Summary
Smerdyakov With A Guitar
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Alyosha desperately searches for his brother Dmitri, sensing an approaching catastrophe. He sneaks into the garden where he previously found Dmitri waiting for Grushenka, hoping to intercept him. Instead, he overhears an intimate conversation between Smerdyakov, the Karamazov family's illegitimate servant, and Marya Kondratyevna, the neighbor's flirtatious daughter. Through their exchange, we see Smerdyakov's deep resentment about his low birth and his contempt for Russian society. He dreams of opening a restaurant in Moscow and despises the Karamazov brothers despite serving them. His bitterness runs so deep he wishes Napoleon had conquered Russia. When Alyosha reveals himself, Smerdyakov initially acts defensive and unhelpful, but eventually provides crucial information: Ivan has invited Dmitri to dine at the Metropolis tavern. This intelligence sends Alyosha rushing to the restaurant, where Ivan spots him from a window and calls him up. The chapter reveals how servants and social outcasts often see family dynamics more clearly than family members themselves. Smerdyakov's eavesdropping and gossiping make him a dangerous wild card in the brewing family crisis. His class consciousness and resentment suggest he might play a larger role in the coming catastrophe that Alyosha senses approaching.
Coming Up in Chapter 34
Alyosha finally connects with Ivan at the tavern, where the two brothers will have their most honest conversation yet. What Ivan reveals about his philosophy and his feelings toward their family will shake Alyosha's faith to its core.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Smerdyakov With A Guitar He had no time to lose indeed. Even while he was saying good‐by to Lise, the thought had struck him that he must attempt some stratagem to find his brother Dmitri, who was evidently keeping out of his way. It was getting late, nearly three o’clock. Alyosha’s whole soul turned to the monastery, to his dying saint, but the necessity of seeing Dmitri outweighed everything. The conviction that a great inevitable catastrophe was about to happen grew stronger in Alyosha’s mind with every hour. What that catastrophe was, and what he would say at that moment to his brother, he could perhaps not have said definitely. “Even if my benefactor must die without me, anyway I won’t have to reproach myself all my life with the thought that I might have saved something and did not, but passed by and hastened home. If I do as I intend, I shall be following his great precept.” His plan was to catch his brother Dmitri unawares, to climb over the fence, as he had the day before, get into the garden and sit in the summer‐house. If Dmitri were not there, thought Alyosha, he would not announce himself to Foma or the women of the house, but would remain hidden in the summer‐house, even if he had to wait there till evening. If, as before, Dmitri were lying in wait for Grushenka to come, he would be very likely to come to the summer‐house. Alyosha did not, however, give much thought to the details of his plan, but resolved to act upon it, even if it meant not getting back to the monastery that day. Everything happened without hindrance, he climbed over the hurdle almost in the same spot as the day before, and stole into the summer‐house unseen. He did not want to be noticed. The woman of the house and Foma too, if he were here, might be loyal to his brother and obey his instructions, and so refuse to let Alyosha come into the garden, or might warn Dmitri that he was being sought and inquired for. There was no one in the summer‐house. Alyosha sat down and began to wait. He looked round the summer‐house, which somehow struck him as a great deal more ancient than before. Though the day was just as fine as yesterday, it seemed a wretched little place this time. There was a circle on the table, left no doubt from the glass of brandy having been spilt the day before. Foolish and irrelevant ideas strayed about his mind, as they always do in a time of tedious waiting. He wondered, for instance, why he had sat down precisely in the same place as before, why not in the other seat. At last he felt very depressed—depressed by suspense and uncertainty. But he had not sat there more than a quarter of an hour, when he suddenly heard the thrum of a guitar somewhere quite close. People were sitting, or...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Resentment Information Network
Those with access but no respect become the most dangerous observers in any crisis.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify who really holds information and influence, especially among people others dismiss or ignore.
Practice This Today
This week, notice who the overlooked people are in your workplace or community—custodians, receptionists, night shift workers—and recognize they often know more about what's really happening than the people in charge.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Class consciousness
Awareness of your social position and how society treats people at your level. Smerdyakov deeply resents being born illegitimate and working as a servant, which shapes his bitter worldview.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people feel stuck in dead-end jobs or constantly reminded they're 'not good enough' for certain opportunities.
Social mobility
The ability to move up or down in society's ranks. Smerdyakov dreams of escaping his servant status by opening a restaurant in Moscow, showing his desire for a better life.
Modern Usage:
Today this might be someone working multiple jobs to afford college or starting a side business to escape their current situation.
Eavesdropping as power
Servants and invisible people often know family secrets because others don't notice them listening. Smerdyakov uses overheard information as his only form of influence.
Modern Usage:
Like the office assistant who knows all the gossip, or the kid who learns family drama by staying quiet during adult conversations.
Illegitimate child
A child born outside marriage, which in 19th century Russia meant social shame and limited opportunities. Smerdyakov's illegitimate birth defines his entire identity and resentment.
Modern Usage:
While less stigmatized today, children still face challenges from unstable family situations or feeling like outsiders in blended families.
Cultural self-hatred
When someone despises their own country or culture, often from feeling trapped by it. Smerdyakov wishes Napoleon had conquered Russia because he hates his Russian identity.
Modern Usage:
Like Americans who constantly say they want to move to Europe, or anyone who romanticizes other places while hating where they're from.
Servant's perspective
Those who work in households often see family dynamics more clearly than family members because they watch without emotional investment. Servants notice patterns the family ignores.
Modern Usage:
Like babysitters, housekeepers, or home health aides who see how families really function behind closed doors.
Characters in This Chapter
Alyosha
Protagonist seeking his brother
Desperately searches for Dmitri because he senses approaching disaster. His urgency shows he's becoming more worldly and less naive about his family's problems.
Modern Equivalent:
The family peacemaker who tries to prevent disasters
Smerdyakov
Bitter servant with hidden knowledge
Reveals his deep resentment about his low birth and contempt for the Karamazov family. His bitterness and access to family secrets make him dangerous.
Modern Equivalent:
The disgruntled employee who knows where all the bodies are buried
Marya Kondratyevna
Flirtatious neighbor
Engages with Smerdyakov in intimate conversation, showing she sees past his servant status. Her attention feeds his dreams of social advancement.
Modern Equivalent:
The girl who gives the quiet guy hope he might have a chance
Dmitri
Elusive brother in crisis
Remains hidden but his location at the tavern with Ivan suggests the brothers are plotting or confronting each other without Alyosha.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member who goes radio silent during a crisis
Ivan
Calculating brother
Takes Dmitri to dinner at the tavern, showing he's actively involved in family drama rather than staying detached as usual.
Modern Equivalent:
The intellectual sibling who suddenly gets involved in family business
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Even if my benefactor must die without me, anyway I won't have to reproach myself all my life with the thought that I might have saved something and did not, but passed by and hastened home."
Context: Alyosha justifies leaving his dying mentor to search for Dmitri
Shows Alyosha choosing active intervention over passive devotion. He's learning that sometimes helping family requires difficult choices and potential regret.
In Today's Words:
I'd rather try and fail than spend my whole life wondering what if I had done something.
"I wish Napoleon had conquered Russia. A clever nation would have conquered a foolish one and annexed it."
Context: Smerdyakov expresses his hatred for Russian culture to Marya
Reveals the depth of his self-hatred and alienation. He'd rather see his country destroyed than continue living as a despised servant within it.
In Today's Words:
I hate this place so much I wish someone would just take it over and put us out of our misery.
"You're a lackey and a low fellow."
Context: Smerdyakov's bitter response when confronted about his attitude
Shows how internalized shame can turn into aggressive defensiveness. He attacks others with the same words used to wound him.
In Today's Words:
Yeah, well, you're nobody special either.
Thematic Threads
Class Resentment
In This Chapter
Smerdyakov's deep bitterness about his illegitimate birth and servant status drives his contempt for Russian society and the Karamazov family
Development
Building from earlier hints about social hierarchy tensions
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in how you feel when consistently overlooked for opportunities despite your contributions.
Information as Power
In This Chapter
Smerdyakov possesses crucial intelligence about the family's movements and plans, making him unexpectedly influential
Development
Introduced here as a new dynamic
In Your Life:
You see this when the person everyone ignores at work suddenly becomes essential because they know where everything is.
Hidden Surveillance
In This Chapter
The servant who eavesdrops and observes family dynamics while remaining seemingly invisible to the main players
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might experience this as the family member who notices everything but whose observations are dismissed until crisis hits.
Social Invisibility
In This Chapter
Smerdyakov moves through the family's world unseen until Alyosha specifically seeks him out
Development
New theme emerging
In Your Life:
You recognize this when you realize how much the cleaning staff, security guards, or night workers actually see and know.
Approaching Catastrophe
In This Chapter
Alyosha's desperate search and sense of impending doom creates urgency while Smerdyakov holds key information
Development
Intensifying from Alyosha's earlier premonitions
In Your Life:
You feel this when family tensions are building and you know something bad is coming but can't quite prevent it.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Smerdyakov reveal information about Dmitri's whereabouts to Alyosha, despite initially being defensive and unhelpful?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Smerdyakov's dream of opening a restaurant in Moscow reveal about how class resentment shapes someone's worldview?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or community - who are the 'invisible' people who see everything but get overlooked? What might they know that others don't?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle a situation where someone with legitimate grievances also has access to damaging information about you or your family?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between powerlessness and the desire for revenge or control?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Information Network
Think about your current workplace, family, or social circle. Identify three people who are often overlooked but have access to important information or observe key dynamics. For each person, write down what they likely see that others miss, what their potential grievances might be, and whether they seem like allies, neutral observers, or potential threats.
Consider:
- •Consider people in service roles, support positions, or those who work different shifts
- •Think about who gets treated as invisible during important conversations
- •Notice the difference between someone who's quiet because they're observing versus someone who's bitter and collecting ammunition
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were the overlooked person who saw something important that others missed. How did it feel to have that information? What did you do with it, and why?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 34: Brothers Finally Talk
Moving forward, we'll examine to recognize when someone is reaching out despite their walls, and understand intellectual doubt and emotional connection can coexist. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.