Abstract
This essay examines "The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor," the parable that Ivan relates to Alyosha in Dostoyevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov." 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."

Tags:free, will, goodness, values, freedom, faith, justice, redemption, compassion

Abstract
The paper shows that if Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" is measured against the conventional standards of naturalism it will seem somewhat feverish and improbable. It explains, however, that Dostoyevsky uses cleverly many of the devices of naturalism, the most obvious being his deliberately flat, blunt style. The paper shows how "The Possessed", similar to a Greek tragedy, is in essence a debate: a dialogue between characters in opposition who are at the same time immensely similar.

From the Paper
"It is through Stavrogin, or more appropriately through the characters obsessions and possessions of Stavrogin's personality, that Stavrogin's true characteristics are unleashed. No one character could subsist solely on his or her own without the character of Stavrogin. His presence is felt continuously; like Peter, he, too, is everywhere, though few are capable of realizing it. Stavrogin is present in Peter Verkhovensky as his "better half;" in Shatov as his God-fearing brethren; in Kirilov as his suicidally-matched twin; in Maria Lebyatkin as her demented soul; in Liza as her passionate lover; and surely in Stepan Trafimovich Verkhovensky as his tragic hero.

Tags:Stavrogin, Stepan, Trofimovich, Verkhovensky, Captain, Lebyatkin

Abstract
This paper discusses how the differing and sometimes conflicting ideologies of Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, Jean-Paul Sartre, Soren Kierkegaard, and Friedrich Nietzsche can be found in the actions and thoughts of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's character Raskolnikov in his novel "Crime and Punishment." Beginning by pointing out that Raskolnikov's name, derived from the word raskolnik meaning divided, symbolizes his internal division as well as his rift from society, the writer describes how the relationship between mind and body has been handled by philosophers, from the nihilists who believe that nothing exists outside the physical body to Spinoza's belief in their essential interconnectedness. Determinism and free will and their roles in the novel are discussed as well. Raskolnikov, who believes himself a higher being like Nietzsche's superman and above the law, is in the end guilt-ridden, becoming a living proof of the power of the mind.

From the Paper
"When discussing the interaction between mind and body, Rene Descartes and Baruch Spinoza have very different ideas. Descartes, who was known to doubt everything, begins his argument by denying that the body necessarily exists in the first place. He can doubt that his body exists because our perception of our body comes from the senses, which could be false if God is a deceiver. This is what allows Descartes to say that mind and body are two entirely different substances, with the mind being completely independent of the body. Even though our senses tell us that our bodies exist, we know that we exist, in a mental capacity, through our minds."

Tags:reality, physical being, humanism freedom, free will, consciousness philosophy predetermined conscience

Abstract
The paper discusses how the novels "Crime and Punishment", by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and "The Outsider", by Albert Camus, address issues of crime and redemption in similar, yet different, ways. This paper compares and contrasts both works, with a particular focus upon how their protagonists - Raskolnikov and Meursault respectively - understand their crimes, their responsibility, and the theme of redemption. The thesis is argued that while the novels are similar in that both protagonists are alienated and commit their crimes from unclear motivations, they differ in that while Raskolnikov seems in the end to seek and have the possibility of redemption, the concept of redemption itself largely seems irrelevant to Meursault who rejoices in the universe's indifference to humanity and his own existence.

From the Paper
"The novels "Crime and Punishment", by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and "The Outsider", by Albert Camus, address issues of crime and redemption in similar, yet different, ways. This essay will compare and contrast both works, with a particular focus upon how their protagonists - Raskolnikov and Meursault respectively - understand their crimes, their responsibility, and the theme of redemption. The thesis will be argued that while the novels are similar in that both protagonists are alienated and commit their crimes from unclear motivations, they differ in that while Raskolnikov seems in..."

Tags:crime, punishment, redemption

Abstract
This paper will compare and contrast books by Jonathan Swift ("A Modest Proposal") and Fyodor Dostoyevsky ("Notes from the Underground"). By understanding how these two stories show the absurdity of the societies that the authors lived in, we can understand how the two different styles of satire and hard fiction can be made to show the contrast At the same time, the authors seem to invoke the dark truths that lie beneath the veneer of high society.

Abstract
The paper illustrates how death is used as the main theme in the stories "The Death of Ivan Ilych" and "The Heavenly Christmas Tree." The paper shows how in both texts, the protagonist's portrayal of death is utilized as a medium to reflect on life, leading the reader to evaluate his/her own values and attitudes toward other people in society.

From the Paper
"Portrayal of death is used as the main theme for the stories 'The Death of Ivan Ilych' and 'The Heavenly Christmas Tree.' Although the authors tell very different stories, throughout these texts, they share a common goal for the reader. In both texts the protagonist's portrayal of death works as a medium by which he utilizes to reflect on life, leading the reader to evaluate their own values and attitudes toward other people in society. In Tolstoy's story, Ivan uses the portrayal of death to confront the sad truth that he has wasted his life trying to be what he believes others expect him to be, instead of focusing on his own happiness. By comparing his values on life to that of the peasant man, Ivan finally realizes the meaning of life. Ivan discovers that true happiness can only be achieved by replacing material values, and status recognition, through evoking spirituality, human kindness and being true to oneself. The portrayal of death is different for the nameless boy in Dostoyevsky's short story; he dies as a result of the failure of other people to recognize the true meaning of life as reinforced within Tolstoy's story."

Tags:Peter, Ivanovich, Gerasim, compassion, status, happiness, materialism, survival, kindness

From the Paper
"One of the major themes in world literature is the conflict between society and the individual, with society poised to enforce its requirements and its proscriptions on individuals to enforce conformity, while the individual feels constrained and would break out to a life of greater self-expression if he or she could. Different writers have portrayed this conflict in different ways, and those who have offered solutions to this conflict have also offered varying answers. This theme is depicted in Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts" and Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor", and both writers create a clear-cut choice in the situation without "solving" the problem. Ibsen hints that the proper answer for society would be to encourage the individual and that to do otherwise will in the long run be a detriment to society itself, while Dostoyevsky leaves the choice ... "

From the Paper
"This study will examine the problem of individual freedom as it is represented in two novels, Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" and Herman Melville's "Moby Dick". The study will argue that both authors are portraying human beings as creatures controlled by urges and impulses beyond their control. In this context, the books are arguments against individual freedom, at least in the specific cases illustrated in the two novels.

Melville paints the picture of an obsessed man driven to revenge against the whale who took his leg. Dostoyevsky paints the picture of many obsessed men who try to change a country but who in the process lose themselves.

The lesson which Ahab refuses to learn is the lesson that he is not God, that his only real freedom is surrendering to God that drive to vengeance so that he can remain a sane human being."

From the Paper
"Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Robert Louis Stevenson were very different kinds of men and very different kinds of writers, yet certain themes and ideas prevalent at the end of the nineteenth century influenced both and can be discerned in their works. Dostoyevsky was a dour Russian with strong political views. He suffered from epilepsy from childhood. Stevenson was a Scottish author whose generally happy life was unfortunately cut short by the lung problems that had always plagued him. Dostoyevsky writes deeply philosophical works, while Stevenson is more noted for his adventure novels of pirates, historical figures, and his gentle poetry. Yet, he as well delved into the darker aspects of human nature in works like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and this book has a number of elements that can be seen as concerns for ..."

Abstract
The paper discusses and compares several works, and the characters in them, by Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky and English writer Iris Murdoch. The paper shows the a result of changing society and a disregard for nature characterizes both Dostoyevsky's and Murdoch's works. Books by Dostoyevsky discussed are "Notes from the Underground", "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov". Murdoch's "The Philosopher's Pupil" and "The Severed Head" are also examined.

From the Paper
"While Dostoyevsky's characters hold little regard for nature, Murdoch's characters unknowingly wrong nature by rejecting what slight animalistic qualities their friends and lovers may have. A Severed Head's Georgie, called a "child of nature" (Head 6) by Martin, who himself lacks animal courage, has remained separate from society. Only until Georgie cuts her long, dark hair, thereby becoming subdued and civilized, can Palmer take her to New York. Alex and Adam in The Philosopher's Pupil are other characters whose kinship with their animal counterparts isolates them from the McCaffrey family. Alex, obsessed with the foxes that inhabit her garden, feels anger when the animals appear to be indifferent to her presence. Despite her anger, Alex attempts to protect the foxes when the Town Hall offers to kill them; "she felt frightened and hunted, as if it were she herself who was to be locked in and gassed" (Pupil 493). Such a communion with nature through animals exists between Alex's grandson Adam and his dog Zed, who provides the boy a link with George, for George saves the drowning dog just as Adam keeps George's memory of his dead son alive."

Tags:Crystal, Palace, McCaffrey, Marmeladov