‘The Idiot,’ written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, delves into the captivating journey of Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin. This morally upright and compassionate individual returns to his homeland, Russia, after seeking treatment at a Swiss sanatorium. As he immerses himself in the intricate web of 19th-century Russian society, Myshkin becomes entangled with a cast of complex characters, including the enigmatic Nastasya Filippovna and the volatile Rogózhin. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky skillfully explores the profound themes of love, madness, and the inherent goodness of the protagonist, all set against the backdrop of a society plagued by moral decay.
Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin, our protagonist, emerges as a beacon of virtue in a world tainted by corruption. His return to Russia marks the beginning of a tumultuous journey where he encounters a myriad of characters whose lives intertwine with his own. Nastasya Filippovna, a mysterious and enigmatic woman, captivates Myshkin’s attention. Their relationship becomes a focal point of the narrative, highlighting the clash between innocence and the corrupting influences of the world around them.
Part 1: Summary of The Idiot
Warning – This article contains important details and spoilers
Prince Myshkin and Rogózhin, two 20-something males, meet and start talking to each other in a third-class train car. As Mrs. Epanchin is a distant relative, the polite Myshkin is traveling to Petersburg to meet the Epanchins. A stressed-out Rogózhin recently received a sizable inheritance from his father and is determined to woo Nastasya Filippovna, the landowner’s mistress and the woman of his dreams. Prince Myshkin is welcomed into the Epanchin family with ease thanks to his endearingly naïve and affable demeanor. Before renting a room from them, he first meets General Epanchin and his assistant, Gánya. The prince overhears the two men conversing and learns that Gánya is considering marrying Nastasya Filippovna, for whom Totsky will pay 75,000 rubles. Totsky wants to get married and is being evaluated as a potential husband for Alexandra, the general’s eldest daughter, but first, he needs to get rid of Nastasya. Totsky raised her from infancy and trained her to be his mistress, starting sex with her when she was 16 years old. Mrs. Epanchin, her daughters Alexandra, Adelaida, and Agláya , and the prince eat lunch together. Myshkin claims that Pavlishchev, a friend of his father’s, raised him as an orphan and sent him to Professor Schneider in Switzerland after that. Myshkin suffered frequent epileptic seizures that made him nearly “an imbecile,” and Pavlishchev had hoped the professor might cure him of the condition. Now that he is much healthier, he has returned to Russia due to a change in circumstances.
As soon as Myshkin and Gánya reach Gánya’s home, Nastasya contacts the family, acting incredibly rudely while claiming to be inviting them to her birthday celebration. During a heated argument, Ganya confesses that he is marrying her for her money after she leaves. Myshkin is now driven to attend the celebration personally and warn Nastasya. Gánya, Totsky, and General Epanchin were among the guests at the party where Nastasya declared she would not wed Gánya. Shortly later, Rogózhin barges in with a group of inebriated buddies and hands Nastasya 100,000 rubles. The prince now asks Nastasya to marry him, claiming to have fallen in love with her, to respect and care for her, and to prove that he is not the poor man he seems to be because he has recently acquired money. She rejects him anyway and sets Rogózhin’s 100,000 rubles ablaze. Before the money burns, Nastasya grabs it and throws it at Gánya before taking Rogózhin and fleeing.
Part 2
In the end, Gánya returns Nastasya’s money and resigns from his position; as a result, Varya marries wealthy moneylender Ptitsyn, who can support the family. Together with her younger brother Kolya, they are General Ívolgin, a drunk storyteller, and Nina Alexandrovna, his patient wife. Nastasya flees Rogózhin in Moscow and stays with Myshkin, who treats her like a sibling. The prince stays in Moscow for six months, and throughout that period, he sends Agláya a brief letter demonstrating his concern for her. The prince returns to Petersburg after meeting Nastasya and Rogózhin. Darya Alexeevna, Nastasya’s friend, is hosting her. Myshkin pays Rogózhin a visit at his home to win Rogózhin over as a friend who doesn’t intend to interfere with their alliance, even though he believes it will be bad for both of them. Later, Rogózhin pursues Myshkin to his hotel and almost stabs him, but Myshkin collapses due to an epileptic attack. The prince heals in Pavlovsk, where he is residing in lodgings provided by Lébedyev, a new character who is both a meddler and a comedic relief. The Epanchins visit Myshkin as all of Petersburg’s wealthy residents travel to Pavlovsk, and they rekindle their friendship.
Agláya and the prince grow close and flirt romantically. Writing to Agláya, Nastasya pushes a connection with Myshkin. She claims that only if Myshkin marries Agláya will she marry Rogózhin. Agláya’s current suitor, Evgeny Pavlovich, is likewise discouraged by Nastasya for damaging his reputation.
Part 3
Agláya does appear to be in love with the prince, although she behaves irrationally and impulsively, and he is enamored. He receives a note from Agláya on his birthday asking him to meet the following morning. His pals threw him an impromptu birthday celebration that evening. Most people start drinking, and Ippolít reads a lengthy manifesto to appear fearless about dying. He tries to elicit affection and sympathy from his listeners at the same time, but he fails. He makes an unsuccessful attempt at suicide before being put to sleep. The following day, when the prince runs into Agláya, she chastises him for chasing after her and proposing to Nastasya earlier. Agláya is being taught by Myshkin to feel sorry for Nastasya, which is the emotion he is currently experiencing. Agláya brings him Nastasya’s letters, which show that she is in love with the prince as well, despite the prince’s assertion that Nastasya feels something other than love. The Epanchin parents, who believe Myshkin to be an unsuitable suitor, are worried about a potential alliance between Agláya and Myshkin.
Part 4
Ippolít, who recently moved in with the Ivolgins, is spreading rumors and even accusing Lébedyev of giving him money. Ippolít is torturing General Ivolgin and calling him a liar because he invents stories, which has left General Ivolgin in a situation. The general’s unusual actions, which have gone beyond his usual pranks, worry the Ívolgin family. Lébedyev keeps tormenting Myshkin even though he knows the general secretly returned his wallet to his room along with the money, claiming he was not aware of it. Lébedyev is persuaded to budge by the prince, but it’s too late; the general finally suffers a stroke and passes away. When Myshkin and Agláya spend more time together, he confesses his love and pops the question. The Epanchin parents decide to throw a celebration to introduce the prince to society after accepting their predicament. The celebration starts smoothly, but Myshkin becomes agitated when it is mentioned that his guardian had converted to Catholicism before passing away. The prince delivers an impassioned speech opposing Catholicism and gives a lecture on the Russian Christ before collapsing into an epileptic fit.
Although the seizure is not severe, Agláya insists he will accompany her the following evening when she visits Nastasya. Agláya chastises Nastasya for her letters and for interfering with their relationship. She also blames Nastasya for choosing to live off of Totsky’s money rather than working as a chambermaid. In response to this assault, Nastasya threatens to have Myshkin get married to her, as he had previously promised. Myshkin does not pursue Agláya, who has fled when Nastasya faints. Agláya is embarrassed, and the connection is broken.
A few weeks later, the prince, who has been responsible for taking care of Nastasya despite his love for Agláya and desire to be with her, is getting ready to wed her. Nevertheless, on the day of her wedding, Nastasya spots Rogózhin in the crowd and makes their final getaway together. The following day, Myshkin searches for them in Petersburg and runs into Rogózhin, who invites him back to his residence and displays Nastasya’s dead body, whom he had killed with a knife. The prince spends the entire night caring for a feverish Rogózhin until the police enter and take him into custody. Rogózhin has been ordered to perform hard work in Siberia for 15 years. Two weeks after Nastasya, Ippolít passes away. Prince Myshkin is transferred back to Professor Schneider’s Swiss clinic, and Evgeny Pavlovich relocates there to pay him sporadic visits. The doctor has no chance of curing the prince, who has relapsed into catatonia.
FAQs
Who is the main character of ‘The Idiot?’
Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin is the central character and protagonist of ‘The Idiot.’ He is a complex and enigmatic character who serves as a moral and philosophical anchor in the story. Myshkin is introduced in the novel as he returns to Russia from a Swiss sanatorium, where he has been receiving treatment for epilepsy.
Who are the four young men in ‘The Idiot’ who claim that Myshkin has “stolen” an inheritance?
The four young men are Burdóvsky, Keller, Ippolít, and Doktorenko. Myshkin calmly proves their accusation false, but he offers them money anyway, and Burdóvsky refuses.
What happens during the gathering at the Epanchin house in ‘The Idiot?’
Myshkin becomes passionate about criticizing the Catholic Church, and in his fervor, he accidentally knocks over a valuable vase. Surprisingly, Mrs. Epanchin laughs it off.
What happens during Nastasya Filippovna’s birthday party in ‘The Idiot?’
At the party, Nastasya initiates a game where guests share the worst things they’ve ever done. However, the party takes a dramatic turn when Rogózhin offers Nastasya a large sum of money to marry him.
Who are the three unmarried daughters in the Epanchin family in ‘The Idiot?’
The three unmarried daughters are Alexándra, Adelaída, and Agláya. They are charmed by Myshkin, especially Agláya, who has a complex relationship with him.