Summary

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel The Idiot, first published serially in 1868 to 1869, tells the story of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, a young man whose innocence and goodness bring him into conflict with the cynicism and materialism of Russian society. Dostoyevsky originally conceived the character as an attempt to portray “a wholly beautiful human being,” whose purity and compassion for others leads many to view him as an “idiot.” Considered one of Dostoyevsky's most personal and ambitious works, the novel explores themes of innocence, guilt, faith, and mortality. The novel continues to be widely read and studied as one of the great classics of 19th-century Russian literature, renowned for its psychological depth and examination of moral and spiritual questions.

Plot

Prince Lyov Nikolayevitch Myshkin returns to Russia after years in a Swiss sanatorium, where he was treated for epilepsy. On the train to St. Petersburg, he meets Parfyon Rogozhin, who tells him about the beautiful Nastasya Filippovna. In St. Petersburg, Myshkin visits his distant relatives, the Epanchin family, and becomes acquainted with their youngest daughter, Aglaya. He also learns that Nastasya Filippovna is set to be married to Ganya Ivolgin. At her birthday party, she rejects marriage proposals from both Ganya and Myshkin—and leaves with Rogozhin.

Over the next six months, Nastasya Filippovna vacillates between Myshkin and Rogozhin. Myshkin moves to a summer house in Pavlovsk, where he becomes close with the Epanchin family, especially Aglaya. However, his behavior is often viewed as odd or inappropriate by society. Meanwhile, he tries to help various troubled characters, including the dying nihilist Ippolit. Tensions rise as both Aglaya and Nastasya Filippovna vie for Myshkin's affections.

The rivalry between Aglaya and Nastasya Filippovna comes to a head when they arrange a meeting. Aglaya cruelly insults Nastasya Filippovna, who then demands that Myshkin stay with her. He agrees out of compassion, devastating Aglaya. Myshkin and Nastasya Filippovna become engaged, but on their wedding day, she runs away with Rogozhin. Myshkin follows them to St. Petersburg, searching desperately for Nastasya Filippovna.

Finally, Myshkin finds Rogozhin, who takes him to see Nastasya Filippovna's dead body— Rogozhin has murdered her. The two men keep vigil over her corpse through the night. By morning, Myshkin has regressed to an “idiot” state due to the shock. Rogozhin is sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in Siberia. Myshkin returns to the Swiss sanatorium. Meanwhile, Aglaya elopes with a Polish count who turns out to be an imposter.

Themes

• Innocence versus corruption in society

• The nature of true Christian compassion

• The conflict between reason and emotion

• The psychological effects of impending death

• The struggle between atheism and religious faith

• The destructive power of passion and obsession

• The individual's alienation from society

Setting

The Idiot is set in Russia in the late 1860s, a time of social and political upheaval. The story primarily takes place in St. Petersburg, the cosmopolitan capital of the Russian Empire. This urban setting allows Dostoevsky to explore the stark contrasts between the wealthy aristocracy and the struggling lower classes, as well as the intellectual and philosophical debates swirling through Russian society at the time.

Within St. Petersburg, much of the action occurs in the homes and social spaces of the upper classes. Key locations include the Epanchin family's mansion, where many pivotal scenes unfold, and Nastasya Filippovna's apartment, the site of scandalous gatherings. The novel also ventures briefly to the resort town of Pavlovsk outside the capital, where the characters retreat in the summer months, providing a change of scenery that highlights the social dynamics at play.

Dostoevsky uses the setting to create a sense of a society in flux, caught between old aristocratic values and emerging modern ideologies. The urban environment of St. Petersburg serves as a microcosm of Russian society, allowing the author to bring together characters from diverse backgrounds and explore the tensions and conflicts arising in a rapidly changing world. Through this rich and textured setting, Dostoevsky examines themes of innocence, guilt, love, and the nature of good and evil.

Characters

• Prince Lyov Nikolayevitch Myshkin: The novel's protagonist, a man in his mid-20s who has returned to Russia after years in a Swiss clinic for epilepsy treatment. Myshkin is deeply compassionate, innocent, and honest to a fault. His goodness and naivety lead many to view him as an “idiot," though he possesses profound insight into human nature. Myshkin's purity of spirit impacts all those he encounters, for better or worse.

• Nastasya Filippovna Barashkova: A beautiful but psychologically broken woman who was manipulated and abused by her guardian Totsky from a young age. Nastasya Filippovna is intelligent, passionate, and self-destructive. She is torn between her love for Myshkin's kindness and Rogozhin's obsessive desire for her.

• Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin: A passionate and impulsive merchant's son who becomes obsessed with Nastasya Filippovna. Rogozhin's intense emotions and primal nature stand in stark contrast to Myshkin's gentleness. His jealousy and possessiveness toward Nastasya Filippovna drive much of the novel's tragic plot.

• Aglaya Ivanovna Epanchin: The beautiful youngest daughter of General Epanchin. Aglaya is proud, willful, and idealistic. She develops feelings for Prince Myshkin but struggles to understand his devotion to Nastasya Filippovna. Aglaya's internal conflict between love and pride leads to dramatic confrontations.

• Gavril Ardalionovich Ivolgin (Ganya): An ambitious young man who initially pursues Nastasya Filippovna for financial gain. Ganya is vain and avaricious but also intelligent and conflicted about his choices. His interactions with Myshkin reveal both his cynicism and his potential for nobility.

• Lizaveta Prokofyevna Epanchin: Aglaya's mother and Myshkin's distant relative. Lizaveta Prokofyevna is impulsive, emotional, and fiercely protective of her family. She develops a maternal affection for Myshkin despite her initial skepticism.

• General Ivan Fyodorovich Epanchin: Aglaya's father, a wealthy and respected military man. The General is practical and worldly, often bemused by Myshkin's unconventional behavior.

• Ippolit Terentyev: A young nihilist dying of tuberculosis. Ippolit is bitter and cynical, challenging Myshkin's worldview with his atheistic philosophy. His struggle with mortality provides a counterpoint to Myshkin's spiritual outlook.

• Lebedev: A cunning and verbose drunkard who attaches himself to Myshkin and Rogozhin. Lebedev is both a schemer and a seeker of truth, providing comic relief and unexpected insights.

• General Ivolgin: Ganya's father, an alcoholic prone to telling grandiose lies. The General's decline represents the fading of old Russian nobility.

Quick facts

• Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote The Idiot while living abroad, moving between Switzerland and Italy to escape creditors.

• The novel was originally serialized in monthly installments in the journal The Russian Messenger from 1868 to 1869.

• Dostoevsky wrote much of the novel extemporaneously, not knowing how the plot would develop from one installment to the next.

• The novel explores themes of innocence, guilt, and the nature of true Christian love in 19th-century Russian society.

• Dostoevsky drew inspiration for Prince Myshkin's character from his own experience of facing a mock execution in 1849.

• The character of Prince Myshkin was intended to represent Dostoevsky's vision of a “positively good and beautiful man."

• The author considered The Idiot his favorite among his own works, despite feeling it was not entirely successful.

• Critical reception of The Idiot in Russia at the time of publication was largely negative.

• Literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin considered The Idiot a prime example of the polyphonic novel, featuring multiple independent voices.

• Filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky long aspired to adapt The Idiot into a film but was prevented by Soviet censors.

About the Author

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was one of the most influential Russian novelists of the 19th century. Born in Moscow, he began his literary career in his 20s with the publication of his first novel, Poor Folk. Dostoevsky's early success was interrupted by his arrest and exile to Siberia for alleged involvement in revolutionary activities. This experience had a profound impact on his worldview and later writings.

Upon returning from exile, Dostoevsky wrote some of his most acclaimed works, including Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, Demons, and The Brothers Karamazov. His novels are known for their psychological depth, philosophical and religious themes, and vivid portrayals of human suffering and moral dilemmas. He explored complex ideas about free will, morality, and the nature of good and evil through his deeply flawed yet compelling characters. Stylistically, Dostoevsky was innovative in his use of polyphony—the presence of multiple narrative voices and perspectives within a single work. His writing was often intense and dramatic, with long philosophical discussions interspersed with moments of humor and acute psychological insight.

Dostoevsky’s works have been translated into more than 170 languages and continue to be widely read and studied today. His penetrating explorations of the human condition ensure his place as one of the towering figures of Russian and world literature.