I have a profound and unwavering appreciation for classic literature. Among the greats, Fyodor Dostoevsky holds a special place in my heart. His works are often regarded as masterpieces that explore the depths of the human psyche.

However, this particular piece that I recently attempted to read nearly had the opposite effect on me. It was so dull and unengaging that it almost lulled me to sleep. I found myself struggling to stay awake and pay attention to the words on the page.

Perhaps it was the writing style, or maybe it was the subject matter that failed to capture my interest. Whatever the reason, it was a disappointing experience. But despite this setback, my love for classic literature and Dostoevsky's other works remains strong. I will continue to explore and discover the treasures that lie within the pages of these literary giants.

YouTube kanalımda Dostoyevski'nin hayatı, kitapları ve kronolojik okuma sırası hakkında bilgi edinebilirsiniz:

https://youtu.be/0i9F0L1dcsM

19. yüzyıl Rusya siyaseti ve edebiyatı hakkında sosyopolitik bir inceleme

Okuldayken tarih derslerini neden dinleyemediğimi buldum. Çünkü bize sadece Osmanlı Devleti tarihi anlatılıyordu!

\\"Politika tabii bir şeydir, hayatın içindedir. Adımınızı sokağa attığınız anda başlar. O gün ekmek fiyatına zam geldiyse, o gün benzin pahalandıysa, siz de bir arabaya biniyorsanız ve ekmek yemek zorundaysanız bu doğrudan politikaya bulaştınız demektir. Evin içindeki konuşmadan tut, bakkalla konuşman, şoförle konuşman politik bir meseledir. \\" Müjdat Gezen

Dostoyevski, Ecinniler kitabını Sergey Neçayev'in devrimci kişiliğinden ve kurduğu örgüt yapılanmasından esinlenerek 1870 - 1872 yılları arasında yazdı. Öncelikle bu yıllarda Rusya'nın siyasi ve sosyolojik durumuna bir bakmak gerek. Rus ekonomik krizi içerisinde, bebek bezinin pahalılığından şikayet eden ailelerinin ucuz bebek bezi bulma savaşı verdiği yıllardı. Ayrıca, bu dönemde Lenin (1870), Stalin (1878) ve Troçki (1879) gibi isimler de ortaya çıkmaya başladı.

Sergey Neçayev, 1847 doğumlu bir kişiydi. Yaklaşık olarak 22 yaşlarındayken, üniversitede vize-final dönemlerinden sıkıldığı için, 1869 yılında bir Rus devrimcisi olmaya kalkıştı. O sıralar var olan düzeni pek sevmiyordu ve muhalif bir kimlik oluşturmak için, Çarlık ailesinin ortadan kaldırılabilmesi için bir örgüt kurmanın çağrılarını yaptı. Bu amaç uğruna her türlü şantaj, hırsızlık ve cinayeti de meşru kıldı.

I. Aleksandr, liberal görüşlere yakınlık duyan bir adamdı ve 19.yy'da çeşitli reformlar getirmeye kalkıştı. Ancak, o sıralar savaşan bir Avrupa ve Rusya vardı ve devletin kaynakları hızla tüketildi. Ayrıca, Aleksandr'ın gözlerini kendi toplumuna çevirmekten çok, Avrupa ilişkilerine ve dinsel mevzulara çevirmesiyle, gizli örgütlenmeler başladı. Neçayev'in kurduğu gibi örgütler boy gösterdi fakat bunlar I. Nikolay'ın otokratik rejimine karşı bastırıldı. Ancak, 1848'de başlayan devrimci dalgalar bu rejimi engelleyemedi.

Dostoyevski'nin bu kitabını okuyabilmemizin nedeni, 1849 yılında I. Nikolay'ın baskıcı rejimine muhalif Petraşevski grubunun üyesi olduğu gerekçesiyle tutuklanıp, tam kurşuna dizilmek üzereyken cezasının sürgün ve zorunlu askerliğe çevrilmesiydi. Bu sayede, Dostoyevski, Suç ve Ceza, Budala, Ecinniler, Karamazov Kardeşler gibi eserleri yazmayı sürdürebildi.

Pan-Slavizm, Osmanlı Devleti'ni de zamanında rahatsız etmiş, Rusların sıcak denizlere inme idinde yanıp kavrulduğu bir zamanda ortaya çıkmış Slavsever bir milliyetçilik arzusudur. Eğer Pan-Slavizm hem Batı karşıtı hem de anti-liberaldirse, zamanın muhalif olan nihilistleri de tam tersine Avrupa'ya karşı bir açılmacılık politikasında olmak istiyordu. Dostoyevski ise, liberalizm, ateizm ve Batılılaşan düşüncelerle beslenen örgütlerin karşısına çıktı ve \\"Durun daha, kendi kimliğimizi henüz kaybetmiş sayılmayız, Rusya ölmedi, her ulusun kendi kimliği ve Tanrısıyla özdeşleştiğini savunan Şatov adında öyle bir Rus karakteri kaleme alacağım ki herkes neden bu görüşü savunduğumu anlayacak, özellikle de Turgenyev!\\" dedi.

19.yüzyılın Rusyası, memurların sayısının üç kat artmasıyla bürokraside büyük bir şişkinlik başlatmıştı. Ayrıca, yetersiz bir öğrenimden geçen ve düşük ücretler alan memurlar, ordusunda o zamanın liberalizminin verdiği yoksulluk ve işsizlikten de etkilenmişlerdi. Bununla birlikte, kayırıcılık, rüşvet ve yolsuzluk da son derece yaygın olmuştu. I. Aleksandr'ın nispeten özgür düşüncesiz ortamına Nikolay'ın \\"Ulan ben şu ortamdaki gerginliği biraz alsam çok \\"dobra\\" bir Rusya olacağız ha!\\" gibisinden bir düşünceyle nispeten özgür düşünceleştirmeye çalışması, II. Aleksandr'ın da 1861'de serflik sistemini kaldırarak milyonlarca kişiyi özgürlüğüne kavuşturması, Rusya'yı değiştirmiştir.

Bu dönemde, Rusya'da iki farklı görüş savaşıyor gibiydi. Bir tarafta \\"Ah, biraz Batı'ya açılsak ne olur sankiiee?\\" diyen sosyetik kısım, diğer tarafta \\"Geleneksel Rusya, Ortodoks Rusya, Slavofil Rusya\\" diye tutturan kısım vardı. Ayrıca, 19.yüzyılın ikinci yarısında, Rus düşünce dünyasında entelijansiya olarak adlandırılan bir kesim de öne çıkmıştı. Bu grup, hukukçular, mühendisler, öğretmenler veya bazı bürokrat ve subaylardan oluşuyordu ve imparatorluk rejiminin baskıcı yapısına karşıydı.

Eski ile yeni her daim çatıştı. Batılılaşma ile Pan-Slavizm her daim çatıştı. Sürgünden önceki Dostoyevski'nin düşünceleri ile sürgünden sonraki Dostoyevski'nin düşüncelerinin dönemin Rusya Zeitgeist'ından uzak olması düşünülemezdi. İnsan bile yalnızlaşırken koskoca Rusya yalnızlaşamaz mıydı yani?

O zaman gelsin bir Black Sabbath, Dostoyevski'nin beyninin politik kıvrımlarına!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3FyNH9v7mU

My goodness, reading Devils (Demons) was an absolute whirlwind experience. It was as if I was walking through a storm of ideas, circumstances, events, and characters.

In the first part, Dostoyevsky enchants us with his humor as a brilliant social satirist, creating a relative calm. But then, he leads us into the storm, nay, hurricane, of dramatic turns of events and existentialist torrents.

Attempting to encapsulate all of its elements is absurd, not to mention the countless characters, yet miraculously, none of them are superfluous. I can only jot down a few thoughts on what I got out of it as a political novel (though it's much more than that), as embodied in several of its principal characters.

Dostoyevsky is equally contemptuous toward the radical progressives and their nemesis, the governing structures in society, especially in provincial Russia. This is most evident in the unforgettable fête, a farcical spectacle of different strata of society.

What's most striking to me is how prophetic Dostoyevsky was in showing what can come out of political idealism. Once it's manifested in concrete action, it can lead to dogmatism, blind following of a "leader," disillusionment, escape into personal torments, detachment, and even Machiavellian political maneuvering.

The first part revolves around those representing the previous generation, with their old liberal ideals, social customs, and follies. The eccentric living arrangement between the affluent Varvara and Stepan, a tutor to her son, is at its center. But it's Stepan who is most interesting for the political narrative. He undergoes a conversion from a pompous quasi-intellectual flirting with liberal ideas to a romantic hero in both his ideas and personal life.

The next generation then follows, rejecting the old liberalism and turning to anarcho-nihilism. Dostoyevsky never clearly presents the intellectual component of this "new movement." Instead, with a masterful stroke, he delves into the depth and many sides of the human condition through psychological, spiritual, and political portrayals.

These are especially embodied in the contrast between four characters. Aleksei Kirillov is a disillusioned radical tormented by the recognition that there is no decent man nor God. Ivan Shatov abandons radical nihilism and turns to faith in God, mystically embodied in the Russian common people. Nikolai Stavrogin is a hollow man, experimenting with good and evil in a futile attempt to find himself. And Peter Verkhovensky is a sly political operative, an emanation of pure evil, manipulating everyone around him.

While deeply embedded in the political currents of Dostoyevsky's time, the novel is prophetic for the next century and, sadly, still relevant today. It's a frightening thought that the likes of Peter Verkhovensky are still among us.

Thank you, Ilse and Joe, my dear reading buddies, for seeing me through to the end of this remarkable masterpiece.

In the morning, as is often the case, you find yourself easily distracted. Your thoughts seem to wander aimlessly, and before you know it, your faith, which had perhaps been somewhat restored during the night, begins to wane again. In general, it has been my observation that faith has a tendency to ebb and flow throughout the day. It's as if the hustle and bustle of daily life has a way of chipping away at that inner strength and belief.

"In the morning, of course, you’re distracted, and your faith seems to wane again, and in general I’ve noticed that faith always does wane somewhat during the day."

If any book were to consume half a year of my time, it would most likely be this one. I can already sense the depth and complexity that lies within its pages, demanding my full attention and dedication. It's a challenge that I'm both excited and daunted by, but I know that the journey will be well worth it.

I admit that I have completed the novel a few days ago, but it has been all up in the air to put it in my reads and write a few words about this reading experience. I think that now, just before April breathes its last, it is finally time to make a decision.

I will not hide the fact that the reading of The Possessed was rather difficult for me. Besides its size, its intellectual density and intensity forced me to proceed at a slow pace. Of course, it is a masterpiece of world literature, a classic work, but I must note that there were parts that rather tired me (e.g., the dialogues between Barbara Petrovna and Stepan Trofimovich - especially Stepan constantly exasperated me). The loquacious dialogues of a political, social, and theological nature between the characters in worldly - or not - salons alternate with a plot of stormy rhythms, keeping the reader's interest intact.

So, where lies the charm of The Possessed? In the characters: extremely interesting, multifaceted, and "real." The characters pose a challenge to the reader, as they are not offered for easy and "harmless" identifications. As one reads the novel, one simultaneously loves and hates, admires and is saddened by these literary characters who are buffeted by their own demons.

This is a novel with a clear political stigma, theological implications and concerns, and, most显然, with an unrivaled philosophical depth that makes it a unique, edifying, and extremely charming literary work on the question of Evil.

"Demons" (1872) is not a novel in the traditional sense, nor is it a historical romance. It is a work of pure social activism that never succumbs to mere pamphleteering. It adopts a realist foundation to delve into the specificities of social and psychological realism, that is, it debates the issues that were driving Russian society in the second half of the 19th century, seeking to understand them from the psychological motivations of its main actors. By doing so, Dostoyevsky shows what was happening and the potential that these actions held for the future of society, hence the appellation of Dostoyevsky as a prophet takes on its fullest meaning in this book.

The real characters behind the story created by Dostoyevsky. Above: Granovsky, Tchernichevsky, Turgenev; below: Bakunin and Nechayev. (Images from the Dostoyevsky Museum, St. Petersburg).

"Demons" is based on a murder committed in 1869 by the nihilist Sergey Nechayev, the author of the "Catechism of a Revolutionary", a manifesto that presents the ideological and executive bases for the promotion of what we now call terrorism. As in his previous books, Dostoyevsky engages here in the fight against political radicalism on different fronts, from nihilism to communism. He may have been influenced by the fact that he himself, in his 20s, belonged to radical literary groups (the Petrashevsky Circle); the years spent in prison in Siberia; and a process of maturation that led him to a reorientation of his ideas, away from atheism and towards a framework of religious belief that made him immune to the reduction of the human being to a mere political toy. The radicalism that Dostoyevsky attacks is that which is based on the excision of human empathy.

After the direct attack on Tchernichevsky in "Notes from Underground" (1864), this work is perhaps his most violent political attack, full of rage and horror, to express his discomfort with everything that was plaguing Russian society. Without subterfuge, Dostoyevsky points the finger at Turgenev, Tchernichevsky, Herzen, Fourier, Bakunin, and all kinds of radical adventures that placed the individual in the background in the name of supposedly scientific ideals created from abstractions and conceptualizations that limited the human being to a mere variable of logical systems. However, after his near-death experience when he was sentenced to execution by firing squad, Dostoyevsky realizes that the human being is not a mere abstraction but someone who suffers while seeking to understand himself, and that ideas cannot be imposed on people. Thus, we have Dostoyevsky deconstructing the psychological structure that supports terrorism, both of yesterday and today. Yes, a prophet, because this work and others by the author, but this one especially, predicted what would happen in Russia, a terrorist revolution as expressed in the following passage from the book:

“[Chigalev:] When I dedicated my energy to the study of the social organization of future society that will replace the present one, I arrived at the conviction that all the creators of social systems, from antiquity to the present date of 187…, were dreamers, fantasists, and fools who contradicted themselves, who understood nothing of natural sciences and that strange animal called man. Plato, Rousseau, Fourier, the aluminum columns, all this may be suitable for sparrows, but not for human society. But since the future social form is necessary precisely now, when all of us, finally, intend to act so as not to have to reflect anymore, I will propose my own system of world organization. Here it is! (..) I confused my own data, and my conclusion is in direct contradiction with the initial idea on which I base myself. Starting from the principle of unlimited freedom, I arrive at the conclusion of unlimited despotism. I add, however, that apart from my solution to the social formula, there can be no other.”

In other words, the radical revolutionaries who discuss these ideas present as a solution that ninety percent of society be enslaved by the remaining ten percent. Equality among the 90% must be achieved through the police, state terrorism, and the destruction of cultural and artistic lives. Dostoyevsky estimates that to achieve the political paradise, they will need to eliminate "one hundred million" people along the way. This was written in 1872, the communist revolution began in 1917, and in a study published in 1997 in France, "The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression" gives the probable number of deaths at the hands of communism as 94 million people.

And today, when I reflect on this, I am scared to think about what Portugal was close to becoming in 1974. Obviously, these dangerous ideas do not arise out of nowhere; there must be favorable conditions for their germination, and Russia at the end of the 19th century was dangerously approaching the situation in France at the end of the 18th century. There was a clear need to put an end to the excessive luxury of the monarchy and the aristocratic following. Although the Romanov reign had already changed a great deal, having abolished slavery and created a much more just system of government and state, the differences between classes were still enormous.

This is why individuals like Sergey Nechayev emerged, who saw in Robespierre the only possible path, and who were preparing the ground for Lenin to arrive later from abroad and, with a certain legitimacy, apply the revolutionary manual and shamelessly defend that not just one but the entire Romanov family should be eliminated. Dostoyevsky predicted Lenin, and Russian society should have been alert. However, it is also true that Europe was not innocent in this entire process, having contributed to putting Lenin in power in Russia, with the First World War serving only as an excuse. Just as we cannot forget that if NATO had not installed an aircraft carrier in the Tagus River near the Belém Palace in 1975, along with a great deal of diplomatic activity, probably today I would not be able to write these lines with such freedom.

Regarding the book itself, Dostoyevsky's writing is not easy to follow, not because of excessive elaboration but because of the amount of context required for its understanding and thus for obtaining pleasure. The well-known problem of this literature based on a large number of characters, all with three names, plus diminutives, which requires redoubled attention in following the plot, does not help either. On the other hand, this book presents a kind of double plot line, first the older generation - Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky and Varvara Petrovna Stavrogina - with their intellectual, aristocratic, and distant way of being, and in the background, or perhaps the main one, their children - Nikolai Vsevolodovich Stavrogin and Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky - the radicals completely incapable of empathy. Dostoyevsky never establishes the relationship between parents and children, leaving it to the reader to understand that relationship, but clearly pointing in the most critical direction to Turgenev's work "Fathers and Sons" (1862).

Regarding the Portuguese edition, I must say that it comes with an extra chapter at the end of the book, which was written by Dostoyevsky to be read as the first chapter of the third part but had difficulties getting past the editor during publication. I read it as Dostoyevsky intended, and I think he was completely right. Yes, it is a strong and intense chapter, perhaps more vulgar in today's times, but it is a fundamental chapter for understanding how far the radicalism of the protagonist of the story, Nikolai Vsevolodovich Stavrogin, can go. The rest of the book presents a very undefined Stavrogin, necessary for the creation of psychological complexity, but this chapter functions as a kind of key to his character, and more than that, as an explanatory key to nihilism.

Published in VI, with images and links: https://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt/...

“Like the discovery of love, like the discovery of the sea, the discovery of Dostoyevski marks a memorable date in our life.” Jorge Luis Borges. This profound statement by Borges beautifully encapsulates the significance of encountering the works of Dostoyevski. Just as the discovery of love and the sea bring about a sense of wonder and transformation, so does the exploration of Dostoyevski's literary universe. His works delve deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of morality, suffering, and redemption. Reading Dostoyevski is like embarking on a journey that challenges our beliefs and forces us to confront the复杂性 of the human condition. It is a discovery that leaves an indelible mark on our lives, shaping our perspectives and enriching our understanding of the world around us.

Mamma mia che potenza!!!

This expression truly captures the essence of something amazing and powerful. It's as if a force of nature has just been unleashed.

Bello, bello, bello!!! This repetition of "bello" (which means beautiful in Italian) emphasizes the beauty and attractiveness of the subject at hand.

Perhaps it's a magnificent work of art, a breathtaking landscape, or a performance that leaves you in awe.

Whatever it is, these words convey a sense of excitement, admiration, and wonder.

They make you want to stop and take a moment to fully appreciate the beauty and power that is before you.

It's like a burst of energy that fills you with a sense of joy and inspiration.

So, the next time you encounter something truly remarkable, don't be afraid to let out a "Mamma mia che potenza!!!" and a few "Bello, bello, bello!!!" to express your feelings.

Let the world know that you have been touched by something truly special.

Demons

"Demons" is widely regarded as one of the most powerful novels by Dostoevsky. It holds a unique position among his works, being more profound than the somewhat schematic "Crime and Punishment" and significantly less preachy than the complex "Karamazov Brothers", although the latter builds upon some of the ideas presented in "Demons". What sets "Demons" apart is that it is the only major novel by him that incorporates a strong political element, in addition to the traditional exploration of psychology and his deep religious thinking.

Some of the main protagonists in the novel are revolutionary terrorists. Interestingly, similar individuals would go on to assassinate the Russian reformist tsar Alexander II just a few years after the novel was completed. Dostoevsky masterfully demonstrates how the pure lust for power can corrupt the human soul.

I may not possess an in-depth knowledge of world history, but I believe that the revolutionary sects in Russia during the second half of the 19th century can be considered the pioneers of using terror for their purposes in the modern sense of the word. Anna Geifman, an American scholar, in her book "Death Orders: The Vanguard of Modern Terrorism in Revolutionary Russia", highlights numerous similarities between the Russian terrorists of that era and today's terrorists.

She writes, "Converting concrete grievance into messianic aspirations and practical purposes into holy causes, they operate within distinctive parameters of a theology of Armageddon – a final battle between good and evil in which at stake is no less than universal salvation."

"Demons" is also a very modern novel in many other aspects. The methods employed by those terrorists (on the radical left) could serve as a primer for the radical right who supported Trump in the recent elections. Fake news, causing confusion and disorientation among the people, spreading rumors as if they were true facts, and exploiting the impotence of liberals in certain issues, marginalizing and discrediting the authority – all these "tools" are vividly described in the book. I was truly shocked to discover so many parallels with our present times.

However, the main purpose of the novel, in my humble opinion, is to show the devastating impact that spiritual emptiness can have on human nature. It explores how an unresolved individual existential crisis and the desperate search for completeness can lead to disaster. For those reading the novel for the first time, it is essential to read the chapter "At Tikhon’s" after the end of part ii. Currently, it is published as an Appendix as it was censored out by the Russian authorities at that time due to its "unbearable realism". This chapter is both shocking and revelatory, summarizing the essence of the novel. It is impossible to fully understand and appreciate the novel without reading this crucial chapter.

Despite all the bleakness and darkness within its pages, "Demons" is also a very funny novel. I first read it when I was 17, and at that time, it was a shocking and tragic experience. But upon rereading it now, it seems more like a farce. Generally speaking, one should read Dostoevsky's novels during their teens when they are grappling with all those big questions about the meaning of life and seeking answers. I think this might be why Nabokov was rather cold towards Dostoevsky, as according to him, Dostoevsky is not an artist. Perhaps this is the case, as I personally do not entirely share his religious and historiographic views. However, his work has a profound and lasting impact on a different level. It is not just about the language; it is about having the courage to delve deep into the darker side of human nature and constantly teeter on the brink as one returns from that exploration.

I conclude with a quote from an article by Rowan Williams: “What makes it (the Demons) so well worth reading now is its unsparing vision of what destructive forces come into the world when there is a vacuum of spiritual understanding.”

In Russian, there is a well-known saying that history first occurs as a tragedy and repeats itself the second time as a farce. This is precisely how it has been for me with the second reading of this novel. The first time, almost in childhood, I was shocked and moved by the tragic aspects. Now, it all seems more like chaos and farce. Sadly, in modern Russia, this novel may potentially be misused by the authorities to marginalize any opposition and safeguard the status quo.

Overall, the novel is about "I was horrified by the great festive power that deliberately went into filth." - words from Tikhon in the omitted chapter.

Has a character ever given you bad vibes from their very first introduction? Well, that was precisely the case for me with Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky. From the moment he was introduced in the story, there was something about him that just didn't sit right with me. I think he's my most hated Dostoevsky character. His actions and motives seemed so devious and self-serving. He was constantly causing trouble and manipulating those around him. I found myself cringing every time he appeared on the page. It's not often that a character can evoke such strong emotions in me, but Verkhovensky managed to do just that. His presence added a dark and menacing tone to the story, and I couldn't wait to see what would ultimately become of him.

I will write a review about it soon.

I am really looking forward to sharing my thoughts and opinions on this matter.

The review will likely cover various aspects such as its features, performance, and overall quality.

I will do my best to provide a comprehensive and detailed analysis, so that readers can have a better understanding of what it has to offer.

Whether it's a product, a service, or an experience, I believe that a well-written review can be very helpful in guiding others' decisions.

So, stay tuned for my upcoming review!

**Chronology**
The events in this story unfold in a specific sequence, which helps to build the narrative and create a sense of progression.

**Introduction**
This introduction sets the stage for the story of "Demons", providing some background information and context that will help the reader better understand the events and characters that follow.

**Further Reading**
For those who are interested in delving deeper into the themes and ideas presented in "Demons", there are several recommended works of further reading. These can provide additional perspectives and insights.

**A Note on the Text**
This note offers some important details about the text itself, such as the edition used, any editorial changes or adaptations, and other relevant information that may affect the reader's experience.

**A Note from the Editor**
The editor provides some final thoughts and remarks about the story, perhaps highlighting some of its key features or offering some words of advice to the reader.

**--Demons--**

**Appendix: At Tikhon's**
This appendix contains additional material related to the story, such as a scene that takes place at Tikhon's. It provides further depth and detail to the narrative.

**List of Characters**
A comprehensive list of the characters in "Demons" is included, along with a brief description of each. This can help the reader keep track of the various individuals and their relationships.

**Notes**
The notes section offers additional explanations and clarifications about specific details in the text, such as historical references, literary allusions, or other elements that may require further elaboration.

**Glossary**
A glossary of key terms and concepts used in the story is provided, helping the reader to better understand any unfamiliar words or phrases.

Chronology
Introduction
Further Reading
A Note on the Text
A Note from the Editor

--Demons

Appendix: At Tikhon's
List of Characters
Notes
Glossary