The Brothers Karamazov Characters: Complete Analysis

The Brothers Karamazov features complex characters representing different aspects of society, each embodying themes of the novel.

Fyodor Karamazov is the vulgar, debauched father everyone hates. Dmitri is the passionate, impulsive eldest son. Ivan is the intellectual middle son who wrote "The Grand Inquisitor" and struggles with faith. Alyosha is the youngest, kind and religious, training to be a monk. Smerdyakov is the fourth, illegitimate son who works as a servant. Grushenka is the woman Dmitri and his father both desire. Father Zosima is the elder monk who teaches Alyosha.