Chapter One "The Odor of Corruption"
Why do some people become upset or offended when Zosima's body begins to decay?
A. They expected a miraculous sign of holiness & feel disappointed
B. They think the monks handled the funeral incorrectly
C. They dislike Father Zosima
D. They are jealous of Father Paissy
A. They expected a miraculous sign of holiness & feel disappointed
What motivates Grushenka to tell Alyosha the story of the woman and the onion?
She wants to open up about her past and test whether redemption is possible for someone like her.
How does Alyosha respond to the chaos & gossip at the monastery?
A. He joins in & criticizes Zosima
B. He prays, weeps, & feels deeply troubled
C. He leaves angrily without reflection
D. He scolds the monks
B. He prays, weeps, & feels deeply troubled
What lesson does the woman in the onion story fail to learn?
That kindness and salvation require selflessness, not selfishness.
Where does Alyosha sit when he first goes to the monastery after Zosima's death?
A. Near the coffin
B. In a quiet corner, hiding behind a tombstone
C. In the main church
D. At the gates, watching the crowd
B. In a quiet corner, hiding behind a tombstone
What realization does Grushenka come to after telling the story?
She begins to see her own flaws and feels the desire to change and seek forgiveness.
How does Father Paissy respond to Father Ferapont's outburst in the monastery?
A. He angrily confronts him & forces him to leave
B. He asserts that only God can judge & tries to maintain order
C. He agrees with him
D. He ignores him completely
E. Both A & B
B. He asserts that only God can judge & tries to maintain order
How does Dostoevsky use the story of the onion to contrast spiritual mercy with human selfishness?
He shows that divine mercy values intention and love over deeds, while human selfishness corrupts goodness by focusing on personal gain.
What does Father Ferapont do when he enters the cell where Father Zosima's body is?
A. He begins to pray silently
B. He blesses everyone peacefully
C. He yells that there are devils in the cell & tries to "cast them out"
D. He refuses to look at the coffin
C. He yells that there are devils in the cell & tries to "cast them out"
How does Alyosha’s interpretation of Grushenka’s story reflect his developing view of faith and redemption?
Alyosha sees that salvation lies not in perfection but in love and humility, and that true faith means believing in the possibility of moral renewal even in the most flawed souls.