (Note the same name as the feeble-minded sister of Alyona, the pawnbroker in Crime and Punishment.), who was raped by Fyodor and died in childbirth, Smerdyakov has been kept as a servant in the household. Fyodor's repeated abuse and his foul treatment of Smerdyakov's mother are sufficient motives for his son to kill him, but a stronger motive may be Smerdyakov's admiration for Ivan and his desire to do what Ivan wants but cannot accomplish."
Abstract This paper discusses the thesis that the events of Dostoevsky's life and of Russia during the 1800s helped encourage much of his work and defined Fyodor Dostoevsky's concepts and views of freedom.
It looks at how Dostoevsky examined many different types of freedoms and aspects and used them as a central theme to many of his novels, such as "Crime and Punishment", "The BrothersKaramazov", and "Notes from the Underground". It also discusses how his background played an important part in how he portrayed freedom in his novels and how Dostoevsky had extreme views that landed him in jail for a period of time.
From the Paper "Throughout his life, Fyodor Dostoevsky surrounded himself with influences that helped to create his thoughts on freedom which he applied to characters throughout his numerous works. Many of Dostoevsky's novels focused on man and freedom. The Russian often used freedom in multiple forms and as an obsession of one or more characters (Jones 44). Fyodor Dostoevsky believed that any man held from his desire and need of freedom feels both social and psychological consequences (Amoia 283). Kept away from sensing and feeling freedom, man will start to break down mentally and want freedom more. Oftentimes, Dostoevsky does not mention freedom without connecting it to good and evil. "
Abstract This is a book report based on Bargon's novel: "Temptations of St. Ed &Brother S And The Monastic Tradition". The three elements of medieval Christian monasticism that are evident in Bergon's novel are: the temptations of the flesh, conflict within the community of monks or between monks and Church hierarchy, and the choice that must be made between service and solitude.
Abstract This essay provides a short biography of Orville and Wilbur Wright and their invention of the airplane early last century. The paper explains that the airplane was a technical mystery for many years, but relying on each other's strengths, they worked very well as a team to solve the problems. It concludes that even though the brothers were not formally educated, they succeeded in inventing one of the most revolutionary technologies of all time.
From the Paper "The Wrights' growing local reputation as skillful cyclists and mechanics led to many requests from friends to fix their bicycles. In 1893 they capitalized on the situation and opened a small rental and repair shop. Their bicycle business provided them with an adequate and enjoyable living, an upstanding reputation in the local business community, and an outlet for their mechanical interests. Knowledge and experience with bicycles also proved valuable to the Wrights' development of a successful airplane."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines unique literary writing style of both
Jacob Ludwig Carl and Wilhelm Carl Grimm, better known as the brothers Grimm. This paper supplies a concise look into the background of both men, describing their strategy for working together to create the first widely recognized fairy tales, which include such classics as: "Snow White," "Hansel and Gretel" and "Cinderella." This paper analyzes the Grimm's rare writing style, which can be seen in their use of masculine and feminine symbols as well as their use of realism. Both men also used a great deal of religious imagery and themes, pitting evil against good. Many critics have expressed various opinions regarding the collective works and individual stories of these two men.
From the Paper "The Grimm brothers' unique writing style can be seen in their use of masculine and feminine symbols as well as their use of realism. These men also used a great deal of religious imagery and themes, pitting evil against good. Many critics have expressed various opinions regarding the collective works and individual stories of these two men. Some critics believe that certain patterns in the brothers' stories can be explained by psychoanalyzing the text for certain types of symbolism. For the most part, the original and modern critics have both been pleased with the compilation and story telling skills of these two men. Some critics believe that a large part of the struggle that occurs in Hansel and Gretel is due to symbolism involving gender conflicts around and between the main character."
Abstract This paper reviews the film about an epic quest entitled "Brother Where art Thou?" which was based on Homer's "The Odyssey." The paper describes the adventures the protagonists faced and the various references the film made to Homer's original work. The reviewer also examines the goal of Ulysses, the main character in the movie, and concludes it is a righteous goal, even if he attempts to achieve it in a dubious manner.
From the Paper "The three face many adventures, including many references to Homer's epic poem. They meet a blind oracle who tells them they will have many adventures and face many "ob-stack-ales." They meet sirens, and Cyclops, and many other characters, just as Ulysses discovers the same things in his journey. The film does not seem to have the same outcome as the poem, but in the end, it does, and that is one of the things that makes it so enjoyable. The viewer does not know what is coming until the end, and the journey is complete."
Tags: George Clooney The Odyssey Oh Brother, Where Art Thou
Abstract A plan is detailed for the marketing of skateboards produced in the United States in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Marketing objectives, pro forma financial statements, and resource requirements are addressed.
From the Paper A plan is detailed for the marketing of skateboards produced in the United States in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Marketing objectives, pro forma financial statements, and resource requirements are addressed.Because of this contrast, the brothers inevitably clash.
Dmitri, also known as Mitya in the novel, is immediately shown to be a man who lives a wayward life of passion:
He spent an irregular boyhood and youth. . . . He did not finish his studies at the gymnasium, he got into a military school, . . . fought a duel, and was degraded, . . . led a wild life, and spent a good deal of money (6).
Dmitri is, in his critical father's eyes, "frivolous..."
Abstract The paper looks at the characters of brothers in the novels by Dostoevsky and Olesha. It looks at the different visions of both authors and Dostoevsky's depiction of a decayed society in need of change and a thread of action.
From the Paper "Certain patterns of narrative logic in Envy can be found in Brothers Karamazov. Comparisons are not exact, of course, and not only because Olesha and Dostoevsky have markedly different visions. Whereas the three brothers in Brothers Karamazov have Alyosha..."
A discussion of the similarities and differences between Ulysses Everett McGill, the main character of the Coen Brothers' film "O Brother Where Art Thou?" and Charlie Wales, the main character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Babylon Revisited".
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts the main characters of the film 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' written and directed by the Coen brothers and the short story 'Babylon Revisited' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, also made into a film. What seems at first an unlikely comparison turns out to be revealing. Ulysses Everett McGill and Charlie Wales are from vastly different backgrounds and social strata yet face similar dilemmas. Wales the wealthy socialite would seem more likely to succeed in his case to retrieve his daughter and get his life together. However, it is the escaped convict McGill, whose Ulysses-like Odyssey is discussed in depth, who succeeds in his quest, while the "recovering" alcoholic Wales is frustrated and delayed.
From the Paper "Ulysses Everett McGill, the central character in the film, O Brother Where Art Thou? produced in 2000, and Charlie Wales, the main character in the F. Scott Fizgerald story, ?Babylon Revisited,? published in 1931, and made into a movie in 1954, may at first glance appear to be vastly different, but turn out to share similarities. Ulysses Everett McGill and Charlie Wales are from vastly different classes and backgrounds, yet both live in approximately the same time period, the 1920s/30s, the time of the Great Depression and both are men deprived of wife and family. Neither one is exactly the ordinary man surviving under the duress of the depression. McGill is a crude and lowly escaped convict fleeing through the Bible belt, while the sophisticated Wales, who still seems to have plenty of money and social status despite the crash, is visiting Paris. Both want to get their lives back into some semblance of togetherness. Each seems to be continually sabotaged in his quest. As we watch both men we wonder if the destructive energy comes from outside or is inner generated. The resemblances are many, but the differences are greater, especially when it comes to the end results of their attempts to get it together."
A comparison between Homer's epic novel the 'Odyssey' and the adapted screenplay version of the epic film,"O Brother Where Art Thou?", directed and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen .
Abstract The following paper draws parallels between Homer's "Odyssey" and the Coen Brother's "O Brother Where Art Thou?". In the year 2000, the inventive and provocative filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen reworked the Odyssey in a liberal way, changing scenes, settings and characters. The writer compares the original epic and the original screenplay and discusses dozens of small but meaningful comparisons. For instance, Odysseus and his men descend into Hades where they encounter several ghosts from Odysseus's past; in the film the boys meet a fellow inmate who they thought was dead. Odysseus from the original epic and Ulysses from the film (played by George Clooney) both have to prove to their wives that they are true: Ulysses must bring Penny the ring to redeem himself. In the Odyssey, Book 23, Penelope declares that ?there are tokens with which we two alone are acquainted,? (Butler trans.). Although it was written millennia ago in ancient Greece, the parables of the Odyssey remain extant for a reason: Its themes are universal and accessible and adaptable for all time. The Coen brothers' movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?" exemplifies Homer's timelessness, as well as their own versatility.
From the Paper "Homer's Odyssey is more than an epic tale of a man ?who wandered far and wide,? across the sea; it is an archetypal journey with universal and enduring import. It is not difficult to find parallels between Odysseus's adventures and modern ones, for ultimately the Odyssey transcends its details. Homer erected a narrative structure that lends itself to adaptation and reconstruction. Most notable to modern reinterpretations of Homer's Odyssey is James Joyce's Ulysses, which focuses on and develops the relationship between father (Odysseus/Leopold Bloom) and son (Telemachus/Stephen Dedalus). In the year 2000, the inventive and provocative filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen reworked the Odyssey in an equally liberal way, changing scenes, settings, and characters. But whereas Joyce's version of the Odyssey is microcosmic, its journey more psychological than physical, the Coen brothers? O Brother Where Art Thou? rambles through a decidedly physical and farcical tale. At first glance the film resembles Homer's epic little: only certain elements are obvious like George Clooney's character's name (Ulysses) and the three sirens by the river. A deeper investigation of the film and the original text reveals numerous, if more subtle, references."
