The Idiot

Fyodor Dostoevsky, a Russian novelist from the 19th century, wrote The Idiot. It was initially serialized in The Russian Messenger in the years 1868-1869 The title is a wry allusion to the story's protagonist, Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, a young man whose benevolence, open-hearted innocence, and guilelessness cause many of the worldlier persons he meets to believe falsely that he lacks wisdom and understanding. After spending four years receiving treatment for an epileptic illness in a Swiss facility, Prince Myshkin is now returning to Russia. He meets Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin, a young trader, and is deeply moved by his ardor for a lady. Nastasya Filippovna struggles to decide between Myshkin and Rogozhin for the ensuing six months. They separate as friends despite their conflict, but the Prince is still worried. Aglaya seems to share Myshkin's fascination as he starts to fall in love with her. She frequently makes fun of him or violently chastises him for his innocence and excessive humility. A dinner party is planned since her mother thinks it's appropriate to introduce the Prince to their elite group. Although Aglaya tries to instruct him on proper behavior since she does not share her parents' admiration for these individuals, she curtly advises him to be as quirky as he pleases.