Emily Franco
Graham/ 2nd
English 3H
Zosima
“More in life is needed than academic knowledge alone, however brilliantly supported – that is, a moral responsibility and love for all men. It does not follow, however, that declaring responsibility for all men can be efficacious where unsupported by reason.” ( Ross, Zosima’s “Secret of Renewal” in The Brothers Karamazov”)
Dostoevsky paints a very colorful picture of his characters in The Brothers Karamazov. However, there is one character who stands out more so than the others in a certain sense. Zosima, the priest, and the mentor to Alyosha is the epitome of love, second chances, perseverance, and forgiveness. These qualities are very special and stand out brightly in a novel such as this. Zosima’s character and quality are unmistakably recognizable through his conversations with other characters in The Brothers Karamazov. Zosima’s characteristics are especially recognizable in situations which deal with conflict between faith and doubt, free will, moral responsibility, justice, and redemption through suffering. Zosima is the picture of love and passion withing The Brothers Karamazov.
The main conflict in The Brothers Karamazov is the conflict between faith and doubt. Faith is personified through Zosima and his mentee Alyosha. Disbelief and doubt are embodied by Ivan and Fyodor. Dostoevsky shows that faith and doubt allow different types of behavior. Zosima’s love of God overflows into a love for mankind. Zosima loves in an unconditional fashion. His main concern is to love all people, forgive and not judge those around him, also to lessen suffering where it is possible. Zosima is a Godly example of such things. The reader learns of this through his conversations with Alyosha and even with Alyosha’s family. Zosima believes that "Love redeems and saves everything." Zosima also says: "Many times, it is necessary to treat people as if they were children, or as if they were sick." It is this quote which leads the reader to understand why Zosima has so much patience for other men who are lost and confused.
In book two there are many example of Zosima extending himself to others. In doing this he shows them love. For instance in book two, chapter two: Zosima speaks to Fyodor about lying and respect. In this Zosima gives an accurate description of Fyodor’s life in which it parallels other characters in their oppressing situations. In this scene of the book Zosima tells Fyodor:
“ The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself." (Book II, Chapter 2).
Zosima’s message is spoken clearly in book six, chapter three. It is here that Zosima, in order to augument life, gives of himself in love.
"My friends, ask gladness from God. Be glad as children, as birds in the sky. And let man's sin not disturb you in your efforts, do not fear that it will dampen your endeavor and keep it from being fulfilled, do not say, 'Sin is strong, impiety is strong, the bad environment is strong, and we are lonely and powerless, the bad environment will dampen us and keep our good endeavor from being fulfilled.' Flee from such despondency, my children! There is only one salvation for you: take yourself up, and make yourself responsible for all the sins of men. For indeed it is so, my friend, and the moment you make yourself sincerely responsible for everything and everyone, you will see at once that it is really so, that it is you who are guilty on behalf of all and for all. Whereas by shifting your own laziness and powerlessness onto others, you will end by sharing in Satan's pride and murmuring against God." (Book VI, Chapter 3)
From this quote it is easy to see that Zosima loves and cares about the people that surround him very dearly. Zosima offers them a sense of Godly unconditional love to the very best of his ability. In this quote Zosima speaks to people telling them that they should take it upon themselves to be responsible for the sins of all men, just as Christ was. Zosima simply takes peoples sins upon himself, in this he is showing active love. Zosima explains that this is their salvation just as it was his salvation. Thus, Zosima is a lover of mankind, which is explained in his interactions with others. Zosima concludes: "What is Hell? It is the sufffering for being no longer able to love.""
“Love all God's creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it. Love
every leaf, every ray of God's light. Love the animals, love the plants,
love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine
mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it
better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an
all-embracing love." -Father Zosima, from "The Russian Monk" (Book Six of The Brothers Karamazov).
The Grand Inquisitor is an argument which shows the lack of faith which continues to grow in mankind that lies in the center of Ivan’s heart and logic this eventually makes him lose his reason. Within the Grand Inquisitor, Christ’s response to the Inquisitor is simply to kiss him on the lips, as a profound gesture of love. Zosima, in other ways, mimics the kiss that Christ gives to the Grand Inquisitor, in his interactions with the other people around him. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky shows that to choose a life of love and faith, shown by Zosima, is the only constructive answer to the evil and suffering that result from free will. It is by no means the easy option, as is shown by Alyosha's crisis of the soul after Zosima's death, but it is the compassionate one.
In regards to moral responsibility Zosima teaches that every person should responsible for everyone else's sins as explained above. This is why it is so important for people not to judge others but to practice love, even with criminals, it may be through love, the criminal may repent and can be changed. For Zosima, it would be strange to his character to see someone suffering and not help them.
Zosima says that “the acknowledgement of one's own conscience" is the only effective punishment for doing wrong. Zosima believes that the person needs to reflect on his own wrong doing in order to fully repent and believe. This is the only thing that will bring this certain person to repentance. Zosima also says that “Everything passes, only truth remains.”
Through all of this, it is easy and clear to see the Zosima does portray everything pure and good in this novel. If not for him, Alyosha would not have the same outlook on things and would not be so strongly grounded in his faith. It is imperative to see that Zosima is the very essence of love, humility, forgiveness, wisdom and kindness. Zosima does not judge others nor does he make accusations. Instead he takes up their cross and walks the line. Instead of getting upset with them for not being responsible for their own mistakes in life, he chooses to carry their burden, as Christ did for us. In addition, Zosima tries to extend himself to others and teach others fundamentals of a life spent with God. In the novel, when Zosima dies, his body releases a stench. Many try to say it is because Zosima was not the person he professed to be. This stench troubled many and also confused many. However, although part of their doctrine, it is almost necessary to look past this stench, and see the kindness of his person and his characteristics his overwhelming kindness and patience with those he comes in contact with. In regards to the first quote put in this essay, one believes that it is crucial, like Zosima, to have a reason and a driving force behind everything thing in life, no matter how big or minute that things might be.
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