In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky introduces Smerdyakov in Book 3 of Part 1. The author reveals the circumstances surrounding the conception of the fourth son of Fyodor Pavovich Karamazov. One late September evening, a drunken Fyodor committed a reprehensible act towards a homeless woman referred to as Stinking Lizaveta. Despite Lizaveta’s unattractive and dirty appearance, poverty, and homelessness, the townspeople felt sympathy and compassion towards her. However, Fyodor treated Lizaveta with disrespect and considered her undeserving of any respect. He and his friends even ridiculed her. Furthermore, Fyodor went on to commit a rape against her. Shockingly, he vehemently denied ever committing such acts. Later, when Lizaveta gave birth to Fyodor’s illegitimate son, it was Grigory and Marfa who took the child in, baptized him, and decided to raise him. However, the townspeople mistakenly credited Fyodor for accepting the deceased woman’s child into his home. Fyodor’s series of abhorrent actions serve as justification for his punishment.
While neglecting his fatherly duties to his other three sons, Fyodor completely rejects them for the fourth. He finds the controversy surrounding the mystery of the boy’s conception amusing. He employs his own son as one of his servants, referring to him as his “lackey.” Despite paying incredible attention to detail in telling Lizaveta’s story, Dostoevsky delays discussing the boy himself, as if intentionally distancing him. Dostoevsky claims to avoid going into detail about Smerdyakov in order to not distract the reader from the main story, but it appears to be a deliberate ploy by the author.
When we finally learn more about this mysterious character, it takes four chapters for the information to be revealed. Interestingly, Dostoevsky manages to summarize Smerdyakov’s character in just five pages, whereas he requires many more pages to depict his brothers’ characters. Through this, the author demonstrates the mistreatment of this innocent boy by all those who are acquainted with him. Grigory feels shame towards him and spreads rumors about Smerdyakov’s birth, which ultimately tarnish his reputation. All three of the brothers treat Smerdyakov not as an equal, but as a servant. Despite displaying intelligence, everyone labels and mocks him – calling him a lackey, an ass, a scoundrel, among other things.
In the sixth chapter of Book 3, it becomes evident that Smerdyakov is deeply resentful of the mistreatment he has endured. He possesses an intrinsic understanding of the violence, disrespect, and cruelty surrounding his conception. Outwardly, he appears cold and devoid of passion, but inwardly, he harbors immense anger. As a child, he maliciously expresses this hidden rage through the deliberate killing of cats. Grigory’s frank and harsh admonishment makes him acutely aware of his subordinate status within his father’s household. Through Dostoevsky’s skillful storytelling, it is clear that this son is not only treated unfavorably compared to his siblings but also exhibits significant differences in character.
The three Karamazov brothers share a common trait – the explosive display of their passion. Among them, the youngest brother Alexei shows immense zeal towards religion. He spends considerable time at the local monastery, where the elder Zosima profoundly influences him. Though he chooses not to become a monk, he commits to upholding his mentor’s teachings. Throughout the book, he endeavors to demonstrate to others how his God operates. Alexei earns deep admiration and respect for his unwavering commitment to truth, symbolizing religious devotion, purity, and spirituality.
The second Karamazov, Ivan, is known for his passionate intellect. He is highly educated and considered an intellectual man. Ivan is the only son to have successfully graduated from college. His book reviews are published, and he is well-known in literary circles. Ivan takes great pride in his talented mind and is consumed by his love for books.
Dmitri, the oldest brother of the Karamazov family, possesses a somewhat more intricate passion. His passion is rooted in dishonest and immoral deeds. He is portrayed as someone who enjoys indulging in women, money, and alcohol. His personality is characterized by a carefree and laid-back nature. He appears to attract contention and is constantly surrounded by unlawful, unethical, and shady actions.
Smerdyakov, in contrast, lacks the typical Karamazov characteristic of explosive passion. Dostoevsky specifically illustrates in the sixth chapter how Smerdyakov differs in this aspect. This chapter details how Smerdyakov systematically rejects the three passions that consume his three brothers. Firstly, he challenges Grigory’s teaching of the Scriptures, irritating him by questioning the plausibility of the Bible and ultimately rejecting religion. Secondly, when Fyodor suggests a book, Smerdyakov finds it tedious, offending Fyodor. He also fails to perceive humor in a supposedly funny book, rejecting books altogether. Lastly, Smerdyakov displays his trustworthiness and honesty by returning money to Fyodor and firmly declines engaging in immoral activities such as stealing.
Smerdyakov’s passion for cooking originates from his birth in Fyodor’s garden and flourishes in his dreams while sleeping in the kitchen. He thoroughly examines and studies the various characteristics of food. Eventually, he is sent to training school to become a cook. Smerdyakov possesses a remarkable talent for manipulating ingredients, resulting in consistently perfect final dishes. His culinary artistry becomes a part of his personality. Additionally, he devises a recipe for delicious fish soup and a plan for sweet revenge on his “family”. Throughout his entire existence, from birth to death, Smerdyakov remains on the fringes of the lives of those around him. Society does not accept him due to his unconventional birth order, symbolized by the fact that he was born outside. The household servants deliver him in the garden, and as a child, he sleeps separately in the kitchen. The author emphasizes this separation by introducing his character independently of others. Fyodor further distances the boy by sending him to Moscow. Ironically, despite all these physical separations imposed on Smerdyakov, he cannot escape his haunting past and predetermined fate. He remains perpetually connected to his mother’s reputation and trapped by his own destiny within the enclosed garden where he was born. Smerdyakov is acutely aware of his situation, carrying his tarnished name with him to Moscow where physical distance proves ineffective. While he may appear distanced and separated externally by others and himself, internally he remains confined by the circumstances of his birth.
Smerdyakov seemingly accepts his fate but is actually plotting revenge. He closely observes and absorbs information about his brothers and father, questioning their beliefs and analyzing their quirks and passions. He stores all of these details in his mind as ingredients for his plan, keeping his secrets hidden like a true “broth-maker.”
Smerdyakov’s recipe is designed to destroy everyone in his surroundings. With skillful precision, he adds the right amount of yeast to provoke heightened levels of hysteria, madness, and chaos among the people. Flavored perfectly with a calculated number of murders, beatings, illnesses, suspects, and victims, his recipe aims to ultimately bring down those connected to his life. Smerdyakov doesn’t deserve the mistreatment he endures or the treatment he gives others. However, he doesn’t outwardly express his passionate anger like his namesake, who is not Karamazov. Instead, he cunningly devises plans and manipulates and torments others while maintaining an indifferent and innocent facade.
He entices Dmitri to the crime scene like a child to candy. Smerdyakov arranges a simple opportunity for Dmitri to carry out the crime he has been repeatedly threatening. Recognizing Dmitri’s character, Smerdyakov is aware of his cowardly incapacity to follow through with his threats. Nevertheless, knowing this rare chance will ignite Dmitri’s passion, Smerdyakov is certain he will appear at the designated time and location.
Smerdyakov skillfully plans for Dmitri to be seen as the primary suspect, allowing him to commit the actual murder. After enduring years of degrading orders from his father/master, Smerdyakov takes matters into his own hands. He fractures his father’s merciless and unfair mind while positioning his master at his feet.
Smerdyakov lays the blame for the murder on Ivan, exploiting his intense desire for knowledge and his unyielding pursuit of it.It is only on Ivan’s third visit to him that Smerdyakov reveals to him the truth, the evidence (the money), and the burden of the murder.Smerdyakov repeatedly utters in the book, “it is always fascinating to converse with an intelligent individual.”He makes fun of Ivan’s intellect because he understands that Ivan is incapable of dealing with certain realities.Ivan, in fact, becomes overwhelmed by this knowledge and descends into madness.
Smerdyakov handles the destruction of his third brother in a unique manner. Alexei shows an exceptional degree of concern for others. He is greatly impacted by the suffering of Ilyusha and the other schoolboys. Smerdyakov understands that by simply targeting the two brothers who are loved by Alexei, he is also impacting Alexei. Despite his efforts, Alexei is unable to salvage the dehumanized states of his remaining brothers.
Despite his cunning and deceitful actions, Smerdyakov possesses a clear understanding of his motives and intentions. He remains fully conscious of his unfortunate circumstances, as well as his desire for retribution, which leads him to wreak havoc on a small Russian town. While he adeptly manipulates others and executes his plans with skill, he does not disregard the immorality of murder. Similar to Zisoma’s “mysterious visitor,” Smerdyakov commits his crimes out of passion, without waiting for the judgment of a jury. Like the visitor, he has already found himself guilty of murder and self-imposed a death sentence. This vicious crime and brutal punishment serve as the culmination of a lifetime filled with violence that began at the moment of his conception. Behind a facade of unwavering composure lies Smerdyakov’s explosive and fervent nature.
