Thursday, February 2, 2012
Chapter 5, The Elders
In Ch5 of "Brothers", readers receive an education pertaining to the elders of the Russian Orthodox Church. The elders are mystical figures who seem to wield extraordinary authority over the lives of devout believers. I am wondering what role Elder Zosima fulfills in relation to Alexsey/Alyosha's journey throughout this book, as well as the boy's life. It may be that this cleric is both a parental substitute both for the absence of Fyodor Pavlovich and the fulfillment of the religious effluence which Alexsey associates with memories of his mother. The latter possibility is hinted at by Dostoevsky: "Or again, it may have been the effect of the oblique rays of the setting sun before the icon towards which his 'wailer' mother had stretched him forth." The potential juxtaposition of Alexsey's mother with Elder Zosima is further evidenced by the spiritual connection which a novice is expected to forge with an elder, a connection which is almost maternal. "An Elder is someone who takes your soul and your will into his soul and his will." This taking in by the elder of one's entire identity and being can be called embryonic, thus heightening the maternal analogy. By bonding with his elder, a novice becomes reborn after being incubated under the care of a formative guide.
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I can definitely see what you mean about the Elder Zosima possibly filling the parental gap left by his dead mother and living father. And you're right--it's interesting that "the oblique rays of the setting sun" (an image heavily associated both with his mother and with the Mother of God) are recalled when discussing Alyosha's resolution to spend time in the monastery under the Elder's wing.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of this point at all while I was reading the novel but it makes so much sense now that you have pointed it out. The abandonment of the brothers as young children might also explain Alyosha's wandering, perhaps he is looking for the home he never had and found it in the monastery.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's especially interesting because he had before this been searching for his mother's grave...after he is finally shown it, he seems to lose all interest in it. Perhaps he is still searching for his "living mother"....or at least qualities that he believes she had that are to be found elsewhere (in other people such as Zosima, for example)?
ReplyDeleteGraham, you make a good point about Elder Zosima being a sort of father-figure for Alyosha. I'm wondering how exactly the Elder will prove influential in Alyosha's life. As I re-read the bottom of page 41, the line about obedience to Elders being different from other vows of obedience stood out. "One's obligations to an Elder are of an order different from those associated with the ordinary 'vows of obedience' which there have always been in our Russian monasteries." Are the obligations to Elders the most dedicated/most intense? I look forward to learning more about the Orthodox Church throughout the book. I'm also wondering if the theme of absolute dedication vs. half-hearted commitment will play a role.
ReplyDeleteI also think you can see Alyosha's devotion to the Elder by his care and concern over his health. It is also a testament to their relationship when he ask the Elder to be the mediator for his biological family. I also wonder with the concern Alyosha felt at the close of this section if it is just over the events which will occur or concern for the people involved. If he has to give up one family which one will Alyosha choose? His biological family or his monastical family?
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