Baby+Fyodor-The+Childhood+of+Dostoevsky

Sehar Fatima, Danielle Hartwig, CJ Meidenbauer Fyodor Mikhailevich Dostoevsky was born on October 30, 1821 in Moscow, Russia. Both of his parents had a profound impact on the man and writer he came to be. Mikhail Andreevich Dostoevsky’s [|father,] was very controlling and strict. At the age of 15 Dostoevsky father ran away from his expectations of being a member of the clergy, and became a surgeon. Many years working with the dying left him a cold person. He suffered an undiagnosed nervous problem, and also had problems with drinking and bad temper. He was strongly religious, believing that he himself was one of God’s “chosen ones.” His mother, Maria, on the contrary, was very loving and caring. She, too, was spiritual, but was inspired by the generosity of Christ. It was her who taught Dostoevsky to read, using stories of the Old and New Testament. The couple seemed to be totally in love, but behind the veil of passion hid Dr. Dostoevsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky father’s, obsessive and [|controlling] ways. He was very jealous, and even questioned the paternity of his own child, publicly humiliated Maria. Though his [|mother] was loving, it was even difficult for her to detect the cruelty that beset Dostoevsky. The brutal environment that surrounded him did little to make his gloomy life better. The hospital where Dr. Dostoevsky worked was located in one of the worst areas of Moscow. This area was surrounded by a cemetery of criminals, an asylum, and orphanage. Even though Dostoevsky was not allowed, he would often wander to the hospital’s garden, where the ill patients sat in order to get a glimpse of sun. Dostoevsky loved being with the patients, and their sad lives reflected upon the human suffering. Living in Moscow did have a very big impact on Dostoevsky, but he did not spend his whole life living in there. His father, in 1827, was promoted to a position that allowed him to own land and [|serfs]. For a few moths Dostoevsky along with his mother and brother would visit the country. The trip freed him from the mood of his father. Dostoevsky would spend most of his time in the [|woods]. During his exploration Dostoevsky discovered the dignity of the peasants that lived in the countryside. He was fascinated by the way the peasants lived. He also developed a deep sympathy for their sufferings. In 1833, a fire broke out, destroying his father’s villages and making the serfs homeless. This particular event strongly impacted Dostoevsky. When Dostoevsky was 15, his mother was diagnosed, and subsequently dying of consumption. After her death, the family was devastated, as it had lost its focal point. Dr. Dostoevsky sent Dostoevsky and his brother off to boarding school. At the age of 16, Dostoevsky was completely orphaned as his father was found murdered, beaten by his unhappy peasants. All of these events have had an effect on Dostoevksy’s writing. The foil between his caring mother and harsh father has become a reoccurring theme in his literature. The fire that broke out in his father’s village is recounted in Dimitri’s dream in //The Brothers Karamozov//. The murder of his father may have been an influence also for the murder in the novel. His dark themes may be a result of his depressing childhood.