Summary The evening engagement party is arranged and it is also arranged that Princess Byelokonsky shall make an appearance; after all, her patronage carries social weight and the Epanchins count heavily on this fact, particularly her approval of the prince. It is an unhappy fact, but one that must be […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapter 6Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapter 5
Summary We learn now — from hints, meaningful silences, and surmises — that Varya has somewhat exaggerated the finality of Myshkin’s engagement to Aglaia Epanchin. But, at the same time, we learn that a very important matter has occurred in the Epanchin household: Lizaveta Prokofyevna has at least considered the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapter 5Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapters 2-4
Summary General Ivolgin flings open the door and shouts at the top of his voice to Ptitsyn: His son-in-law has given aid to the enemy. By housing Ippolit, he has comforted an atheist. The consumptive invalid who will not die probes into the general’s heart and soul! Ganya retorts that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapters 2-4Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapter 1
Summary Dostoevsky begins this section by speaking of the ordinariness of Varvara (Varya) Ptitsyn. The vast majority of mankind, the author, is made up of just such people as Varya, and one of the problems confronting a novelist is the re-creation of such fictional personages. More often than not, ordinary […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part IV: Chapter 1Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapters 9-10
Summary At the Epanchin villa, Myshkin explains to Lizaveta Prokofyevna that Aglaia arranged their early morning meeting and that they spoke of matters that concerned only Aglaia. He is allowed to leave. He goes back to his villa but is unable to go to bed, for first he is bothered […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapters 9-10Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 8
Summary On the green bench, Aglaia and Myshkin talk, first of all, about Ippolit’s attempt at suicide — Aglaia likening the incident to her own determination, at thirteen, to poison herself. Myshkin says that he believes that Ippolit wanted the guests to gather around him, to beg him to remain […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 8Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapters 5-7
Summary Ippolit, whom has fallen asleep during Lebedyev’s address, wakes suddenly and wonders how long he has slept. Has Lebedyev finished, he asks? He jeers at Myshkin for believing that beauty will save the world. The prince thinks so for only one reason, he says: Myshkin is in love. Ippolit […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapters 5-7Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 4
Summary Myshkin arrives home and finds a noisy party in progress. A dozen or so bottles of champagne have been opened and the guests greet the prince with shouts and good wishes. Everyone Myshkin knows seems to be present: Burdovsky, Yevgeny Pavlovitch, Lebedyev and his family, General Ivolgin, Ippolit, Ganya, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 4Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 3
Summary After the scandalous scene in the park, Madame Epanchin’s curiosity is intensified: Radomsky, she fears, is a scoundrel, despite Prince S.’s recommendations. And there is another matter that confounds her: Aglaia seems to know much more about Nastasya Filippovna’s relationship with Yevgeny Pavlovitch than she pretends. Madame Epanchin, thus, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 2
Summary Before the Epanchins and their guests can leave for the park, Myshkin jumps up and pleads for them to understand that he is to blame for all that has happened during the last three days. He is ill, he says, and has been ill for more than twenty years. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part III: Chapter 2