Discussing+Politics+with+Dostoevsky

Samantha Falvey and Collin Krohn
Hour 7

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Dostoevsky got his political beliefs from many different influences. His first rolemodel was Petrashevsky, who was an anti-capitalist. He proposed, based off of French Utopian philosopher Fourier's original idea, the concept of "phalanx." This was the idea where the community gathered together and took part in concerts, dances, and readings. He hoped that people from all different backgrounds could "live together in harmony."=====

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While Dostoevsky wanted to make a political difference, he was never a fan of violence. He wanted Russia to be more focused on art than politics. He agreed with Speshnev in wanting to propose freedom of speech in Russia. He did not agree; however, with Speshnevs desire to spread "socialism, atheism, and terrorism." Because Dostoevsky and Speshnev were part of the same political "circle", Dostoevsky was also accused of wrong-doings that dealt with Speshnev's Underground press. The plan that Speshnev came up with was to revolt against the Tsar and Dostoevsky did not support this plan. Because they were partners: however, Doestevsky didn't know how to extricate himself from the plan, and therefore suffered many mental disorders because of it.=====

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Although Dostoevsky and Speshnev thought their actions were being kept secretive, Tsar Nicholas had secretly been watching them for fourteen months. On April 22, 1849, Dostoevsky was placed under arrest and was imprisoned. He used his jail time to write poems, ideas, and short stories. There are also many found writings of Dostoevsky's that pertain to his hope for the social future of Russia.=====

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Although he was originally sentenced to death, the Tsar lifted the sentence and all of the prisoners were instead sent to serve time in a prison in Siberia. For Dostoevsky, the politics and social formation of Russia turned out to be an important aspect of his life and almost resulted in his death.=====