# IX: They Carry Mitya Away explained — The Brothers Karamazov

> Chapter companion for The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

## What happens

After the protocol is signed, Mitya is formally committed for trial. He makes a passionate speech accepting punishment for his intentions, though not for the actual murder, and offers his hand in farewell, which is refused. He bids a brief goodbye to Grushenka, who vows to follow him. He is then escorted by Mavriky Mavrikyevitch into a cart, amid a crowd of onlookers. Kalganov, who believes in Mitya's guilt, breaks down in despair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

Mitya explicitly embraces suffering as a path to purification, stating he accepts the torture of accusation and public shame to be cleansed.

### Justice and Injustice

The chapter depicts the formal machinery of justice (committal, escort) alongside Mitya's claim of innocence of the actual murder, raising questions about legal versus moral guilt.

### Love and Self-Sacrifice

Grushenka's vow to follow Mitya forever, despite his ruin, exemplifies self-sacrificing love; Mitya also expresses regret for ruining her through his love.

## Character check-ins

### Dmitri Karamazov

Formally committed as a prisoner; delivers a speech accepting suffering and purification, but maintains his innocence of parricide; bids farewell to Grushenka and is taken away.

### Grushenka

Brought in for a brief farewell; she bows deeply to Mitya and vows to follow him forever, declaring him guiltless though self-doomed.

### Nikolay Parfenovitch

Reads the committal order; refuses Mitya's offered hand; expresses a view of Mitya as more unfortunate than guilty, carried away by passions.

### Mavriky Mavrikyevitch

The rural police officer who escorts Mitya; is surly and annoyed, squeezing Mitya into the cart and snapping at him.

### Pyotr Fomitch Kalganov

Runs out to shake Mitya's hand at parting; afterward sits in a corner, weeping bitterly, believing in Mitya's guilt and despairing of humanity.

### Trifon Borissovitch

Present at the departure; stands proudly with hands behind his back, ignoring Mitya's farewell, and fusses about the second cart.

## Key lines

> I accept the torture of accusation, and my public shame, I want to suffer and by suffering I shall be purified.

Mitya declares he welcomes the pain of being accused and the disgrace of public exposure, believing that enduring suffering will cleanse him.

_Mitya's speech articulates a key theme of suffering leading to redemption._

> I have told you I am yours, and I will be yours. I will follow you forever, wherever they may send you.

Grushenka reaffirms her devotion to Mitya, promising to accompany him no matter where he is exiled.

_Grushenka's farewell underscores her loyalty and self-sacrifice._

> What are these people? What can men be after this? ... Is it worth it? Is it worth it?

Kalganov, weeping, questions the value of human existence in the face of Mitya's apparent guilt and the cruelty of the world.

_Kalganov's despair reflects the novel's existential and moral crisis._

## Links

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