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The Agony of Ivan Karamazov


“The more stupid one is, the clearer one is.” That is one of Ivan Karamazov’s numerous profound observations. Ivan is one of the most fascinating characters in literature for me. He is intelligent and troubled but he would rather be stupid and happy. He is sensitive but such sensitivity can drive one to insanity. He is sceptical but he’d rather be a genuine believer in God.

But does God exist at all? If He does, is He a benign entity or a malign one? “If there is a God, then He is a malicious and cruel being,” Ivan asserts. On another occasion, we find him tortured by the thought that “If God exists, then, as the children are tortured, He must exist for the sake of tormenting them.” Children’s pains afflict Ivan particularly. Innocence does deserve better particularly if there is a God who cares.

Ivan could not accept God because of the evil in the world. An omnipotent God could easily get rid of evil. And God is not only omnipotent but all-loving too. One of Ivan’s fundamental problems is his inability to reconcile his intellect with his emotions. His emotions rebel against his brain. The conflict is so deep that Ivan becomes one of the most troubled characters in literature and hence most fascinating.

Ivan’s brother, Alexei is a deeply religious person. His religion gives him meaning and a sense of fulfilment in life. It makes him a saintly character. Ivan is incapable of such faith. This is where we are left wondering whether religious faith is a gift that not all people are blessed with.

I find Ivan fascinating probably because some of Ivan’s questions and agonies are my own. I could never come to terms with God precisely for the same reasons that Ivan raises. Evil in the human world is a grave question mark etched deeply on the very heart of God. Evil is so powerful that if God comes again to the human world, He will again be nailed to the cross or shot down or burnt alive by people who claim to be religious.

Like Ivan, I experience a deep longing for God within my troubled heart. But not a single religious place has ever given me the kind of serenity that I hope to derive from religion. Secluded places offer me such serenity. God has no place among believers, I feel every time I visit religious places.

In the end, I am as confused and troubled as Ivan Karamazov when it comes to God. But I have resolved the conflict by choosing to leave God to his believers. Let them fight it out as they are doing every day on the streets, in media, wherever.

PS. This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon

Previous Posts in this series:

1. Heights of Evil

2. Pip Learns the Essential Lessons

3. Delusions and Ironies of Love

4. Good Old Days without meetings

5. Finding Enlightenment

6. An Oracle Gives up his Goddess

7. The Ruler Matters

The series will end with two more posts.

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Comments

  1. Liz A.September 7, 2024 at 8:13 AM

    The problem is the definition of God. What is God? We have such an anthropomorphized vision that I doubt is accurate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 7, 2024 at 9:29 AM

      Agree with you. I have wondered again and again how God can have a gender? What will God do with genitals, for example?

      Delete
  2. Yamini MacLeanSeptember 7, 2024 at 10:51 AM

    Hari Om
    Ah, The Brothers Karamazov... A favourite tale. I enjoyed it for all the reasons you elucidate here. My life long search has served me well and I'm satisfied with the answers. What requires remembering (and majority organised religion tries to keep their sheep ignorant of) is that "God" is made in Man's own image... hence so many variations of the One Manufactured... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 7, 2024 at 11:19 AM

      What I find incredibly ludicrous is how millions of people refuse to see that Man-u-facture.

      Delete
  3. GeethicaSeptember 7, 2024 at 11:18 AM

    I feel like you resonate with Ivan for all the queries both of you have, one day you will find another character that will answer your queries in a way like they never existed. Until then you are doing good by leaving God to his believers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 7, 2024 at 11:20 AM

      In fact, Zorba of Kazantzakis answers my quest partly. I may write about him next.

      Delete
  4. Pradeep NairSeptember 7, 2024 at 9:49 PM

    An insightful exploration of Ivan Karamazov's complex character and his struggle with faith and doubt. It's difficult to define God. It means different things to different people. For me, God is an invisible power. A power that is manifested in everything living and non-living. A power that leads us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 8, 2024 at 5:49 AM

      Those who have experienced God really won't ever fight for that power. We have so much violence in the name of God(s) because the believers haven't ever understood what divinity is about.

      Delete

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