# Rakitin — The Brothers Karamazov character guide

> Rakitin in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Rakitin, Even Rakitin

**First appearance:** 0015-part-i-vii-a-young-man-bent-on-a-career

## Snapshot

A cynical seminarian who trades in other people's secrets and calls his own opportunism a philosophy of habit.

## Who they are

Rakitin is Alyosha's sometime friend and the town's most fluent gossip, a man who moves between the monastery and the drawing rooms with equal ease. He feeds Kolya ideas about socialism and habit, and he carries messages—and motives—between Katerina Ivanovna, Dmitri, and Madame Hohlakov. His cleverness is real but hollow, and his willingness to use Alyosha's trust for his own advancement makes him a quiet study in the corruption of intelligence without love.

## In the story

### [The Old Buffoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-old-buffoon)

Divinity student, stands in the corner, known intimately by Alyosha who knows his thoughts.

### [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)

Waits for Alyosha and interprets Zossima's bow to Dmitri as a prophecy of crime, discussing the sensual nature of the Karamazovs and the conflicts among Dmitri, Ivan, and Fyodor Pavlovitch.

### [The Scandalous Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-scandalous-scene)

Mentioned as having spied on the dinner preparations and being of an envious temper, though not present at the table.

### [I: Father Ferapont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-i-father-ferapont)

Rakitin sends a letter from town via a monk, conveying Madame Hohlakov's account of the 'miracle' and requesting to speak with Father Païssy.

### [Book VII: Alyosha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-book-vii-alyosha)

Accompanies Alyosha to Grushenka's, attempting to lead him into temptation.

### [I: The Breath of Corruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-i-the-breath-of-corruption)

Sent by Madame Hohlakov to observe and report on the events at the hermitage.

### [II: A Critical Moment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-a-critical-moment)

Finds Alyosha in distress, mocks his faith, and persuades him to go to Grushenka's.

### [An Onion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-iii-an-onion)

Brought Alyosha to Grushenka for a bribe of twenty-five roubles and champagne; is snubbed by Grushenka and feels ashamed.

### [A Sudden Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-v-a-sudden-resolution)

Mentioned as having visited Grushenka earlier that day with Alyosha.

### [Precocity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-vi-precocity)

Referenced by Kolya as a source of his ideas about Christ being a revolutionary.

### [II: The Injured Foot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-ii-the-injured-foot)

Had a confrontation with Pyotr Ilyitch over verses, leading to his dismissal from the house.

### [IV: A Hymn and a Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-iv-a-hymn-and-a-secret)

Discussed by Dmitri as a materialist who plans to write an article about the case and who is courting Madame Hohlakov for her money.

### [II: Dangerous Witnesses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-ii-dangerous-witnesses)

Gives evidence with lofty idealism but is caught out by Fetyukovitch for accepting twenty-five roubles from Grushenka to bring Alyosha to her. His reputation is damaged.

### [IV: Fortune Smiles on Mitya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-iv-fortune-smiles-on-mitya)

Exposed as Grushenka's cousin; his previous testimony against Mitya is undermined.

### [VII: An Historical Survey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-vii-an-historical-survey)

Referenced as the 'talented young man' who characterized Grushenka's background.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/raikitin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters