An+Idiot,+Roulette,+and+Old+Friends

An //Idiot//, Roulette, and Old Friends Fyodor Dostoevsky’s years in Europe set a defining tone for his life at that time as well as for his literature. As a native born Russian, Dostoevsky longed for his homeland, but the gambling habits he soon fell into hindered his return and made for a quite unpleasant period of his life while in Europe. Despite the fortunes that he earned as one of Russia’s respected authors, he “found the terrific thrill of staking his fortune” as he fell deeper into debt with his unhealthy love for gambling. He often had to pawn off his wife’s jewelry to make up for his obsession, but that left no money for him to return to Russia. As a result of his many problems in Europe, “he felt an extreme loathing for the Germans and Swiss”. Dostoevsky even got into a fight with his old friend and writer Turgenev because he considered himself a German rather than a Russian. Additionally, Dostoevsky also turned his back on Belinsky, his former friend, because he challenged Dostoevsky’s views on Christ. This loss of friendship further added to the misery of his time in Europe. His fortunes turned around in 1868 when his first daughter, Sonya, was born. Finally he had a source of joy that could inspire his writing. However, “his already dim view of Europe grew darker” when Sonya died at the age of 3 months of a severe cold. Though he continued to gamble their savings away, still unable to return to Russia, as he so vehemently desired, he was able to finally finish his book, //The Idiot//. By the time Fyodor and Anna had their third child, Dostoevsky decided, “it was indeed time to come home”. He still didn’t have enough money, so he turned to friends and family for the funds to return to St. Petersburg in 1871 and he was “ready to begin his life as a truly Russian writer”. After learning about the despair that was so apparent in Dostoevsky’s life, we feel it may help us understand dark undertones and situations that may arise in //The Brothers Karamazov.// We can also see how important family was for Dostoevsky as when everything seemed to be working against him, his children brought him happiness and hope. He was also able to turn to his family in times of need, especially when he had lost close friends. Because of this connection to his family, we think it’s safe to assume that the actual Karamazov brothers will display similar significance to the importance Dostoevsky’s family plays in his life.

By: Melanie LaChapelle, Becca Heller, and Jessica Liban