Dostoevsky biography

[Canerican]

OK, I wrote this biography just now, could you guys read it and leave me feedback, it should be written for a grade 12 level, please note that this is a first rough draft that took me about 30 minutes to write.


   Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoevsky was born on November 11 1821 in Moscow, Russia. His father was a doctor, fairly wealthy, yet abusive, controlling, and at times tyrannical to his family. His mother was a very quiet pious woman, who died before Dostoevsky wassixteen. Partly due to his poor family life, Dostoevsky began to a love for reading, especially E.T.A. Hoffmann, Honore de Balzac, and Nikolai Gogol. At his father’s insistence D went to school to become an engineer, he however strongly disliked this career and wanted to write. While at school, his father was murdered, presumably by his own serfs, although D rarely spoke of the murder, yet Oedipal themes are frequent in his works. Sigmund Freud suggested that D’s epilepsy was caused by guilt for his father’s murder.
   He eventually graduated from engineering school, but without any parental pressure he chose to go into a literary career. His first work appeared when he was just 22 years old, a translation of Honore de Balzac’s Eugenie Grandet, appeared in a St. Petersburg literary journal. Two years later, in 1846, at the age of 24 he published his first original work, Poor Folk, an epistolary short novel which was a serial in a Petersburg journal. He immediately earned the respect and friendship of Vissarion Belinsky, the most influential critic in Russia of that day. This was what truly made D’s writing career take off.
   Dostoevsky joined Belinsky’s literary circle, but later broke off all ties with him after Belinsky judged D’s, “The Double,” “Mr. Prokharkin,” and “The Landlady” as being devoid of any social message. It is interesting to note that although the two latter books are not considered great, “The Double” is considered a great and important book in Russian and Dostoevskyan history.
   In 1848 D joined what was little more than a discussion group led Mikhail Petrashevsky, known as the Petrashevsky circle. They were to discuss the political climate of that day. The entire group was arrested, accused of trying to cause a revolution in Russia under Czar Nicolas I. Dostoevsky, it is believed by some held a great deal of contempt for the Czar even before he was arrested and sentenced to die by a firing squad.
   In Czarist Russia, public executions were not uncommon; this was the way D was supposed to die. The whole town was invited to the Semyonovsky square to watch the men be executed. A few minutes before the first man was to be shot an imperial messenger rode on horseback delivering a message: the men had received a last minute reprieve. Instead they were all sentence to four years in prison and four year in the service of the Siberian army. This mock execution strongly impacted D; one of the men within the Petrashevsky circle became severally mentally unstable.
   While in prison the only book he was allowed to have was the New Testament of the Bible. In prison D experienced a very dramatic spiritual and philosophical transformation. After his release Dostoevsky wrote “House of the Dead” also known as “Memoirs from the House of the Dead”. The house of the dead referred to the Russian prison and was written to give insight to Russian prison system, the lower classes and an insight into the criminal mind. In prison his exhaustive study of the New Testament allowed him to adopt more liberal views, and left prison believing that “man’s only means of redemption is through suffering.” (Dostoevsky, translated by Constance Garnett)
   Dostoevsky was released from serving in Siberian garrison in 1859 and went back to St. Petersburg. Once he was released his attitude changed wholly towards politics and life in general, held a newfound belief that the government should be molded around the people’s religion whatever that may be. The years following his release were marked by terrible person tragedy and trials. The death of his wife and brother were both extremely painful for him. A gambling addiction plagued, and eventually caused devastating consequences. Also the Russian authorities forced him to close his journals. However it was during this time that D’s career started reaching unimaginable heights. He wrote two of his most highly esteemed stories during this time: Crime and Punishment, and Notes from the Underground.
   1867 marked the year Dostoevsky fled Russia for Western Europe, not much is known of this time, but D’s impression of the land was very negative. His travels were not fruitless however; he finished one book, The Idiot, based on a Hans Holbein painting (Christ taken from the Cross). He began another book titled, The Possessed, which brings up one in concentrated form, one D’s most important philosophies, nihilism.
   In 1880 D began work on one of his final greatest novels, The Brothers Karamazov. Later that year gave a speech at Pushkin’s memorial statue; the speech was marked for its greatness, and is known today as being as much a tribute to Pushkin as to Dostoevsky himself. It is interesting to note that even though Leo Tolstoy was alive and by many accounts the second most popular Russian author of the time he never met Fyodor Dostoevsky. Yet, when he heard of D’s death he broke down immediately and fell into a mild depression.

[kudzai]

hi Canerican ~

I think you spend too much time on Dostoevsky's formative years and not enough time on his artistic glory years (1866 onwards), which makes it read like your racing against the word count towards the end of your biography.

Three points that stand out to me:

1. Dostoevsky's views became more conservative after his time in prison.

2. I think your description of The Idiot as being based on 'an Hans Holbein painting' is incorrect and far too simplistic.

3. I read The Demons as an attack on the tyranny of liberalism..... in my opinion it is a mistake to dwell on  the so called philosophy of nihilism as being central to Dostoevsky's works.

I hope you read this as being constructive and good luck with your assignment.

            In peace kudzai.

PS. I think Dostoevsky fled Russia in early 1866.

[Canerican]

Thank you for your comments. I will make some modifications, and modify my initial post. Actually, it is intersting, I went over the word count limit, so it needs a great deal of editing.

Thanks once again

Jeff

[kudzai]

Considering your word limitation maybe you should seriously narrow down your biography to the seminal moments in Dostoevsky's life - particulars of birth, publication of Poor Folk,  Petrashevsky Circle and mock execution etc, time spent in prison changing his political outlook, with publication of Notes the world first heard his true original voice, fleeing Russia in 1866 and finishing C&P and The Gambler in exile (here you can talk of his weakness for gambling and his love for the Russian people), The Idiot, Demons and finally TBK.
I would close with an overview of his influence etc.

Just a suggestion, hope it helps

                 kudzai.

[Alyosha-II]

Hello Canerican:

I enjoyed reading your draft biography of Dostoevsky.

One general comment I would make is that trying to explain Dostoevsky's life in terms of the liberalism or conservatism of his outlook is potentially misleading because the meanings of conservatism and liberalism today are quite different today from what they were in Russia during the middle of the nineteenth century.  An important fact that you leave out is that Dostoevsky's family of origin was devoutly Christian.  Much of his life and his greatest works are focused on his attempts to integrate his faith with his life and the changes that were occurring in Russian society.

Concerning Dostoevsky's relationship with his father, the classic biography by Joseph Frank, Dostoevsky: The Seeds of Revolt 1821-1849 makes the point that Dostoevsky's father was not particularly wealthy and although he was very difficult to get along with, he was not abusive and Fyodor loved him very much.  Also Joseph Frank's biography carefully examines the evidence with respect to the death of Dostoevsky's father and concludes that he probably was not murdered by the serfs on his small estate.  However, Dostoevsky seemed to have believed that his father had been murdered and this influenced his attitude and outlook on life.  There is a wonderful appendix in Frank's book that refutes Sigmund Freud's claims about Dostoevsky's relationship to his father.

Concerning the Petrashevsky Circle, it is important to also note that the major concern that led to Dostoevsky's participation in the Circle was his hope for the ending of serfdom in Russia.  Also, in volume 2 of Joseph Frank's biography, The Years of Ordeal 1850-1859 he suggests that the objectives of the Petrashevsky Circle were seditious.

I believe that it is inaccurate to state that after Dostoevsky left Siberia he "held a newfound belief that the government should be molded around the people’s religion whatever that may be."  Instead, it would be more accurate to state that Dostoevsky came to a radically different integration of both his faith with his life and with the challenges that were then facing Russian society.  He came to the conviction that the nihilists and others who wanted a purely secular political order were undermining the necessary spiritual foundations of politics and political action.

Finally, it would be good to mention Dostoevsky's second marriage because it was a very happy and successful.  Also his second wife, Anna, played a vital part in his greatest literary successes.

Hope this Helps!
Alyosha-II  

[Canerican]

Thank you for all of the help, I handed the biography in to the teacher to review, he said I have 100% but I will take you advice, modify it and hopefully turn it into something that will totally blow him away. I enjoy writing so much that doing this prject does not even seem like work. This project incorporates my two favorite academic activities, studying Russia/ Russian literature, and writing.

The project is far from being done though, there are five parts in all:
1) Biography 2-3pp
2)Characterstics of the author  2-3pp
  -writing style
  -subject matter
3) Impact on culture  2-3pp
  -Social impact
  -artistic impact
4) Personal Response 1pp

If you have any ideas for these sections please give them. I will post the sections as I complete them.

Jeff

[Worm]

Nice text.

I always believed Tolstoy died before Dostoevsky died .. ? .. no?

[Canerican]

I am quite sure not, but if I am mistaken and have some texts to refute mine, please display them, because that would be a severe error on my part.

[Worm]

My error ..

"While Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky—the other giant of 19th century Russian literature—both praised each other and were equally influenced by each other works, they never met in person. Tolstoy reportedly burst into tears when he learned of Dostoevsky's death. At the time, both were considered by both critics and the public to be Russia's greatest novelists. "

[MikeK]

The talk of Dostevsky and Tolstoy in this thread sent me scurrying to my Joseph Frank biography since I remembered that he had mentioned some of Dostoevsky's reactions to, and thoughts about, Tolstoy.  Here's an interesting anecdote about the two great 19th century Russian novelists.  The context of this passage is Frank describing Tolstoy's reclusiveness:


"These lectures [a famous series of 'Lectures on Godmanhood' that Solovyev gave in Petersburg all through the Winter and early Spring of 1878] were a great public as well as cultural event, and the hall was filled not only with students normally adverse to anything smacking of the religious or theological, but also with the cream of Petersburg cultivated society.  Nikolay Strakhov was there as well as the Dostoevskys, and on one occasion, instead of the usual conversation and exchanges of pleasantries, they noticed a certain evasiveness in his behavior.  Dostoevsky thought the cause might have been some unsuspected slight to the amour-propre of their touchy friend, but Strakhov later explained that his comportmentin this instance 'was a special case.'  'Count Leo Tolstoy came to the lecture with me.  He asked me not to introduce him to anyone, and that was why I stayed away from all of you.'  Dostoevsky was surprised and disappointed that he had not at least been given the opportunity to scrutinize Tolstoy in the flesh:  'But why didn't you whisper to me who was with you?' he asked Strakhov reproachfully.  'I would have taken a look at him at least!'  The two giants of Russian literature, who were for the only time in their lives in the same place at the same time, were thus deliberately kept apart.  One wonders whether Strakhov pointed out Dostoevsky to Tolstoy, who would thus have been able to gather a personal impression.  Anna [Dostoevsky's second wife] notes that 'in later years Feofor Mikhailovich more than once expressed his regret at never having met Tolstoy in person.'"     [...] are mine.

-"Dostoevsky: The Mantle of the Prophet, 1871-1881" (Volume V); Joseph Frank
Part III: 'With Words To Sear The Hearts Of Men'
Chapter 20: 'Man in the Middle'; pgs 386-387

[MikeK]

Another extract from Frank's bio regarding Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.  This one explaining Dostoevsky's last recorded opinions of Tolstoy before his death:


"'This enchanting and unique evening has remained fixed in my memory forever,' the countess continues.  'I heard Dostoevsky with reverence: he spoke, like a true Christian, about the fate of Russia and the whole world; his eyes burned, and I felt in him a prophet.'  The countess, a devout Christian, had broken into tears when her cousin Lev [Tolstoy] had announced to her in 1878 that he no longer accepted the divinity of Christ or regarded Him as the Saviour; and the letter she read to Dostoevsky [that Tolstoy had sent her] contained many of the same sentiments.  'I can see Dostoevsky before me now, as he clutched his head and in a despairing voice repeated: "Not that! Not that!"  He did not sympathize with a single thought of Lev Nikolaevich; despite which he gathered up all the writing lying on the table: the original and the copy of Lev's letter.  From some of his words I concluded that the desire was stirring within him to dispute the false ideas of Lev Nikolaevich.'  Countess Tolstaya's intuition was quite accurate, and although he did not live to carry out his intention, his last notebook contains the entry: 'To what extent man has WORSHIPPED himself (Lev Tolstoy)'."
[...] are mine;  (Lev Tolstoy) is Dostoevsky's own parenthesis

-"Dosteovsky: The Mantle of the Prophet, 1871-1881 (Volume V); Joseph Frank
-Part V: 'Death and Transfiguration'
Chapter 39: 'Notes for a Phantom Future'; pgs 720-721


Can you imagine if Dostoevsky lived and produced a work intended to confront Toltoy and his 'new tendency', as Dostoevsky put it?  

[Worm]

Thx.  

Post more.

[Canerican]

I have been gone on spring break, I will try and write another section by Tuesday. By the way, does anyone have a firm knowledge of MLA referencing? My teacher says that at the end of evey single paragraph I should put in text citations for whatever sources I got ideas from. So in theory I could have the same 5-6 citations at the end of every paragraph. This does not seem right to me, but I have only used MLA a handful of times. I would really like it if someone could help me with this, I scowered the internet looking for this answer but found nothing.

-Jeff

[MikeK]

Well, more was requested after my Dostoevsky/Tolstoy posts so I went back to my Frank biography to find some other thoughts of Dostoevsky about other writers.  Since there seems to be much interest in Edgar Allen Poe on this board, here are some fascinating thoughts on Dostoevsky and Poe from Frank's bio:


     A lengthier preface in the first issue [of Dostoevsky's publication 'Time'] precedes three stories by Edgar Allen Poe ['THe Devil in the Belfry', 'The Tell-Tale Heart', and 'The Black Cat'], and both Dostoevsky's text and the translations can be linked...with his creations of the next few years.  Some of Poe had been translated into Russian previously; but since he had not attracted much attention, Dostoevsky's preface, in the words of a Soviet Russian scholar, contains "the first serious and penetrating evaluation of the American writer made in Russia".  Indeed, according to an American specialist, Dostoevsky's preface of 1860 includes "the most perceptive observations yet made in any language specifically on Poe's artistic technique."     [Quotes from hereon are Dostoevsky's]
     What struck Dostoevsky in Poe was "the vigor of his imagination," which he defines as "the power of specific detail":  Poe will invent the most extraordinary and even impossible situations, but in his "stories you will so clearly see all the details of the form of the existence presented to you" that the reader is absolutely convinced of their verisimilitude.  Unlike Baudelaire, whose translations of Poe (including the prefatory essays) Dostoevsky had certainly read, he does not view him as a 'poete maudit' condemned by the reigning vulgarity of American life; rather, he suggests quite brilliantly that the outstanding feature of Poe's imagination is typically American.  Materialism was presumed to be the dominating aspect of American civilization, and "if there is the fantastic in Poe, it has, so to speak, something material about it.  Clearly, he is fully an American even in his most fantastic stories".
     Yet, for all his admiration of Poe's talent, Dostoevsky does not consider him the equal of another 'fantasist', E.T.A. Hoffmann, whose work had exercised a strong influence on Russian literature in the 1830's and whom Dostoevsky had read as an adolescent with reverent attention. ... Poe is inferior to Hoffmann, not so much as a writer, but as a 'poet', since the German Romantic constantly infuses his work with aspiration toward "an ideal" - and in such aspiration Dostoevsky locates "the purity, and the real, true beauty inherent in man."  Dostoevsky's own best post-Siberian creations, one might say, attempt to strike a balance between the two writers, rivaling Poe for vividness and verisimilitude but never losing Hoffmann's sense of teh unearthly and the transcendent as a controlling force in human life.

- 'Dostoevsky: The Stir of Liberation, 1860-1865' (Volume III); Joseph Frank;
Part I: 'A Time of Hope'; Chapter 6: 'Petersburg Visions'; Pgs. 73-75

[Worm]

Mm, nice.

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