The Idiot (a book musing)
Published October 14, 2010
Don’t mind me. I’m just sitting on my bed writing this review while my husband hides behind the pillow next to me watching a zombie movie. So if at any point you hear screaming or someone whimpering like a little girl, that would be him. Just ignore it and read on.
And to answer your question, yes, I finally finished Dostoevsky’s “The Idiot.” And, yes, it took me three months. Don’t laugh. Some literature is best enjoyed in slow, chewable bites (similar to how zombies eat apparently). And if you recall my silly Idiot’s Guide to Dostoevsky post, then you’ll know how I feel about this piece in particular as well as its author. Next week I’ll give you part two, where Dani, Lori, and I hash over the book together in humored thoughts, edited comments (ahem), and lattes. But for now, here you go.
“I am a realist in the highest sense of the word, that is to say, I depict all the depths of the human soul.” –Dostoevsky.
I’ve said it before (in Women of Hysteria Unite), and I’ll say it again: Dostoevsky’s genius lies in his ability to exaggerate a quality or flaw within human nature (to the point of developing an entire personality based upon that single characteristic) for the purpose of exposing the innermost depths of the human soul. A type of embellished psychoanalysis, if you will, which remains unmatched by any plot device or redemptive conclusion in regards to the level of spirit-searching one can exact upon their reader. Not to say that Dostoevsky’s characters wallow without change in their particular quality or flaw, (or even forego any manner of redemption), but that, similar to us, they cannot achieve it without first having dredged the soul in self-discovery. In “Crime and Punishment,” Dostoevsky gave us Raskolnikov, the tormented conscience. In the case of “The Idiot,” he offers us our beloved Prince Myshkin, the personification of innocence.
An epileptic and a “simpleton,” the Prince is said to be Dostoevsky’s archetype of Christ. An embodiment of purity in human form set in the broken world of Russia’s nineteenth-century political and social system. From the beginning encounter with the unscrupulous Rogozhin, on through the varying societal circles of St. Petersburgh, Prince Myshkin’s virtue is met with the attitude most might cop when facing a man who idealistically confounds the standards of relational and social customs. First, they humor and at times even seek to use him, until their own insecurity rises with the suspicion that perhaps he is using and ridiculing them. Soon emerges, however, varying degrees of toleration, and finally, eventually, a certain amount of respect derived from both those who love and those who despise the Prince. And those who love him? Do so for the goodness he evokes in them. Those who despise him do so for the pricking their consciences give at their utter lack of goodness.
Thus the Prince is the crux of the story. The one on whom all plot and personalities play off of. He enters each family, each life, each scene with such presence that the book itself (not to mention the characters) changes consequently. (I suspect this is one of the reasons Dostoevsky rewrote it so many times before publication.) And just as he is the crux of Dostoevsky’s story, the Prince’s love for beautiful Aglaya thwarted by his compassion for Nastasya Filippovna is the heart of HIS story. Romantic desire sacrificed to empathy. Benevolence misunderstood for need. In light of this contrast, it becomes clear that the Prince cannot function in our world. He is too good, too pure. Emphasized all the more by the disparity between himself and Rogozhin, whose selfish passions drive him to murder, while our Prince’s incorruptibility leads to insanity.
Okay…so there you have it. My musings on Dostoevsky’s “The Idiot.” Now tell me, what’s the last novel you read where the main character inspired the best (or worst) within yourself? Or if you’re not up for deep reflection, then what’s the last movie you watched that made you squeak like a scared little girly girl?
What’s the mood noise of the moment? Creedence Clearwater Revival
Tags: chapter summaries, cliff notes, fyodor dostoevsky, homework, idiot dostoevsky, review of dostoevsky the idiot, studyguide for dostoyevsky, the idiot
10.14.2010 / 10:27 am
<3
10.14.2010 / 11:24 am
Sooooooooo…. what movie was Peter watching?
10.14.2010 / 11:56 am
Tweets that mention The Idiot (a book musing) | M. Christine Weber -- Topsy.com[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Daniella Indie, m. christine weber. m. christine weber said: A book review with a little CCR for your day
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10.14.2010 / 12:26 pm
Zombieland.
He read this post before I published and said, “What?! It wasn’t exactly a scream…”
10.14.2010 / 1:11 pm
Kwa? Zombieland is the cool aid of zombie films… but I guess when you live way out in the middle of nowhere there is an additional creepy factor. (Remote locations, +1 to creepiness)
10.14.2010 / 3:31 pm
Mmmmm confession: I never watch scary movies anymore. I do occasionally watch trailers though, which leads me to The Human Centipede. I’m still not sure if I wanted to laugh more, or just throw up, but it definitely made me suspicious of dark, middle-of-no-where houses. Also,
I’m not sure if this counts, but Nynaeve (The Wheel of Time, yes it’s all I think about) makes me want to be a bamf. And throw knives.
10.14.2010 / 4:49 pm
Firstly I don’t know the meaning of scream or whimpering, grunt maybe. Secondly I’m sure that there have been more than a few deaths around the consumption and/or production of cool aid. Which is more than I can say for zombies entirely. Can I just say that slushies are chilling. Also I may just have been making use of the time honored “get chick to jump into your arms at scary part of movie” ploy…in reverse. Yeah I’m not above that.
10.14.2010 / 5:24 pm
Peter, I like how your mind works, but find it rather sad that you have to resort to such techniques with your wife. Seriously, dude, if you need a hug, you should just ask.
10.14.2010 / 6:44 pm
Kati: you totally got me laughing. How is it you’re so awesome?
Pete: I adore you. That’s romantic.
Dani: so are you coming to my birthday party or what?
Andy: creepy + 1. You know it.
10.14.2010 / 7:18 pm
Birthday AFTER party… yes! Anthony can’t get away before Friday at 3pm, and, unless we build a land rocket between now and then that fits us, our kids, and our luggage, we won’t be at your place until Saturday. =( Not what you wanted to hear, I know, but it’s the best I could do!! Maybe we should have a bake sale to raise funds for the Indie Land Rocket Project… set a family world record!
10.16.2010 / 7:29 pm
As a man I can’t think of any character who brings out the good in me more than Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. To me, he is the quintessential warrior-poet who is still human enough to struggle with the worry that he doesn’t have what it takes. Yet through it all he finds that with the help of those around him, he indeed does have the courage and the daring and the ability necessary for his situation.
Yea, he’s not a main character, but that’s all I’ve got.
10.17.2010 / 8:18 am
James, that is totally awesome. You have always been cool, but that just really boosted your coolness in my eyes. =)
I took inspiration from Katniss, actually, or rather, took warning from her tale. Not that I’m in some crazy, post-apocalyptic world (right?). You know how she often just curled up in a ball and felt really sorry for herself? I tend to do that a lot, and I don’t want to. So… I guess I was inspired to be more of the Mockingjay than the helpless victim. Not profound, but that’s what I got. =P
10.18.2010 / 8:47 pm
Dani…sigh. I’m just happy you guys are coming at all
. And I’m going to go with you on that Katniss thing. Especially for the first two books, she was an awesome protagonist! And that’s a cool perspective on Mockingjay.
James, I seem to recall The Idiot being one of your favorites… For this, you have held my respect all the more. And Aragon? Good call. I like your breakdown of him. A warrior-poet. A man struggling with insecurity, and yet courageous. Yeah…he’s a stud.