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The Brothers Karamazov, Part 2, no. 28, Chapter 4 summary

Part 2, no. 28, Chapter 4 of 96 · 10 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 4, Alyosha visits Madame Hohlakov’s house, where Lise treats his bitten finger and tries to reclaim her letter, which she calls a joke. He accepts its message seriously and proposes marriage when she comes of age, while Madame Hohlakov claims that Katerina Ivanovna loves Ivan rather than Dmitri.

What happens

  1. Madame Hohlakov greets Alyosha with anxious talk about Father Zossima, Lise’s illness, and Katerina Ivanovna’s conversation with Ivan.
  2. Alyosha reveals his wounded finger, and Lise directs its treatment while arranging a private conversation.
  3. Lise asks for her letter back, but Alyosha says he leaves it at home and believes its message.
  4. Alyosha explains his intention to leave the monastery, resume his studies, and marry Lise when she comes of age.
  5. Lise jokes about marriage before her mother, then dismisses Alyosha when he wants to see Katerina Ivanovna.
  6. Madame Hohlakov prepares to accompany Alyosha and claims that Katerina Ivanovna hides her love for Ivan behind devotion to Dmitri.

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In this chapter

AlyoshaDmitriIvanKaterina IvanovnaZossima

What to notice

Alyosha refuses to treat Lise’s letter as mere teasing. His trust leads directly to his stated intention to marry her.

Quick check

Why does Alyosha say he cannot return Lise’s letter today?

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