Natalie Alderton (’24) Wins North American Dostoevsky Society’s Undergraduate Essay Contest
Natalie Alderton (’24) was recently named the winner of the North American Dostoevsky Society’s undergraduate essay contest with her paper, “The Redemptive Gaze in Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov,” which she first wrote for a Great Books IV class at Seaver College.
“I was proud of this paper, and I was excited to continue working on it,” Alderton says. I didn’t write this essay to win an award, but it is always gratifying to see that your passion is resonating with others.”
Alderton’s paper focuses on the characters of Grushenka and Alyosha and the role of the “male gaze” within The Brothers Karamazov. In it, the writing and rhetoric major contends that while Dostoevsky acknowledges the negative, objectifying nature of the male gaze, he also explores how vision serves a higher redemptive purpose. Alderton supported her claim with the reasoning of French thinker Simone Weil, who argues that loving attention is a miracle forged by fortitude and effort.
The judges of the North American Dostoevsky Society’s Undergraduate Essay contest noted the paper’s “original argument, clear structure, engaging style, and convincing conclusions highlighting the development of Alyosha’s and Grushenka’s mutual understanding” in its decision announcement.
The success of this literary analysis is due, in equal parts, to passion and collaboration. Prior to the beginning of her last semester of the Great Books curriculum, Alderton read The Brothers Karamazov knowing that it would be on the syllabus during her senior year. She then waited to take her final Great Books course with Paul Contino, Distinguished Professor of Great Books, who specializes in Dostoevsky.
“Dr. Contino is incredibly insightful and his contributions to our class conversations are profound,” she explains. “But he also cares deeply for his students and teaching. He represents what a teacher is meant to be.”
After reading the essay, Contino encouraged Alderton to consider submitting it to the contest. The two collaborated over the start of the summer to enhance the written work and draw out its more complex themes. With Contino’s guidance, Alderton made final revisions leading up to the submission deadline. In total, the essay went through six drafts.
Alderton, who graduated this year as part of Seaver College’s class of 2024, was one of 11 valedictorians honored for their academic achievements. She credits the Great Books curriculum and its professors for her growth as both a student and a person throughout her time as an undergraduate.
“Natalie is the type of student who helps me teach better,” says Contino. “In her essay, she integrated a sensitive reading of scripture with theological sophistication, and composed a finely attentive reading of Dostoevsky's novel. I am proud of her, and believe she will go on to achieve other wonderful things."