Od uzora do prezira / from admiration to contempt

D. H. Lawrence and his views on F. M. Dostoevsky used to change gradually – from the initial admiration fascination with works of this great Russian literary classic, which had read in period overall popularity ‘of all things Russian’ Great Britain at beginning 20th century, doubts highly controversial largely misunderstood British author expressed most prolific Modernism, when he began publishing own fiction as well some non-fictional critical pieces literature. The majority critics researchers opus argue that denial Dostoevsky’s importance stemmed not only need distance himself influence certain by but also continuous fight innermost demons later phase creative work. It was these moments sought answers questions other authors translated into English time Solovyov, Berdyaev, Shestov Rozanov. paid special attention their perspective books Dostoevsky. With similar enthusiasm, analysed explanations contemporaries, such Ford Madox Ford, Arnold Bennett, John Middleton Murry, Joseph Conrad Virginia Woolf. This paper focuses Lawrence’s interpretation Grand Inquisitor, based two key chapters Brothers Karamazov written a preface translation Samuel Koteliansky, ‘Kot,’ émigré Jew close friend. Although gravely ill, managed write text four days February 1930. He died month Vence, Southern France. can be argued last major piece his, concluded decades-long re-reading questioning influences classics have exerted him, emergence development Modernist between 1910