A Study Guide for Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot"

By Gale and Cengage

A Study Guide for Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Novels for Students.This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Novels for Students for all of your research needs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cengage Learning - Gale
• Release date: Mar 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781535823791

Book preview

12

The Idiot

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

1869

Introduction

The Idiot is a classic example of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky's work after his release from imprisonment in Siberia for meeting with a socialist group, the Petrashevsky Circle. This novel and his other later works have ideas that are more conservative. Written between 1867 and 1869 and published in 1869, this complex novel addresses a number of themes, such as greed, class, love, innocence, faith, religion, death, and loss. The numerous ideas discussed reflect the political and social changes occurring in Russia at the time.

Myshkin, Dostoyevsky's main character, is often described as a Christ figure who easily interacts with individuals from different classes and walks of life. His trusting and idealistic point of view instills both affection and animosity in those around him. Myshkin has great insight into the motivations and personalities of those around him, but he refuses to believe the worst of people. He stands out in a crowd of angry and selfish characters, but his goodness does not save him. By the end of the story, Myshkin's attitude of love and forgiveness contributes to his own demise.

Author Biography

Dostoyevsky (also spelled Dostoevsky) was born in Moscow, Russia, on October 30, 1821. His father was a doctor, and Dostoyevsky grew up as part of the landowner class. He was raised in a devout Russian Orthodox family, which shaped his worldview and writing. Dostoyevsky attended a boarding school and was away when his father was murdered in 1839. It was believed that he was killed by serfs who worked his land because of his cruel treatment of them.

In 1841, Dostoyevsky attended the Academy of Engineers for officer training. He began writing during his training. He worked as a military engineer in St. Petersburg, Russia, after becoming an officer. As a writer, Dostoyevsky worked on translating other authors as well as creating his own stories. For example, he translated and published the works of Honoré duthor. He resigned from the military in 1844 and worked on his first novel, Poor People, in 1845. The novel earned him recognition in literary circles when it was published in 1846.

As a young man, Dostoyevsky was attracted to socialism out of an interest in social justice. Kenneth Lantz points out in Religious Views in The Dostoyevsky Encyclopedia that he specifically gravitated toward those strains that were not incompatible with Christianity. His connection with socialism led to involvement with the Petrashevsky Circle, a group of intellectuals who met to discuss literature and philosophy and who mostly opposed the czarist government of Russia. Dostoyevsky and other members of the group were arrested in 1849. He was originally sentenced to death, but that sentence was altered to eight years in prison. Czar Nicholas I commuted the sentence to four years. Dostoyevsky remained in Siberia from 1850