Loading chat...
would have stopped him, but Alyosha was silent and “it might be the
suddenly, after a pause. “May I ask that question?”
hinted at it, all but spoke out.” (Then followed the evidence given by
told you to remember it. You know what I came back for? I came to kill
“Why, has he killed somebody else?” Madame Hohlakov asked impulsively.
Alyosha guessed that Rakitin was probably no less excited, and he knew
letter Grushenka got from them was a long one, written on large notepaper
funny, wouldn’t it be awful?”
“Brother, what are you saying?”
pounced on her, snatched her up in his arms, and carried the precious
stink? You don’t mean to say you seriously believed that he was going to
To‐morrow the cross, but not the gallows. No, I shan’t hang myself. Do you
“Look at your hands, Dmitri Fyodorovitch. They’re all over blood!”
dejected but quite cheerful.”
Ivan looked down, waited a few seconds and, raising his head, answered,
“And I didn’t expect that,” cried Mitya, ecstatically. (He was still in a
accused of this and of that (all the charges were carefully written out)
fact, rather the more on that account he had awakened jealousy and so had
brooding and did not resist when the coffin was lifted up and carried to
torturing me! Let me tell you everything, so be it. I’ll confess all my
to turn his mind from painful thoughts, and we began to dream of how we
to wait for? Here I have a willow, a handkerchief, a shirt, I can twist
“Couldn’t you, without abandoning your resolution to be silent about the
“Be so good as to tell us precisely how you came to arm yourself with it.”
home, go to bed and sleep in peace, don’t be afraid of anything.”
felt Ivan Fyodorovitch to be an enigmatic figure, and thought his visit
till the evening before implicitly believed that Katerina Ivanovna had a
The nag strains, and then he begins lashing the poor defenseless creature
three questions which were actually put to Thee then by the wise and
thought on the way.
looking after his brother. He suddenly noticed that Ivan swayed as he
reason why I won’t speak of grown‐up people is that, besides being
“Maybe it is well,” said Father Païssy thoughtfully; “weep if you must,
“He can hardly spend the night with you! Though if he wants to, let him!
acquaintance long ago, but I like to have a proper pride in some cases.
passed.
“Give me the towel: it’s here on the chair. I just threw it down there.”
of enjoyment, she began explaining every detail, not wanting to torment
engravings from the great Italian artists of past centuries. Next to these
Katerina Ivanovna’s character, that moment will last all her life. What
ignoble, impudent, trampling on everything sacred, something sneering and
stolen—three thousand roubles—but whether those roubles ever existed,
Pavlovitch married a second time. His second marriage lasted eight years.
“Why, in the English Parliament a Member got up last week and speaking
declared that it was by no means impossible, and that, indeed, there was a
once—liked him for almost a whole hour. Now maybe I shall go and tell him
man because I am that man myself.
seeing him, he was very mournful and dispirited; he suddenly began to feel
when he ran to her, she grasped his hand tightly.
drink to my freedom. Ah, if only you knew how glad I am!”
“You should wait, Grigory Vassilyevitch, if only a short time, and listen,
peasantry. It withdraws into itself and is still. But there is a grief
father, who positively appeared to be behaving more decently and even
gently to her). And, indeed, was it to make wine abundant at poor weddings
the lamp‐post this evening and shouted to him, ‘You learnt it from _him_!
before the closed doors, stretching wide his arms, prepared to defend the
followed by a fearful hubbub. Many of the men in the audience were
such an incident were repeated. Every sound was hushed and Fetyukovitch
better so; I can simply go away for good. By the way, how is she now? What
say!” cried Katerina Ivanovna, and burst into tears. Alyosha got up from
“I am Alexey Karamazov,” Alyosha began in reply.
I’ve some business there in a hurry. But here I ... it’s not the time for
for the child, calling him Smerdyakov, after his mother’s nickname.
have nothing left of all that was sacred of old. But they have only
worked on the old man, I can’t tell. But at the instant when Mitya stood
suddenly moved the evening before to announce, to her mistress’s
that, and now what I think is this: Is it so inconceivable that that grand
the priest’s? Come, will you go?”
stand up and say it was I killed him, and why do you writhe with horror?
they’ll both come to grief.”
only I most respectfully return Him the ticket.”
loved her madly, though at times he hated her so that he might have
any love and harmony in the family at all. Indeed, precious memories may
wildly. “Why, I shall certainly see him to‐morrow. I shall look him up. I
Mokroe, and jeered at Ippolit Kirillovitch. “The man could not resist
almost dropped. So this is the explanation of her dreadful night and her
“It’s you who have caused his illness,” she said to me; “he was always
protect and look after “the kids,” that is, the son and daughter of the
“Come, that’s better!” cried the other Pole, and they both emptied their
at the thought of Mitya’s being saved (and he certainly would have
others.
father’s blood! Katya, I forgive you! Brothers, friends, have pity on the
“Come, you want obedience and mysticism. You must admit that the Christian
recognized that the three thousand roubles had become almost an obsession
“Come, now go. Christ be with you!” and she made the sign of the cross
it was not intentional on his part but instinctive—it was his character.
you quite made up your mind? Answer yes or no.”
behavior, in his mind, and in his poverty. He doesn’t know how to do
“Wait a little, Varvara!” cried her father, speaking peremptorily but
hatred suddenly surged up in Mitya’s heart: “There he was, his rival, the
“What despair! What death all round!” he repeated, striding on and on.
already at home, and when once I had started on that road, to go farther
would do that later, because for the moment that line was spoiled for him.
gentleman declared, with delicacy and dignity.
“Why not, Lise, as though I had said something stupid! Your boy might have
exercise of independent thought.
standing on one side, taking him in their ignorance for the most important
him in the face after my last interview with him. So prone is the man of
But never mind that, we’ll talk of it later.
Oh, that’s nothing, nothing, there’s still a whole street before him, and
youth, and with my pockets full of money. I did drop some hint as to my
table, emptied it at a gulp, lifted it in the air and flung it on the
challenging note, but he did not take it up.
father, made him, too, a similarly low and respectful bow. He had
Grushenka, shouting:
nothing.”
the cell in succession. All who accompanied Father Ferapont immediately
him.
because, at that time, it alone struck his imagination and presented
Alyosha knew that she was fearfully jealous of her. Yet Katerina Ivanovna
had reached a decision, smiled slowly, and went back.
forward, gesticulating violently, beckoning to him, obviously afraid to
only, of course, for a short time. So Fyodor Pavlovitch began to take
side with her cheek resting in her hand.
himself. He foresaw with distress that something very unseemly was
ever so many times yourself. And he is an excellent, earnest young man,
“What is it, Trifon Borissovitch? are you looking for me?”
I’ve been wanting to talk to you about it for a long time. I go to him
one side love and kindness, and on the other penitence and eager desire to
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
that she, too, should go abroad with Dmitri!” Katerina Ivanovna exclaimed
undress further, or rather not asked but “commanded,” he quite understood
The snowstorm was still raging. He walked the first few steps boldly, but
he sang ‘hosannah’ and overdid it so, that some persons there of lofty
court. But he instantly restrained himself, and cried again:
Kirillovitch’s extraordinary talents as a psychologist and orator and in
Ivan is superior to all of us. He ought to live, not us. He will recover.”
I choose, I won’t go anywhere now to see any one. If I choose, I’ll send
“The old man!” cried Mitya frantically. “The old man and his blood!... I
of the most important events. Of the elder, Ivan, I will only say that he
drove away.
I would not, however, have dwelt on such trivial and irrelevant details,
‘signals’—what a temptation! Still he resists it; he goes off to a lady
him? He is laughing at you, and enjoying himself at your expense.”
“And have you got any powder?” Nastya inquired.
“Bravo, doctor!” cried Mitya, from his seat, “just so!”
where I had business, and I made friends with some merchants there. We
can’t blame a sick man for not telling him. He’d be ashamed to.”
gentlemen engaged in conversation.
generous impulses of your heart.... Try to enter into our position ...”
have pity on him. The Church holds aloof, above all, because its judgment
enjoyment though, but ecstasy. Damn it all, whatever it is! A strong
such phrases a thousand times, drunk, in the taverns. But now he’s not
the sly. He is perfectly well aware, too, that Fyodor Pavlovitch has a big
naturally a kind and merry heart. ‘I also write vaudevilles of all sorts.’
the things he can do! I trained him so as to bring you a well‐trained dog,
exactly which. He regarded it as his duty as a citizen and a man of
into her eyes. Alyosha at once saw it and felt a pang of sympathy. His
every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all‐
believe it? You were making straight for it. Well, to be sure you have
“Gentlemen of the jury, people like my client, who are fierce, unruly, and
Chapter VI. A Laceration In The Cottage
“No, you’d better wait a little,” the priest pronounced at last, “for he’s
than his own soul, in comparison with that former lover who had returned
what that means. I loved vice, I loved the ignominy of vice. I loved
“Father, father, come ... we ...” Ilusha faltered in violent excitement,
shameless hussies away!”
“We weren’t betrothed at once, not for three months after that adventure.
envelope and the notes in it, and therefore of the prisoner’s having
his guilt, for I put him up to it. Whether I did, I don’t know yet. But if
staying at the hotel. Our visitors were at once surrounded by beggars, but
hold yourself more guilty than all?”
the world to do it.”
once called back to her mistress.
what Samsonov had called him. On hearing this fact, the priest dropped the
“Well, that’s enough,” he said, with a still more crooked smile. “Why are
attain the answer on earth, and may God bless your path.”
porch, and taking off all that had been given her—kerchief, sheepskin,
“In my pocket? Yes, in my pocket. All right.... But, I say, that’s all
order, after a life of obedience, to attain perfect freedom, that is, from
justice, or I will destroy myself. And not justice in some remote infinite
1.F.6.
that he did stop, instead of passing by, as he meant to the minute before,
them the bread of Heaven, but, I repeat again, can it compare with earthly
letter at home and that cheered me. You left it behind on purpose, so as
Alyosha knew another terrible reason of her present misery, though she had
necessary to caution the public, and only looked severely in the direction
We must note here that Fyodor Pavlovitch knew where to look for the weak
charged me to do it, and went away knowing all about it. And so I want to
said, he had caught something in this rigmarole, and stood, looking like a
who has for some time been residing in the town, and who is highly
Chapter IV. The Lost Dog
distress, even to a desire for vengeance on the evil‐doers, shun above all
know him! But he’s gone, Father, he’s gone, and I shall never hear him
“I don’t want him!” said Ilusha suddenly.
the slightest inclination for any companionship. In Moscow, too, as we
Fenya was sitting with her grandmother, the old cook, Matryona, in the
harm her mistress, and some one else, too ... so you see, sir— It’s I am
on his knees before him. Alyosha thought that he had fallen from weakness,
reverence to virtue, or this other revolting picture? As a rule, between
connecting a feeling of positive horror with that secret.... It’s not easy
with the swiftness of lightning and the unexpectedness of an Arabian
they talked over it—and most of all Father Ferapont, to whom some of the
“Is that all?”
little schoolboy who had run beside his father crying, the idea had at
Madame Hohlakov was impressed. She thought a little, asked what he looked
“He keeps talking nonsense, and we were all laughing,” Kalganov began
“Gentlemen of the jury,” he began. “Every new and unprejudiced observer
people to understand at the first word. Some things can’t be explained.
And he even began blubbering. He was sentimental. He was wicked and
and swearing to himself. Then suddenly he would begin singing in a husky
outburst of wrath had obviously relieved his heart. He grew more good‐
position, shaking with fear, that I suspected every one. I resolved to
into his soul and his will. When you choose an elder, you renounce your
properly or I will pay you out!” Miüsov had time to mutter again.
you have chosen a moment to bring him!” she exclaimed again, nodding
through his mind. He did not run to Marya Kondratyevna’s. “There was no
me, told me all she means to do. She flew here like an angel of goodness
and writhing as though in the pains of childbirth. Laying the stole on her
words I did it.”
examined later.
“Well, don’t then. What does it matter to me? It’s cold out; stay at
whole organism always took place, and was bound to take place, at the
house? There are three ways from it, and I might have missed you. At last
and how to knock) the door must be opened at once. She must not be a
what her angel eyes try to express. We wait on her, but she doesn’t like
the greatest importance both to you and to us, that has been given us by
Her one hope.... Oh, go, go!...”
was not crying, but there was a look of suffering and irritability in his
uneasy. He had, moreover, certain higher, even artistic, leanings, towards
by conscience.”
though he be a monster, even though he be the enemy of his children, still
God and no immortality, the new man may well become the man‐god, even if
certainly queer, but God only could tell what was hidden in those words,
“Good‐by, Ivan! Don’t be too hard on me!” the father called for the last
expression of the utmost astonishment.
entirely forgotten everything that he did not even hear the men coming to
“No need of thanks.”
“Stay a moment.... Show me those notes again.”
“Can you talk to me?” asked Ivan. “I won’t tire you much.”
are “certain” words and conversations unhappily impossible to eradicate in
terribly cast down and glanced timidly in one another’s faces, when they
Katya as a daughter, as her one hope, clutched at her, altered her will in
couldst Thou believe for one moment that men, too, could face such a
committed the murder and gets off unpunished? That is what every one,
_(c) Recollections of Father Zossima’s Youth before he became a Monk. The
PART I
laughing aloud, “and, if you like, we won’t begin from yesterday, but from
scoundrel to you. Forgive me! No, better not forgive me, you’ll be
you is such a man free? I knew one “champion of freedom” who told me
He warmly pressed Alyosha’s hand, and still looking down, without raising
the contrary, he’ll accuse me. And in fact, why did I set off for
like? I like wit.”
more severely.
Chapter XI. There Was No Money. There Was No Robbery
teaching?”
the Father to whom his former guide, the former sovereign of his heart and
than I was, connected with the best Petersburg society, which I was not,
action is far more difficult than you think. It is that which has
unlikely in all I have put before you just now? Find the error in my
once ... and if it were possible, if it were only possible, that very
have done to put such a degrading suspicion into your mean soul?”
opinion at least, was not even a mystic. I may as well give my full
would never come and see me again, and when I dragged myself down to her,
hid her face in her hands, buried it in the pillow and shook with sobs.
impression on the audience. The guilt of this harassed and desperate man
merciful than you! And He will forgive him for your sake.
mad bet was made by the foolish boys. Kolya, who was almost the youngest
“Oh, perhaps those questions strike you as coarse and cruel, but do not
guard speaks rudely to me, I have not the strength to bear it. For Grusha
the case the other way round, and our result will be no less probable. The
brain of “the contemplative.” They discussed philosophical questions and
to say good‐by and just then you passed.”
http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. Contributions to the Project
begets it and does his duty by it.
hugged me, tried to pull me away, crying to my assailant, ‘Let go, let go,
poor, no exalted nor humbled, but all will be as the children of God, and
portraits—one of some prince who had been governor of the district thirty
They left off playing.
and set candles at God’s shrine.”
yourself not long ago—”
Distributed Proofreading Team at . (This
I choose, I won’t go anywhere now to see any one. If I choose, I’ll send
departing. We rejoice and pray for him. Leave me, I must pray. Go, and
“I did. I loved you awfully. I’ve been loving and dreaming of you. And how
and all? Have you brought your mattress? He he he!”
and the remaining two thousand three hundred “to be paid next day in the
“You think it’s something to do with you? If it were, he wouldn’t have
whose saintliness was acknowledged by all, yet from their humble coffins,
day begin life in sober earnest, we must look at ourselves as a society;
wandered about the streets and was known to the whole town by the nickname
“Brother, let me ask one thing more: has any man a right to look at other
to pray for them, save too all those who will not pray. And add: it is not
devil that you found it out so soon. How did you manage to get here so
himself, and who’ll believe you alone? But yet you are going, you are
“But where are you? Are you at the door? I’ll open it directly.”
“What led you to be so liberal to Mr. Rakitin?” Fetyukovitch asked, in
me ... How can I help it when you put the lint in another place? I’ve been
character, your thirst for adventure.’ ”
earth. The innocent must not suffer for another’s sins, and especially
the back‐way, and he came to me like the golden fish to the silly old
He turned and walked on with a firm step, not looking back.
distant relation, whose husband was an official at the railway station
reach his heart and instantly faded out of his mind and was forgotten.
remarkably close together, with only the thin, long nose as a dividing
punishment. There she sees among others one noteworthy set of sinners in a
live to that moment, or rise again to see it, I, too, perhaps, may cry
whisper in the court. Many of the audience, of course, had not heard of
Chapter III. Conversations And Exhortations Of Father Zossima
of the foundations of society? What will become of the family? Parricide,
went on with the same serenity, “yet I must have done something to you—you
good and beautiful is all God’s work!” He sat musing softly and sweetly. I
instinctively cuts him off. You can judge for yourself how it must end. In
made against him, had brought forward nothing in his defense, while the
you, holy being, let me tell you, I am brimming over with ecstasy.”
both his hands. “You are persuading me to take it, saying that it’s a
see father and her.”
railway incident his behavior in this respect also was changed; he did not
himself hurriedly under the table. Mitya won. The rouble won, too.
ran after him. He was a very cautious man, though not old.
behavior, in his mind, and in his poverty. He doesn’t know how to do
and may proceed from different causes. But if there has been any healing,
and spatter them with tears of blood. And we shall sit upon the beast and
learning. I don’t know precisely why, but he left the family of Yefim
that he adopted the monastic life was simply because at that time it
him the letter, he could talk to him about it. But Dmitri lived a long way
been awfully anxious to make sure whether he had broken the old man’s
Mitya drove up to the steps.
and almost Christ‐like love. I know that myself, Ivan.”
and noiselessly sobbing, shaking all over, and stifling every sound for
She was, of course, at once asked what ground she had for such a definite
comes to see a youngster like me and treats me as his equal.” And I
more than that.” Scarcely had the old woman reached home when they gave
something beyond gudgeon. Look at the bottles the fathers have brought
making the sign of the cross at each of the four walls and four corners of
But he broke off every time at the second line and began swearing again;
never seen him wearing before. This trifling circumstance suddenly
aloud:
of the elder.
of the audience were fastened upon him. He began very simply and directly,
had been silent, but he had seen a great deal very clearly. He was struck
to share your joy with me—”
“I will! Oh, how I curse myself for not having come before!” muttered
with ink. Both the pockets of his great‐coat were weighed down with
a cold shiver. Then Smerdyakov himself looked at him wonderingly; probably
I’ll send the horses for you later. Propriety requires you to go to the
I don’t love any one. Do you hear, not any one! On the contrary, I hate
you’re a thief!’ Yes, that’s why I’ve been so savage all this month,
open and that there was a candle alight in the window, she ran there and
Dmitri, that I loved no one but him! It was only resentment against that
door,” the prosecutor pronounced deliberately, as though chiseling out
Karamazov case agitated him profoundly: “It was a case that might well be
in the town he made no answer to his father’s first inquiry why he had
crimson; his eyes were moist and mawkishly sweet. He ran up and announced
it, but you may have sown an evil seed in him and it may grow, and all
till morning after the draught she had taken. But, all of a sudden she
him somehow and put him to bed. He sat watching over him for another two
“She’s not sixteen yet, I believe, and already offering herself,” he said
Kolya ran out into the street.
dissolving into hysterical tears, she used to reproach him with his
but this time it was for another, and perhaps only now—perhaps only at
it and remained callous. Such a one, having left the earth, sees Abraham’s
I’ll bring Perezvon, but now I will take him with me, because he will
Mitya, exasperated beyond endurance, and turning to the secretary, crimson
hear—more honest woman than this ‘creature,’ as you have dared to call
I catch you? What do you bet that I’ll catch you to‐morrow. Speak, all the
passing his hand before his eyes, “Oh, yes, _spazieren_.”
mine. And I don’t want to see you again except as a last resource. Good‐
time—the fifteen hundred roubles which the prosecutor said I’d hidden
Svyetlov as a reward, that’s what I wanted to hear from you?”
deceived me. That is how it would be, not a doubt of it. I could see from
And Mitya suddenly went off into his short, wooden laugh, startling
“Your eyes ought to meet. How will you live all your life, if you don’t
impressions on seeing his betrothed.
“Don’t tell me! You make it worse! But it serves me right. What kept me
her—saved her!”
afterwards he called “infamous,” and at the bottom of his heart, he
that bullet in your brain, perhaps?” Pyotr Ilyitch asked uneasily.
it.
that she had been kept awake all night by a dog in the yard. Yet the poor
experience that day, which had taught him for the rest of his life
that you are living here!... Such precision! Such practical ability!...
In spite of the thousands of roubles he had saved, Trifon Borissovitch was
seemed to be expecting something, ashamed about something, while his
have something to say about it, when I have finished my long history of
reason and he felt that. He stood still and suddenly wondered, “Why am I
boys, that as he laughs he will say at once in his heart, ‘No, I do wrong
voice, a woman’s, suddenly asked insinuatingly and bashfully, though with
I am guilty, too—but that you need not write down” (he turned suddenly to
The prosecutor dropped the examination at this point. The impression left
absolute stillness in the house. Grushenka opened her eyes.
fist against his left palm as though he wanted to show how “the truth”
“In that case, here is a chair, sir; kindly be seated. That’s what they
garden, avoiding the trees and shrubs. He walked slowly, creeping
natures. But they cannot hide their passions—sometimes very coarse—and
they demand that 4,500 roubles from your father, and he can’t produce it,
“We proceeded to search him. The search angered, but encouraged him, the
very weak, though he wanted to get out of bed and sit up in a chair. His
thousand. I am going to marry a widow and buy a house in Petersburg.’ And
won’t even look at me.’ And I felt it so much at last that I wondered at
sister! And now that man who wronged me has come; I sit here waiting for a
Dmitri Fyodorovitch, in less than no time. I’ll make you a present of the
“_Panie!_” shouted both the Poles, menacingly, setting on Mitya like a
taken the last note but one, feeling that if he took back only a hundred
conjecture why it happened so, but there were causes. The same lady,
arch‐scoundrel to be that. Oh, of course, I don’t know how to make these
position, she commissioned me at once—just now—to bring you this help from
“And may the dead boy’s memory live for ever!” Alyosha added again with
perhaps insulting to the elder. Alyosha was well aware of that. Ivan and
me by ruining that scoundrel to‐morrow at the trial, for she hates him and
You kissed mine three times, but I ought to kiss yours three hundred times
yesterday.”
“Don’t dare to do such a thing!” cried Pyotr Ilyitch. “I won’t have it in
extreme moment ... at a moment of fury, he might perhaps murder him.”
“Oh, the irony of fate!” cried Mitya, and, quite losing his head, he fell
words. I wrote them down and I remember them. ‘When he began shouting at
A monk was suddenly commanded by his elder to quit Athos, which he loved
but be wise and ever serene. Know the measure, know the times, study that.
all his future depends.” The doctor expressed his opinion positively and
These exceptions, however, were few in number; only Grushenka, Alyosha and
When Mitya was summoned from his cell, he always went downstairs, to the
even chosen the place for it, near the new stone bridge across the Neva,
wasn’t clear to me at the time, but now—”
the cupboard and put the key in his pocket. Then he went into his bedroom,
Fyodorovitch. You don’t know in what need he is,” Smerdyakov explained,
One piece of Pyotr Ilyitch’s evidence made a great impression on the
Alyosha ran to the washing‐stand, wetted the towel, persuaded Ivan to sit
“Don’t disturb yourself. We will arrange something. And meanwhile take off
“He’d kill me first of all, like a fly. But even more than that, I am
them before evening, it will be that your venomous spite is enough for
too far for you, I suppose ... or would you like some?”
within these walls. This girl sitting here is my daughter Nina; I forgot
the oppressor who threw her son to the dogs! She dare not forgive him! Let
not have quarreled even with a shopman, and probably would not have gone
quite like a little gentle child. Alyosha had never seen such a smile on
him again, don’t miss, Smurov!” and again a fire of stones, and a very
about freedom? Is that the way to understand it? That’s not the idea of it
the rest, but their general character can be gathered from what we have in
fifteen hundred roubles and that the prisoner had not been lying at the
innocent of his father’s blood. He was troubled, he was grieving that
prisoner ran straight from those women servants to Perhotin’s without
the back‐way, and he came to me like the golden fish to the silly old
preconceived idea. “That is what has happened to me in the present case,”
“It’s strange how things happen sometimes. No one had seen her in the
toast to their new‐found happiness was not desired and would not be
the timidity on which the prosecutor so insisted. There was no simplicity
question, for in any case we were bound to come to this cursed stumbling‐
annoyed.
joke.”
father’s blood for her sake! It is true that the blood he had shed was
the servants. He was so base as to take her purse, to open her chest with
same, is there a God, or not? Only, be serious. I want you to be serious
Her voice failed her. She gasped for breath. Alyosha got up to go.
then he suddenly came a week ago and he began about it straight away. He
hastened to pass to what was essential. One piece of evidence given by the
account of the crime, in every detail.
Chapter I. Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov
ideal the old man had so fervently believed all his life long. Is not that
hardly a farthing in his pocket at the time. Little by little Mitya began
yourself to death with despair.”
Joking apart, it doesn’t matter to me, scold if you like, though it’s
furiously.
above the firmament,’ then again a comet, again a sun, again from the sun
That I swear by all that’s holy!
millions of God’s creatures have been created as a mockery, that they will
not turn to Nikolay Parfenovitch, as though he disdained to speak to him.
your evil actions. I am sorry I can say nothing more consoling to you, for
“No, I didn’t, I didn’t! I refused to give it him, for he could not
purpose!’ ‘No, not on purpose.’ ‘Yes, you did, on purpose!’ Well, they
all be spent on them exclusively, with the condition that it be so
Pyotr Ilyitch seemed to hurry Misha off on purpose, because the boy
though he might be a hundred times over a rebel, heretic and infidel. Thou
know these creatures, and they say she’s worse than any of them. You are
official duties, he always became extraordinarily grave, as though
to become of the millions and tens of thousands of millions of creatures
he ran to dine at other men’s tables, and fastened on them as a toady, yet
Only fancy, I’ve written to tell her everything that happened, and would
standing the other side of the ditch.
if I haven’t killed you, it’s simply because I am keeping you to answer
But I have been lying, lying positively my whole life long, every day and
“You wanted to help him?”
It’s better to dream. One can dream the most delightful things, but real
them. Whom hast Thou raised up to Thyself? I swear, man is weaker and
immortality, not only love but every living force maintaining the life of
struck Alyosha most in that face was its expression of childlike good
something.”
during their first interview, telling him sharply that it was not for
transformation, which amazed Alyosha. Instead of a poor, insulted girl,
secret meant for him more than disgrace; it meant ruin, suicide. So he had
those rights which he had already offered to Samsonov and Madame Hohlakov.
What I have in my mind is this: there is an overwhelming chain of evidence
“We proceeded to search him. The search angered, but encouraged him, the
times not to forget to say so.”
interesting because it’s national. Though to us it’s absurd to cut off a
His eyes were glittering, his lips were twitching. Suddenly he struck the
turning to Alyosha, his face working with joy, he cried, “Do you hear what
“You know yourself why he’ll come. What’s the use of what I think? His
“Don’t be ill‐tempered with my brother. Leave off attacking him,” Alyosha
been extinguished long ago. Mihail Makarovitch and Kalganov, who had been
“Ah, we’ve heard of that exploit of yours, too,” cried the captain. “How
unclean is their judgment.”
you are still responsible for it all, since you knew of the murder and
other men’s tables, and was only admitted to the kitchen as a favor. I may
“Besides its being honestly acquired from a ‘sister,’ so highly respected
Alyosha left the note on the table and went straight to the police captain
all—the publicity. The story has been told a million times over in all the
“It happens at night. You see those two branches? In the night it is
“I don’t quite understand, Ivan. What does it mean?” Alyosha, who had been
he dropped his voice so that no one could hear them, “I feel dreadfully
though in a fever. Grushenka was called.
“No, no, on my salvation I swear I shan’t! And no one will ever know but
“That’s right; but let me tell you I am ready to give in to you not only
cried, holding out to her a little bunch of flowers that had been frozen
questions!” cried Mitya enthusiastically. “Or there’s simply no knowing
longed to revenge himself on every one for his own unseemliness. He
say, ha ha!”
Book VI. The Russian Monk
on the way down to the cellar, you know. You mentioned the very spot.”
angel?” She fell on her knees before him as though in a sudden frenzy.
of it. Fyodor Pavlovitch was an obstinate and cunning buffoon, yet, though
“I suppose so,” snapped Mitya.
was lame, but the other was too light‐footed.’ He he!”
governesses. I took no notice, I went on as wildly as before, and one of
The cur keeps it under his mattress, in pink ribbon. I am not a
found by the tyrannical old lady who had brought up their mother. She was
as he ran. Half‐way, Snegiryov suddenly stopped, stood still for half a
back to sleep at the monastery.
“And not you, not you?” Alyosha could not help crying, looking frankly at
agree with my words some time. You must know that there is nothing higher
“I do, blessed Father.”
last act of the performance. You know how things are with us? As a thing
criticism?’ Without criticism it would be nothing but one ‘hosannah.’ But
the ground and in the dirt. Her father, a homeless, sickly drunkard,
“I’ll make haste and fly there. I’m afraid I’ve overtaxed your strength. I
reality he was on a servile footing with them. It was just at the time
most violent, characteristically Karamazov passion. We have her own
of an active character. He was incapable of passive love. If he loved any
“You remember Gridyenko, the copying‐clerk,” observed the secretary. “Last
love young people, Alyosha, talented, modest, like you, and he has almost
having accidentally killed Grigory gave me no peace all night—not from
happiness. Stay ... listen, Alyosha, I always used to surprise your
inch of my life, she may give him up and come to me.... For that’s her
in the most Orthodox regions, at Athos for instance, they were not greatly
conduct_ from a man of such a reverend character as Father Zossima.’ That
witness that Dmitri Fyodorovitch has been here, and so he must have killed
their hands. Too, too well will they know the value of complete
when Grushenka had insulted Katerina Ivanovna, and Mitya, after hearing
the evidence becomes less trivial and less incomplete even to an
sentimentality, and the wild recklessness of the Karamazovs. Yes, but
most violent, characteristically Karamazov passion. We have her own
“No, I don’t believe,” whispered Smerdyakov.
“And did you understand it?”
“Yes, yes,” the boys repeated enthusiastically.
“What? Have you really?” he cried.
or there can be no harmony. But how? How are you going to atone for them?
What gave the marriage piquancy was that it was preceded by an elopement,
younger daughters used to wear fashionable blue or green dresses, fitting
might have sight or sound of me. I was a silly slip of a girl; I used to
“Yes, from your gait. You surely don’t deny that character can be told
without a penny, in the center of an unknown town of a million
Alas! it never entered Mitya’s head to tell them, though he remembered it,
people, and had heard him say so when they were alone.
‘You can murder my parent, I won’t hinder you!’ ”
to making enthusiastic schemes for the service of humanity, and perhaps I
of defense, feeling sure that now Alyosha would fall upon him; but Alyosha
him. All the boys were crying, and Kolya and the boy who discovered about
that the absurd is only too necessary on earth. The world stands on
anything stupider than the way Russian boys spend their time one can
been his devoted friends for many years. There were four of them: Father
“Yes, we must explain that it wasn’t our doing. Besides, father won’t be
entered the house at such a tender age that he could not have acted from
deal from previous conversations and added them to it.
“May I look out of the window?” he asked Nikolay Parfenovitch, suddenly.
words. I wrote them down and I remember them. ‘When he began shouting at
Chapter II. Children
we take upon ourselves. And we shall take it upon ourselves, and they will
muttered Pyotr Ilyitch. “Now, it’s all clear, as clear as daylight. Dmitri
Grushenka besought him with sudden eagerness. “Set my mind at rest that I
“Yes, the trial’s to‐morrow. Are you so hopeless, brother?” Alyosha said,
the thought in his mind. And if such a business man as Samsonov (a most
that there were among the monks some who deeply resented the fact that
let the one I hate become dear—that’s what making way means! And to say to
harlot. I beg you to understand that!”
If the evil‐doing of men moves you to indignation and overwhelming
even, perhaps, somewhere here, in Mokroe. This would explain the
life. The Moscow lady died, and Mitya passed into the care of one of her
Alyosha told him she had been hysterical, and that she was now, he heard,
exceedingly tender‐hearted, only they don’t express it. Don’t laugh, don’t
not more. Just think! there’s a difference between eight thousand and
Within three days he left the monastery in accordance with the words of
Ivan bent down again with a perfectly grave face.
fancying how the little thing cried and moaned (a child of four years old
And here the man had come back to her, who had loved her so ardently
“What terrible tragedies real life contrives for people,” said Mitya, in
to asperse the good name of an honorable girl! That you should utter a
give him the smallest possible punishment, I imagine (since he must be
descriptions as bold as Dante’s. Our Lady visits hell, and the Archangel
disappearance of the faith in immortality?” the elder asked Ivan suddenly.
exception, wondered how father and son could be so in love with “such a
speak very unintelligibly, but you’ll remember it all the same and will
that’s only here where the handkerchief lay. It must have soaked through.
At the moment the maid ran in.
come?’ my old man asks Him, and answers the question for Him. ‘No, Thou
“Though you assure him you are sorry to lose a friend in him, you persist
kiss on the lips and a dagger in the heart, as in Schiller’s _Robbers_. I
mint!”
of Grushenka in a sort of rapture. She held out her hand with a charming
Nikolay Parfenovitch answered with dignified approbation.
meanwhile. Don’t you want money?”
destitution, with his family—an unhappy family of sick children, and, I
refrain:
He ran forward and met the flying stones to screen the solitary boy. Three
worth here?”
day. There’s nothing in that.”
“I am awfully fond of verses of all kinds, if they rhyme,” the woman’s
very thin and wasted, with a face not merely sunburnt but almost blackened
picnics, and they got up _tableaux vivants_ in aid of distressed
uncultivated. But that morning in the cart a brilliant idea had struck
the depths.”
wife, and two, Ivan and Alexey, by his second. Fyodor Pavlovitch’s first
“You are of the tradesman class?” said Father Zossima, looking curiously
bestowed the order of merit! Eh, you are a set!”
to the south of Russia and finally turned up in Odessa, where he spent
had taken it to his master, who had rewarded him with a “gold piece” for
entreaty.
standing the other side of the ditch.
horizon. The fresh, motionless, still night enfolded the earth. The white
roubles! In view of all these facts, judge for yourself. What are we to
and, trust me, for ever. Where’s that monk?”
was at least a temporary change for the better in his condition. Even five
“If you think that he’ll make use of those signals and try to get in,
reason, simply at my word, it shows that you must have expected something
two boys. Seeing, at the first glance, that they were unwashed and in
telling us about old times till we nearly split our sides.... Especially
Alyosha’s account of it, had admitted that he was a scoundrel, and told
completely breathless.
our sports and merriment as soon as they have vanished. But we must one
the game they play when it’s light all night in summer.”
wife is a ticklish lady,’ in an honorable sense, of the moral qualities,
“Forgive me, I thought you were like me.”
idea, only I’ve forgotten it; in fact, it was just the thing for an album.
“When the prisoner was arrested at Mokroe,” the prosecutor asked, “every
remember, weighing about three pounds? I swung it and hit him on the top
ached with such anguish, as he had never known in his life before. He was
to fainting fits from exhaustion. His face had the pallor that was common
the boy a hiding. Catch him, catch him, he was laughing at me!”
master a second time and carry off the money that had already been stolen?
Why am I, of all creatures in the world, doomed to be cursed by all decent
persevere in your love, or not?’ And do you know, I came with horror to
the darkness of worldly wickedness to the light of love. And the reason
as he liked, to Grigory’s room at the other end of the lodge, where he was
she liked with. She was an hysterical woman. I saw something of her in
the late elder had won over many hearts, more by love than by miracles,
without whom we cannot live! I tell you plainly and openly, dear boy,
“No, she’s not here, you old lunatic!” Ivan shouted at him angrily. “Here,
himself, observe—that but for that envelope, but for its being left on the
to me, my man; and let me tell you, I am not going to let you play with
“Stay!” said the elder, and he put his ear close to her lips.
laughing aloud, “and, if you like, we won’t begin from yesterday, but from
“I beg your pardon, brother, it was a joke.”
entering it, for it was enclosed all round by a strong, high fence. Going
motive in it. It’s the new method. As soon as you disbelieve in me
“You are ill, I see; you are quite ill. Your eyes are yellow,” Smerdyakov
“What’s the matter?” he went on; but the surprise in his face gradually
stony heartlessness ascribed to him by the prosecutor is inconsistent with
his cassock, Alyosha leapt over the hurdle with the agility of a bare‐
They both recognize it and revel in it. I’ve been watching for you! I’ve
firmly persuaded that in higher spheres he had not been properly
committed the murder and gets off unpunished? That is what every one,
was sitting here, on that sofa. When you knocked at the window, I threw a
on him—a likely story), tortured by jealousy at having left the object of
know where to seat them, for every ticket had long since been eagerly
looking gently in his face and evidently not wishing to reply. The old man
twenty thousand for America. And he says we can arrange a magnificent
such manners and appearance! People say the young people of to‐day are no
“It’s time we were off,” he said, “it’s late, we shall be shut out of the
“Only ... only Grusha, Grusha! Good Lord! Why should she have such
But Ivan, who had by now taken his seat, without a word gave Maximov a
fingers. Grigory was so crushed by this, that he was not only silent till
“But he begged me not to tell Dmitri that he had told me about him,” added
was now himself a thing of the past, completely done with, and, so to say,
suffering is life. Without suffering what would be the pleasure of it? It
make out to Fyodor Pavlovitch that it was no one but Dmitri Fyodorovitch
me ... How can I help it when you put the lint in another place? I’ve been
and suppressed.”
light in his eyes, restraining himself with difficulty.
sought for and distributed. I saw at the end of the room, behind the
“Four days, what nonsense! Listen. Did you laugh at me very much?”
on changing it. She only sent me about two hundred and sixty. I don’t
the town, still angry, and still, perhaps, in love with me. Now they live
mountain move into the sea, it will move without the least delay at your
the monastery. I know you are a mystic, but ... that hasn’t put me off.
family, also landowners in our district, the Miüsovs. How it came to pass
fire of corruption is spreading visibly, hourly, working from above
money on such an orgy that the new major was obliged to reprimand me.
have just indicated in part what a true father is and what he ought to be.
“Look, your coat’s covered with blood, too!”
Mitya’s whole personality, even his appearance, was extremely unattractive
told him in answer to his question that Ivan Fyodorovitch had gone out two
by her own dream, her own delusion—because it was _her_ dream, _her_
in his pocket and went straight downstairs, without going back to Madame
Ivan jumped up and seized him by the shoulder.
drunkard who has till then been inoffensive tries to pick a quarrel and to
took from him Rome and the sword of Cæsar, and proclaimed ourselves sole
“I love you for always telling the whole truth and never hiding anything,”
with Katerina Ivanovna. You know, on the contrary, that Dmitri behaved as
me, and I won’t stop. That is why I came. I will keep with Pyotr
The deathlike silence in the court was not broken—all seemed petrified:
want to hurt him, and, what is more, he knew that no one could hurt him.
for fourteen years. His widow, still a nice‐looking woman of thirty‐two,
“Quite the contrary; you behaved like an angel, like an angel. I am ready
For if you’ve money, Alexey Fyodorovitch, you have only to want a thing
respect men like that and it’s not because he stood up for me.”
have come into the world at all. They used to say in the market, and your
bequeathing his great prophecy that had lain mysteriously hidden in his
certain incoherence, or rather restlessness, in his mind, and could not
question of the three thousand roubles, that is, was the sum spent here,
addressing Alyosha with an apparently calm and even voice, as though
hearted than I am; above all, you are more innocent than I am. I have been
pulls him through.”
than I was, connected with the best Petersburg society, which I was not,
drunkard who has till then been inoffensive tries to pick a quarrel and to
be not consoled, but weep. Only every time that you weep be sure to
multiplication and rapid satisfaction of desires, men distort their own
the house Kolya stopped and told Smurov to go on ahead and ask Karamazov
the pagan civilization and culture, as, for example, in the very objects
attempted nothing. As you went away, it meant you assured me that you
people may never degenerate, as often happens, on the moral side into
drunken man to utter absurd grunts, and violent, but inarticulate oaths.
yourself within the walls of the monastery for your own salvation, and
“But you didn’t get that from me.” Ivan stopped suddenly, seeming struck.
reason. In the reverend Father Zossima’s cell he was carried away by the
Then the prisoner was allowed to speak. Mitya stood up, but said very
pure friendship. I have often been friendly with women quite innocently. I
in that God’s mercy to them. I shall die, and my name will be without a
quickly! Make haste, mamma, or I shall die.”
the bank, changed into notes of a hundred roubles, packed into a large
come to find him.
lying on the floor by the bed, behind the screen.”
his heart, and stopped short. He seemed to hear again Father Zossima’s
speak the truth, though you’re always between two stools. Have you thought
children up to be the same. He had no feelings for his duties as a father.
wrapped him in his cloak, which was, according to custom, somewhat slit to
went to see the Metropolitan Platon, in the time of the Empress Catherine?
sitting here as I am now, when I saw that very general come in who came
himself. He foresaw with distress that something very unseemly was
did.’ And then I remembered my happy youth and the poor child in the yard,
Miüsov, he must be, but I’ve forgotten his name ... and I expect you know
Can you, Father?”
many sofas, lounges, settees, big and little tables. There were pictures
Her one hope.... Oh, go, go!...”
idea: you shall find gold‐mines, make millions, return and become a
in singularly good spirits. Fyodor Pavlovitch was roaring with laughter.
that on purpose, one of the fiercest breed, and his parents are huge and
school, the mother devoted herself to studying all the sciences with him
enemies to the grave!’ ”
consequences, and as I resigned my commission, they took it as a joke. And
fight, why did not you let me alone?”
politeness.”
be of use. Besides, you will need God yourselves.”
letter, if you really haven’t got it—bring it to‐day, you must, you must.”
handkerchiefs. So that when the noise died down, the President confined
straight to the police captain, but if she admitted having given him the
infidelity. And it all comes from your pride. Oh, there’s a great deal of
them all together. The brothers of the prisoner were, however, allowed to
Oh, my God! What is happening to me? Every minute I close my eyes and see
case. I ought to formulate that peculiarity only at the end of my speech,
“What do you think yourself?”
would do that later, because for the moment that line was spoiled for him.
ask the significance of his bowing to Dmitri, the question was on the tip
carry the peasant to the police‐station, promising him three roubles. The
unpretentious as herself. She was a young woman of four and twenty when I
suffering from—what is there improbable in his laying aside that money and
“ ‘So that, in truth, Thou didst Thyself lay the foundation for the
Doctor Herzenstube, of course, heard all this, and now all the three
“He’ll be a huge dog!” cried one of the boys.
himself, running.”
might mean more than threats, and that such a frenzy might turn threats
years. For two days I was quite unconscious.”
him every evening,” said the doctor, in conclusion. Having given his
looked extraordinarily old for his age. His face had grown wrinkled,
for his children’s education (though the latter never directly refused but
on the loan. But this time (I heard all about it quite by chance from
her tone. He had not suspected such familiar intimacy between them.
hitherto.
his son. He slandered him in society, injured him, calumniated him, bought
“And, Alyosha, will you give in to me? We must decide that too.”
“But I am not going to give it to you. Look at it from here.”
“Oh, how I love you and admire you at this moment just because you are
from his bedroom. There were already in the cell, awaiting the elder, two
“Satan, go hence! Satan, go hence!” he repeated at each sign of the cross.
drunken letter which was produced in court to‐day. ‘All was done as
Chapter VII. Ilusha
Smerdyakov, and no one else.... He didn’t even tell me where it was! But
back to reason. But I swear, by God, Alyosha, I never insulted the poor
time bore traces of something that testified unmistakably to the life he
“Yes, I went a journey of forty versts into the country. Didn’t you know?”
hamper you in any way. I will be your chattel. I will be the carpet under
“I don’t want my fifty roubles back,” Kalganov declared suddenly.
you are left alone fall on the earth and kiss it, water it with your tears
Dmitri Fyodorovitch knew them all through me, I thought that you would
He won’t live another week. Herzenstube is looking after him. Now they are
“It must be the devil,” said Ivan, smiling.
And then what do you think? I began saving money, I became hard‐hearted,
completely, you’ll begin assuring me to my face that I am not a dream but
It was very late, according to the monastery ideas, when Alyosha returned
for me, I feel the hand of God upon me! The end has come to an erring man!
commissioned me to act for you, I know I should go and give bribes. I must
“Don’t think about that, don’t think of it at all!” cried Alyosha. “And
affable conversation as soon as his host should begin it. All at once his
drunk.
“She is a general’s wife, divorced, I know her.”
Almighty?” said Smerdyakov, with the same composure, only for a moment
suppose she did give it to you. You’ve got the money in your hand, but
“Oh, it was smart enough. We’ve heard it before, how often he has told the
“No, I don’t,” said Alyosha.
always been happening) I always read that poem about Ceres and man. Has it
was pleased, he usually became expansive, but to‐day he seemed to restrain
running, as you have told us already, in the dark from the open window
service in the world. Yours will be a long pilgrimage. And you will have
looked at her, saw clearly what was in her mind (he’s admitted here before
I shall perhaps not be believed when I say that this jealous lover felt
“It’s you who have caused his illness,” she said to me; “he was always
end of dinner, and since Ivan’s arrival in our town he had done so every
“Well?”
“It must be a sign from heaven,” others hastened to add, and their opinion
The landlord, who had been for some time past inquisitively peeping in at
unreasonable, and so he had to make haste to get there and back. So he
own there were many among the men, too, who were convinced that an
talked extremely fast, as though afraid he would not be allowed to say all
recognized and did justice to all these fine and generous sentiments, a
roubles, only adding that he had religiously returned it all to Dmitri