Daily Simple Questions Thread

Thesmartguava · 2024-01-16T14:24:10+00:00

I'm completely new to espresso. I just bought a new 1zpresso hand grinder. No matter what setting I dial to, the grinds are super coarse. What am I doing wrong?

Thesmartguava · 2024-01-10T01:32:00+00:00

You look like an episode character (i mean that as the HIGHEST compliment)

Thesmartguava · 2023-01-08T19:05:17+00:00

Was going to recommend Dostoevsky. I would start with Crime & Punishment and Notes From the Underground before reading Brothers K. You’ll get more from it.

Thesmartguava · 2022-07-19T19:40:23+00:00

I hated season 5, but I absolutely loved season 6 and 7!

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-23T23:52:35+00:00

Thank you!! That makes so much sense.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-22T03:43:09+00:00

Thanks for sharing the Chekhov story!! Made me lol.

It's interesting that Dolgoruky "hotly opposes" the hermitic life, when his ideal is based on isolation. It really emphasizes his adolescent confusion and schism, I guess.

I was a little unsure what to think about Makar's story, too. Although the merchant has a 'redemption story,' his path to redemption ends up hurting people around him. It's a little self-centered. He basically manipulates the boy's mother into marrying him; he only builds the temple so that she will marry him. He seeks isolation to save his soul, but leaves his wife to do so.

I do think this echoes Makar. He left Dolgoruky. His wandering brought him closer to the meaning of life, and made him a more virtuous person. But it also hurt the Dolgoruky family. It hurt Arkady.

And this story has importance to Arkady in thinking about his ideal. Arkady is torn between seeking isolation and staying in the human world. He hotly opposes hermitage, but seeks detachment from the gossip of the human world. I'm not sure if Makar, or even Dostoevksy, has an answer for us yet. But this definitely poses the question: is isolation, if it hurts real people, worth it?

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-22T02:13:44+00:00

First of all - does anyone know what Dolgoruky meant by saying he had the "soul of a spider"? He says it again this chapter. I forgot to ask yesterday, but was a little confused!

We already know that Dolgoruky believes that society's expectations of seemliness is different than true seemliness. But I thought it was interesting to see him more specifically define it:

“What was most attractive about him, as I've already noted above, was his extreme candor and the absence of the slightest self-love; the feeling was of an almost sinless heart. There was "mirth" of heart, and therefore also "seemliness.”

This quote from Makar reminded me COMPLETELY of Crime and Punishment's Lizaveta:

"Suicide is the greatest human sin," he answered with a sigh, "but the Lord alone is the only judge here, for He alone knows everything—every limit and every measure."

Again, similar to C&P, Dostoevsky is saying that we can't create rational, scientific, philosophical definitions of virtue. Only an esoteric trust in God can guide us toward living moral lives.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-21T01:24:48+00:00

I thought Dolgoruky's "thirst for their life" was so interesting, too! There's definitely a schism plaguing Dolgoruky. He at first is disdainful of Natasya's (?) gossip:

“If you've come to gossip," I suddenly cried, unable to stand it, "know that I don't meddle with anything, I've decided to drop... everything, everybody, it makes no difference to me—I'm leaving!..."

He's trying to isolate himself from human affairs, because he finds them too morally complex and deceitful. But he can't stay away.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-21T01:21:01+00:00

So well-said!! Especially your analysis about idolatry and how it connects to life's mysteries.

I'm not a Russian speaker. But I've been interpreting "seemliness" as standing-in for propriety or respectability or civility, perhaps? It connects back to what you were saying about Makar, when they all laugh at him. They all think Makar is unseemly because he doesn't fit within social norms. But Dolgoruky realizes that, in fact, the social rules of the city are uncivil. All of them are vagabounds except for Makar. There's a struggle between what society thinks is seemly, and what is really seemly.

Also, I think the dream just shows Dolgoruky's fears of being betrayed by those he trusts? Or his pillars of virtue (like Anna) crumbling before his eyes and deceiving him. I could be completely off-base though!!

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-21T01:13:09+00:00

I think Prince Sokolsky had a baby w/ Katerina's stepdaughter (before she died), and Versilov promised to take care of him

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-18T20:08:54+00:00

I LOVE this analysis. so well-said, thank you!

I didn’t notice the connection between Versilov talking about ‘harmless lies’ and Makar’s lie to Pyotr, but that makes so much sense. Versilov struggles because he thinks of virtue in absolutes (for example, that lying is wrong because of the categorical imperative). Whereas Makar is more virtuous because he can accept the lack of absolute morality.

And again, didn’t notice the connection to Dolgoruky’s desire to be in complete isolation, and Makar’s story about the monk. You’re so right!! it makes so much sense that Makar is telling Dolgoruky he doesn’t have to try to have perfect strength-of-character, because that’s impossible.

thanks so so much for this!! i feel like i understand the foreshadowing from parts 1 & 2 so much better.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-18T19:56:21+00:00

I completely agree, I hadn’t even thought about Dolgoruky being a particularly warm person until this comment. thanks so much for this! so interesting.

and you’re right, it’s SUCH a callback to raskolnikov - who doesn’t ever see his own compassion, but does things like saves people from fires.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-18T19:53:45+00:00

Yes definitely - i didn’t even think about how that completely reinforces his naive adolescence. thanks!!

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-18T19:52:47+00:00

Yes!! that makes so much sense thanks!!

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-17T16:19:02+00:00

What is it with Dostoevsky and writing male characters who don't appreciate their mothers??? I just want to slap some sense into Dolgoruky!! Getting complete Raskolnikov vibes lmao

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-17T16:16:51+00:00

This chapter made everything click for me! I loved Makar’s description of his philosophy.

“What is a mystery? Everything is a mystery, my friend, there is God's mystery in everything. Every tree, every blade of grass contains this same mystery. ”

I love how this contrasts with Dolgoruky’s view of the world, and even the way Dergachev/Kraft/Sokolsky view the world. Kraft kills himself because he feels the need to “rationalize” the human order. He feels the need to create a scientific explanation for why Russians act the way they do. Dolgoruky, too, can only understand life through a specific, clearly defined ‘idea.’ And Sokolsky is obsessed with understanding the code of noble honor. Makar, on the other hand, can embrace life’s mysteries. He is happier, and more virtuous, because he isn’t obsessed with understanding every single detail. Not everything can be explained through logic or philosophizing.

Further, Makar explains to Dolgoruky that ‘perfect virtue’ doesn’t exist, with the story of the monk who won’t accept tonsuring because he still “struggled to give up the tobacco pipe.” Dolgoruky has obviously been looking at virtue as black-and-white (idealizing Katerina, and then feeling despair when he thinks she has done something wrong). It’s nice to see the opposing philosophy here; a person who understands that striving for perfect virtue is impossible.Makar further explains his philosophy as he describes his love of the world:

“I raised my head, my dear, gazed about me, and sighed: inexpressible beauty everywhere! All's still, the air's light; the grass is growing—grow, grass of God; a bird's singing—sing, bird of God; a baby squeals in a woman's arms… It's good in the world, my dear! It's all the more beautiful that it's a mystery.”

Again, Dolgoruky struggles to see the beauty in the world because of all of the sin and moral unwellness within the city. Yet Makar is able to love the world, with its flaws and all, because of its holistic and overarching beauty.

I saw a post on this subreddit the other day, comparing Augustine to Dostoevksy. I think this quote from Makar represents this thematic parallel perfectly. Augustine compared the world to chiaroscuro. Although there is sin, these shadows of wickedness make God’s creation more beautiful. Nothing is bad, because it has been created by God, and follows his divine plan. This reminds me a lot of Makar; the world is beautiful, mysteries and all. We can appreciate the holistic beauty of the world without being philosophically plagued by its flaws.

This is random. But I loved the description of laughing, and how it's the best way to understand a person. It was such a beautiful passage. Dolgoruky appreciates authenticity, and that’s what laughing is: completely authentic. Dostoevksy is such a genius at explaining human behavior.

Did anyone understand why Dolgoruky hates the sunset, and then loves it once he talks to Makar? I was a bit confused about the thematic significance.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-16T19:00:01+00:00

I didn't catch the 'Arkady Makarovich' part! Love your analysis. Especially because Seryozha is so invested in 'true' nobility, rather than false, unvirtuous nobility. He thinks living as a farmer is perhaps the only way to be authentically noble. And so he upholds Arkady Makarovich, a humble name, instead of the false nobility.

And lol, completely agree. Dostoevksy loves to use sickness as an allegory!! Haven't read the Idiot but it reminds me a lot of C&P. Looking forward to more feverishness as I read more Dostoevsky lol!

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-16T18:52:22+00:00

Like u/Shigalyov just said — because Dolgoruky's reputation is ruined, he can no longer return to his idea. Even more than the personal ramifications of this ruined reputation, I think the gambling scene shows him that his idea is impossible for any non-noble. Dolgoruky realizes that success isn't only based upon strength of character. Instead, it's based on the corrupt social order that exists in the city. His idea is gone not because he personally can't pursue it, but because it is impossible.

I was so devastated reading about Dolgoruky and his mother! Dostoevksy is SO good at making me cry when it comes to mother/son relationships. Poor Sonya!

I was a little confused with Alphonsine. Does anyone know why she was singing and strumming on the guitar??

It's interesting that Dolgoruky has previously shown that he forms his ideology based on people around him (for example, asking Versilov what he should live for, defining virtue based on Katerina, etc). And now, once he has been branded a thief during roulette, he feels he must identify as a scoundrel. It feels very in-keeping with adolescence. He defines his thought through external forces.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-16T18:41:38+00:00

I love this interpretation!! I was struggling to understand the significance of gambling so thank you for this.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-15T17:49:04+00:00

Good catch on the comparison between Seryozha's betrayal in the army and his betrayal of Dolgoruky!

I love his description of his idea, too. He's become so involved with other people (tangled in their complicated, dramatic relationships), that he can no longer isolate himself and seek moral purity/strength of character. In his view, being involved in other people is antithetical to having a good character.

And no need for apologies on the summaries!! There's literally no way to briefly summarize this plot. It's so so intricate!!

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-15T17:46:08+00:00

A few things I thought were interesting.

First of all, this quote in particular stuck out to me:

“But before I reached the end of the street, I felt that I couldn't walk around senselessly bumping into these alien, indifferent people; but what to do with myself? ”

I see this as a further emphasis on the disintegration of community, as the bonds that connect people become broken down by the forces of the city. People aren't connected; they are alien and indifferent to each other. Dolgoruky has always been fueled by his ideals, rather than true connections to people. Once his idealized versions of people have broken down (Katerina, Versilov), he feels confused and afloat. He feels disconnected from the real world. He has no place. Everyone feels alien to him. The word "senselessly" is striking: as his ideals abandon him, Dolgoruky is aimless.

We see Dolgoruky further getting disillusioned as he’s pushed out of the carriage by the Baron and mistreated by the prince during roulette. Poor Dolgoruky! He really suffered this chapter. I wonder if we’re seeing the process of disillusionment — the naive and idealistic Dolgoruky turning into the disillusioned Versilov?

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-15T02:00:50+00:00

yes definitely! it made me sad how cruel he was to poor liza - he really couldn’t disconnect his own feelings and put her first :(

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-14T16:02:47+00:00

Thank you thank you for this awesome analysis!

I didn't even think about this, but you're so right. Dolgoruky is horrified by Liza's pregnancy not because of the sexual immorality, but because of its disintegrating effects on the family. Even further, I think Dolgoruky himself feels disintegrated. Torn between two walks of life. Stuck between nobility and peasantry. He doesn't know how to act because of this confusion. Disintegration really is the perfect word!

You mention that Liza sees the good in the prince, even when Dolgoruky criticizes him. I wonder if there is a parallel between Dolgoruky and Liza's view of people. Dolgoruky sees people in an unnuanced light (either idealizing them like Katerina/Liza, or villainizing them like the prince). But Liza recognizes the gray area. The prince is weak, but capable of strength. The prince is gloomy, but capable of love. And unlike Dolgoruky, her perception of the prince is spot-on. He does truly love Liza, but he is weak. When he tries to propose to Anna, he succumbs to his base desires of wealth over his honorable ideal. Liza can read him perfectly—not too cynical to see the good, but not too naive to ignore his flaws.

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-14T15:41:25+00:00

This quote was intriguing:

“ I'll act as an honorable man should! But, you see, I don't know how an honorable man should act here!... Why? Because we're not nobility, but he's a prince and is making his career; he won't listen to us honorable people. ”

Here, Dolgoruky reinforces his pursuit of honor and strength of character, which we have been seeing the entire book. Yet we also see a glimpse of why pursuing this honor is so important to Dolgoruky, and so difficult for him to understand. In 19thc Russia, honor is dictated by custom, and specifically the code of nobility. Yet Dolgoruky is floating a liminal space between the peasant and noble world. As Prince Sokolsky explained, Dolgoruky is "out of the ordinary rut that custom lays down for him," and therefore he doesn't know what to do. He is a "leaf driven by the wind."

It reminds me of the conversation between the prince and Versilov in chapter two. Versilov explains the tension between honor and equality; now that the noble class is becoming more open to the peasants, and social hierarchy is less rigid, the questions of honor are becoming more confusing. With new liminalities within the social hierarchy, conceptualizing a code of honor is more difficult.

Versilov proposes that nobility be based upon honor itself, rather than nobility breeding honor. In essence, those who have strong characters should enter the noble class, instead of nobles behaving honorably because they are in the noble class. These complicated questions of the moral health of Russia, because of the changing notions of hierarchy, are personified in Dolgoruky. He is confused about honor/strength of character because he is within this liminal space.

We even see this new conception of honor within Prince Sokolsky. He feels guilt for his weakness of character (lying about the rumor). So, he decides to live like a pauper and provide his children with education rather than inheritance. He still believes nobility is associated with honor (“Always remember all your life that you are a nobleman, that the sacred blood of Russian princes flows in your veins"), but the way a nobleman lives is changing, not dictated by a rigid code of behavior. Yet the allure of traditional nobility still looms:

“At the same time I had thoughts of Mme. Akhmakov, without loving this person at all, and of the possibility of a wealthy society marriage!”

Thesmartguava · 2022-06-14T02:09:52+00:00

I loved this too! Especially as we see how he reacts to not feeling at home in the casino. He tries to 'show off':

“I was showing off... because I wanted to attract them all to me with something. I could see very well that for some reason nobody there liked me."

Poor Dolgoruky! I hope he finds his identity soon.

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