Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" - The Art of the Novel

An in depth analysis of Dostoevsky's last novel as the culmination of his art and thought. Central religious and philosophical themes of the novel, such as the relations of faith to morality, modes of transgression, retribution, and epiphany, the question of theodicy, and the nature of authority. Discussion of Dostoevsky's poetics and of his contribution to the genre of the novel. Readings from literary criticism and from other pertinent literary texts, such as the Bible, Schiller, and Voltaire will also be discussed. In English. Enrollment limited to 19 first year students.