The Idiot

Prince Myshkin, having just returned to Russia after his stay in a Swiss asylum, finds himself caught in a web of romantic and financial schemes. These entanglements revolve around an ensemble of vividly depicted characters and eventually result in a tragic denouement. Through these interactions, Myshkin stands out as a distinct embodiment of the Christian ideal of purity, reflecting Dostoevsky's own philosophical beliefs, struggles, and social commentary. His peaceful altruism starkly contrasts with the more worldly traits exhibited by the other characters in the novel. Through this narrative, Dostoevsky delivers a scathing critique of the Russian aristocracy of his time, portraying a society ill-suited for the pure-hearted nature of someone like Myshkin, often deemed an "idiot" for his goodness.