# Smerdyakov — The Brothers Karamazov character guide > Smerdyakov in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** VI Smerdyakov, the deceased Smerdyakov **First appearance:** 0023-part-i-vi-smerdyakov ## Snapshot The Karamazovs' servant and probable illegitimate son, a brooding valet whose composure and convenient epileptic fits invite suspicion. ## Who they are Smerdyakov lies in bed after a fit, speaking to Ivan with a patronizing calm that is more unsettling than any outburst. He insists he cannot foretell a seizure and yet had described the day, the hour, and the cellar stairs in advance, and he has already told the doctors and the investigating lawyer the same story. His claim to trust Ivan 'as in God Almighty' is the kind of flattery that implicates the flattered, and his presence turns the household's contempt for him into the novel's coldest thread. ## Relationships ### [Ivan Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/ivan_karamazov) _psychological_ Ivan's atheistic ideas and cold intellectualism inadvertently inspire Smerdyakov to commit murder, creating a dark master-pupil dynamic. ### [Ivan Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/ivan_karamazov) _psychological_ Ivan's atheistic ideas and cold intellectualism inadvertently inspire Smerdyakov to commit murder, creating a dark master-pupil dynamic. ### [Ivan Karamazov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/ivan_karamazov) _psychological_ Ivan's atheistic ideas and cold intellectualism inadvertently inspire Smerdyakov to commit murder, creating a dark master-pupil dynamic. ## In the story ### [In the Servants' Quarters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-i-in-the-servants-quarters) Mentioned as the young servant living in the lodge; his origin is foreshadowed by the discovery of Lizaveta giving birth in the bathhouse. ### [Lizaveta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ii-lizaveta) The infant born to Lizaveta, later named Pavel Fyodorovitch Smerdyakov. He is taken in by Grigory and Marfa and becomes Fyodor Pavlovitch's cook and servant. ### [VI: Smerdyakov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-vi-smerdyakov) Portrayed in depth: his childhood cruelty to cats, his defiance of Grigory's teaching, his epilepsy, his fastidiousness, his training as a cook in Moscow, his contemplative nature, and his presence at the dinner table where Fyodor Pavlovitch calls him 'Balaam's ass.' ### [VII: The Controversy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-vii-the-controversy) Argues that renouncing Christ under duress is not a sin, using sophisticated casuistry to challenge orthodox faith. ### [Over the Brandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-viii-over-the-brandy) Dismissed by Fyodor after dinner; Ivan comments on his lackey nature and revolutionary potential. ### [IX: The Sensualists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-i-ix-the-sensualists) Remains pale and trembling during the altercation, later fetches water and cleans up the broken vase. ### [Book V: Pro and Contra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-book-v-pro-and-contra) Smerdyakov is referenced as a figure in the household, foreshadowing his role in the unfolding tragedy. ### [Smerdyakov with a Guitar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-smerdyakov-with-a-guitar) Smerdyakov is found singing and flirting with Marya Kondratyevna; he tells Alyosha that Ivan sent him to invite Dmitri to dine. ### [The Brothers Make Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-the-brothers-make-friends) Mentioned by Alyosha in his account of meeting Smerdyakov, which Ivan listens to anxiously. ### [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) Smerdyakov sits on a bench by the gate, waiting for Ivan. He speaks with familiarity and insinuation, suggesting Ivan go to Tchermashnya and hinting at events involving Dmitri and Grushenka. ### [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) Smerdyakov mutters evasively to Fyodor Pavlovitch about Ivan's mood, later falls down the cellar steps in an epileptic fit, writhing in convulsions. He is taken to the lodge, and Doctor Herzenstube is summoned. ### [Goldmines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-iii-goldmines) Mitya learns of Smerdyakov's illness and fall in the cellar, which disrupts his plans to get information from him. ### [IV: In the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-iv-in-the-dark) Mentioned as possibly being in the plot and as having arranged the signal with Fyodor Pavlovitch. ### [The Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-the-alarm) Suffers a severe epileptic fit; the doctor doubts he will survive the night. ### [V: The Third Ordeal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iii-v-the-third-ordeal) Mentioned as a possible suspect, but Mitya dismisses him as a coward; the lawyers report he is unconscious from an epileptic fit. ### [IV: The Lost Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-iv-the-lost-dog) Mentioned as the one who taught Ilusha the cruel trick with the bread and pin. ### [Book XI: Ivan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-book-xi-ivan) Smerdyakov confesses to the murder, implicating Ivan's philosophical influence. ### [V: Not You, Not You!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-v-not-you-not-you) Mentioned as ill and dying; Ivan is drawn to visit him. ### [VII: The Second Visit to Smerdyakov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-vii-the-second-visit-to-smerdyakov) Smerdyakov is cunning and provocative, manipulating Ivan by suggesting that Ivan's actions implied approval of the parricide. ### [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) Confesses to the murder and theft, but argues Ivan is morally responsible due to his tacit consent. ### [IX: The Devil. Ivan's Nightmare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-ix-the-devil-ivan-s-nightmare) Reported by Alyosha to have hanged himself an hour earlier. ### [X: “It Was He Who Said That”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-x-it-was-he-who-said-that) Mentioned as having hanged himself; Ivan claims the devil told him of Smerdyakov's death. Smerdyakov's suicide is a key point in Ivan's torment, as it undermines the credibility of his confession. ### [Book XII: A Judicial Error](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-book-xii-a-judicial-error) The likely true murderer, who has already committed suicide before the trial. ### [I: The Fatal Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-i-the-fatal-day) Deceased; his sudden suicide is announced in court, causing a stir; Mitya calls him a dog. ### [IV: Fortune Smiles on Mitya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-iv-fortune-smiles-on-mitya) Implied by Alyosha as the possible murderer, though no direct evidence is provided. ### [V: A Sudden Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-v-a-sudden-catastrophe) Referred to as the actual murderer; Ivan claims Smerdyakov killed Fyodor Pavlovitch and then hanged himself. ### [VII: An Historical Survey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-vii-an-historical-survey) Mentioned in connection with the murder; the prosecutor discusses the suspicion of his involvement. ### [VIII: A Treatise on Smerdyakov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/chapters/part-iv-viii-a-treatise-on-smerdyakov) Portrayed as a weak, epileptic, morally confused man who committed suicide; his confession to Ivan and the lack of a full avowal in his suicide note are central to 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 only person who claimed to have seen the notes; his testimony is questioned regarding when he last saw them. ### [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) Pointed to as the possible real murderer by Fetyukovitch. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters/smerdyakov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brothers_karamazov_se/characters