Original Text(~250 words)
Chapter I. At Grushenka’s Alyosha went towards the cathedral square to the widow Morozov’s house to see Grushenka, who had sent Fenya to him early in the morning with an urgent message begging him to come. Questioning Fenya, Alyosha learned that her mistress had been particularly distressed since the previous day. During the two months that had passed since Mitya’s arrest, Alyosha had called frequently at the widow Morozov’s house, both from his own inclination and to take messages for Mitya. Three days after Mitya’s arrest, Grushenka was taken very ill and was ill for nearly five weeks. For one whole week she was unconscious. She was very much changed—thinner and a little sallow, though she had for the past fortnight been well enough to go out. But to Alyosha her face was even more attractive than before, and he liked to meet her eyes when he went in to her. A look of firmness and intelligent purpose had developed in her face. There were signs of a spiritual transformation in her, and a steadfast, fine and humble determination that nothing could shake could be discerned in her. There was a small vertical line between her brows which gave her charming face a look of concentrated thought, almost austere at the first glance. There was scarcely a trace of her former frivolity. It seemed strange to Alyosha, too, that in spite of the calamity that had overtaken the poor girl, betrothed to a man who had been arrested for a...
Continue reading the full chapter
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
Summary
Alyosha visits Grushenka, who has been caring for the homeless old man Maximov while dealing with her own emotional turmoil. She's deeply worried about Mitya's upcoming trial and consumed by jealousy over Katerina Ivanovna, convinced that Mitya still loves his former fiancée despite their engagement. Grushenka reveals that she and Mitya constantly quarrel during her prison visits, with him becoming jealous even over her acts of charity toward the impoverished Polish men who keep begging her for money. The conversation reveals Grushenka's transformation from frivolous to deeply thoughtful, but also her growing desperation. She confesses to Alyosha that Ivan has been secretly visiting Mitya, and she suspects all three—Mitya, Ivan, and Katerina—are plotting against her. Her fears center on being abandoned, and she begs Alyosha to discover what secret the brothers are keeping. Despite her emotional outburst, Alyosha reassures her of Mitya's love while promising to investigate the mystery. This chapter shows how trauma and uncertainty can distort our perceptions, making us see threats where none exist, and how the fear of loss can make us act in ways that push people away.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Spiritual transformation
A deep change in someone's character and values, usually triggered by trauma or crisis. In this chapter, Grushenka has gone from frivolous party girl to serious, thoughtful woman after Mitya's arrest.
Modern Usage:
We see this when someone gets sober, survives cancer, or goes through a major life crisis and comes out completely changed.
Betrothal
A formal engagement to marry, more binding than modern engagements. In 19th century Russia, breaking a betrothal was a serious social scandal that could ruin reputations.
Modern Usage:
Today it's like being 'Facebook official' but with your families and whole community involved and expecting a wedding.
Calamity
A sudden disaster that turns your whole life upside down. Here it refers to Mitya being arrested for murder, which destroys Grushenka's future plans and social standing.
Modern Usage:
Like when your partner gets arrested, you lose your job suddenly, or a family member dies unexpectedly.
Frivolity
Being lighthearted and not taking serious things seriously. Grushenka used to be flirtatious and carefree, but trauma has made her deep and thoughtful.
Modern Usage:
The difference between someone who posts party pics all day versus someone who's been through real hardship and gotten serious about life.
Austere
Having a stern, serious appearance without decoration or softness. Grushenka's face now shows the weight of her worries and responsibilities.
Modern Usage:
Like how people look different after they've been through something hard - more serious, less playful in their expressions.
Concentrated thought
The look someone gets when they're constantly worrying or trying to solve a serious problem. It shows physically in facial expressions and body language.
Modern Usage:
That permanent worry line between your eyebrows when you're stressed about money, relationships, or family problems.
Characters in This Chapter
Grushenka
Transformed lover
Once frivolous, now deeply serious due to Mitya's arrest. She's caring for others while consumed by jealousy and fear that Mitya still loves Katerina. Her transformation shows how crisis can mature us.
Modern Equivalent:
The party girl who gets serious when her boyfriend goes to prison
Alyosha
Mediator and messenger
Serves as go-between for all the family members, carrying messages and trying to keep peace. He sees Grushenka's transformation and tries to reassure her about Mitya's love.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member everyone calls when there's drama because they're the only one who stays calm
Mitya
Imprisoned lover
Though in jail, he's still causing emotional turmoil through his jealousy and quarrels with Grushenka during visits. His behavior is pushing away the woman who's trying to help him.
Modern Equivalent:
The boyfriend in jail who picks fights with his girlfriend instead of being grateful she's sticking by him
Maximov
Dependent elder
A homeless old man that Grushenka has taken in and is caring for, showing her newfound sense of responsibility and charity despite her own troubles.
Modern Equivalent:
The elderly relative or neighbor you end up taking care of when no one else will
Fenya
Loyal servant
Grushenka's maid who serves as messenger and witness to her mistress's distress. She's the one who calls Alyosha when Grushenka needs help.
Modern Equivalent:
The best friend who makes the phone calls when you're too upset to handle things yourself
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how fear of loss can create behaviors that guarantee loss.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when anxiety makes you act in ways that push people away - then name the fear directly instead of acting it out through behavior.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"There were signs of a spiritual transformation in her, and a steadfast, fine and humble determination that nothing could shake could be discerned in her."
Context: Describing how Grushenka has changed since Mitya's arrest
This shows how trauma can actually strengthen someone's character. Grushenka has gone from shallow to deep, from weak to determined. Crisis revealed her true strength.
In Today's Words:
She'd been through hell but came out tougher and more real than before.
"There was scarcely a trace of her former frivolity."
Context: Comparing Grushenka's current serious demeanor to her past lighthearted nature
Sometimes life forces us to grow up fast. Grushenka can't afford to be carefree anymore - she has real responsibilities and real fears to deal with.
In Today's Words:
The party was definitely over - she had real problems now.
"A small vertical line between her brows which gave her charming face a look of concentrated thought, almost austere at the first glance."
Context: Describing the physical changes in Grushenka's appearance due to constant worry
Worry literally changes how we look. That line between her eyebrows is the physical mark of all her stress and thinking. Beauty takes on a different quality when it's marked by real experience.
In Today's Words:
She had that permanent worry line that comes from too much stress and not enough sleep.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Fear-Driven Sabotage
Acting out of fear of loss in ways that guarantee the very loss we're trying to prevent.
Thematic Threads
Fear
In This Chapter
Grushenka's terror of abandonment drives her to sabotage her relationship with Mitya through constant jealousy and accusations
Development
Evolved from earlier themes of fear into active self-destruction
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when your anxiety about losing something makes you act in ways that push it away.
Class
In This Chapter
Grushenka feels inferior to the educated, aristocratic Katerina and believes this makes her disposable
Development
Continuing exploration of how class differences create insecurity in relationships
In Your Life:
You might feel this insecurity when dating or working with people from different educational or economic backgrounds.
Transformation
In This Chapter
Grushenka has evolved from frivolous to thoughtful but this growth brings new forms of suffering
Development
Shows that personal growth doesn't eliminate pain, just changes its nature
In Your Life:
You might find that becoming more aware and thoughtful actually makes some situations more painful, not less.
Secrets
In This Chapter
Grushenka suspects Ivan, Mitya, and Katerina are plotting against her in secret meetings
Development
Building on earlier themes about hidden knowledge and exclusion
In Your Life:
You might feel paranoid when people in your life have conversations or relationships you're not part of.
Control
In This Chapter
Grushenka tries to control Mitya's feelings and actions through jealousy and emotional manipulation
Development
Shows how powerlessness in one area leads to controlling behavior in others
In Your Life:
You might try to control your partner's behavior when you feel insecure about the relationship's future.
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Ivan's story...
Maya sits in her car outside the county jail, hands shaking as she texts her sister Alyssa. Her boyfriend Derek is inside awaiting trial for assault charges that could end his career as an EMT. Maya's been visiting twice a week, but every conversation turns into a fight. She's convinced Derek still has feelings for his ex-partner Katrina, who's now testifying as a character witness. Maya finds herself picking fights about everything - why he smiled at the female guard, why he mentioned Katrina's testimony, why he won't let her put money in other inmates' commissary accounts. She knows she's being unreasonable, but the terror of losing him makes her unable to stop. Derek's brother Ivan has been visiting too, and Maya suspects they're planning something without telling her. She begs Alyssa to find out what the brothers are hiding, convinced everyone's plotting to push her out. The woman who once prided herself on being low-maintenance has become the jealous girlfriend she always judged.
The Road
The road Grushenka walked in 1880s Russia, Ivan walks today. The pattern is identical: fear of abandonment creates the very behaviors that push people away.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for recognizing when fear hijacks behavior. Ivan can learn to pause and ask: 'Is my terror of loss making me act in ways that create loss?'
Amplification
Before reading this, Ivan might have justified her jealous behavior as 'protecting the relationship.' Now she can NAME the fear-driven pattern, PREDICT where constant accusations lead, and NAVIGATE toward vulnerability instead of control.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific behaviors does Grushenka display during her visits with Mitya, and how does she explain them to Alyosha?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Grushenka's fear of losing Mitya cause her to act in ways that might actually push him away?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today - people acting out of fear in ways that create the very outcome they're trying to avoid?
application • medium - 4
If you were Alyosha, how would you help Grushenka break this destructive cycle without dismissing her legitimate fears?
application • deep - 5
What does Grushenka's transformation from frivolous to deeply worried reveal about how crisis changes people's priorities and behaviors?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Fear Audit: Map Your Self-Sabotage Patterns
Think of a relationship or situation where you've felt insecure or afraid of loss. Write down the specific behaviors you used to try to protect yourself or test the other person's commitment. Then honestly assess: did these behaviors make you feel more secure or did they create more problems? Map the cycle from fear to action to outcome.
Consider:
- •Focus on your actions, not the other person's responses
- •Look for patterns across different relationships or situations
- •Consider both obvious behaviors (accusations, checking up) and subtle ones (withdrawing, picking fights)
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when your fear of losing something or someone caused you to act in ways that made the loss more likely. What would you do differently now, knowing what you know about this pattern?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 71: The Injured Foot
As the story unfolds, you'll explore anxiety and social pressure can make people create elaborate narratives to avoid uncomfortable truths, while uncovering the way gossip and public scandal can distort reality and hurt innocent people. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.