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The Idiot
656 pages, 2003
After his great portrayal of a guilty man in Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky set out in The Idiot to portray a man of pure innocence.
The twenty-six-year-old Prince Myshkin, following a stay of several years in a Swiss sanatorium, returns to Russia to collect an inheritance and “be among people.”
Before he reaches home, he meets the dark Rogozhin, a rich merchant’s son whose obsession with the beautiful Nastasya Filippovna eventually draws all three into a tragic denouement. In Petersburg, the prince finds himself a stranger in a society obsessed with money, power, and manipulation.
The scandal escalates to murder as Dostoevsky traces the surprising effect of this “positively beautiful man” on the people around him, leading to a final scene that is one of the most powerful in world literature.
In The Idiot, Fyodor Dostoyevsky paints a vivid picture of the complexity of human nature. He shows us that people are not simply good or bad, but a mix of both. This book encourages us to look deeper into our own nature and understand our own complexities.
The main character, Prince Myshkin, is often referred to as 'the idiot'. But his innocence and naivety are not weaknesses, they are his strength. This book will make you see the power of innocence in a new light.
Dostoyevsky uses his characters to show how society can influence individuals. He shows us how societal expectations and pressures can lead people to act in ways they might not otherwise. It's a great book to check out if you're interested in understanding the impact of society on individuals.
The Idiot explores the struggle between love and money. It shows us how the pursuit of wealth can sometimes overshadow the importance of love and relationships. This book will make you rethink your priorities in life.
Prince Myshkin's idealism often leads him into trouble. He believes in the goodness of people, even when they prove him wrong. This book will make you question whether it's better to be a realist or an idealist.
Quotes 2
Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot' is a masterpiece that unveils the depths of the human psyche.
Sigmund Freud - Father of PsychoanalysisDostoevsky's 'The Idiot' is a profound exploration of the human condition.
Haruki Murakami - Contemporary Japanese Writer
