Dostoevsky opens his novel with a note “from the author” that sets up the stage for the coming events and proclaims Aleksey Fyodorovich Karamazov as the hero of this story. What do you think about this introduction? How did it color your reading of the novel? And how do you feel about Alyosha’s place in the story?

The “author” describes Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov as “a nasty buffoon, and nothing more.” Do you agree with this assessment? Why does the old man Karamazov act the way he does?

In what ways are the three Karamazov Brothers different? In what ways are they alike? Which of the three is most like his father?

Being “A Karamazov” is referenced in multiple occasions as a distinct quality of a person. After reading the novel, what do you think is the essence of being “A Karamazov”?

At the meeting in the Monastery, Elder Zosima ends up bowing to Dmitri, and asking for his forgiveness. How do you explain this act? How does it align with The Elder’s idea that all men are responsible for all men’s sins?

Elder Zosima insists that Alyosha must leave the monastery and live in the world rather than withdraw from it. Why does Zosima believe this is necessary for Alyosha’s spiritual growth?

Love triangles are often written to create tension in a story by forcing characters to choose between conflicting aspects of their identity. Do you think this applies to the love triangles in this story?

• Why does Dmitri struggle to choose between Katerina Ivanovna and Grushenka?

• What caused Katerina Ivanovna to be torn between Dmitri and Ivan Karamzov

Both Dmitri and Fyodor Karamazov are intensely drawn to Grushenka, leading to conflict between father and son. What is it about Grushenka that fuels their obsession

The Brothers Karamazov is filled with intense debates on religion, morality, and human suffering, especially through the dialogues between characters like Ivan, Alyosha, and Zosima. Which of these philosophical debates resonated most deeply with you? Which one do you think is the most memorable

Dostoevsky wrote the account of Father Zosima’s life and teachings as an answer to Ivan Karamazov's poem “The Grand Inquisitor.” Did you recognize that this was an answer to the Grand Inquisitor? Was his response to the Grand Inquisitor effective?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." This verse from the bible is quoted once at the dedication of the novel, then again in a conversation between Father Zosima and his “Mysterious Visitor.” What is your interpretation of this verse and how is it relevant to the novel

The trial of Dmitri Karamazov is the culmination of the events in the novel. How effective were prosecution and the defense’s arguments for Dimitri’s guilt/innocence? What was the public’s perception of Dmitri? How do these elements shape the outcome of the trial?

Multiple characters carry a burden of guilt regarding Fyodor Karamazov’s murder. Why do you think characters like Dmitri, Ivan, Grushenka, and Smerdyakov feel guilty, even if their involvement in the crime varies?

The novel portrays class differences in Russian society by contrasting the relatively wealthy characters like the Karamazovs and Katerina Ivanova, with those less fortunate such as Captain Snegiryov, Grushenka, and even Smerdyakov. In what ways do wealth and poverty influence the moral choices and fates of the characters? Does Dostoevsky suggest that class affects a person’s capacity for virtue or corruption?

What is the significance of Ilyusha’s illness and eventual death? And what is the role of Kolya and the other school children in the novel? How do their behaviors and perspectives contrast with those of the adult characters

Shortly before writing The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky suffered the loss of his own three-year-old son Alyosha. Do you see this tragedy reflected in his writing here

Dostoevsky had planned a sequel to The Brothers Karamazov that would explore the life of Aleksey Karamazov beyond the events of the novel, but it was left unfinished due to his death in 1881. How do you imagine the continuation of Alyosha’s journey would unfold? Would you be interested in reading this sequel?