Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883) was a prominent Russian novelist, playwright, and short-story writer, recognized for his significant contributions to 19th-century literature. Born into a wealthy landowning family, he developed a passion for reading early in life, influenced by both Russian and English literature.
Turgenev mocked Dostoyevsky in his youth, even calling him a "pimple on the nose of literature." Dostoyevsky, in turn, resented Turgenev's wealth and accused him of being out of touch with Russia, sarcastically suggesting he buy a telescope to see the country he so frequently criticized from his home in France
Fathers and Sons ("Отцы и дети"), Turgenev's most famous and enduring novel, appeared in 1862. Its leading character, Eugene Bazarov, considered the "first Bolshevik" in Russian literature, was in turn heralded and reviled as either a glorification or a parody of the 'new men' of the 1860s.
While traveling together in Paris, Tolstoy wrote in his diary, "Turgenev is a bore." His rocky friendship with Tolstoy in 1861 wrought such animosity that Tolstoy challenged Turgenev to a duel, afterwards apologizing.
Turgenev was arrested and then exiled, not imprisoned. Turgenev was a controversial and suspicious person to the authorities. Writing an enthusiastic article about another controversial and suspicious person was the last straw
Dostoevsky has had a profound impact on literature, psychology, and philosophy. Friedrich Nietzsche said about Dostoevsky that he was “the only psychologist I have anything to learn from”. Dostoevsky basically launched Existentialism with his Notes from the Underground, and heavily influenced Camus, Kafka, and Sartre
The very heart of Dostoevsky's teaching is this: we are “creatures,” inextricably flesh and spirit, and will only find joy when we accept this fundamental reality, a paradox which is the ground of our freedom and dignity. His effort to find an image of man in search of God for his time is what makes him timeless.
Dostoevsky was a Slavophile and a nationalist who abhorred European values like capitalism and nihilism. Turgenev, while less radical than Dostoevsky, was a European liberal (Chamberlain 16). While he was living outside of Russia, Turgenev viewed Russians as lazy, passive, and capricious.
Fyodor Dostoevsky is generally regarded as one of Russia's greatest literary figures and a key figure in world literature. His works, such as Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot, are celebrated for their deep psychological insight, exploration of existential themes, and critique of society
Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.
Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing
Dostoevsky's philosophy, primarily explored through his novels, delves into the complexities of human nature, suffering, and the search for meaning. He grappled with themes of free will, morality, faith, and the human condition, often through characters wrestling with internal conflicts and societal pressures. His work is considered foundational to existentialism and has influenced various fields, including psychology and literary criticism
With love one can live even without happiness. To love is to suffer and there can be no love otherwise
