Book IV: Pride

What struck me about this book were the various portrayals of pride and humility. The title "Lacerations" has to do with this, especially in a religious context. While there has been but one reference to literal self-imposed lacerations--Gregory took an interest in the flagellants--part of being a monk does involve many different forms of laceration, or mortification--be it fasting, having uncomfortable furniture, uncomfortable clothing, etc. This sort of self-imposed asceticism can involve both pride and humility (humility in that these practices help one overcome his own ego and being self-centered and thus make one free to love and serve others, and pride in that one can take both a healthy pride in conquering oneself, as well as a bad pride in seeing how tough one can be). It is interesting to see pride and humility play out in this book.

The book begins with Zossima exhorting the monks to feel a sense of responsibility for the sins of the whole world, "and only then can the aim of our seclusion be attained." He tells them, "Be not proud" (164). There is a belief in Catholic and (and I think) Orthodox Christianity--which I do not really understand--that Christians are to do penance and make reparation not only for their own sins, but also for those of the world.

Contrast this with what Ivan perceives of Katerina, who is mortifying (lacerating) herself, seemingly for Dmitri, but this self-abnegation really arises from her own pride (187-90). If Ivan is correct, her attitude may originate in an effort to inflate her own sense of self-worth. Likewise, towards the end of the book, the captain continues to endure the lacerations of his unfortunate circumstances and refuses charity out of his own pride.

Incidentally, following my last post, I thought it was interesting that Fr. Paissy warns Alyosha about the "temptations of the world [that] are great and beyond your strength to endure" (171). I look forward to seeing if Alyosha has to combat the sensuality of his Karamozov heritage. Also, I'd like to see how Paissy's comment about nonbelievers still following the Christian ideal plays out.