Summary
Kolya Krassotkin finally ventures out to visit the dying boy Ilusha, accompanied by his younger admirer Smurov. As they walk through the market, Kolya demonstrates his sharp intelligence and need for control through a series of interactions that reveal his complex character. He shows genuine insight when discussing dogs' behavior and social habits, comparing them to human foolishness with surprising wisdom. Yet he also displays his immaturity by deliberately provoking strangers—teasing market women, confusing a young man with nonsensical questions about fictional people, and testing peasants with his wit. These encounters reveal Kolya's internal struggle between his intellectual gifts and his adolescent need to prove himself superior to others. His conversation with Smurov about visiting Ilusha shows another layer: despite his claims of independence, Kolya clearly cares about the sick boy but cannot admit it directly. He insists he's going 'of himself' rather than being influenced by Alyosha Karamazov, whom he both admires and resents. The chapter captures the universal experience of adolescence—the awkward dance between wanting to appear sophisticated while still being driven by childish impulses. Kolya's behavior in the marketplace serves as both entertainment and a defense mechanism, allowing him to feel powerful in situations where he might otherwise feel vulnerable. As they approach Ilusha's house, Kolya's insistence on meeting Alyosha outside first reveals his anxiety about the encounter he's been avoiding.
Coming Up in Chapter 66
Kolya's carefully constructed confidence faces its biggest test as he finally comes face-to-face with Alyosha Karamazov, the person he's been both avoiding and wanting to meet. Their conversation will reveal whether Kolya's intellectual bravado can hold up under genuine scrutiny.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The Schoolboy But Kolya did not hear her. At last he could go out. As he went out at the gate he looked round him, shrugged up his shoulders, and saying “It is freezing,” went straight along the street and turned off to the right towards the market‐place. When he reached the last house but one before the market‐place he stopped at the gate, pulled a whistle out of his pocket, and whistled with all his might as though giving a signal. He had not to wait more than a minute before a rosy‐cheeked boy of about eleven, wearing a warm, neat and even stylish coat, darted out to meet him. This was Smurov, a boy in the preparatory class (two classes below Kolya Krassotkin), son of a well‐to‐do official. Apparently he was forbidden by his parents to associate with Krassotkin, who was well known to be a desperately naughty boy, so Smurov was obviously slipping out on the sly. He was—if the reader has not forgotten—one of the group of boys who two months before had thrown stones at Ilusha. He was the one who told Alyosha Karamazov about Ilusha. “I’ve been waiting for you for the last hour, Krassotkin,” said Smurov stolidly, and the boys strode towards the market‐place. “I am late,” answered Krassotkin. “I was detained by circumstances. You won’t be thrashed for coming with me?” “Come, I say, I’m never thrashed! And you’ve got Perezvon with you?” “Yes.” “You’re taking him, too?” “Yes.” “Ah! if it were only Zhutchka!” “That’s impossible. Zhutchka’s non‐existent. Zhutchka is lost in the mists of obscurity.” “Ah! couldn’t we do this?” Smurov suddenly stood still. “You see Ilusha says that Zhutchka was a shaggy, grayish, smoky‐looking dog like Perezvon. Couldn’t you tell him this is Zhutchka, and he might believe you?” “Boy, shun a lie, that’s one thing; even with a good object—that’s another. Above all, I hope you’ve not told them anything about my coming.” “Heaven forbid! I know what I am about. But you won’t comfort him with Perezvon,” said Smurov, with a sigh. “You know his father, the captain, ‘the wisp of tow,’ told us that he was going to bring him a real mastiff pup, with a black nose, to‐day. He thinks that would comfort Ilusha; but I doubt it.” “And how is Ilusha?” “Ah, he is bad, very bad! I believe he’s in consumption: he is quite conscious, but his breathing! His breathing’s gone wrong. The other day he asked to have his boots on to be led round the room. He tried to walk, but he couldn’t stand. ‘Ah, I told you before, father,’ he said, ‘that those boots were no good. I could never walk properly in them.’ He fancied it was his boots that made him stagger, but it was simply weakness, really. He won’t live another week. Herzenstube is looking after him. Now they are rich again—they’ve got heaps of money.” “They are rogues.” “Who are rogues?” “Doctors and the whole crew...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Intellectual Armor
Using intelligence or expertise as a weapon to maintain distance when vulnerability feels too risky.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when someone uses their smarts to create distance rather than connection.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you explain something—are you helping or showing off? Next time someone lectures you, ask yourself what vulnerability they might be protecting.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Preparatory class
A lower grade level in the Russian school system, indicating younger students. Smurov is two classes below Kolya, showing the age and social hierarchy among the boys.
Modern Usage:
Like being in different grades today - the older kid naturally has more status and influence over the younger one.
Well-to-do official
A government worker with decent income and social standing in 19th century Russia. These families had strict rules about their children's associations to protect their reputation.
Modern Usage:
Similar to middle-class parents today who worry about their kids hanging out with the 'wrong crowd' that might hurt their future prospects.
Market-place
The central commercial area of a Russian town where people gathered to buy goods and socialize. It was a public space where different social classes mixed.
Modern Usage:
Like a downtown area or shopping district where you encounter all kinds of people and situations.
Slipping out on the sly
Sneaking out without parental permission, often to do something forbidden. Shows the tension between parental control and childhood independence.
Modern Usage:
Every generation has kids who sneak out to hang with friends their parents don't approve of.
Desperately naughty boy
A reputation for being a troublemaker that follows a child in small communities. Once labeled this way, it affects how adults and other families treat you.
Modern Usage:
Like being known as the 'bad kid' in school - a reputation that sticks and influences how people see everything you do.
Thrashed
Physical punishment, usually beating, that was common discipline for children in 19th century Russia. Parents used it to control behavior and maintain authority.
Modern Usage:
Today's equivalent might be being grounded, losing phone privileges, or other serious consequences that kids want to avoid.
Characters in This Chapter
Kolya Krassotkin
Complex adolescent protagonist
A brilliant but troubled teenage boy who uses his intelligence to mask his insecurities. He's finally going to visit the dying Ilusha but needs to prove he's doing it on his own terms, not because anyone told him to.
Modern Equivalent:
The gifted kid who acts out because they're afraid of showing they actually care
Smurov
Loyal younger follower
An eleven-year-old who admires Kolya enough to risk punishment by sneaking out to be with him. He represents the younger boys who look up to Kolya despite his reputation.
Modern Equivalent:
The younger kid who thinks the older troublemaker is cool and wants to be included
Ilusha
Dying boy (mentioned)
Though not present, he's the reason for this entire chapter. His illness has brought together various characters and forced Kolya to confront his own feelings about friendship and mortality.
Modern Equivalent:
The sick friend everyone's trying to help but feels awkward visiting
Alyosha Karamazov
Spiritual influence (mentioned)
Though not physically present in most of the chapter, his influence over the situation is clear. Kolya both wants to meet him and resents that Alyosha might have influenced his decision to visit Ilusha.
Modern Equivalent:
That person everyone respects who makes you want to be better, even when it annoys you
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I was detained by circumstances."
Context: When Smurov complains about waiting an hour for him
This formal, adult-like language shows how Kolya tries to sound important and mature. He can't just say he was late - he has to make it sound like serious business detained him.
In Today's Words:
Something came up that I had to deal with.
"You won't be thrashed for coming with me?"
Context: Showing concern for Smurov's potential punishment
Despite his tough reputation, Kolya shows genuine care for his younger friend. This reveals the protective side beneath his rebellious exterior.
In Today's Words:
Are you going to get in trouble for hanging out with me?
"I'm never thrashed!"
Context: Responding to Kolya's concern about punishment
Smurov's confident response shows either genuine privilege or the bravado of a younger boy trying to impress an older one he admires.
In Today's Words:
I never get in trouble!
Thematic Threads
Pride
In This Chapter
Kolya cannot admit he cares about Ilusha or was influenced by Alyosha—he must frame everything as his own independent decision
Development
Continues the exploration of how pride prevents genuine human connection throughout the novel
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you can't admit someone else's advice helped you or when you downplay how much you care about someone's opinion.
Class
In This Chapter
Kolya uses his education and wit to feel superior to market vendors and peasants, establishing intellectual hierarchy
Development
Builds on earlier themes of how education creates barriers between social classes
In Your Life:
You might see this when you use professional knowledge to feel superior to service workers or when expertise becomes a way to avoid treating others as equals.
Identity
In This Chapter
Kolya's entire sense of self depends on being the smartest person in the room, making every interaction a test of his worth
Development
Explores how adolescent identity formation often requires proving superiority over others
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when your mood depends entirely on being right or when criticism feels like a personal attack on who you are.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Kolya performs independence and sophistication because he believes that's what makes him valuable to others
Development
Continues examining how social roles can trap us in inauthentic behavior
In Your Life:
You might see this when you pretend to have everything figured out because you think others expect it of you.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Kolya wants connection with both Smurov and the dying Ilusha but approaches it through control and performance rather than genuine openness
Development
Deepens the novel's exploration of how fear sabotages the very relationships we most desire
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you find yourself performing for people you actually care about instead of just being yourself with them.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific behaviors does Kolya use to show off his intelligence in the marketplace, and how do people react to him?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Kolya insist he's visiting Ilusha 'of himself' rather than because Alyosha suggested it? What is he really protecting?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone use their knowledge or skills to create distance rather than connection? What was really driving that behavior?
application • medium - 4
When you feel insecure about your worth, what strength do you tend to weaponize? How could you use that same strength to build bridges instead of walls?
application • deep - 5
What does Kolya's marketplace performance teach us about the difference between being smart and being wise?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Rewrite the Power Play
Choose one of Kolya's marketplace encounters and rewrite it from the other person's perspective. What did they see? What did they feel? Then rewrite the same scene showing how Kolya could have used his intelligence to connect rather than dominate. Focus on what changes in his approach and what different outcome results.
Consider:
- •How does the same interaction look completely different from another person's viewpoint?
- •What small changes in approach could transform competition into connection?
- •What does the other person actually need in this moment, and how could intelligence serve that need?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you used one of your strengths as armor instead of as a bridge. What were you protecting yourself from, and how might you handle a similar situation differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 66: The Lost Dog
As the story unfolds, you'll explore teenage insecurity drives us to create elaborate facades, while uncovering tough love often backfires when dealing with guilt and shame. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.