Summary
The trial of Dmitri Karamazov opens with all the drama of a blockbuster event. The courtroom is packed beyond capacity with visitors from across Russia, including distinguished lawyers, curious ladies, and local officials. What strikes everyone is the intense public fascination—this case has captured the national imagination. The crowd divides predictably: most women support Mitya and hope for his acquittal, drawn by his reputation as a ladies' man and the romantic drama involving his two rivals, Katerina and Grushenka. The men, however, are largely against him, many nursing personal grudges from his wild behavior around town. The jury consists of ordinary working people—clerks, merchants, peasants, and artisans—leading some to question whether such simple folk can handle a complex psychological case. When Mitya enters, he makes a terrible first impression, dressed like a dandy in an expensive new coat, appearing arrogant and unrepentant. His famous defense attorney Fetyukovitch arrives to great fanfare. But Mitya immediately damages his case when news of Smerdyakov's suicide is announced—he shouts that Smerdyakov 'was a dog and died like a dog,' shocking the court. When asked for his plea, Mitya admits to being a scoundrel, drunkard, and debaucher, but firmly denies murder and theft. The chapter reveals how justice gets tangled up with public opinion, class prejudice, and personal grudges long before any evidence is heard.
Coming Up in Chapter 81
The prosecution begins calling witnesses, and the first testimonies will either support or demolish the case against Mitya. Some witnesses may prove more dangerous to the defense than expected.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The Fatal Day At ten o’clock in the morning of the day following the events I have described, the trial of Dmitri Karamazov began in our district court. I hasten to emphasize the fact that I am far from esteeming myself capable of reporting all that took place at the trial in full detail, or even in the actual order of events. I imagine that to mention everything with full explanation would fill a volume, even a very large one. And so I trust I may not be reproached, for confining myself to what struck me. I may have selected as of most interest what was of secondary importance, and may have omitted the most prominent and essential details. But I see I shall do better not to apologize. I will do my best and the reader will see for himself that I have done all I can. And, to begin with, before entering the court, I will mention what surprised me most on that day. Indeed, as it appeared later, every one was surprised at it, too. We all knew that the affair had aroused great interest, that every one was burning with impatience for the trial to begin, that it had been a subject of talk, conjecture, exclamation and surmise for the last two months in local society. Every one knew, too, that the case had become known throughout Russia, but yet we had not imagined that it had aroused such burning, such intense, interest in every one, not only among ourselves, but all over Russia. This became evident at the trial this day. Visitors had arrived not only from the chief town of our province, but from several other Russian towns, as well as from Moscow and Petersburg. Among them were lawyers, ladies, and even several distinguished personages. Every ticket of admission had been snatched up. A special place behind the table at which the three judges sat was set apart for the most distinguished and important of the men visitors; a row of arm‐chairs had been placed there—something exceptional, which had never been allowed before. A large proportion—not less than half of the public—were ladies. There was such a large number of lawyers from all parts that they did not know where to seat them, for every ticket had long since been eagerly sought for and distributed. I saw at the end of the room, behind the platform, a special partition hurriedly put up, behind which all these lawyers were admitted, and they thought themselves lucky to have standing room there, for all chairs had been removed for the sake of space, and the crowd behind the partition stood throughout the case closely packed, shoulder to shoulder. Some of the ladies, especially those who came from a distance, made their appearance in the gallery very smartly dressed, but the majority of the ladies were oblivious even of dress. Their faces betrayed hysterical, intense, almost morbid, curiosity. A peculiar fact—established afterwards by many observations—was that almost all...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Public Performance
When being judged, people often perform behaviors that sabotage the very outcome they need.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to assess audience bias and power dynamics before they derail your goals.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're about to defend yourself—pause and ask 'What do I actually want here?' then choose strategy over pride.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
District Court
A local court that handles serious criminal cases in 19th century Russia. These courts were part of judicial reforms that tried to make trials more public and fair, moving away from secret proceedings controlled by aristocrats.
Modern Usage:
Like our county courthouse where major felony cases are tried, complete with jury selection and media attention.
Public Spectacle
When a trial becomes entertainment for the masses, drawing crowds like a theatrical performance. In Dostoevsky's time, sensational trials were rare public events that entire communities would attend.
Modern Usage:
Think of high-profile trials like O.J. Simpson or Casey Anthony that become must-watch TV and social media obsessions.
Jury of Peers
Common working people - clerks, merchants, peasants - chosen to decide guilt or innocence. This was relatively new in Russia, where aristocrats previously controlled justice.
Modern Usage:
Our jury system where regular citizens from all walks of life are supposed to fairly judge someone accused of a crime.
Class Prejudice
When people's social status affects how they're judged in court. The wealthy and educated often look down on working-class jurors as too simple to understand complex cases.
Modern Usage:
Still happens today when expensive lawyers suggest that 'regular people' can't understand white-collar crimes or complex financial cases.
Character Assassination
Destroying someone's reputation before the real evidence is presented. Mitya's past behavior and arrogant appearance prejudice people against him before they hear the facts.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone's social media history or past mistakes get dragged out to make them look guilty before trial even starts.
Media Circus
When a trial attracts so much attention that the spectacle overshadows the search for truth. Everyone has an opinion before hearing evidence.
Modern Usage:
Any high-profile case where reporters, commentators, and social media turn the courtroom into entertainment rather than justice.
Characters in This Chapter
Dmitri Karamazov
Defendant
On trial for murdering his father. Makes a terrible first impression by appearing arrogant and well-dressed, then shocking the court with his crude reaction to Smerdyakov's suicide. Admits to being a scoundrel but denies murder.
Modern Equivalent:
The defendant who shows up to court in designer clothes and attitude, making everyone think he's guilty before opening statements
Fetyukovitch
Defense attorney
Famous lawyer from Moscow brought in to defend Mitya. His arrival creates a stir, representing the clash between sophisticated legal expertise and local small-town justice.
Modern Equivalent:
The high-powered celebrity attorney who swoops in from the big city with a reputation for getting rich clients off
The Jury
Collective judge
Made up of ordinary working people - clerks, merchants, peasants. Their simple backgrounds make some question whether they can handle such a psychologically complex case involving passion and family dysfunction.
Modern Equivalent:
Regular working folks called for jury duty who have to decide if someone from a completely different world is guilty
The Ladies in the Audience
Sympathetic observers
Mostly support Mitya and hope for his acquittal, drawn by the romantic drama and his reputation as a charming ladies' man. They see him as a tragic romantic figure rather than a murderer.
Modern Equivalent:
The people who fall for the defendant's charm and looks, writing him love letters and showing up to court like it's a soap opera
The Local Men
Hostile observers
Generally against Mitya, many holding personal grudges from his wild behavior around town. Their opposition shows how past reputation affects present judgment.
Modern Equivalent:
The townspeople who've had run-ins with the defendant and want to see him get what's coming to him
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He was a dog and died like a dog!"
Context: Mitya's reaction when told that Smerdyakov has committed suicide
This outburst reveals Mitya's complete lack of courtroom awareness and emotional control. His crude, callous reaction to someone's death shocks the courtroom and immediately damages his case before it even begins.
In Today's Words:
Good riddance to that piece of trash!
"I am guilty of drunkenness and dissipation, but not of the murder of my old father."
Context: Mitya's plea when asked how he answers the charges
Shows Mitya's strategy of partial honesty - admitting to his obvious flaws while denying the main charge. It's both refreshingly honest and potentially damaging since he's confirming his bad character.
In Today's Words:
Yeah, I'm a mess and a drunk, but I didn't kill the old man.
"Every one knew that the case had become known throughout Russia."
Context: Describing the massive public interest in the trial
Reveals how this local family tragedy has become a national obsession, showing the power of scandal to capture public imagination and turn justice into entertainment.
In Today's Words:
This thing had gone viral across the whole country.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The jury of working-class people is dismissed as too simple for a complex case, while Mitya's expensive clothes signal privilege that alienates them
Development
Continues the book's exploration of how class differences create mutual misunderstanding and resentment
In Your Life:
You might face skepticism about your capabilities based on your background, or judge others the same way
Identity
In This Chapter
Mitya admits to being a scoundrel and debaucher but denies being a murderer—defining himself by what he won't do
Development
Builds on Mitya's struggle throughout the book to understand who he really is beneath his wild reputation
In Your Life:
You might find yourself accepting negative labels while drawing the line at certain accusations
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The courtroom audience divides along gender lines with predictable biases—women romanticizing Mitya, men condemning him
Development
Extends the book's examination of how society prejudges based on stereotypes and personal interests
In Your Life:
You might notice how different groups form opinions about you based on their own experiences and biases
Pride
In This Chapter
Mitya's arrogant appearance and shocking outburst about Smerdyakov damage his case from the start
Development
Culminates Mitya's lifelong pattern of letting pride override practical judgment
In Your Life:
You might sabotage important opportunities by refusing to appear vulnerable or apologetic when it would help
Justice
In This Chapter
The trial becomes entertainment, with public opinion and personal grudges influencing perceptions before evidence is heard
Development
Introduced here as the book examines whether true justice is possible in a flawed human system
In Your Life:
You might face situations where fairness gets overshadowed by politics, popularity, or personal relationships
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Mitya make such a terrible impression in court when his life depends on looking sympathetic?
analysis • surface - 2
How do the spectators' personal feelings about Mitya affect their judgment before hearing any evidence?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people sabotage themselves by doubling down on bad behavior when they're being judged?
application • medium - 4
If you were advising Mitya, what would you tell him about managing his image during the trial?
application • deep - 5
What does this courtroom scene reveal about how we decide who deserves our sympathy or support?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Rewrite Your Performance
Think of a situation where you're being evaluated or judged - a job interview, performance review, family conflict, or social media dispute. Write two versions: first, how you naturally want to respond when feeling defensive, then how you would respond if your only goal was achieving the outcome you actually want.
Consider:
- •What impression are you giving versus what impression serves your goals?
- •How might your audience's existing biases affect their interpretation?
- •What would strategic humility look like in this specific situation?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when your pride got in the way of getting what you actually wanted. What would you do differently now that you recognize this pattern?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 81: Undermining the Star Witnesses
As the story unfolds, you'll explore skilled questioners can expose witness credibility issues without attacking the core facts, while uncovering personal motivations and character flaws can undermine even truthful testimony. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.