What do you think of Grushenka?

[Allanysha]

I'm just finishing The Brothers Karamazov. I have to say Dmitri and Grushenka are, in my opinion, the most fascinating characters in the book. They are proud, smart, but fallible; and their pride seems to be their downfall.

I think they were a wonderful couple to study. They seem so human to me, so real.

I would like to know what you think of Grushenka. Is she good? Evil? Somewhere in the middle?

Feel free to say whatever you want. I'm fascinated with her as a character.

Thank you,

Allanosha

PS I'm an artist, and I call this drawing "Grushenka." It's at:
http://aoartdesign.com/tatianabig.html

[Worm]

I consider it a good guideline for judging a character, to imagine how it would be like if you would meet that person in real life (for example, Grushenka).  Thinking op die manier makes it easier to understand and feel the character, in my opinion.

I don't agree with Grushenka, and her decisions, but i have a deep sympathy for the character.


Concerning your portrait of Grushenka..
i consider it a nice picture, but in my mind i've visualized her very differently  For me, that picture lacks that sense of vividness and experience of Grushenka.. it comes across as much too modern for the Karamazow-world..

[Allanysha]

I shared something personal with others. Your critique was uncalled for and I feel embarrassed. I don't think I'll be returning here. This isn't a place to judge artwork. It's about a book.

[Worm]

I'm sorry.

It's just a part of an opinion about it, that's all.  It's a very beautiful drawing, really.  I just commented on it, that's all.  I forgot how personal it was to you, i just regarded it as "just another drawing", which it obviously isn't.

[Allanysha]

Thank you. I appreciate that. I did the drawing, then afterward it reminded me of Grushenka, so I named it after her.

Art is a very personal thing. I can only imagine how it felt for Dostoevsky when critics said his book was too long and not to the point. Or at least that's what I've read.

I actually imagine Grushenka to be more robust, and, yes, a more classic beauty, than this woman, but I think I see something in the eyes and the hair, or something.

Anyway, thanks.

[Worm]

i'm glad you've accepted my apology if you want i'll remove my comment
Yes, she has something of Grushenka to her.  Everybody visualizes the characters of a novel in a slightly personal, and unique, way.  There's not just one right picture of her.

Yeah, well, most artists get their art broken down, it's part of the job, imo.  It's important to listen to their critique, and discuss it and perhaps they'll get another opinion about it,
and perhaps it's a good perspective they give, and your art will grow from it.  we are not alone in the world


 

[monika]

OMG I just love her!
the way she laughed at Katia  
when she didn't kissed her hand after katia kissed Grushenka's hand  
She is smart, and proud
she makes an apirance

[Eternal Wife]

When Grushenka didn't kiss Katya's hand I was ready to cry, really. ) At first I loathe her, but after - not. She's strong character and she's worth admiration.
At least I admire her

[mojga]

To Allanysha,

You are a good painter, but I think Grushenka in Dostoevsky's mind was quite different; I suggest you watch the film "Brothers Karamazov" directed by Ivan Pyrev; his choice of actress to play Grushenka's role is excellent. I suggest you to draw her picture, it will be wonderful and then share it with us. You can find some part of the film on Youtube.
Good Luck!

[Ivan the tolerable]

What a great question!  It's been many years since I last read
The Brothers K. but my feelings toward her are much influenced by the
story she relates about the sinful woman who had only ever done one
good deed - she once gave an onion to an old peasant woman.
So when Grushenka dies and is thrown into the lake of fire
( which, it's just occurred to me may indeed be, in order
to satisfy Dante's topography, a ring of fire )
But I digress. An angel asks to try and pull her out of the lake
using only the onion. So the angel flies to Grushenka and calls to her
to take hold of the onion. She does and is slowly pulled out from the fire.
But as she goes other sufferers reach up to try and also be carried from the lake. Grushenka kicked and struggled to evade their hands:
" Go Away!! This is my onion!!" she cries at her fellow damned and the
onion slips through her fingers and she falls back into the fire.
Does anyone know of a copy  of this Fairy Tale? I have a few books of
collected Russian Short Stories but can't find that or most of all, a
story called THE BIG STOVE* which I had on a 45rpm narrated by Danny
Kaye. It involves a fellow who installs a huge oven in his little house and
so much fuel does it demand that at the end he chops up all his furniture
 and maybe even the house itself to feed this insatiable appetite.
If ANYONE knows anything I'll be forever in your debt.
I'm rather a disciple of Carl Jung, but I find if one thinks back and tries to recall the fairy tales that most captured our attention when children,
often they can articulate a lot about the life and patterns of behaviour
weve lived in the intervening years.
 Ivan the Tolerable
*: This is the title I recall

All Haste is of the Devil
(attributed to the Koran but not to be found there)