It is probable that Dostoevsky used his friend Vladimir Solovyov 's character for Alyosha . Vladimir Solovyov was a Russian poet and philosopher who was very generous , even giving away his clothes to people in the street . Dostoevsky is believed to have based the character of Alyosha on his friend , Vladimir Solovyov , a Russian philosopher and poet who led a generous life , to the point of giving away his clothes to people in the street .