The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, exaggerates Russia's extremes, saying that "[Russians] continually need... two extremes at the same time, otherwise they will be unhappy and dissatisfied and their existence is incomplete. They are vast, as vast as mother Russia." In many of his works, Dostoevsky's characters represent thoughts and ideas larger than themselves. Set in a time of conflict for the Russian people, Dostoevsky uses allegorical characters to show the conflicting ideals in his isolated society and Russia as a whole. The characters' flaws are amplified by this comparison and are used to show the influence of pride on men, as well as the effects of fate and faith. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Dostoevsky's Russia, like the Karamazovs, was full of extremist thoughts and ideas ready to collapse under the strain. Dmitri is strong and powerful, but he is also quick to act and does not consider the effects of his words and actions. Throughout the novel, Dmitri battles his love for two women and ultimately undergoes a sudden emotional transformation. He quickly goes from extreme arrogance to extreme humility; however, it is his arrogance that leads to his conviction for his father's murder. When Dmitri is arrested and tried, his lawyer tells the jury that it is better to "acquit ten guilty men than to convict one innocent man." Dostoevsky uses Dmitri as a tool to reflect the conflict in Russia over the proper serving of justice and the need for the death penalty. In stark contrast to Dmitri is Alyosha, who represents the purity and hope of Russia. Alyosha is fair, kind, and willing to make any sacrifice necessary to help those he loves. When Zossima dies and her corpse rots, Alyosha abandons the corruption of the monastery. Alyosha is torn between his absolute faith and his disgust for the monastery elders. The religious conflict Alyosha experiences is a motif woven throughout the novel. Each character, in turn, experiences a conflict that makes him reconsider the effects of destiny and free will and the necessity of faith. Dostoevsky says that "as long as man remains free, he aspires to nothing so incessantly and so painfully as to find someone to worship... For the sake of common worship they killed each other with the sword." The characters search for someone to worship, and when they find no one, they are destroyed. Alyosha is the only character to regain his faith, and he finds it only thanks to a child. The influence of faith and doubt is shown not only in Alyosha, but also in Dmitri. Dmitri has no faith in God, only in fate. Dostoevsky portrays Dmitri as a man driven to commit crimes and then place the blame on fate. Although it is unlikely that Dmitri killed Fyodor as Smerdyakov confesses, he goes to his father's house intending to kill him for money. Dmitri says he understands now that "men like me need a blow, a blow of fate to catch them as if with a noose... I accept my punishment, not because I killed him, but because I wanted to kill him." Dmitri is a reflection of Russia in its desperation for money and its willingness to engage in any action to get the funds it needs. Grushenka and Katerina, the women who tear Dmitri apart, talk about the contrasting levels of the Russian caste system. Although both women are wealthy, Grushenka is considered part of the lower class, while Katerina belongs to the upper class. Together, they force Dmitri to make a decision about who to love, but although he loves Grushenka, he is indebted to Katerina. Dostoevsky uses Dmitri to reveal.