The Brothers Karamazov · Chapter
XI: There Was No Money. There Was No Robbery explained
Fetyukovitch delivers a defense speech challenging the prosecution's case, arguing that the alleged three thousand roubles may never have existed or were taken by Fyodor Pavlovitch himself, and that Dmitri's actions were driven by jealousy
What happens
Fetyukovitch delivers a defense speech challenging the prosecution's case, arguing that the alleged three thousand roubles may never have existed or were taken by Fyodor Pavlovitch himself, and that Dmitri's actions were driven by jealousy and despair, not premeditated robbery.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
Fetyukovitch argues that the charge of robbery is unjust due to lack of proof, questioning the validity of the prosecution's case.
Suffering and Redemption
Dmitri's torments and despair are highlighted, suggesting his actions stem from suffering rather than criminal intent.
Characters to notice
- Fetyukovitch
Defense counsel delivering a speech denying the existence of the stolen money and challenging the robbery charge.
- Dmitri Karamazov
The prisoner whose actions and motives are analyzed by Fetyukovitch, emphasizing his jealousy and despair rather than robbery.
- Ivan Karamazov
Mentioned as the brother to whom Dmitri spoke and who was told about the envelope by Smerdyakov.
- Smerdyakov
The only person who claimed to have seen the notes; his testimony is questioned regarding when he last saw them.
- Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov
The victim, suggested to have possibly taken the money himself from the envelope.
- Grushenka
The woman Dmitri sought to run off with, mentioned as the object of his jealous torments.
Key passages
“he still carried round his neck, and say, ‘I am a scoundrel, but not a thief.’”
He kept the money bag around his neck to declare he was dishonorable but not a thief.
Fetyukovitch argues Dmitri's sense of honor, though misplaced, prevents him from being a thief.
“‘I shall beg from everyone, and if I don’t get it I shall murder my father and shall take the envelope with the pink ribbon on it from under his mattress as soon as Ivan has gone.’”
Dmitri wrote that he would beg for money, and if unsuccessful, kill his father and steal the envelope after Ivan leaves.
The prosecution uses this letter as evidence, but Fetyukovitch dismisses it as a drunken, impulsive statement.
“Not long ago in Petersburg a young man of eighteen, hardly more than a boy, who carried on a small business as a costermonger, went in broad daylight into a moneychanger’s shop with an ax, and with extraordinary, typical audacity killed the master of the shop and carried off fifteen hundred roubles.”
A recent case in Petersburg involved a young costermonger who brazenly killed a moneychanger and stole money, with clear evidence.
Fetyukovitch contrasts this clear-cut case with the lack of concrete evidence against Dmitri.