Professor David Peimer
Fyodor Dostoevsky and The Brothers Karamazov
Summary
The lecture offers an in-depth look at the life of Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881) and his literary contributions, centering on The Brothers Karamazov. The discussion explores 19th-century Russia’s context post-serf emancipation, delving into Dostoevsky’s personal struggles, including epilepsy and imprisonment. Emphasizing his non-aristocratic background, the lecture contrasts Dostoevsky with contemporaries like Tolstoy, highlighting themes of love, hate, and human nature in his works. It blends biography, historical context, and literary analysis to illuminate the enduring legacy of this renowned Russian novelist.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing in New York, UK, Berlin, EU Parliament (Brussels), Athens, Budapest, Zululand and more. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published widely with books including: Armed Response: Plays from South Africa, the digital book, Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.
Yes. I forgot to mention he had a child, and died of pneumonia at the age of three. The suffering of this guy was just endless. His first wife dies. His brother dies. His baby dies. His father is murdered.
I don’t know specifically his friends and family, but certainly the culture. One of Freud’s greatest contributions was to draw the distinction between this as a medical condition and not a psychological condition. But I think in his own time, it would’ve been seen as demonic possession, whether it was Satan because his father was religious or whether it was something else.
Yes, absolutely. They all read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, all of them. Kids have to read it at school the same way that in English language countries, school kids have to read Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Faulkner, Dickens, Jane Austin, whatever.