The Brothers Karamazov · Chapter
X: The Speech for the Defense. An Argument That Cuts Both Ways explained
Fetyukovitch delivers his defense speech for Dmitri Karamazov, arguing that the prosecutor's psychological reasoning is a double-edged sword.
What happens
Fetyukovitch delivers his defense speech for Dmitri Karamazov, arguing that the prosecutor's psychological reasoning is a double-edged sword. He refutes the chain of evidence by showing each piece separately is unproven, and contends that Dmitri's pity for Grigory proves his innocence of parricide.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it centers on Katerina Ivanovna’s hysterical, guilt-ridden declarati…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Justice and Injustice
The defense challenges the prosecutor's psychological reasoning, arguing that justice requires scrutiny of each piece of evidence.
- Free Will and Responsibility
Fetyukovitch argues that Dmitri's actions (pity for Grigory) show moral responsibility inconsistent with murder.
Characters to notice
- Dmitri Karamazov
The defendant, whose character and actions are analyzed by the defense.
- Fetyukovitch
The celebrated defense counsel delivering the speech.
- Ippolit Kirillovitch
The prosecutor whose psychological arguments are critiqued.
- Grigory
The old servant attacked by Dmitri; his condition is central to the defense's argument.
Key passages
“profound as psychology is, it’s a knife that cuts both ways.”
Psychology can be used to argue either side of a case.
Fetyukovitch warns against over-reliance on psychological interpretation.
“there is an overwhelming chain of evidence against the prisoner, and at the same time not one fact that will stand criticism, if it is examined separately.”
The evidence seems strong as a whole, but each piece falls apart under scrutiny.
Fetyukovitch's central strategy: dismantle the prosecution's case piece by piece.
