What Defines a Karamazov: How Suffering Links Dostoevsky's Disparate Family Members Arianna Perroots 11th Grade

Each of the brothers in Dostoevesky's The Brothers Karamazov have negative or fatal characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the characters. When broken down, the name Karamazov literally means 'black smear,' which alludes to the sinfulness of the family. Although the meaning of "Karamazov" shifts throughout the course of the book, the underlying message is the same: to be a Karamazov is to buy into the sinfulness of miracles, mysteries and authority, and suffer because of it.

Dmitri buys into the dark sin of expecting authority, which drives all of his actions and the terrible consequences they inflict. For example, when the Captain Snegiryov got into a conflict with Dmitri, instead of handling the situation like a responsible adult, "he dragged [Snergiyov] out of the tavern into the market place," as an attempt to demonstrate his authority. (Dostoevsky 186). In the process, he deeply hurt Illusha through the humiliation of his father and "that scene is a family record imprinted forever on his soul." (Dostoevsky 186). Although he later regretted his actions, his first response to the situation displays his inner self as being instinctively violent. This sinfulness defines his Karamazov nature as recklessly...