The Brothers Karamazov Book 5, 6, 7 by Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Grand Inquisitor Chapter! Summary

[@nolan79807]

Book 7 is actually one of the favorites so far, even above 5. I thought the scene in Grushenka’s home was so enthralling and well done. Definitely gonna stick with me for a while

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Awesome! 7 really is good

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

'Cana of Galilee' is one of the most profound and beautiful chapters I've ever read. It's one of the highlights of the book.

[@SophiaClef]

Interesting discussion! For me, it is clear that father Zosima's stench was intentional on his part. Khokhlakova wrote that she didn't expect such conduct from such a venerable elder like Father Zosima. Some people, including Alyosha worshiped Zosima like a God. By stinking, he taught Alyosha to look at what the finger is pointing towards, rather than at the finger itself. And Alyosha learned the lesson.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Agreed. We're all human.

[@raskass2106]

Right on guys thanks for these videos. It’s fun to read book by book and then after each take a break too watch you guys talk about it. I feel like I found new friends who actually enjoy talking about books. 🤓

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Yesss! That’s exactly what we wanted. I hope you love the book to the end

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

I was feeling super guilty, thinking that I did Dostoevsky and Zossima a huge disservice by allowing the last livestream to focus so much on The Grand Inquisitor, instead of the Zossima’s deathbed sermons (which Dostoevsky actually considered the pinnacle and was actually VERY NERVOUS would get overshadowed by the brilliance of his former chapter.) Thankfully, you guys picked me up by focusing on that chapter here. THANK YOUUUUUUU 😅

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Nah, stream was great!

[@thangtrantrung5876]

I really love the epiphany Alyosha has in book 7. It’s just beautiful!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Oh yes! I loved it

[@ghost715x6]

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love what you guys are doing 🙌 I really enjoy your videos

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks so much!!

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

Two things I never expected to hear during a literary analysis: a comparison to the Multiverse and CrossFit 🤣🤣

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Never know what you'll get here!

[@burntgod7165]

Reading the book at the moment, and benefit greatly from watching your videos after reading the sections discussed. I still don't pretend to understand all of it (or much of it), but am immersed. And I love these videos.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Oh we 100% know we don’t get all of it either. It’s great to work out thoughts and glad it could be a benefit for some. Thanks for the kind words

[@katiewilliams5674]

Thank you for this video!! I’m still thinking through this book and all the ideas it explores and I love hearing you guys talk it out.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks! I was just thinking back to your comment when we started the last section and how you said you needed time to parse through it. We feel our way through some of these discussions too. I am always in a better place with a text after listening to chats or participating in them for complex works.

[@arposcl3music903]

I have been reading through this book and am nearing the end and these videos have been a good refresher to keep my ideas straight. I Thought the Grand Inquisitor was a great chapter (even coming from a Calvinistic/Augustinian worldview where I already hold firm ideas on free will and suffering) and your summary of it was great

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks so much!

[@kevinrosero9723]

Very enjoyable and interesting discussion! The whole left-right thing went by me in reading. I did notice that the narrator told us who was to the left and right of the judge at the trial, though I didn't connect it to anything beyond description of environment. And what does left or right mean in that instance? The judge's left, or the spectator's left? I remember Una said, I think in one of the videos with Cristy Luis, that you identified with a different Karamazov brother in each of your three readings to date. I've read it once and I look forward to seeing how the second reading will change. This time, I started out admiring Alyosha and not understanding the others, but by the end I'd grown deeply fond of Mitya, and was thinking most about Ivan. Probably because I resemble Ivan the most personally. Thank you again for this, for devoting so much time to breaking open this great novel.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for sharing. Yes it's always interesting to see which one we dive into each time!

[@DebMcDonald]

Thanks for the left and right tip. I didn’t notice it and will pay attention from now on. I’m with Alyosha regarding the GI chapter. He says brother, what are you talking about? Then Dostoyevsky shows us Father Zosima and Alyosha practicing active love, sometimes imperfectly, but trying. Thanks for all your hard work. Deb

[@TheCodeXCantina]

You have no idea how much this comment means to me. This project has been an incredible amount of work. It's not perfect, but it's something we're still proud and happy with if not just a bit tired :D

[@drostradamus]

Nice to have you two break this book down

[@TheCodeXCantina]

We had a great time discussing our view. So much to this book

[@jessedavis8062]

Making my way through the Brothers for the first time, and watching your video's along the way has been super helpful! Is it over simplistic of me to see the brothers as a representation of id (Dmitri), ego (Ivan), and superego (Alyosha)? I haven't finished the book yet, so forgive me if this is something you cover in the last video. Thank you so much for your content!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I think I remember Krypto saying he saw a bit of that too at one point but we didn't go into it as we aren't the most knowledgeable in that area. I think it's a lens that you can certainly apply!

[@tomlabooks3263]

Loved your analysis of Book 6 - in my reading experience, Book 5 stands there almost as “theology”, or the application of reason to faith, while Book 6 is pure Faith, like you guys said. It’s almost like comparing a great theology book and the gospel. So Book 6 is far, far superior to the entire rest of the novel, in my opinion.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks, buddy. The book is amazing isn’t it?

[@joe1rooney1]

Glad I stumbled across this hidden gem! Keep it up guys :)

[@TheCodeXCantina]

🙏

[@the_vishalparihar]

The rebellion chapter is, for me, so far more gruesome as well as philosophical. The idea in the chapter is more easy to grasp for the intermideate reader than the later 'The Grand' one, which is a masterpiece of the literature in itself. In the biography of father Zossima, we have a little crime and punishment chapter over there by the astonishing story of a mysterious visitor.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I loved Rebellion!

[@ryud0]

I know this is years too late but im surprised you guys didnt discuss how alyosha saved grushenka's life and soul the same way jesus saved mary magdalene. Alyosha was the only person to treat her as a human and not something to be obtained and lorded over, and he didnt judge her past sins the way society does. Grushenka's character changes after this event

[@aylafahey1108]

Book 6 is my favourite, such beautiful love!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Yesss!!

[@snowanaprave]

Thank you for the interesting discussion. Grushenka has never compared herself to an onion. (Maybe the problem is an inaccurate translation?) She compared herself to the old woman from the parable who gave the beggar a little onion (луковка). The "little onion" here is a symbol of a small good deed, a bit of mercy to other person, a small step of a sinner towards goodness and light. Grushenka's refusal to try to seduce and corrupt Alyosha at the moment when he is most vulnerable and it's more easy to hurt him, her understanding and mercy shown to him - this is her small good deed, her "little onion". Although she clearly believes that, like the old woman from the parable, this little act is certainly not enough for redemption, because she sees the worst in herself. But Alyosha during this conversation and later in the course of the story sees that Grushenka is much closer to goodness, mercy and true light than she thinks. By the way, I've noticed that in many English-language discussions of Dostoevsky's books here on KZbin female characters and their role in the books are very superficially touched upon. Why is it like that? (It's not a critique, I'm just really surprised by this, because as a russian reader/watcher I'm used to a lot more attention being paid to these characters, their significance in these books.) Sorry for my incorrect and funny English.

[@DQwithU]

Very interesting. Thank you, thank you I don’t associate with any of the characters. I try to understand them to the extent of anticipating their views as I advance in my reading.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thank you for sharing!

[@amusicalbookworm]

Krypto, your Marvel multi-verse analogy 🤯 haha that is an awesome analogy

[@TheCodeXCantina]

He's more than a pretty face sometimes.

[@Michaelclayatc]

Reading through these chapters I felt like Zosima had become a false idol to Alyosha. He was almost praising the elder and putting him above God. Zosima had to die in multiple ways here. He came down off of this pedestal through the backstory of his life. Showing everyone that he wasn’t always this holy being who should be idolized and imitated. At one time he was a jealous man who tried to kill the fiancé of a woman who refuted his love. Then after he dies instead of the miracles Alyosha expected it was stink and mockery. Zosima was ridiculed and mocked by the same people who previously adored him. This shocked Alyosha and sent him into a spiral where he hit rock bottom and finally found himself and his true purpose in life. Breaking free from his false idolization of Zosima and becoming more like the man himself.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Yeah, I see a lot of this too

[@attention5638]

That is a really interesting note about "left" and "right." Next time I pick up this book, I am definitely going to have to pay attention next time I pick this up. I don't think Dostoyevsky liked onions. 🧄🧄

[@TheCodeXCantina]

If only he knew the power of the onion side.

[@syedbukhari6578]

You'd be shocked that religious people in my country, and other countries, still believe that if you're pious, then your body decays more slowly in your grave.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for sharing

[@tomlabooks3263]

5:31 Not exactly. Dostoevski had come to a deep and fulsome conversion by the time he wrote this. There was no uncertainty in his heart - all he does is, based on his experience, he “steel-mans” Ivan’s argument.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

It would be great to go into “Selected Letters of Fyodor Dostoyevsky” at some point. I’ve seen many quotes from him about faith and what troubled him that would be great to learn more about.

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@TheCodeXCantina Ohhh that is such a great idea. I’m going to look for those letters. Thank you!!

[@PaulTesta]

The 1054 split was one, not over doctrine, but of authority.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

It was very complex.

[@PaulTesta]

@@TheCodeXCantina Indeed, the egos of the religious leaders of the East and West made things very complex.

[@rivergulliver1225]

Pluto’s take on forms 💃🏻 🌝

[@BracaPhoto]

There was a great discussion about the states role in religion and once they merge the state take on the role of religious father - they then go on to discuss the best way to punish a criminal was to "shame him" instead of "remove him through imprisonment " I thought it was a great analogy to China's use of the "credit system" approach to control society - the church and state have merged in the cccp and its almost the commonsense Culmination of that discussion 👍👍 It was early in the book - but can't pinpoint it

[@sarahdias6477]

Thankyou guys for this ❤️❤️😁😁

[@TheCodeXCantina]

No problem

[@J0zB]

Una, you mentioned that you’ve read this book multiple times. Have you always read the same translation? 🙏

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Does time was P&V and this time was Garnett

[@demidrek-heyward]

thanks gentlemen!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Our pleasure!

[@emilypaxton5601]

So revealing my bias here, but also I think my perspective can be helpful in this case. As a Christian, I can say that the "organized" religion Dostoevsky portrayed was in some cases subtly, in some cases blatantly, twisted. I think he may be offering some commentary on Russian Orthodoxy, and/or on those who use religion to seek power and control without any respect or regard for the religion itself. I think this is especially clear in the Grand Inquisitor bit. In spite of the front he shows other people, when faced with Jesus himself, the Inquisitor shows he has no respect or love for Jesus or his message - instead, religion is merely a tool for him, and he's willing to desecrate everything Jesus stands for in order to obtain what he wants and justify his motives (making people "happy" by taking away their "choice"). I also don't think it's entirely fair to call Ivan an atheist! He says he believes in God, but it's his world that he has a problem with. I think Ivan is an incredibly complicated character, but when it comes down to it, it seems he's tortured because he doesn't know *whether* to believe. On the one hand, he feels the philosophical implications of rejecting God entirely (what gives humans value, what prescribes morality, etc.), but on the other hand, he is unable to reconcile the suffering in the world with the existence of God. He tortures himself because of this and can't resolve it within himself. Love the videos! Still watching, but I really appreciate this format. Normally I have to avoid watching anything before I finish the novel (which is what I did this time, too), because people seem to think that spoilers don't apply to classics. But why would I want to experience these masterpieces in any other way than how they were intended by the authors, which is what made them classics to begin with? I'll definitely keep ya'll in mind next time I pick up a classic!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Hi Emily! Thanks for the comment. You’re not alone and the grab for power is a common gripe and criticism I’ve see in Eastern writings. I’ve seen it applied on papal claims too from Orthodoxy writings too. In some of his other novels, Dostoevsky calls out Catholicism by name as well as Russian Old Believers and specific sects in Russian Orthodoxy so you will for sure find plenty of people will have similar thoughts to yours. Yeah that’s a fair thing to try to nuance in on what is Ivan. Thanks for sharing!

[@Rajathon]

Not done with book 7 yet but I did enjoy in book 6 the religous talk before the elder died. I just looked I am one chapter from being into book 8 though. Ivan's arguments are very similar to the arguments we hear today from atheists. I still have no clue what is going on with Grushenka. One other thing why were they so negative on Lutheran's?

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Hard questions to answer for anyone! As for Lutheran commentary, I'm too far removed. I can't say I know enough to give a good answer right now.

[@Rajathon]

@@TheCodeXCantina My assumption was that the orthodox church didn't like the reform but I have nothing to base that on.

[@dh7314]

Reading this for the first time and Book 6 has bored me. I’m quite impatient so it’s took me some effort to not skip book 6

[@Starscreamlive]

1. I've said it elsewhere before, but it's worth saying again: Book Five is one of the greatest peices I've read in all of world literature . 2. Getting rid of Jesus for Crossfit = trading one cross for another🤣🤣🤣. It makes perfect sense though. Great analogy! (Please tell me someone has made a meme of this. CROSSfit Jesus)

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Smells like tee shirt material 😂

[@tomlabooks3263]

1:55 Wait. Where does Alyosha admits that some men deserve to be murdered? I’ve read Book V twice and I can’t find that. Alyosha never admits anything that is contrary to the Christian message in the entire novel, as far as I can see.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Been a few years. I can’t remember off hand. I searched for the word ‘deserved’ so it might be this section from Rebellion? Does this sound like what we were discussing? Again, sorry but it’s been a while so not sure this many years later…. “Well-what did he deserve? To be shot? To be shot for the satisfaction of our moral feelings? Speak, Alyosha!” “To be shot,” murmured Alyosha, lifting his eyes to Ivan with a pale, twisted smile. “Bravo!” cried Ivan, delighted. “If even you say so.... You’re a pretty monk! So there is a little devil sitting in your heart, Alyosha Karamazov!”

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@TheCodeXCantina Thanks for looking it up ! 🙏🏻