Overview
Dostoyevsky; The Grand Inquisitor
The Grand Inquisitor is one of the great short stories written by the Russian author Dostoevsky. Like Nietzsche's declaration of the 'Death of God', it challenges some of our fundamental beliefs and ideas about religion, morality, and our view of the world. You can find a PDF copy of the Grand Inquisitor on line. I recommend both the video & the written copy to be viewed & read. A written copy is available in the module below.
Assignment Overview
The Grand Inquisitor is a chapter taken from a much larger epic novel called The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky.
The story takes place during the Spanish Inquisition in Spain.
The story belongs to the older atheist brother Ivan, as he relates it as a kind of challenge to the youngest of the brothers Alyosha, a novice, who has recently entered the seminary to study for the priesthood.
While Jesus does not actually speak throughout throughout the story, the Inquisitor accuses Jesus of failing in his mission by demanding too much of humankind and not understanding their weak nature.
Question Prompts
What, according the Inquisitor, does the mass of humankind want, and why are they incapable of achieving it?
How, according to the Inquisitor, do the Three Temptations serve as proof of Jesus' failure to understand Humanity?
Explain mystery, miracle and authority and why we crave them?
Do the Inquisitor and religious institutions love mankind more than Jesus who saves only the few?
What is the Inquisitor's secret? What is the relation between morality and religion?