Dostoevsky presents ideas not in the abstract, but rather as modes of practical existence (embodied as characters) that interact with other ideas. Thus the extended dialogues that characterize Crime and Punishment. These dialogues are "carnivalized" for dramatic and satiric effect. Even Raskolnikov's inner thoughts are depicted as dialogues between different perspectives. In doing so Dostoevksy provides a more accurate depiction of the way that ideas function in real life and refuses to provide idealized abstractions and definitive conclusions to the reader.
Bakhtin argues that Dostoevsky uses dialogic "communion between consciousnesses" to represent and put forth different ideas and "images of the ideas." With the technique of "carnivalization," Dostoevsky pushes these ideas to their limits, thus revealing the importance of theoretical thresholds and physical thresholds in the novel. Bakhtin also argues that Raskolnikov's discourse is created through the reflection of the questions "Who am I?" and "With whom am I?" The hero thus situates and defines himself in relation to other characters, once again highlighting the importance of the dialogic nature of human thought and the creation of an "idea."
Dostoevsky presents ideas not in the abstract, but rather as modes of practical existence (embodied as characters) that interact with other ideas. Thus the extended dialogues that characterize Crime and Punishment. These dialogues are "carnivalized" for dramatic and satiric effect. Even Raskolnikov's inner thoughts are depicted as dialogues between different perspectives. In doing so Dostoevksy provides a more accurate depiction of the way that ideas function in real life and refuses to provide idealized abstractions and definitive conclusions to the reader.
ReplyDeleteBakhtin argues that Dostoevsky uses dialogic "communion between consciousnesses" to represent and put forth different ideas and "images of the ideas." With the technique of "carnivalization," Dostoevsky pushes these ideas to their limits, thus revealing the importance of theoretical thresholds and physical thresholds in the novel. Bakhtin also argues that Raskolnikov's discourse is created through the reflection of the questions "Who am I?" and "With whom am I?" The hero thus situates and defines himself in relation to other characters, once again highlighting the importance of the dialogic nature of human thought and the creation of an "idea."
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