# Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov — The Brothers Karamazov character guide > Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fyodor Pavlovitch, old Karamazov, old Fyodor Pavlovitch **First appearance:** 0003-part-i-i-fyodor-pavlovitch-karamazov ## Snapshot The brothers' father, a buffoon turned moneylender whose maxim is 'après moi le déluge' and who lives as if the world may burn so long as he is comfortable. ## Who they are Fyodor Pavlovitch began as a poor dependent, married into money, and grew bolder with prosperity until only his malicious cynicism remained. He swindled Dmitri of his maternal inheritance and is now spending it on the same woman his son wants, cheerfully treating fatherhood as a joke he was never required to take seriously. The prosecutor calls him typical of a whole class of modern fathers, and the novel's first murderous quarrel is built directly on his refusal to be one. ## Relationships ### [Alyosha Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/alysha_karamazov) _family_ Alyosha feels pity and a sense of duty toward his debauched father, but Fyodor mostly ignores or mocks him. ### [Ivan Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/ivan_karamazov) _family_ Fyodor respects Ivan's intellect but fears him, while Ivan despises his father's lechery and greed. ### [Dmitri Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/dmitri_karamazov) _family_ Dmitri and his father are bitter rivals over money and Grushenka, culminating in violent hatred and parricide. ### [Alyosha Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/alysha_karamazov) _family_ Alyosha feels pity and a sense of duty toward his debauched father, but Fyodor mostly ignores or mocks him. ### [Ivan Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/ivan_karamazov) _family_ Fyodor respects Ivan's intellect but fears him, while Ivan despises his father's lechery and greed. ### [Alyosha Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/alysha_karamazov) _family_ Alyosha feels pity and a sense of duty toward his debauched father, but Fyodor mostly ignores or mocks him. ### [Dmitri Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/dmitri_karamazov) _family_ Dmitri and his father are bitter rivals over money and Grushenka, culminating in violent hatred and parricide. ### [Ivan Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/ivan_karamazov) _family_ Fyodor respects Ivan's intellect but fears him, while Ivan despises his father's lechery and greed. ### [Dmitri Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/dmitri_karamazov) _family_ Dmitri and his father are bitter rivals over money and Grushenka, culminating in violent hatred and parricide. ## In the story ### [Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/the-brothers-karamazov) Introduced as the dissolute, selfish father whose marriages and neglect shape his sons' lives. ### [Book I: The History of a Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-book-i-the-history-of-a-family) Introduced as a 'nasty, unprincipled' landowner, a buffoon and sponger, who married twice and neglected his sons. ### [Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-i-fyodor-pavlovitch-karamazov) Introduced as a senseless, vicious, yet financially shrewd landowner; married twice, mistreated his wives, and indulged in debauchery. ### [II: He Gets Rid of His Eldest Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ii-he-gets-rid-of-his-eldest-son) Neglectful and manipulative father who forgets his son and later cheats him out of his property. ### [III: The Second Marriage and the Second Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-second-marriage-and-the-second-family) Marries a second time to Sofya Ivanovna, treats her cruelly, and neglects his sons Ivan and Alexey after her death. ### [The Third Son, Alyosha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-iv-the-third-son-alyosha) Alyosha's father, a debauched and aging man who shows affection for Alyosha but remains morally degraded. ### [V: Elders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-v-elders) The father, whose discord with Dmitri is at its acutest stage; he suggests the gathering at Zossima's cell, possibly as a joke or to intimidate Dmitri. ### [Book II: An Unfortunate Gathering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-book-ii-an-unfortunate-gathering) Behaves scandalously at the monastery, mocking the elders and provoking his son Dmitri. ### [I: They Arrive at the Monastery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-i-they-arrive-at-the-monastery) Arrives with Ivan in a hired carriage; behaves irreverently, making sarcastic remarks and comparing Maximov to Von Sohn. ### [The Old Buffoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-old-buffoon) Plays the buffoon, tells lies and anecdotes, tests the elder's patience, and mimics Miüsov. ### [V: So Be It! So Be It!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-v-so-be-it-so-be-it) Remains quiet but watches Miüsov with an ironical smile, whispering taunts to provoke him. ### [Why Is Such a Man Alive?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-vi-why-is-such-a-man-alive) Creates a scandal by insulting his sons and Katerina Ivanovna, accusing Dmitri of debauchery and debt. ### [A Young Man Bent on a Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-vii-a-young-man-bent-on-a-career) Mentioned as being in conflict with Dmitri over Grushenka, having gone wild over her and making dishonorable offers. ### [The Scandalous Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-scandalous-scene) Returns unexpectedly to the Father Superior's dining-room, launching into a scandalous tirade against the monks, then departs, taking Alyosha and Ivan with him. ### [Book III: The Sensualists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-book-iii-the-sensualists) Depicted as a lecherous and cynical old man, indulging in sensual pleasures and manipulating his sons. ### [In the Servants' Quarters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-i-in-the-servants-quarters) Depicted as a cunning, debauched old man who relies on Grigory's loyalty and fears being alone; he feels a strange comfort in Alyosha's nonjudgmental presence. ### [Lizaveta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ii-lizaveta) Among a group of drunken revelers, he declares it possible to assault Lizaveta, and is later rumored to be the father of her child. He adopts the foundling and gives him the surname Smerdyakov. ### [III: The Confession of a Passionate Heart—In Verse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-confession-of-a-passionate-heart-in-verse) Fyodor Pavlovitch is mentioned as having shouted commands to Alyosha from the carriage, but Alyosha is not frightened by him. ### [The Confession of a Passionate Heart—"Heels Up"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-v-the-confession-of-a-passionate-heart-heels-up) Dmitri plans to ask him for three thousand roubles; he is hoarding money for Grushenka and trusts Smerdyakov. ### [VI: Smerdyakov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-vi-smerdyakov) Shown at dinner in good humor, teasing Smerdyakov, offering Alyosha liqueur, and recounting Smerdyakov's history and his trust in his honesty. ### [VII: The Controversy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-vii-the-controversy) Hosts the dinner, mocks the martyrdom story, and gleefully provokes the theological debate. ### [Over the Brandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-viii-over-the-brandy) Drunk and belligerent, he debates God's existence with Ivan, reveals his sensualist views on women, and accuses Ivan of despising him. ### [IX: The Sensualists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ix-the-sensualists) Beaten by Dmitri, but later recovers and obsesses over Grushenka's whereabouts, expressing fear of Ivan. ### [At His Father's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-at-his-father-s) Nursing injuries from Dmitri's attack, he rants about his sons, his rivalry with Dmitri over Grushenka, and his refusal to share his money. He reveals his cynical worldview and manipulative intentions. ### [Book V: Pro and Contra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-book-v-pro-and-contra) Fyodor Pavlovitch is mentioned in the context of the family conflict and Ivan's reflections on his father's character. ### [VI: For Awhile a Very Obscure One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-for-awhile-a-very-obscure-one) Fyodor Pavlovitch is asleep in the house; Smerdyakov refers to him as 'his honor' and mentions his request for Ivan to go to Tchermashnya. ### [VII: "It's Always Worth While Speaking to a Clever Man"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-it-s-always-worth-while-speaking-to-a-clever-man) Fyodor Pavlovitch is surprised by Ivan's hostility, then spends the evening in excited expectation of Grushenka's visit. After Smerdyakov's fit and Grigory's illness, he locks himself up alone, his heart steeped in voluptuous hopes. ### [Book VIII: Mitya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-book-viii-mitya) Dmitri's father and rival for Grushenka; attacked and robbed by Dmitri. ### [I: Kuzma Samsonov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-i-kuzma-samsonov) Dmitri's father and rival for Grushenka; Dmitri believes he may offer her lawful wedlock. ### [Lyagavy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-lyagavy) Mentioned as the owner of the copse Lyagavy is supposedly buying. ### [IV: In the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-iv-in-the-dark) Observed by Dmitri in his bedroom, wearing a new dressing-gown, waiting for Grushenka, and opening the window to call out. ### [I: The Beginning of Perhotin’s Official Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-i-the-beginning-of-perhotin-s-official-career) Feared to have been killed by Dmitri; his house is a potential crime scene. ### [The Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-the-alarm) Found murdered in his home, with his skull battered in and the envelope for Grushenka torn open and empty. ### [V: The Third Ordeal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-v-the-third-ordeal) The victim of the murder, seen by Mitya through the window before the attack. ### [VIII: The Third and Last Interview with Smerdyakov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-viii-the-third-and-last-interview-with-smerdyakov) The victim; Smerdyakov describes his murder in detail. ### [Book XII: A Judicial Error](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-book-xii-a-judicial-error) The murdered father, whose death is the subject of the trial. ### [VI: The Prosecutor’s Speech. Sketches of Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-vi-the-prosecutor-s-speech-sketches-of-character) Described as a vicious, unbridled old man, a petty knave and moneylender who lived only for sensual pleasure, neglected his children, and embodied malignant individualism. ### [VII: An Historical Survey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-vii-an-historical-survey) The victim; the prosecutor describes his rivalry with Dmitri over Grushenka and the three thousand roubles. ### [VIII: A Treatise on Smerdyakov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-viii-a-treatise-on-smerdyakov) The murder victim; the envelope with money and the signals to enter his house are key details in the prosecutor's argument. ### [XI: There Was No Money. There Was No Robbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-xi-there-was-no-money-there-was-no-robbery) The victim, suggested to have possibly taken the money himself from the envelope. ### [XII: And There Was No Murder Either](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-xii-and-there-was-no-murder-either) The murdered father, whose death is central to the trial. ### [XIII: A Corrupter of Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-xiii-a-corrupter-of-thought) The murdered father, depicted as an unworthy parent who neglected and abused his son. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/fyodor_pavlovitch_karamazov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters