Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov Character Analysis in The Brothers Karamazov

Adelaida Ivanovna’s cousin. When the novel begins, he is fifty years old. He is “enlightened” and sophisticated and considers himself “a lifelong European.” He is a liberal who has lived in Paris. In Russia, he owns land that is measured by its one thousand “souls,” or slaves. He is described as an inauthentic type who often play-acts to his disadvantage. Dmitri Fyodorovich is left briefly in his care after Adelaida’s death. Pyotr, in turn, leaves his younger cousin with one of Adelaida’s cousins in Moscow, returns to Paris, and forgets about Dmitri. Pyotr Alexandrovich detests Fyodor Pavlovich and appears embarrassed by Fyodor’s behavior when they visit the elder, Zosima, at the monastery. His nephew is Pyotr Fomich Kalgonov.

Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov Character Timeline in The Brothers Karamazov

The timeline below shows where the character Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov appears in The Brothers Karamazov. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Around this time, Adelaida’s cousin Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov returns from Paris. He has a splendid estate, valued “at about a thousand souls,” which... (full context)

...sort who, if he were to come into a fortune, would give it all away. Pyotr Alexandrovich jokes that Alexei will never need to worry about poverty, for he’s the only man... (full context)

...Alexei even wonders if Ivan, “the learned atheist,” might not feel some contempt for him. Pyotr Alexandrovich also agrees to participate in the visit. He figures that it’ll help him settle his... (full context)

...the rest will come “with frivolous purposes” and might even offend the elder. Ivan and Pyotr Alexandrovich , he figures, are only agreeing out of curiosity. Fyodor, he thinks, is only coming... (full context)

On a warm and clear day at the end of August, Pyotr Alexandrovich arrives in a carriage drawn by “a pair of expensive horses.” He comes with his... (full context)

...after their visit to the hermitage. He also invites Maximov. Fyodor happily agrees, as does Pyotr Alexandrovich , though the latter is not pleased to share company with Fyodor and hopes that... (full context)

Pyotr Alexandrovich warns Fyodor to behave himself during the visit to the Father Superior. When they arrive... (full context)

...absurd rumor. He then asks the visitors to wait while he announces them to Zosima. Pyotr Alexandrovich warns Fyodor once again to behave himself, otherwise Pyotr will make him pay. Fyodor wonders... (full context)

...and Alexei, the monks bow deeply at each other, touching the ground with their fingers. Pyotr Alexandrovich and Fyodor also bow deeply. Pyotr, however, dislikes the elder, whose withered face and small... (full context)

...the two hieromonks (monks who are also priests), Father Iosif and Father Paissy. Fyodor asks Pyotr Alexandrovich why he’s consented to remain in what Pyotr calls “unseemly company.” He suspects that Pyotr... (full context)

...Ivan thinks, therefore, that the Church should contain the whole state. Father Paissy agrees, but Pyotr Alexandrovich doesn’t. Father Paissy goes on to say that “the Church ought to be transforming itself... (full context)

Pyotr Alexandrovich is outraged, prompting Father Paissy to remind him, sternly, that it’s not the Church that... (full context)

In response, Pyotr Alexandrovich relates a story that a man told him in Paris, after the December revolution. They... (full context)

As Pyotr Alexandrovich and Ivan enter the Father Superior’s rooms, Pyotr begins to feel ashamed of his anger... (full context)

...Iosif and Father Paissy are. They are waiting in the Father Superior’s dining room when Pyotr Alexandrovich , Pyotr Kalganov, and Ivan enter. The Father Superior steps forward into the middle of... (full context)

...He arrives, stops on the threshold, looks at all of the diners, and starts laughing. Pyotr Alexandrovich , who was in “a most benign mood, immediately [turns] ferocious.” Fyodor asks the Father... (full context)

Pyotr Alexandrovich turns to Pyotr Kalganov and says that they’re leaving. Fyodor prompts him to stay so... (full context)

...list of persons called for questioning is read. Four of the witnesses are absent, including Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov , who is in Paris, Madame Khokhlakov, Maximov, who is ill, and Smerdyakov, who is... (full context)