The Idiot

"The Idiot," by Fyodor Dostoevsky, is a novel centered on Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, whose naïveté, open-heartedness, and lack of guile lead many in the corrupt society of 19th-century Russia to label him an "idiot." Myshkin's return to Russia from a Swiss sanatorium sets him on a collision course with the flawed reality of human nature. His Christ-like innocence and desire to find the good in people are juxtaposed against the venality and opportunism of the society he re-enters. The novel explores themes such as the clash between innocence and social sophistication, the manipulation of love for power, and the complexities of human emotions. Dostoevsky crafts a rich tapestry of characters, each embodying different aspects of Russian life, and through Myshkin's interactions with them, the author dissects the capacity for goodness in a compromised world. "The Idiot" is a deep psychological exploration of society and the individual conscience, posing enduring questions about the true meaning of being human.