The Brothers Karamazov 1958

Fyodor manipulates inheritance with a promissory note

Fyodor Karamazov schemes to control his sons and their inheritance. He forces Dmitri to sign a promissory note, tying his future money to his father's whims. The plan is to keep Dmitri indebted and pliable while stacking the deck against him.

Dmitri squanders inheritance and gets in a tavern brawl

Dmitri spends his money on drinking, partying, and women, often trying to outmaneuver his father’s control. He squanders what he can in a reckless spree and ends up in a tavern brawl. The incident marks the start of his mounting financial and legal troubles.

Katya offers money for sex; Dmitri pays and refuses marriage

Desperate for funds, Katya offers to exchange sexual favors for five thousand rubles to replace money taken from her father. Dmitri half-jokingly proposes marriage, but Katya rejects the degradation. He still pays her, and she leaves with the money and a fragile arrangement.

Katya visits Dmitri in prison and locks in an engagement

Dmitri is arrested for the tavern brawl and held in a military prison. Katya visits him and expresses admiration, then agrees to marry if it helps him. She bails him out using her grandmother's dowry, binding their bond for the future.

Ivan falls for Katya; Fyodor targets Grushenka

While Dmitri is away, Ivan spends time with Katya and begins to feel something for her. Fyodor turns his attention to Grushenka, using Dmitri's debts to try to win her. The two plot to control the inheritance by manipulating Grushenka.

Grushenka's debts are leveraged by Fyodor and Snegiryov buys them

Fyodor gives Grushenka Dmitri's debts to collect, hoping to tire Dmitri's finances. Grushenka resists Fyodor's advances but is used as leverage. Snegiryov buys all of Dmitri's debts at a fraction value and demands repayment, threatening Dmitri's inheritance.

Dmitri humiliates Snegiryov; Katya asks to mail three thousand rubles

Dmitri confronts Snegiryov in the street and humiliates him in front of Illusha. Katya offers to pay Dmitri’s debts again, but Dmitri refuses. She asks him to mail three thousand rubles to her father, knowing Dmitri will likely keep the money.

Dmitri and Grushenka begin an affair; debt-binge

Dmitri and Grushenka begin a passionate affair, spending Katya's money on a wild binge. Grushenka forgives Dmitri for his debts when he resolves not to marry Katya. Their bond grows even as Dmitri's jealousy deepens.

Dmitri confronts Fyodor; jealousy and violence escalate

Dmitri bursts into Fyodor's home in search of Grushenka, while Fyodor taunts him and needles his pride. Dmitri threatens to kill Fyodor if he dares cross him and loses control. The confrontation marks a turning point toward tragedy.

Alexey visits Katya; Grushenka's mood shifts

Alexey goes to Katya on Dmitri's behalf and finds Grushenka with Katya. Grushenka claims she is tired of Dmitri's jealousy and implies she might leave, though she does not commit. She departs, leaving Katya and Ivan to navigate their tangled loyalties.

Ivan plans to move to Moscow; Katya is unsettled

Ivan informs Katya that he is heading to Moscow, prompting tension about loyalties and plans. Katya urges him to stay and supports him, but Ivan derides her, suggesting mixed motives and increasing the rift between them. The family tensions intensify.

Smerdyakov schemes murder and Grushenka's trap

Smerdyakov boasts to Ivan that he will arrange a confrontation between Fyodor and Dmitri to trigger a murder. After Ivan leaves, Smerdyakov arranges Grushenka's rendezvous with a Polish officer who cares only for her money. Dmitri finds Grushenka gone and suspects betrayal.

Fyodor is murdered; Dmitri tried and Katya testifies

The police arrive, and Dmitri learns that Fyodor has been murdered. At the trial, Dmitri pleads guilty to a life of debauchery and debt but insists he did not kill Fyodor. Katya testifies that Dmitri had taken three thousand rubles from her, tying money to motive and complicating the case.

Smerdyakov's confession and Dmitri's fate; escape plans

Ivan testifies that Smerdyakov confessed to killing Fyodor and stealing money to implicate Dmitri, while claiming Ivan was complicit. Smerdyakov later hangs himself, leaving unresolved guilt. Dmitri is found guilty, but Ivan and Alexey begin arranging a plan to smuggle him out of Russia.