Smerdyakov is the only son of Stinking Lizaveta and his father is unknown. As an infant, Grigory and Marfa took him in, after they found him newly born and his mother dead. Now that he is a young adult, Smerdyakov works for Fyodor as a chef. However, Smerdyakov longs to avenge his lowly beginnings and to make a new life for himself. He exclaims, “but I’d have let them kill me in the womb, so as not to come out into the world at all” (224). Smerdyakov is intellectual, introverted, and unsatisfied with Russia. He has determined, “I may be only a broth-maker, but if I’m lucky I can open a café-restaurant in Moscow” (225). Certain parts of Smerdyakov’s character are similar qualities of Fyodor, Ivan, Dmitri, and Alyosha.
Smerdyakov and Ivan are similar in that they are both introverted and intellectual. There is something about both characters that is a bit “off.” They do not fit into the cultural stereotypes of Russia, and in fact, they are both discontent in Russia. Ivan wants to leave for Europe, and Smerdyakov would at least like to move to a city in Russia.
Smerdyakov, however, does not have much in common with Fyodor, Ivan, and Dmitri. Dmitri is a wild sensualist, Smerdyakov, on the other hand, is not as sensual at this point in his life. In addition, Smerdyakov does not throw away money as he claims Dmitri does. Alyosha has a completely different temperament than Smerdyakov, and they do not share similar religious beliefs. Fyodor, the epitome of sensualism and self-gratification, is clearly different than the reticent and resentful Smerdyakov.
Smerdyakov carries a burden of revenge. Within him exists a desire to get out and see the world. Smerdyakov longs to make a place for himself in the world, separate from the legend of Stinking Lizaveta.
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Blog 01-22-08
Smerdyakov is the only son of Stinking Lizaveta and his father is unknown. As an infant, Grigory and Marfa took him in, after they found him newly born and his mother dead. Now that he is a young adult, Smerdyakov works for Fyodor as a chef. However, Smerdyakov longs to avenge his lowly beginnings and to make a new life for himself. He exclaims, “but I’d have let them kill me in the womb, so as not to come out into the world at all” (224). Smerdyakov is intellectual, introverted, and unsatisfied with Russia.
He has determined, “I may be only a broth-maker, but if I’m lucky I can open a café-restaurant in Moscow” (225). Certain parts of Smerdyakov’s character are similar qualities of Fyodor, Ivan, Dmitri, and Alyosha.
Smerdyakov and Ivan are similar in that they are both introverted and intellectual. There is something about both characters that is a bit “off.” They do not fit into the cultural stereotypes of Russia, and in fact, they are both discontent in Russia. Ivan wants to leave for Europe, and Smerdyakov would at least like to move to a city in Russia.
Smerdyakov, however, does not have much in common with Fyodor, Ivan, and Dmitri. Dmitri is a wild sensualist, Smerdyakov, on the other hand, is not as sensual at this point in his life. In addition, Smerdyakov does not throw away money as he claims Dmitri does. Alyosha has a completely different temperament than Smerdyakov, and they do not share similar religious beliefs. Fyodor, the epitome of sensualism and self-gratification, is clearly different than the reticent and resentful Smerdyakov.
Smerdyakov carries a burden of revenge. Within him exists a desire to get out and see the world. Smerdyakov longs to make a place for himself in the world, separate from the legend of Stinking Lizaveta.
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