Symbolism In Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov

Dostoevsky’s characters represent various worldviews of the Russian population. Their metaphorical counterparts can be found when looking at the novel through the critical archetypal lense. Fyodor symbolizes the Russian state which has a history of passion and recklessness. Their coffers overflow but are spent on fruitless things like Fyodor’s addiction to alcohol, or his attempt to pay Grushenka to marry him. His reflections on his hard past reflect also on the autocracy of the previous centuries, but both look forward with anticipation (Connolly 83). Dimitri is a representation of the romantics of the 1820’s. Specifically those who, like the decemberists, called for violence to incite reform. This generation was overshadowed by the following which was a group of intellectuals that mirrored the enlightened education they had received. They were open to westernization and politically very liberal (Zhivov 21). This is similar to Ivan, though he is an extremist in some arguments. Smerdyakov is a symbol of the west who cares only for himself, and seeks to destroy all that is

One such element is the narration. The Narrator is a writer who can see into the thoughts and emotions of the characters within the novel. Most effectively the narrator sets the tone with his blaque descriptions and morbid figurative language. However, some chapters are told from perspectives of certain certain characters such as Zosima's confessions. Dostoyevsky changes his syntax and structure. For example, the attorney during Dmitri's trial is described with a series of malapropisms. There are also sections where the plot is nearly shut out entirely to focus on a single minor character such as the narrative in Book Six, which is Zosima's story. This complex point of view and narration style sheds light from multiple angles, and gives Dostoevsky increased power to craft his reader’s