The Brothers Karamazov

Chapter 118: FOOTNOTES

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

A sprawling family drama traces three brothers whose competing temperaments and desires collide with their selfish father's cruelty, culminating in his violent death and a fraught murder trial. Interleaved episodes explore faith, doubt, and moral responsibility through philosophical debates, a charismatic elder's spiritual counsel, and a famous parable that probes institutional religion. Portraits of love, jealousy, and redemption alternate with scenes of village life, youthful friendships, and private confession, producing a layered examination of conscience, freedom, and the human capacity for suffering and forgiveness.

FOOTNOTES

[1] In Russian, “silen.”

[2] A proverbial expression in Russia.

[3] Grushenka.

[4] i.e. setter dog.

[5] Probably the public event was the Decabrist plot against the Tsar, of December 1825, in which the most distinguished men in Russia were concerned.—TRANSLATOR’S NOTE.

[6] When a monk’s body is carried out from the cell to the church and from the church to the graveyard, the canticle “What earthly joy...” is sung. If the deceased was a priest as well as a monk the canticle “Our Helper and Defender” is sung instead.

[7] i.e. a chime of bells.

[8] Literally: “Did you get off with a long nose made at you?”—a proverbial expression in Russia for failure.

[9] Gogol is meant.