Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Brothers Karamazov — Part II
Overview
Zossima declines, blesses the monks, and inspires them with a final call to love and responsibility. A reported fulfillment of his prophecy sparks talk of a miracle, even as Father Paissy urges caution. A visiting monk contrasts Zossima with the austere visionary Ferapont. Zossima sends Alyosha to his family; Paissy fortifies him for worldly trials.
Summary
Before dawn, Father Zossima weakens, receives confession, communion, and extreme unction. Seated among the monks, he delivers fragmented but fervent exhortations on universal responsibility, humility, and love, urging the brothers to guard their hearts and serve the people without pride or greed.
Outside the cell, anticipation grows that a miracle will follow Zossima’s death. Rakitin brings Alyosha a letter from Madame Hohlakov describing a widow whose son, Vassya, was foretold alive by Zossima; a letter from Siberia arrives confirming it, stirring the monastery. Father Paissy counsels restraint yet betrays hope, while monks murmur, “We shall see greater things.”
Meanwhile, a visiting monk from Obdorsk, already skeptical of “elders,” seeks out the ascetic Father Ferapont. Ferapont boasts of severe fasting and visions: devils clinging to monks, the Holy Spirit appearing as birds, and Christ in an elm ready to snatch him away like Elijah. The visitor leaves perplexed but impressed by Ferapont’s austerity.
When Zossima grows tired, he summons Alyosha, discerns his family obligations, and sends him away, promising Alyosha will hear his last word. At the threshold, Father Paissy gives Alyosha a parting charge: worldly science has dissected faith’s parts but missed the living whole; hold fast to the Christian ideal. Alyosha departs, sensing Paissy as a new guardian of his soul.
Who Appears
- Alyosha (Alexei) KaramazovAttends dying Zossima, receives permission to visit family, and is exhorted by Father Paissy.
- Father ZossimaGravely ill elder; gives sacraments, final exhortations on love and humility, and sends Alyosha away promising a last word.
- Father PaissyCautious yet hopeful about the reported miracle; blesses Alyosha and urges fidelity to the Christian ideal.
- Father FerapontAustere ascetic opposing elders; claims visions of devils and the Holy Spirit; impresses the visiting monk.
- Monk from ObdorskSkeptical visitor; investigates Zossima’s miracle and consults Ferapont, leaving perplexed but reverent.
- RakitinBrings Madame Hohlakov’s letter about the widow’s son; stirs discussion of a miracle.
- Madame HohlakovReports the widow’s story and urges the monastery to publicize Zossima’s fulfilled prediction.
- Sergeant’s widow ProhorovnaSought prayers for her missing son; receives a confirming letter, fueling talk of Zossima’s prophecy.
- Vassya (Vassenka)The widow’s son; writes from Siberia that he is alive and returning.
- Father IosifPresent in Zossima’s cell during his weakness and final arrangements.
- Novice PorfiryAttends in Zossima’s cell during the elder’s decline.