“Alyosha! Alyosha! What do you say to that! Ah, you casuist! He must have
no contempt for him. Do you know, Lise, my elder told me once to care for
water, Alexey Fyodorovitch, I remember the name now, but it’s a splendid
such a dreadful wound, Alexey Fyodorovitch?”
yourself. As soon as my tongue runs away with me, you just say ‘the
impression!”
“Ah, from that little demon!” he laughed maliciously, and, without opening
such be enough to make a tragedy? More than that, one such standing at the
abject? Shall I run to him or not? And I’ve been in such a rage with
“To‐day I can’t possibly, for I am going back to the monastery and I
You know it’s the valet, the valet killed him! Good heavens! Can they
cousin’s keeping, but as the latter had no family of his own, and after
an angel, nothing touches you. And I dare say nothing will touch you
precious mystic sense of our living bond with the other world, with the
silence who has been mentioned already, as antagonistic to Father Zossima
But the meek Father’s words had little effect and even provoked a mocking
though it were a surplice, and sang, and waved some object over the dead
crowd instantly bows down to the earth, like one man, before the old
like a woman. And the farmer kept shouting that you could kill any number
vigorous intellect, who has lost all faith in everything. He has denied
trouble was there and was so agonizing that even long afterwards Alyosha
Dmitri rose before his mind. But only for a minute, and though it reminded
affably, and speaking in a dignified and respectful tone. “Pardon us for
“The purest Ultramontanism!” cried Miüsov impatiently, crossing and
they imagine that they are serving the cause of religion, because the
“Madam, will you really be so good!” he cried, with strong feeling. “Good
that human shape in which He walked among men for three years fifteen
Moscow, two years before. Lise was extremely touched by his story. Alyosha
moment. She spoke softly but clearly, so that she was heard all over the
twelve. There’s no getting any one about here to buy it. The Maslovs have
“What is it, Trifon Borissovitch? are you looking for me?”
heart was open even to the simple, artless merrymaking of some obscure and
“Come, that’s enough, Lise, perhaps I really was rather too quick talking
Chapter VIII. A Treatise On Smerdyakov
License (available with this file or online at
what you don’t agree to we’ll alter as you like. But now I’ll ask you one
hitherto.
been impossible to tell by looking at him. Yet he used sometimes to stop
a little one. A more serious one would have chosen another lodging. But
“There is, there is. _Il y a du Piron là‐dedans._ He’s a Jesuit, a Russian
him.”
always wore a number of big, glittering rings. When he was engaged in his
The examination of the witnesses began. But we will not continue our story
at her face, her gay, laughing, affectionate face, he revives at once,
course), tried from delicacy of feeling to pretend that he was pleased.
five years ago,” cackled Fenya, as fast as she could speak.
Her intellect is on the wane—
“There’s no sentimentality about it. You are going yourself now to make it
monastery, consisting of only ten monks. The elder gave him his blessing
“What?”
care what she did.
Ivanovna by telling Grushenka about that day. And she flung it in her face
new wine, the wine of new, great gladness; do you see how many guests?
in some circles of our intellectual classes. He clung to the monastery,
“What more is there to tell! I lay there and I thought I heard the master
chair; besides I can sit up. I shall have people with me. And, you know, I
given any exact reason, except perhaps that he loathed the valet as one
six foot and of exceptional physical strength, who was closely‐shaven and
have it lying on my shelf now, I keep it as a precious relic of the past.
he is the only one in the whole world, and promoted to his new position,
Sunday markets were naïvely called “fairs” in the town, and there were
of‐all‐work and her master, and you know, that’s all that’s needed for
shall keep quiet and I’ll go on talking, for the time has come. But on
asleep, but got up uneasily and walked across the room to shake off his
bears it without groaning for fear of waking us. We eat what we can get,
“As he has spoken now, believe it! I know him. He’ll say anything as a
hast caused, laying upon them so many cares and unanswerable problems.
going to call her husband, but suddenly realized that when she had got up,
death there was at least forty thousand to come to each of you, and very
forgive him everything, everything—even his treachery!”
slung his satchel round his shoulder, and, regardless of his mother’s
of Thine elect, but Thou hast only the elect, while we give rest to all.
his own direct disadvantage, as, for instance, in the present case. This
off with your nose pulled than without a nose at all. As an afflicted
now? Hush, hush, Alexey Fyodorovitch, for I have so much to say to you
Love God’s people, let not strangers draw away the flock, for if you
into Mihailovsky Street, which is divided by a small ditch from the High
prosecutor positively seized hold of him.
unperturbed air.
devil can make you out? He recognizes his vileness and goes on with it!
then that he had been false to me and meant to abandon me, and it was I,
have a better idea than to move to another province! It would be the
thousand, and that _first of all_. The final stage of this decision, so to
saints, the angels, Christ, and God himself were brought on the stage. In
“They taught me all those well‐bred, aristocratic dances when I was
“Ivan doesn’t talk to me of Mitya’s case,” he said slowly. “He’s said very
“Well, if Truth were to prevail, you know, you’d be the first to be robbed
It was the same thing with the society of the town. Till then I had been
Karamazov had horrified him by his spiritual audacity. ‘Everything in the
emancipation. Fyodor Pavlovitch at once began bustling about, making
hadn’t he better go at once to the prosecutor and tell him everything. He
genuine passion “for the security of society.” Even the ladies in the
huge star like to a torch” (that is, to a church) “fell on the sources of
of feverish agitation and activity. For the last two days he had been in
like a child’s, but turned away at once without uttering a word and hid
tears.
“Yes, and quick to take offense. And there was too much rhetoric, such
Ivan wondered inwardly again.
“No, I won’t show it to you. Even if she sanctioned it, I wouldn’t. I am
saved, they will be saved hereafter. And if they are not saved hereafter,
make you, an advantageous offer ... very advantageous offer, concerning
“I don’t quite understand, Ivan. What does it mean?” Alyosha, who had been
The general orders the child to be undressed; the child is stripped naked.
was angry. The whole effect on the public, of Rakitin’s speech, of his
“The coffee is cold,” he cried harshly; “I won’t offer you any. I’ve
yesterday.”
mind, his beloved elder, had confided him as he lay dying. And suddenly,
he advised him, while persisting in prayer and fasting, to take a special
to go in. He had not seen Katerina Ivanovna for more than a week. But now
his coat on again to go to the “Metropolis” to play billiards. Mitya
“Alexey Fyodorovitch, you are wonderfully good, but you are sometimes sort
during which he had been ill and lost the use of his swollen legs, he had
haste, such openness, even with impatience and almost insistence,
“Perhaps,” said Alyosha, “though I’ve heard nothing about it.”
very original one. He suddenly took a thousand roubles to our monastery to
“Yes, on that sofa in the corner. You would have driven him away. You did
nightmare to have! But I am not afraid of you. I’ll get the better of you.
deceived me. That is how it would be, not a doubt of it. I could see from
the justice of his grievance. He had heard of him in Petersburg. On the
prosecutor exasperated him, as though intentionally, by vexatious
confession: ‘I was laughing at both of them.’ Yes, the sudden desire to
“Listen,” began Alyosha. “She will come, but I don’t know when. Perhaps
when you were there, while you were in the garden....”
with angry contempt. “He was always coming to me for money: he used to get
thousand.”
long gown on him? If he runs he’ll fall.”
the core. Indeed, I always feel when I meet people that I am lower than
there now? Who’s coming and going?’ and can’t I tell him something more.
repeated. Mitya nodded and in a subdued voice repeated several times
“Don’t touch me....” she faltered, in an imploring voice. “Don’t touch me,
“Your Excellency, your Excellency ... is it possible?” he began, but could
to the sainted man whom you reverence so highly,” he wrote in conclusion.
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
thought—I’ve thought several times since I’ve been here—that you despised
his mad and consuming passion for Katerina Ivanovna. This is not the time
“God preserve you, my dear boy, from ever asking forgiveness for a fault
better he has come now, at such a moment, and not the day before
though I kept an almshouse,” she laughed.
and so, though we thank you for showing us the way, we cannot ask you to
he is tasting the new wine. Why do you wonder at me? I gave an onion to a
Samsonov’s name came up somehow. “That’s nobody’s business,” she snapped
forms, which I will not go into here. The district doctor, a zealous man,
had not even suspected that Grigory could have seen it.
The voice ceased. It was a lackey’s tenor and a lackey’s song. Another
murderer. Oh, I fully share the court’s and the prosecutor’s conviction
There was so much behind that tortured him. And it seemed strange to him,
landlord, Trifon Borissovitch, kept hovering about Mitya to protect him.
to my beard, the schoolboys most of all. Well, your brother Dmitri
pressed it warmly to his heart. Tears positively glittered in his eyes.
the lower jaw was set a trifle forward. Her upper lip was thin, but the
coming upon him again. The day and hour of such an attack cannot, of
Of course there had been, in former times, saints in the monastery whose
coffin, in his short old summer overcoat, with his head bare and his soft,
contradict her first statement, with the obvious motive of ruining the
“He is a schoolboy, doctor, he is a mischievous boy; take no notice of
conscious of it myself. What made it worse was that I felt that ‘Katenka’
his parents to associate with Krassotkin, who was well known to be a
Pyotr Alexandrovitch. You are the principal person left now—for ten
despair. The peasant still stroked his beard, and suddenly screwed up his
animation. “I told mamma you’d be sure not to go. I said you were saving
hearted thoughts at the very time when his eyes were so gloomy. A certain
accommodating and ready to assume any amiable expression as occasion might
and have pity on me, forgive a scoundrel.... But it doesn’t matter if you
responsible for all. For all the ‘babes,’ for there are big children as
points at them to the Lord God; and a long while yet will you keep that
room to the other, keeping his hands in the pockets of his loose greasy
Kalganov.
At that instant Katya appeared in the doorway. For a moment she stood
“Look, you haven’t got your nails clean. Now rub your face; here, on your
“Very. I want to get to know you once for all, and I want you to know me.
don’t know myself yet. Perhaps you’ll want to trample me under foot after
ninety years.”
as she looked at it she began shaking with sobs, hiding her eyes with her
“And how coolly, how coolly he speaks! But why should I have wanted it;
trust that his youthful idealism and impulse towards the ideas of the
and Lazarus, and beholds heaven and can go up to the Lord. But that is
under what circumstances she received it.
been forgotten for the time; but still he had been in his mind, and as
“Yes, and I’ve released myself once for all. And after all, what have I to
“They have been playing, but they’ve left off. They’ve been drinking tea,
slavishly devoted to me, and yet all at once his eyes would flash and he’d
wet towel on his head began walking up and down the room.
said Miüsov with the same irritability, regardless of the fact that the
to the point in a minute. I won’t keep you in suspense. Stay, how does it
“But do you want to punish him fearfully, terribly, with the most awful
do you want?” cried Alyosha irritably.
straight off. If I give it, you may come back to her to‐morrow....
Smerdyakov or not?”
“So that’s who it is you want.” Grushenka laughed. “Stay with me a minute.
“I was lieutenant in a line regiment, but still I was under supervision,
INDEMNITY — You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark
But Marfa continued screaming, and seeing that her master’s window was
And, bending over him tenderly, she kissed his forehead. Kalganov
regenerate his soul? If so, overwhelm him with your mercy! You will see,
elder he continued: “Observe the answer he makes to the following
Ci‐gît Piron qui ne fut rien,
understand. Stepan and Semyon heard it, and Pyotr Fomitch Kalganov, too,
“A glass and a half of neat spirit—is not at all bad, don’t you think? You
dismay. But the boys reminded him at once that he had taken the crust of
as I turn my back he gives way to it. But now I don’t think about him.
“I think one of the stones must have hurt you badly,” observed Alyosha.
and retirement, seeks to efface himself, to avoid being seen and heard,
sorry for him now, but should hate him.”
be nothing; shame is only the punishment I deserve. The trouble is I shall
to come out to him.
were to say to him, ‘I am yours, I won’t have Fyodor Pavlovitch,’ then he
The body of Father Zossima was prepared for burial according to the
head.”
The lieutenant‐colonel flew to him. ‘I’ve never received any money from
but in the world outside it. He did no one any harm, but “Why do they
three immense chandeliers with glass lusters covered with shades.
and on the sides of the gates.
breathlessly. He was standing at the table and did not sit down.
in different houses the last few days and I wanted at last to make your
cash down!” Mitya added, feeling something wrong. “What’s the matter,
“Why, it’s nothing much,” cried Alyosha, frightened at this alarm.
“Ivan has a strong constitution, and I, too, believe there’s every hope
floated through Alyosha’s head as it lay on the pillow, “yes, if
time for any one to know of it?”
the other. But I didn’t think about that at all, and I didn’t want to
Grushenka besought him with sudden eagerness. “Set my mind at rest that I
a presentiment that you would end in something like this. Would you
“I am afraid to say that I did. But I never doubted that some higher
She drew out of her bosom her boy’s little embroidered sash, and as soon
whether the absence of curiosity and sympathy in Ivan might be due to some
the end become the owner of the magazine, and bring it out on the liberal
people, of good education and breeding.’ You see, I must repeat again, it
build. He was much esteemed and respected by every one in the town. He was
pass. Remember the phrase in Dmitri Karamazov’s drunken letter, ‘I shall
feel almost certain of that when I look at him now.”
concerned.—TRANSLATOR’S NOTE.
me go on a pilgrimage, master.’ He is a driver. We’re not poor people,
of his guilt. What’s more, I believe they would have been mortified if his
meeting, so that you may understand my character at once. I hate being
back.
virtuous in the world, do good to society, without shutting yourself up in
scrape of quite another kind, amusing, foolish, and he did not, as it
several times presented itself to him, and he had deliberated on it—for
within himself, the impression which had dominated him during the period
electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for
“In the first place,” began Ivan, “I know that epileptic fits can’t be
anyway; have some shame. Here I’ve torn my heart asunder before you, and
And she laughed in Alyosha’s face, a feverish malicious laugh.
like a highwayman, and to urge his companions to join him he asserts that
garden, avoiding the trees and shrubs. He walked slowly, creeping
authority on the question of the ecclesiastical court, and the scope of
He read it and simply flung down the book. He was trembling all over.
has been widely circulated through the patronage of the bishop, and has
cold—he suffers with his chest, you know. ‘Father,’ said he, ‘father!’
conviction that Dmitri Fyodorovitch could have gone nowhere but to his
been trying to persuade Ilusha that the dog is alive, that it’s been seen.
vigorously in denying his responsibility. The townspeople were pleased at
“He is a Pole, that officer of hers,” he began again, restraining himself;
for a moment.
put fifteen hundred roubles in a bag (which never existed) he may have
fancy he’ll succeed, too. And what’s more, it’s with Mitya’s consent. For
of his hand.
is it my business to look after them?”
desire that Katerina Ivanovna should throw him over, and marry the
repeated that German verse, it was just like you! But I must fly, I must
“You have done no harm. You behaved beautifully, like an angel,” Madame
“Fyodor Pavlovitch, for the last time, your compact, do you hear? Behave
cannot solve himself. If he murdered him, he murdered him, and what’s the
frenzied hatred, the same look that he had fixed on him at their last
now she suddenly exclaimed: “I’ve been at Smerdyakov’s myself!” When had
an idea made up by men? Then if He doesn’t exist, man is the chief of the
“She’s been removed, she’s downstairs. Will you allow me to say one word
of making speeches, in order to dazzle the audience by our acquaintance
in the envelope, was the servant, Smerdyakov. He had spoken of it to the
vanity that makes you ask, it doesn’t matter.”
always find strength and ability to disbelieve in the miraculous, and if
interpretation of the word ‘father,’ which insists that any father, even
“Be silent, deceiver, I knew it was Alyosha, I felt he was coming, and of
of the heart (I say that boldly!)—no! That you must believe you have no
The officious shopmen began explaining with oily politeness that the first
even know Sabaneyev.
his son. He slandered him in society, injured him, calumniated him, bought
Mitya turned abruptly, sat astride on his chair, and swung his arm.
“It’s not Karamazov at all; it’s not his doing. Our fellows began going
‘I’ll pull off his cassock,’ she says. You can’t think how she keeps
time. The cannon was put on the floor, aiming towards an empty part of the
Gentlemen, you’ve sullied my heart! Can you suppose that I would conceal
I’m not an enemy of Christ.’ That’s what the criminal of to‐day is
come near me? Why doesn’t he talk? Why won’t he come and see us? It’s not
Ippolit Kirillovitch had chosen the historical method of exposition,
long on that path? And if the patient whose wounds you are washing did not
inquisitive eyes of our scandal‐loving public. She was proud and could not
unprejudiced mind. How can such a prisoner be acquitted? What if he
had been waiting a long time, and that they were more than half an hour
approaching, yet it was difficult to imagine that it would come so
this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or
them in their slums and huts, and left money for medicine, but he was as
property. Now you reproach me for having a weakness for that lady when you
‘signals’—what a temptation! Still he resists it; he goes off to a lady
“Are you speaking the truth? Well, now, after such a confession, I believe
accepted me as a friend, you see. At first he almost flew at me and tried
of light and mercy, and not in cruel pleasures as now, in gluttony,
lips. Alyosha watched it all with a throbbing heart. The whole
“No, no, no!” Ivan cried suddenly. “It was not a dream. He was here; he
follows effect simply and directly, and that I know it?—I must have
unhappy young woman, kept in terror from her childhood, fell into that
he’s examining the mamma and that poor crippled Nina. I liked that Nina,
frightened you are now,” Smerdyakov muttered in surprise. “Won’t you have
adorning Nikolay Parfenovitch’s right hand.
like to look at it? I’ll take it off ...”
Distrust the worthless, lying crowd,
beside her. She said nothing, for she had never been able to speak. But
“And I of you,” said Alyosha, smiling and pressing his hand.
“His compliments? Was that what he said—his own expression?”
“I’ll make haste and fly there. I’m afraid I’ve overtaxed your strength. I
the bridge? and afterwards we all grew so fond of him. He was a fine boy,
likely in his excitement yesterday he meant to say something different,”
“I’m not hindering them, _pani_,” said the Pole in the wig, with a long
as before, every year with increasing prosperity; there were plenty of
house, and promised to let him know when Agrafena Alexandrovna comes.”
“Do you think I am afraid of you now?”
her. All that time she was obtaining exact information as to her Sofya’s
this study will come later, at leisure, when all the tragic topsy‐turvydom
“What do you think yourself?”
H’m!... if he was there a week ago ... there certainly has been a change
what scorn of filthy lucre, he will fling it all away in the reckless
Father, not poor; he drives our own horse. It’s all our own, the horse and
will it ever come to pass? Is not it simply a dream of ours?”
is so dear to me. Now I will tell you. His face has been as it were a
which they had just come.
district.
“Oh, damn it!” he said. “Haven’t you a rag of some sort ... to wipe my
over. First an elegant open carriage, drawn by two valuable horses, drove
alone! And as for our lousy peasants, it wasn’t a case of flinging half a
readers, so that a great many people noticed and remembered him. It was
and unbridled temper, has not insulted me. But he has insulted perhaps
himself. Of this new speech of his I will quote only a few sentences.
“That’s true, that’s true,” cried Madame Hohlakov.
stationed before, he several times spent a thousand or two for the
burnt down so? What’s the time?”
been for the same servant Grigory, who by that time had aged considerably
seemed to seize the moment.
away and roared with laughter. Would you believe it? Yes, it’s the literal
That box” (the one with the pistols) “put under my seat. Good‐by, Pyotr
flooding the earth with blood, for blood cries out for blood, and he that
“That’s just the point, that ‘but’!” cried Ivan. “Let me tell you, novice,
“But Katerina Ivanovna!” exclaimed Alyosha sorrowfully.
promised, but went upstairs to his mistress who had suddenly sent for him,
neighborhood, but ... I only wanted to know ... It has come to my
too, then he would have been completely happy.
suddenly. “I tell you again, I heard that she was a relation of yours. You
The woman went on in a low whisper, so that it was almost impossible to
even know Sabaneyev.
that I should work to get it and pay it back. So in that case I should be
there was a vague look in them, too. Even when he was excited and talking
afraid, no doubt, that you’ll stand before me as my conscience. Don’t tell
Section 4.
I have good reason,” muttered Agafya, busying herself about the stove,
have been stopped at that moment. He was pale, he was shaking with
and sympathetically. It was evident that his reputation for goodness had
and bade them not leave him again. From that moment he gave strict orders
throwing stones and had bitten your finger—but you understand now what a
between us. Now I can see for myself that such confidence is out of the
astounded that he failed to assist him when he got up again. There was a
fifty, with a dyspeptic complexion, dark hair turning gray and cut short,
yet the boys immediately understood that he was not proud of his
held up their children to him and brought him the sick “possessed with
“You live at Kuzma Kuzmitch’s. You’re the servant there?”
required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments
towering rage and happened to come upon me. He dragged me out of the
won’t let him be carried out!”
important: to begin with, he had to show himself at his best, to show his
none to spare for pity, that is beyond doubt. On the contrary, he would
When Katerina Ivanovna heard that, she got up from her seat without a
ready for action. Pyotr Ilyitch was met with the astounding news that old
Would they love him, would they not?
moment. She spoke softly but clearly, so that she was heard all over the
such subjects are always carried on inconceivably stupidly. And secondly,
myself like a silly and laugh when I look at you as I did to‐day. You’ll
though he would not allow them to cover Ilusha, and began greedily and
“I went out from you then into the darkness, I wandered about the streets,
day he flew at them all as they were coming out of school. I stood a few
held out its little bare arms, with its little fists blue from cold.
was a tremor in his heart as he went into Father Zossima’s cell.
translation ... in an absurd, grotesque, old translation ... (At it again!
“They are rogues! Medicine’s a fraud! I am glad to have made your
generously—”
“Have pity on _me!_” Katya said, with bitter reproach, and she burst into
not look at him, now I’ve brought him.”
kissing you, nestling close to you. I was cold, and the snow glistened....
painful recollection owing to the censorship.... Good Heavens, what is the
tears, for I love the Bible. Let him too weep, the priest of God, and be
1.E.6.
Chapter I. Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov
pleased and thankful for it. Ladies used to be fond of me: not all of
I have mentioned already that Grigory had detested Adelaïda Ivanovna, the
“Nothing will induce her to abandon him.”
sitting by him one night and he suddenly told me: ‘Father, when my grave
“But are you really so sensitive? At your age! Would you believe it, just
“One reptile will devour the other,” Ivan had pronounced the day before,
efface myself!” he said, in a rush of almost hysterical ecstasy.
definition and inner essence of him. It’s your father has handed him on
but it may have passed off quite naturally, and the sick man may have
their education and bringing up than to any one. He kept the two thousand
old father. So Father Zossima flopped down to be ready for what may turn
me here, gentlemen.”
me to the day of my death, and I’ll leave you nothing in my will either.”
the Madonna and ends with the ideal of Sodom. What’s still more awful is
surprised, indeed, that you haven’t inquired about it before. It’s true I
To the worship of the gods.
of all her doings.
sin, in your sin. It has been said of old that over one repentant sinner
wildly. “Why, I shall certainly see him to‐morrow. I shall look him up. I
Alyosha’s question, “How can you say you’ll kill our father?” “I don’t
still he felt it would be unseemly to go to dinner. Yet his creaking
the contrary, he’ll accuse me. And in fact, why did I set off for
“Write it down? You want to write that down? Well, write it; I consent, I
“You’ve lost two hundred, _panie_. Will you stake another hundred?” the
that. What he wanted to know was where she was. But his father, his
ever so many times yourself. And he is an excellent, earnest young man,
either, for you are not my only tormentress; she is too. Farewell!
firmness and intelligent purpose had developed in her face. There were
“Speak without buffoonery, and don’t begin by insulting the members of
“Why, the man’s drunk, dead drunk, and he’ll go on drinking now for a
with skepticism.
disgrace? This wild question clutched at his heart. “To her, to her alone,
always put, shut off by a screen three paces from their own bed. This was
needle.”
very obtuse as regards the feelings and sensations of others—partly from
without any sort of explanation, she gave him two good, resounding slaps
and a red ribbon, of what Order I don’t remember. The prosecutor struck me
you’re a thief!’ Yes, that’s why I’ve been so savage all this month,
moment. She spoke softly but clearly, so that she was heard all over the
principles—the rock on which it stands—and could pursue no other aims than
and seasons, for the secret of the times and seasons is in the wisdom of
Would they love him, would they not?
novice. And what have Russian boys been doing up till now, some of them, I
of men therein, for they are slaves, of course, though rebellious by
But we all, myself included, looked upon the soldiers in our service as
Rakitin wondered at their enthusiasm. He was aggrieved and annoyed, though
those three questions the whole subsequent history of mankind is, as it
prosecutor straight in the face, and seeming unable to believe his ears.
no; oh, impossible cowardly dreams! Oh, damnation!”
costly and artistic engravings were several of the roughest Russian prints
or fifteen hundred? And again had he spent three thousand or fifteen
“There are moments when people love crime,” said Alyosha thoughtfully.
his glass and went off into his shrill laugh.
more. I’ll say no more. Call your witnesses!”
continual nervous little laugh, and the blissful expression of a dog who
“Well, if Truth were to prevail, you know, you’d be the first to be robbed
“You keep saying the same thing; but I had such an attack of rheumatism
thought, “to reassure them, in case they heard my footsteps and are
had come from, and that Dmitri Fyodorovitch had got it from Katerina
forgotten my purse.”
“What has became of your fortune?” he asked.
done as he had planned in writing, and the letter was not ‘absurd,’ but
interesting in its own way, of course, as a variety. The worst of it is
time—and am prepared to admit that it might be difficult to defend my
in the woman I love, lost faith in the order of things, were convinced in
you ever felt, have you ever dreamt of falling down a precipice into a
Alyosha’s right, quite right, in not wanting to come and see such a
questions directly, without going off into irrelevant details. Grushenka
with me. It’s like this. Once upon a time there was a peasant woman and a
them from Smerdyakov the day before. But I need not recall the painful
received many such letters, accompanied by such receipts, from her former
here thinking to myself: that if I didn’t believe in life, if I lost faith
him, but to defend him also. Yes, I, too, am human; I, too, can weigh the
one day and have some fish soup. Let me know beforehand.... But, stay;
latter, anyway, noticed it at the same moment, started, and shrank back.
overflowing with rapture, yearned for freedom, space, openness. The vault
off without quarreling. And I never gave them away. I never bragged of one
have transgressed not only against men but against the Church of Christ.
feelings however, though I put off taking any decisive step for a time.
very common, ordinary Russian girl, who was not even pretty.”
You are scoffers, gentlemen!”
bones about it,” thought Mitya, “they don’t keep up the most elementary
woman was suddenly repeated with Alyosha. He jumped up from his seat
improbability of the story and strove painfully to make it sound more
the balcony into the passage, he came upon the landlord, Trifon
Take three thousand and go to the devil, and Vrublevsky with you—d’you
me to the day of my death, and I’ll leave you nothing in my will either.”
aunt, you know, is overbearing, herself. She’s the sister of the general’s
little tails of those nerves, and as soon as they begin quivering ... that
your shells yet. My rule has been that you can always find something
depart in peace,” but others say he wept without restraint like a little
something blessed and miraculous, and as a promise, by God’s grace, of
not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against
accept God, you must understand, it’s the world created by Him I don’t and
“European Liberals in general, and even our liberal dilettanti, often mix
do not condemn me, for I love Thee, O Lord. I am a wretch, but I love
Kramskoy, called “Contemplation.” There is a forest in winter, and on a
them, at the moment when you made up your mind to ask forgiveness at the
in the past ... in the tavern, for instance, I’ve talked to every one, so
speak with complete openness to Agafya, but spare dear auntie. You will
good‐humoredly. “Would you believe it that ever since that scene with her,
“The prosecutor asks at what moment could Smerdyakov have committed the
“Aha, then it’s only a suggestion! And it does not come from him but
sobbing then, kneeling and praying to Katya’s image, and Grushenka
Chapter III. A Meeting With The Schoolboys
Ci‐gît Piron qui ne fut rien,
sir, grant me this favor?”
So spoke Mitya. The interrogation began again.
“And can you admit the idea that men for whom you are building it would
quickly at Lise. Her face had become almost menacing.
“What should I go for?”
Alyosha had given his opinion at the time, blushing, and angry with
confessing it ...”
“No,” they would say, “he is a brave fellow, he faced fire and could have
“I don’t want him to be buried in the churchyard,” Snegiryov wailed
the world’s opinion; but perhaps that one stupid thing may be the saving
“No, you are von Sohn. Your reverence, do you know who von Sohn was? It
“We should have met anyway. I’ve heard a great deal about you, too; but
was under the pillow. What does Smerdyakov say? Have you asked him where
lying? They will be convinced that we are right, for they will remember
He was almost choking. He had not been so moved before during the whole
though he might be a hundred times over a rebel, heretic and infidel. Thou
overflowing with rapture, yearned for freedom, space, openness. The vault
I’ve said so much I’ll tell the whole truth—he’s been to see him twice,
Though there were proud words, too. She wrung out of me a mighty promise
“I know it’s the other side of the copse,” observed Fyodor Pavlovitch,
recalling something, he added:
“Here,” he said quietly.
not believe in,” Alyosha added bitterly, and again he prayed for Ivan.
possible to make sure the notes were in it. And he’d have thrown the
But, a long while afterwards, Alyosha remembered this.
bed, she lay all day half‐reclining on the couch in her boudoir, in a
First of all, Alyosha went to his father. On the way he remembered that
“Yes, that was a moment of weakness ... but I couldn’t believe in you. I
ourselves, of course, Karamazov; do you hear, not a word to any one. I say
“Then why on earth,” he suddenly interrupted Smerdyakov, “do you advise me
I knew nothing. I was filled with sudden irrepressible fury. With flushed
about.
“Hold your tongue, I’ll kick you!”
“For revolution?”
It was over‐heated as before, but there were changes in the room. One of
hear, I’m very glad! I want him to stay here with us,” she said
And so on, awfully funny, I’ll bring it to you later on. I say nothing
“Come, don’t you know why you’re glad?” said Rakitin, grinning. “You used
“He had no business to make a thrust at the Petersburg man like that;
The landlord, who had been for some time past inquisitively peeping in at
haven’t; if you had, you’d have understood her long ago ... and the person
do you hear that majestic voice from the past century of our glorious
it!” she exclaimed frantically.
“Good‐by.”
recalled, in fact, every item of expense and added it all up. So the
authorities.”
his hand respectfully, and with intense feeling, almost anger, he said:
ever, in spite of the fact that it is impossible for them to mingle, and
of the riotous blood of youth. I bless the rising sun each day, and, as
ground has been crossed. He’ll be prayed for there. One can hear the
The doctor looked round the room with a squeamish air once more and threw
the only deterrent and softening one, which lies in the recognition of sin
Gospels, and constantly talked over his impressions with his young friend.
believers some of them rejoiced even more than the unbelievers, for “men
“God and immortality?”
taken his eyes off him while he told his story, as though struck by
was genuinely touched.
minute and said suddenly:
crucified him on the wall, hammered nails into him and crucified him, and
cry of surprise.
going, you’ll go all the same, you’ve decided to go. What are you going
But Krassotkin, shaking hands with him hurriedly, instantly showed his
talking incessantly, but quite incoherently, and even articulated his
me.”
never mind, I was silly to smile. I understand your getting hot about it,
for me at that moment,’ were the prisoner’s words at the preliminary
world’ are not used in that sense. To play with such words is
“You take too many sins on yourself,” mother used to say, weeping.
back to my senses. Fyodor Pavlovitch sent for Herzenstube, the doctor
1.E.1.
“Not to me. I expected him to come into the house, for I’d no doubt that
downwards on the ground, he sobbed like a little child, shaken by his
“Yes, of Father Zossima.”
cursed innovation ... he wouldn’t imitate their foolery,” other voices
followed by a fearful hubbub. Many of the men in the audience were
And many more men come to try their luck, among them a soldier:
“What am I to do now, Kuzma Kuzmitch?” he muttered, with a pale smile. “I
you’ve been a long time coming here.”
even more emphatically, although still with the utmost hilarity, and at
people of more use than me.”
angry with himself. “Don’t take it off ... there’s no need.... Damn it!...
hear—more honest woman than this ‘creature,’ as you have dared to call
the pagan civilization and culture, as, for example, in the very objects
“The prosecutor asks at what moment could Smerdyakov have committed the
suddenly. “Sit down with us. How are you?”
awaiting me who arrived before you. But don’t you tell lies all the same,”
with the lust of power only for the sake of filthy gain’—would not one
for man loves to see the downfall and disgrace of the righteous. But I
Superior, made up his weekly rations. The water in his jug was changed
fulfilled, that nothing can be added to them or taken from them.
I am forgetting, only fancy; your brother is in there with her, not that
intention that he scorned any subterfuge or indirectness and meant to show
“It would be shameful, disgraceful, not to acquit him!” cried the
“What do you mean by ‘sorry to lose God’?”
find Dmitri Fyodorovitch at home, though it was eight o’clock. ‘He’s been
which increased his irritability. He had had intellectual encounters with
fact, that is, that when Dmitri Fyodorovitch had run out to look for
“Mamma, I didn’t know he had come. It wasn’t on his account I wanted to be
you! What am I to do, what am I to do?” Ivan said through his clenched
there, a great‐coat, a fur coat? I’ll bring it out to you. They’ll get the
lodgings, but I looked at Plotnikov’s shop, and saw him just setting off,
suppose there are two who can move mountains? Ivan, make a note of it,
noticed Rakitin. He was waiting for some one.
to the young officer, relying on something ... to beg him for the money.
positively.
to me of their own accord, so I shall want my money. So I am saving up
Why not some other weapon? But since he had been contemplating his plan
“Are you leaving the hermitage? What, without asking leave, without asking
said. ‘Bring her then, bring her.’ ‘She’s afraid,’ said I; ‘she was
Miüsov. He felt altogether dissatisfied with his position.
began mysteriously and importantly, speaking in a rapid whisper. “I don’t
that they had come not one verst, nor one and a half, but at least three.
that paltry three thousand!” he cried, contemptuously. “I’ll settle it to‐
Thee. If Thou sendest me to hell, I shall love Thee there, and from there
censorship of the day. For if the troika were drawn by his heroes,
stealthily at every step, listening to his own footsteps. It took him five
“I have a great favor to ask of you, Alexey Fyodorovitch,” she began,
loves their gladness, too’ ... He was always repeating that, it was one of
greater disgrace than the murder and robbing of my father, if I had
that except your yearly allowance as before, you’ll get nothing more from
alone on a pillar—I exist! I see the sun, and if I don’t see the sun, I
“It’s lite, _panovie_,” the Pole on the sofa responded, as it were
was rather younger, they were gray‐headed men, little known in society,
people who say as Kolya did just now, ‘I want to suffer for all men,’ and
“Why, mamma! As though there were rabid boys!”
“You ... you ... you are a little religious idiot—that’s what you are!”
brings forward much that is new, but I think the argument cuts both ways.
obviously getting more and more fatigued, and his strength was failing.
to picture to oneself the shame and moral degradation to which the jealous
lisped, ‘_Gott der Sohn_.’ ‘_Gott der heilige Geist_.’ Then he laughed and
“I’m bound to admit the fact,” Smerdyakov drawled with pedantic composure,
hearted thoughts at the very time when his eyes were so gloomy. A certain
Alas! The second alternative was the correct one. Long afterwards, when
killed his father. It was the letter written by Mitya to Katerina Ivanovna
though he had been at no loss for a word. “And I bought him a pound of
seduction of some respectable girl; we know all about that, Dmitri
“Do you remember how I came back to you that second time, at midnight? I
stupid boy, good for nothing, and that I am ruined. But you left the
watched him eagerly.
“You ... are perhaps still unwell?” he began, looking everywhere for the
coffee.
Part II
would have known nothing about it, and wouldn’t have come here. Oh, it’s
and I had neither. You think I meant to make her an offer? No, I simply
“Perhaps; but I am not very keen on her.”
distant relation, whose husband was an official at the railway station
But this unseemly scene was cut short in a most unexpected way. Father
as she looked at it she began shaking with sobs, hiding her eyes with her
I did not know what to do and hurried to and fro undecided; we went out to
go into a nunnery. No, I really shall one day, Alyosha said something to
And another thing, mother, every one of us has sinned against all men, and
the essential principles of Church and State, will, of course, go on for
early to decide now, for we must wait for the verdict. As soon as the
humble determination that nothing could shake could be discerned in her.
Mitya turned abruptly, sat astride on his chair, and swung his arm.
plainly, the father is not merely he who begets the child, but he who
felt very happy. He tried to talk to the driver, and he felt intensely
three thousand roubles to resign his claims, seven hundred roubles down,
almost savage creature. A surface polish of courtesy and society manners I
“And my father?”
always declaring that the Russian proverbs were the best and most
suddenly vexed.
Fyodorovitch’s going away like that, it’s her own fault. But he won’t go
and sat down again. Perhaps the impossibility of moving irritated him, as
“Voltaire believed in God, though not very much, I think, and I don’t
torturers behave mildly and benevolently, like cultivated and humane
grasped it before so fully. He said, ‘If she refuses to come I shall be
there’s no such thing as virtue, and there’s no need of it. You were right
morning Lise waked up and flew into a passion with Yulia and, would you
profligate, who had hitherto admired only the coarser types of feminine
rest? And how are the other weak ones to blame, because they could not
with having rebelled against God. I don’t want to feel angry with you, so
on Ilusha’s soul. No, it’s not for us to claim the privileges of noblemen.
implicitly with my Lise. Since the death of Father Zossima—God rest his
conduct seems to be crazy, a man must set an example, and so draw men’s
“What’s the matter? I was joking,” cried Mitya. “Damn it all! They are all
he has a banquet. There’s not been such a banquet since the Superior
would be no sin in it.”
suddenly began staggering. “It’s something physical,” he thought with a
chocolate, tried to fascinate me. There’s not much true shame about her, I
“You’re not joking? Is that really necessary?” Mitya’s eyes flashed.
companions. Oh, he, too, can be good and noble, but only when all goes
can’t swim out, and ‘these God forgets’—an expression of extraordinary
himself on tiptoe. All Fyodor Pavlovitch’s bedroom lay open before him. It
it would be far less severely than the real murderer. But in that case he
only whispered, ‘Let her!’ She understood that it was important. I did not
that, and now what I think is this: Is it so inconceivable that that grand
to be my wife, offers herself to me. ‘I love you madly,’ she says, ‘even
“Oh, no! On the contrary, he will do anything you like and in any way you
The little _pan_ was taken aback and looked apprehensively at Mitya. He
even on earth.... You have a generous heart ... you must see that, you
come down at all, and so perhaps you don’t know how carefully he has begun
advanced ideas. By that time the dawning woman question will have gained
disgrace? This wild question clutched at his heart. “To her, to her alone,
up his connection with them, and in his latter years at the university he
“And even if nothing had been omitted, if this were the whole story,” the
with anger.
by a great, unsolved doubt. He is one of those who don’t want millions,
are, how can you be so long! And here’s Yulia with the ice!”
Imagine a trembling mother with her baby in her arms, a circle of invading
“He is going to Moscow, and you cry out that you are glad. You said that
have sinned too much here. I’ve always been thinking who would pray for
it, and then, for the rest of my life ... oh, God! Forgive me, gentlemen,
better call it ours—aren’t we showing contempt for him, for that poor
but that by to‐morrow morning, if the present remedies were unavailing, he
“Oh, while I think of it, I have a letter for you,” said Alyosha timidly,
in the greatest embarrassment; now he felt nothing of the kind. On the
Within three days he left the monastery in accordance with the words of
other cause entirely unknown to him. He kept fancying that Ivan was
and yet I shall love you for ever, and you will love me; do you know that?
I might as well be in my grave at once. And a more serious matter still,
“Listen, Alyosha,” Ivan began in a resolute voice, “if I am really able to
The psychological Ippolit Kirillovitch heard this with a subtle smile, and
child, so much so that people were sorry for him, in spite of the
“We shall cry, we shall be sure to cry,” Nastya chimed in with timid
talking of aberration. This doctor has come. You know a doctor has come?
mortification, without resentment even, that the holiest of holy men
and not I. And what’s more, a man is rarely ready to admit another’s
And the devil groaned, because he thought that he would get no more
Ivanovna who had looked after her in her father’s house when she came from
tortured, suffering people, sunk in iniquity, but loving Him like
prisoner’s own expressions), ‘but though I am a scoundrel, I am not a
was giving way. He walked about, raving; he was seen muttering in the
great secret.”
was lame, but the other was too light‐footed.’ He he!”
that the elder was good‐humored and not offended. Father Zossima was going
“Nothing will induce her to abandon him.”
dozed off and fell asleep as he sat. He seemed to have slept for two hours
They had been galloping nearly an hour. Mitya was silent, and though
shepherd? I go on and I don’t know whether I’m going to shame or to light
village, so one might send for them. They’d come.”
fact—takes his leave of her?”
The boy waited in silent defiance, certain that now Alyosha would attack
there was no money, there was no theft of it. If the envelope on the floor
“Look here, you didn’t say that a fortnight ago.”
telling this mountain, not to move into the sea for that’s a long way off,
that. One has to know how to talk to the peasants.”
keys from under her pillow, and to take some things from it, doing it all
means of satisfying their wants. They maintain that the world is getting
evidence on it, perhaps. Where should he sit if not there? You see, listen
make a scene.” Mihail Makarovitch himself led Grushenka in. She entered
in a couple of words,” answered Perhotin, firmly. “At five o’clock this
mother actually was the mother of Ivan too.
from a sort of inner preoccupation entirely personal and unconcerned with
Would he purge his soul from vileness
creature of the female sex—no hens, nor turkey‐hens, nor cows.”
fired his own pistol too, but he had a dream the night before that he
his heart such as Rakitin, for instance, watching him malignantly from his
“Oh, it was smart enough. We’ve heard it before, how often he has told the
sincerely, I must be more sensible in the future,” he concluded suddenly,
Pavlovitch’s firstborn, and must confine myself now to the most essential
very pleasant to take offense, isn’t it? A man may know that nobody has
Chapter III. Conversations And Exhortations Of Father Zossima
at me and bit my finger badly, I don’t know why.”
“I swear by God and the dreadful Day of Judgment I am not guilty of my
an idiot, he pronounced that for a young woman of twenty to wander about
tears at the elder’s feet, thank him for healing their sick.
how, seeing them again after many years, he loved them beyond measure, but
were ill. Thinks I, I’ll go and see him for myself. Now I see you, and
candid an expression as though nothing had happened between them. And it
father and brothers. The old man waited for him, standing dignified and
whole month, this had been going on, a secret from him, till the very
and more uninviting‐looking than the others. So that one might well
“You were so primed up with your elder’s teaching last night that now you
incoherent.
A man’s voice suddenly began singing in a sugary falsetto, accompanying
your wits about you. You will burn and you will burn out; you will be
may persist, as every one knows, from an even earlier age, even from two
into tears. But they were happy tears. He recovered himself instantly. The
“Where did this cart come from in such a hurry?” he asked Mitya.
But I will not detail the evidence of the other witnesses, who only
the murderer. But what if there were something of the sort, a feeling of
Chapter I. Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov
table with his fist so that everything on it danced—it was the first time
“What blunder, and why is it for the best?”
girl, my boy, a good‐hearted girl, she would have kissed my old hands,
On the spiritual side he was undeveloped, while his vitality was
so that the train might have time to get up full speed after leaving the
vigorous, intelligent girls, so common in this generation, but sometimes
expect him.” And “Would you believe it?” exclaimed Madame Hohlakov
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