The+Humor+in+Tragedy?+LOL+(AALJGP)

By Andrea Gableman, Liz Peters, and A-MAN-DUH WHO IS JOHN'S SON

As we can expect the book __ The Brothers Karamazov __ seems to be quite a deep novel and asks a lot of thought provoking questions. Throughout this article  Joyce Carol Oates expresses her thoughts about some of the main questions brought up during this book. Most of these major ideas rest on thoughts of religion, morality, and free will.

One idea we found quite intriguing was the idea of forgiveness. Oates goes on to explain an example of tragic existentialism in this article, "Ivan goes on to tell the story of the Russian landowner who has a child torn apart by  hunting dogs, and asks if the man deserves 'to be shot for the satisfaction of our moral feelings' But Ivan does not care for revenge, for a hell for oppressors. He wants to be able to forgive, but he cannot forgive; out of love for humanity he will not accept the 'harmony' that is based upon suffering and forgiveness." This seems to be a huge conflict with a main character Ivan, one of the Karamazov brothers. By reading and thinking about this concept, readers can begin to take a stance on the question: "Should we kill criminals because of their actions?" It may seem just to kill a murderer to avenge a victims death, but we must consider that killing the criminal will never bring the victim back to life. Another big concept that is discussed is the fact that "the basis of life is the irrational". Humans are always trying to find the answer to so many questions, but our faith and hope in a higher being is simply based on blind faith. If we take a step back and look at it, the concept of "God and Satan" seem far fetched. Many people base their entire lifetime on the existence of a god. Christians often have morals and standards in place in order to please God. They do good deeds and act in an un-sinful way just to get through the gates to heaven. However that is how it has to be. We have to just have faith in our religion and beliefs or it wouldn't even be an issue. If there was cold, hard proof that God existed then almost everyone would believe in God. Religion is faith and faith has to be believed and not proven. It's one of those few things in life that simply cannot be given a concrete answer and that's why it brings so much turmoil, chaos, and discomfort to humans. This leads right into a  meaningful quote given by the narrator of the novel, "Faith does not, in the realist, spring from the miracle but the miracle from faith." We have to trust in our beliefs to get any benefit from them.

Joyce Carol Oates overall does an excellent job providing valuable information to understand before diving into the 800 pages of The Brothers Karamazov. This article unravels and gives a solid background of the subtext of the novel. "A novel as it's being written, in the very process of being imagined," this insight helps us unravel Dostoevski's thoughts as we read the book. Knowing this can explain some of the questions that may arise while reading. This article also discusses the overall theme and structure of the novel. Joyce Carol Oates does this by breaking down and analyzing the ideas behind Dostoevski’s writing. She compares Dostoevski’s multiple works throughout her paper. Oates says, "There are no metaphors in Dostoevski's writing because his works as wholes are metaphors themselves.” This means that Dostoevski does not follow a poetic or imaginative style, but more of an epic and realistic mode. In addition, following a common theme of morality and religion is also seen through out his novels. Oates also gives characteristics and tendencies in Dostoevski’s writing. Knowing this allows the reader to adjust there mind to get used to his techniques. Oates states, “The theme of transformation or rebirth is more than simply a religious (and rather magical) idea; it is a part of Dostoevski's imagination.” Oates also says “Reality is constantly  turning into something else…” in the authors mind. While we don’t know exactly what or how this so-called reality is changed, these statements help us to get an idea of what sorts of things might happen in Dostoevski’s book. Oates also states: "Two visions--one existential and tragic, the other Christian and 'comic'--are unequally balanced in this novel and do not resolve themselves." Knowing that there is not a firm sense of reality in the author’s mind will allow the reader to continue reading without becoming confused or over analyzing events that may take place in the book. More or less, a problem that might occur while reading the book would be that of the reader trying to wrap his or her mind around all of the unanswered questions that arise from this book. (Contrasts the idea the conscience of humans, reflecting on one of the main ideas of morality)