Deep dive into The Brothers Karamazov

Identify key biographical events that shaped Dostoevsky's worldview, including his mock execution, Siberian exile, and epilepsy.

Describe the distinctive features of Dostoevsky's literary approach, focusing on psychological depth, philosophical stakes, and spiritual crisis.

Explain the concept of the 'polyphonic novel' as a framework for understanding the multiple, conflicting voices in his work.

Describe the Russian social class structure in the 1860s-1870s, including nobility, former serfs, and the emerging intelligentsia.

Explain the role of the Orthodox Church and the institution of elders (startsy) in Russian spiritual life.

Distinguish between the Westernizer and Slavophile intellectual movements and their influence on the novel's debates.

Describe the rise of atheism, nihilism, and radical materialism among the Russian intelligentsia.