Chapter 9 They Carry Mitya Away

With the protocol signed, Nikolay Parfenovitch reads the formal committal, declaring Dmitri Karamazov a prisoner to be taken to town and confined. Dmitri accepts the necessity, then delivers a fervent speech: he calls himself the lowest, embraces punishment as purification, and vows to fight the charge, insisting he did not shed his father’s blood though he intended to.

Dmitri requests a final meeting with Grushenka. Under supervision, they exchange a brief farewell. Grushenka pledges lifelong fidelity and asserts his innocence despite his self-ruin; Dmitri asks forgiveness for the harm his love has brought. Their parting is restrained and swift.

Outside, preparations for the escort are disordered. Mavriky Mavrikyevitch, the rural police officer, brusquely seats Dmitri in the cart, rebuffing Dmitri’s suggestion to go without a second cart. Trifon Borissovitch bustles and pointedly withholds any friendly response to Dmitri’s good-bye, while peasants argue over who must drive the second cart.

As the carts finally set off, Dmitri feels a chill and resentment at the harsh handling. Kalganov rushes out to clasp Dmitri’s hand in a sincere farewell as the bell rings and the cart departs. Left behind, Kalganov collapses in tears, believing Dmitri likely guilty and despairing at what people can be, questioning whether life is worth it.