Dostoevsky's Demons 16: Conclusion and Summary or The Dead Bodies and the Eclipse of Hope
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- čas přidán 8. 03. 2021
- We tally up the dead bodies and give an account of what the novel as a whole means. There is no real way out of the problem in Russia, if we look to the dead bodies and those who have left the town.
- Jak na to + styl
The novel was quite heavy and I found the characters confusing at certain times but your analysis is beyond praise amd clarifying. Thank you sir.
This was quite a heavy book. My 3rd Dostoevsky novel I have read but I found to be the hardest one to read. Not simply just the characters but mainly their relationships with one another was difficult to keep track of. I feel like his books deserve to be read several times to truly get the most out of them. That being said I still feel it was of immense value to go through it even if I did miss some things along the way despite my pencil and highlighter in hand! What amazes me most about his books and particularly this one is how he is able to present even the most fanatical ideas (such as the utopian society) in a way that makes sense. It is interesting look into how the psychology of each individual can take these fanatical ideas in many directions. I love that you can learn so much about history but also see how it repeats itself in modern times in his books. I love that he never pushes a particular ideology giving the reader a better scope of how these political or societal ideas can be both birthed and how they lead to ironically death. So much could be said and his books always leave me in a weird head space but I can’t stop.
Thanks much for this excellent series of videos. These have been a great help as I read this novel. This was the most challenging Dostoevsky novel that I have read, but I am struck at Dostoevsky's prescience. This is a timely novel for our day as well.
Thank you very much for doing this series on “Demons.”
My pleasure. Feel free to tell me what you think could have been done better, or what you liked about it. I am about to start a Crime and Punishment series. . .
I read August 1914 sometime in the seventies. Solzhenitsyn’s telling of the story, but especially his treatment of the historical General Samsonov is so sensitive and poignant, I’ve read this tragic story several times since. When I came across your lectures you helped sort out many of the confusing details of the battles and gave me a better grasp of the novel. I’ve since read the rest of “The Red Wheel,” as well as other of Solzhenitsyn’s novels.
I love Russian literature, music and painting, and am not sure why. I’m a 74 year old stained glass artist, and my Russian reading started years ago with “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,” and Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich.” These hooked me on Russian literature.
Your lectures are so helpful for this lay reader. Keeping track of names and following complicated plots can be confusing. Your lectures help me make sure I’ve not missed anything in my own reading and often show deeper implications in a story. So thank you. I look forward to more of these lectures!
@@marvinjarboe422 Thanks Marvin. That is the kind of comment that makes my day. The Russians speak to deep needs in the human soul and they also depict a regime and a way of life in collapse. That is why they speak so much to me. Perhaps the is why they speak to you too. Philosophy books can take one only so far in that effort. That you made it to the end of the video series--the viewers are few!--warms my heart.
My copy of FIRST THINGS came in the mail today, and after a day in the studio and my wife’s chicken pot pie, I read through the letters, then glanced at the first article and its author’s name. Bravo! Well argued truth, with Russian examples! Though I’m one of those who hasn’t read Chernyshevsky’s novel.
Thank you tremendously.
Thank you for an amazing analysis. I just finished Demons and have been watching your videos alongside the reading, which I’d recommend to anyone to dramatically enhance my understanding. I hope to return to your channel soon along my literary journey.
My pleasure. Crime and Punishment next!
My third Dostoevsky book as well. I struggled towards the end with the names and relationships. I felt there was something profound that I barely grasped that had to do with Good versus Evil OR God and the Devil. The scene between the cripple and Nikolay seemed to highlight the fact she could see, he was indeed possessed. It was kinda scary because I've seen that in a human being as well.
The author also seems prophetic in making the claim, without saying it, what came to pass in Russia was of their own making (of-course could never blame anyone for what happened but Communism is truly evil and how could he know). Which is strangely chilling, due to the similarity of atheism and embracement of immorality here in the US currently. We seem to be sinking in the same direction. It's frightening.
Thank-you for your excellent summary and analysis.
Thank you! I’ve finished all 16. Took me a week but well worth it. I am very thankful to you and acknowledge your expertise and unique ability to dissect this book. I read crime and punishment 2-3 years ago and will now go through your videos on that book just for fun 😌☦️❤️
Wonderful
This was a great series. Would you consider doing a video over the woman question in this book?
Thank you a lot for these videos. I wouldn't understand well the book without them. Keep the good work!
Thank you for your analysis. I came across your videos shortly after finishing the novel. The writing is mysterious, ambiguous, and often hilarious. Your videos shed light on each of the characters and put words to the theme of revolution. Today we face the problem of not recognizing enemies to the left. Jordan Peterson alludes to this problem with the question: how do we know when the left has gone too far?
What is your favourite Dostoevsky novel?
Brothers Karamazov. . no question.
@@profsyenor How comes it's your favourite?
@@unorthodox_dating6387 That is a long story, but simply put. Everything in Dost is there in BK--the critique of the modern, the alternative developed in characters, the problem of conscience and the problem of no conscience. VERY GOOD.
@@profsyenor I might have to read it again. I always find it hard to full grasp the deeper meaning of his novels. But anyways, I'm looking forward to your next video on Crime and Punishment.