Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Idiot, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Innocence v. Foolishness
Money, Greed, and Corruption
Social Hierarchy, Authority, and Rebellion
Absurdity and Nihilism
Passion, Violence, and Christianity
Summary
Analysis
Myshkin tells General Epanchin that he doesn’t have any specific business to discuss; rather, he has just come from Switzerland and wanted to meet. The general suspiciously responds that Myshkin must have an actual reason for being there, but Myshkin replies that he doesn’t. In response to further questions, Myshkin admits that he doesn’t know where he is staying yet, and that his little bundle contains all his possessions. General Epanchin appears to dismiss him, and the prince amiably gets up to go. However, at this point the general stops him, saying that he would actually like to get to know the prince after all.
Again, the reader sees evidence of conflicted feelings in General Epanchin’s reaction to Myshkin. On one hand the general is suspicious and can’t seem to believe that Myshkin would come to meet him without a self-interested intention. Yet is actually true that Myshkin came with such an innocent aim. When General Epanchin realizes this, his attitude shifts, and he becomes more curious about him.
Themes
General Epanchin is surprised to learn that Myshkin is 26 and not younger, and Myshkin replies that many people say he has a “youthful face.” He says that he is worried he is annoying the general. He admits that he has no property, career, or money of his own, and that he would like to do some work, although he is limited by his illness and his lack of any skill.
In some ways Myshkin does not actually resemble a real person, and certainly not an adult. His illness has removed him from society in such a way that he takes on a mystical, fairy tale-like quality—apt for a character who is framed as a Christ figure.
Themes
Myshkin proceeds to explain his life story to General Epanchin. Orphaned as a child, his illness meant that he had to be raised in the countryside rather than the city. The late Pavlishchev supported him, likely because he had been a friend of Myshkin’s father. Myshkin admits that “the frequent attacks of illness had made almost an idiot of him.” About five years ago Pavlishchev sent him to the Swiss clinic of Professor Schneider, who conducts research into illnesses like Myshkin’s. After Pavlishchev suddenly died, Schneider kept treating Myshkin for another two years without receiving payment. However, Myshkin eventually decided he needed to return to Russia.
Myshkin’s description of his life story illustrates the extent to which his life has never been under his own control. Of course, to some degree this is true of everyone, but because of his orphan status and his illness, Myshkin has had to be especially reliant on other people to take care of him. This is yet another way in which he can appear to be childlike to others, prompting them to underestimate him.
Themes
General Epanchin checks that Myshkin has received some education and that he can read and write without errors; Myshkin assures him that he can. The general asks Ganya to give Myshkin a pen and paper. Ganya is holding a photo of Nastasya Filippovna, which Nastasya gave him herself when he came to see her on her 25th birthday. The general informs Ganya that Nastasya intends to give her “final word” that very night during the party at her place. Ganya goes white. General Epanchin asks about Ganya’s family; he replies that he has stopped speaking to his father, who he claims is a “fool.” His mother and sister are upset, seemingly because they don’t want him to marry Nastasya. This has something to do with her relationship to Totsky.
In contrast to the childlike Myshkin, whose life has a simple, fairy tale-like quality, Ganya appears to be overwhelmed by a complex web of problems. The issues he encounters regarding his possible engagement to Nastasya serve as a reminder that in the word of the novel, marriages are as much about abiding by familial wishes as they are about romance (in fact, perhaps much more so).
Themes
Get the entire The Idiot LitChart as a printable PDF.
Prince Myshkin, meanwhile, looks at the photo of Nastasya and remarks on her beauty. Based on the photo, she has dark blond hair, dark eyes, and a thin face. He comments that even though he has only been in Russia for one day, he has already heard about her before. Ganya asks if Myshkin thinks Rogozhin is “a serious man or just a mischief maker.” Myshkin diplomatically replies that Rogozhin has “a lot of passion […] some sort of sick passion.” General Epanchin observes that Ganya seems almost pleased to hear about Rogozhin’s attachment to Nastasya, as if this is a means of escape for himself. The general reminds Ganya that no one is forcing him to do anything. Ganya promises that he is “willing.”
The idea of passion, and in particular a dark, disturbing form of passion, is very significant in the novel. It is associated with Rogozhin perhaps more than any other character. Even though Myshkin and Rogozhin have only met once, Myshkin recognizes this trait in him immediately. Indeed, there is an important contrast between the innocent love characterized by Myshkin and the “sick passion” he describes Rogozhin as possessing.
Themes
General Epanchin exclaims that the sentence Prince Myshkin has written on the paper he’s been given is a “model” example of calligraphy. The prince gives a long, enthusiastic response about calligraphy, revealing his expert knowledge, and the general comments that “there’s a career here.” He promises to find Myshkin a position in the chancellery, and suggests that he should stay in Ganya’s family home. He thinks it will be good for Myshkin to find his feet in St. Petersburg while staying with a respectable family, and will recommend Myshkin to them himself. He also gives Myshkin 25 roubles to start off, saying he has a long-term “intention” for their friendship that will be revealed in due time.
Myshkin’s friendly open-heartedness, while sometimes initially greeted with suspicion and even hostility, often yields kindness and generosity in return. When General Epanchin initially thought that Myshkin was here to get something out of him, he didn’t want to give it, and indeed dismissed Myshkin from his house altogether. However, now that Epanchin sees what an unselfish person Myshkin is, he is happy to provide a great many things for him.
Themes
Ganya confirms that Myshkin would be welcome with his family. General Epanchin expresses dislike of their other lodger, Ferdyshchenko, who jokingly pretends to be related to Nastasya. The general then announces that has he has to leave immediately, but promises to tell Mrs. Epanchin about Myshkin. Once the general goes, Myshkin notices Ganya staring at the portrait of Nastasya, and observes that while Nastasya is extraordinarily beautiful, it is clear that she has suffered terribly. Myshkin comments that he can’t marry anyone because he’s sick, but that Rogozhin would probably marry Nastasya instantly if he could, and stab her “a week later.”
It is not clear whether Myshkin is physically incapable of marrying anyone due to his illness, or whether he simply believes that his condition makes him an undesirable partner. Of course, the fact that he can’t work and has no other source of income does indeed make it less likely that he will be considered a good match as a husband. In a sense, his stated inability to marry and his lack of romantic “passion” (in contrast to Rogozhin) make him a somewhat asexual figure, again similar to Christ.
Themes
