The Brothers Karamazov

This section covers the following chapters: “The Odor of Corruption,” “An Opportune Moment,” “An Onion,” and “Cana of Galilee.”

Many people are arriving for Father Zosima’s funeral, including those who rarely or have never gone to the monastery before. They are expecting a great miracle to occur when the holy man passes. According to a common religious belief, the corpses of the pure do not smell. When Zosima’s body rapidly decays, there is a bad smell in the reception area with the coffin. Initially, the people express dismay, but then Father Ferapont, the ascetic monk who disliked Zosima, is gleeful at what he believes is Zosima’s “fall” from righteousness.

When Father Paissy is praying over the body, Ferapont publicly criticizes Zosima by yelling that the odor is “a sign from God” that Zosima was “arrogant” (335-36). Alyosha leaves the monastery upset. Rakitin takes joy in Alyosha’s sadness. Alyosha tells Rakitin that he is disappointed and angry that people reacted the way they did. Rakitin suggests that they visit Grushenka, and Alyosha agrees to it. Rakitin is excited for this “opportune moment” (343) as he is secretly hoping for Alyosha’s moral downfall through Grushenka’s seduction.

Grushenka is extremely cheerful; she is awaiting an important message from her first love, an army officer who abandoned her but now wants to contact her.