Chapter 70
Grushenka's Desperate Plea
At Grushenka’s Alyosha went towards the cathedral square to the widow Morozov’s house to see Grushenka, who had sent Fenya to him early in the morning with an urgent message begging him to come. Questioning Fenya, Alyosha learned that her mistress had been particularly distressed since the previous day. During the two months that had passed since Mitya’s arrest, Alyosha had called frequently at the widow Morozov’s house, both from his own inclination and to take messages for Mitya. Three days after Mitya’s arrest, Grushenka was taken very ill and was ill for nearly five weeks. For one whole week…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"There were signs of a spiritual transformation in her, and a steadfast, fine and humble determination that nothing could shake could be discerned in her."
Context: Grushenka after illness following Mitya's arrest
Crisis stripped frivolity and left resolve. She is not the same woman Mitya fought over at Mokroe.
In Today's Words:
The narrator sees spiritual transformation in Grushenka: humble determination nothing can shake. People who looked frivolous can harden into purpose after a collapse. At work or in family, do not assume the old flirt or clown is still performing; grief may have rewired them into someone steadier and more dangerous to underestimate.
"to‐morrow—what will happen to‐morrow? That’s what worries me"
Context: Turning from jealousy to the trial
The courtroom eclipses the love triangle. Her fear names the date everyone else avoids.
In Today's Words:
Grushenka asks Alyosha what will happen tomorrow at the trial; that alone worries her while everyone else looks composed. When a verdict has a date, jealousy and pride shrink next to the calendar. You may feel the same before a deposition, custody hearing, or performance review that could end the life you built.
"He doesn’t love Katerina Ivanovna,” said Alyosha firmly"
Context: After Grushenka's sobs about Mitya's praise of Katya
One firm sentence against a spiral. Alyosha does not argue philosophy; he steadies a woman about to burn the trial.
In Today's Words:
Alyosha tells Grushenka firmly that Mitya does not love Katerina Ivanovna, one plain sentence against her spiral. She was drowning in prison gossip and Katya's shadow; she needed truth without theology. When someone you love is praising a rival, ask a trusted friend for the simplest fact, not the smartest argument.
"They all three have been plotting my end, for Katerina’s in it."
Context: Suspecting Mitya, Ivan, and Katya after revealing Ivan's visits
Fear builds a conspiracy from silence. Ivan's secret trips become proof she will be discarded.
In Today's Words:
Grushenka insists all three brothers plot her end and Katerina is in it, turning Ivan's secret visits into a coordinated betrayal. Silence plus class shame becomes a courtroom in her head. Before you accuse a whole group, say aloud what you fear losing; conspiracy thinking often protects panic, not truth.
Thematic Threads
Fear
In This Chapter
Grushenka's terror of abandonment drives her to sabotage her relationship with Mitya through constant jealousy and accusations
Development
Evolved from earlier themes of fear into active self-destruction
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when your anxiety about losing something makes you act in ways that push it away.
Class
In This Chapter
Grushenka feels inferior to the educated, aristocratic Katerina and believes this makes her disposable
Development
Continuing exploration of how class differences create insecurity in relationships
In Your Life:
You might feel this insecurity when dating or working with people from different educational or economic backgrounds.
Transformation
In This Chapter
Grushenka has evolved from frivolous to thoughtful but this growth brings new forms of suffering
Development
Shows that personal growth doesn't eliminate pain, just changes its nature
In Your Life:
You might find that becoming more aware and thoughtful actually makes some situations more painful, not less.
Secrets
In This Chapter
Grushenka suspects Ivan, Mitya, and Katerina are plotting against her in secret meetings
Development
Building on earlier themes about hidden knowledge and exclusion
In Your Life:
You might feel paranoid when people in your life have conversations or relationships you're not part of.
Control
In This Chapter
Grushenka tries to control Mitya's feelings and actions through jealousy and emotional manipulation
Development
Shows how powerlessness in one area leads to controlling behavior in others
In Your Life:
You might try to control your partner's behavior when you feel insecure about the relationship's future.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
This is not a test. Five prompts guide you through the chapter, from how it opens to how it closes, so you notice context and rhythm rather than facts to memorize. Sit with each question in your own words. When you see "One way to read it," treat it as a starting point, not the only answer.
- 1
How has Grushenka changed since Mitya's arrest, and who is living in her lodging?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Alyosha finds Grushenka at Madame Morozov's after Fenya's urgent call. Since Mitya's arrest she has been ill, transformed: firmer, humbler, almost austere, yet still fierce with jealousy of Katerina Ivanovna.
- 2
What happens during Grushenka's visits to Mitya, and why is she jealous of Katya and the Pole?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Old Maximov lies on her sofa; she feeds quarrels and charity alike. She rages about prison visits: pies stamped on, jealousy of the Pole, Mitya praising Katya's doctor while attacking Grushenka on purpose.
- 3
What does Grushenka fear about tomorrow's trial, and what does she ask about Mitya's babe speech?
application • mediumOne way to read it
She sobs that he does not love her at all, fears tomorrow's trial, insists the valet killed Fyodor, and asks about the babe poor speech Mitya keeps repeating from his dream.
- 4
What does she reveal about Ivan's visits to Mitya, and what secret does she want Alyosha to discover?
application • deepOne way to read it
She blurts Ivan's secret visits to Mitya, begs Alyosha to learn the brothers' secret, and imagines all three plotting her end.
- 5
How does Alyosha answer her about Mitya's love and Katerina, and what does he promise?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
Alyosha says Mitya does not love Katya, affirms Mitya's love for Grushenka, and promises to tell her if Mitya confesses anything. Book XI waits while the trial approaches.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Fear Audit: Map Your Self-Sabotage Patterns
Think of a relationship or situation where you've felt insecure or afraid of loss. Write down the specific behaviors you used to try to protect yourself or test the other person's commitment. Then honestly assess: did these behaviors make you feel more secure or did they create more problems? Map the cycle from fear to action to outcome.
Consider:
- •Focus on your actions, not the other person's responses
- •Look for patterns across different relationships or situations
- •Consider both obvious behaviors (accusations, checking up) and subtle ones (withdrawing, picking fights)
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when your fear of losing something or someone caused you to act in ways that made the loss more likely. What would you do differently now, knowing what you know about this pattern?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 71: The Injured Foot
Alyosha's investigation into the brothers' secret takes an unexpected turn when he encounters someone with a mysterious injury. The truth he uncovers will shake his understanding of everything he thought he knew about the case.
