"The Grand Inquisitor" is a philosophical narrative within Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov," where Jesus returns during the Spanish Inquisition and is confronted by the Grand Inquisitor. The Inquisitor argues that Jesus's gift of free will is too burdensome for humanity, as people prefer security over freedom. This parable captures Dostoevsky's deep reflections on the tension between individual liberty and the desire for societal order, posing complex questions about authority, faith, and human nature.
In "The House of the Dead," Dostoevsky draws from his own experiences in a Siberian prison camp to depict the harsh realities of penal servitude. The protagonist, Aleksandr Goryanchikov, witnesses the brutal treatment of convicts, yet also moments of camaraderie and humanity, offering insight into resilience amid suffering. In "The Permanent Husband," Dostoevsky tells the story of Pavel Pavlovich Trusotsky, who struggles with jealousy and a desire for vengeance after learning of his wife's betrayal. The novella delves into themes of obsession, moral decay, and the complexity of human relationships, showcasing Dostoevsky's psychological depth and his exploration of human contradictions.
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Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821–1881) was a Russian novelist, journalist, and short-story writer whose psychological penetration into the darkest recesses of the human heart had a profound and universal influence on the twentieth-century novel. He was born in Moscow, the son of a surgeon. Leaving the study of engineering for literature, he published Poor Folk in 1846. As a member of revolutionary circles in St. Petersburg, he was condemned to death in 1849. A last-minute reprieve sent him to Siberia for hard labor. Returning to St. Petersburg in 1859, he worked as a journalist and completed his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment, as well as other works, including The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.
Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of over twenty internationally bestselling biographies, including the London Sunday Times bestseller Blackbird: The Life and Times of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison. In addition, he can be heard on the Westwood One Radio Network and has written and produced over sixty original spoken-word albums and video documentaries on various aspects of popular culture.