In this classic novel dealing with psychological, philosophical, and religious questions, four brothers represent four distinct character types: the thinker, the man of action, the mystic, and the sensualist. Their complicated relationships with their father and their women are explored in depth. At the same time, the novel unravels the mystery of the murder of Fyodor Karamazov. The novel presages the tenets of existentialism; develops insights about the unconscious, dreams, and ambivalence that preceded Freudian theory; and creates an allegory of humanity’s relationship to God.

Students analyze characters, identify themes, explore Dostoyevsky’s use of analogy, and study Russian history and name origins. They also analyze poetry; role-play; write essays, news headlines, a film critique, and a script; and compare and contrast the novel to its film adaptation.