A few observations (I am using the Constance Garnett translation, Signet Classic). I'm not sure how much I'll contribute, especially this early on, but here are just a few notes that I'll keep in mind as I read:
Atheism vs. belief. We have the two brothers: Alyosha believes in God and immortality (37), Alyosha is certain Ivan is an atheist. I look forward to seeing how FD explains Alyosha's faith. FD writes, "He was simply a lover of humanity" and gives reasons for why A joins the monastery (30). Later, he writes that if A had decided that God did not exist, he would become an atheist and a socialist. I found it interesting that FD presents socialism as "the form taken by atheism today" (37). We also have the "liberal" "freethinker" "atheist" Peter Miusov, who sued the monastery out of his duty as a citizen and man of culture, though he still owned 1000 serfs. Somewhat ironic. Themes I'll keep in mind: atheism vs. belief, what belief consists in, why believe, the relation of faith to politics.
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Dan, I'm not going to read this until I've written my own response, but I just wanted you to know what a thrill it was for me to see so much activity on the blog. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI also found the comment about Alyosha becoming an atheist/socialist if he didn't believe in God interesting. It reminded me of Whittaker Chambers' understanding of communism. Both communism and Christianity, observed Chambers, provide one with an existential purpose in life. As the Narrator says about Alyosha regarding socialism, both suggest that happiness is attainable, although they disagree about when and how it is attained. Therefore, both reject nihilism.
ReplyDeleteI take from this that Alyosha is the type of person who strives yearns for the attainment of happiness and for whom indifference and/or nihilism in life is not an option. He strives to live consistently with his beliefs.
I am interested in this "lover of humanity" thing. It is notable that his love for humanity would be used as his reason for joining a monastery. I think monasteries tend to have a negative "escape the world" connotation; if you love humanity you would expected to live the active life. But clearly that’s not the case here. Why would a love of humanity choose (or be called to) the contemplative life?
ReplyDeletePlus, I think in the Western Christian tradition, in certain periods, there is such an emphasis on sin that Christian love for humanity is obscured. It will be interesting to see how Alyosha's love for humanity evolves inside and outside the monastery.