The Brothers Karamazov

The American novelist Walker Percy described The Brothers Karamazov as “maybe the greatest novel of all time . . . . [it] almost prophesies and prefigures everything—all the bloody mess and the issues of the 20th century.” It’s fair to extend Percy’s observation to include the mess of the present century as well. The Brothers K is Dostoevsky’s masterpiece: a gripping tale of murder and family conflict that explores profound questions of faith, doubt, free will, morality, and the existence of God. The novel’s structure is equally complex, featuring multiple narrators and shifting points of view, and a wide cast of characters and voices. Dostoevsky considered the book a complete expression of his thinking about the human condition.

This Delve will offer participants the opportunity to read Dostoevsky’s great novel closely and attentively. We will discuss the book as a work of art as well as a philosophical enquiry; consider its historical and cultural influences and contexts; its reception and legacy; and the enduring relevance of its themes.

Texts
The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky (Picador, 1990; trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky)

Access Program
We want our classes to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers class registrations at a reduced rate. The access program for writing classes covers 60% of the class tuition. Most writing classes have at least one access spot available.

Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org if you have questions.

Liaison position
Every in-person class and seminar at Literary Arts has one liaison position. Liaisons perform specific duties for each class meeting. If you are a liaison for a class or seminar, the full amount of your tuition is covered by Literary Arts.

Apply here for the liaison position.