Dostoevsky's The Idiot

Dostoevsky famously said consciousness was a disease, so The Idiot published in 1869, is considered his most personal novel as it deals with themes and experiences which Dostoevsky went through in his own life, namely death penalty, epilepsy, and that deep goodness and innocence that Dostoevsky was seeking throughout his life. On a deeper level, Dostoevsky wished he was a little bit more naive and innocent. For him once you’re exposed to certain ideas, it is impossible to unsee what you have seen. We use alcohol, drugs, and often other things to numb that pain of knowing things. The most devastating thing in this novel is the awareness that death is the end of you. Yes, once you die you go kaput. Nothing remains of you. No soul flies to heaven. Dostoevsky grappled with this idea throughout his life and he called consciousness as a disease. So the Idiot is his attempt to find an antidote to suffering.
In this video I will summarise the novel, then I will discuss its major themes such as religion, death penalty, money and different kinds of love, and finally Dostoevsky ultimate message in this novel. So get yourself a cup of coffee or some popcorn.

Support the channel

WHERE TO FIND ME:

Music:

🕔Time Stamps🕔
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Summary part 1
10:42 Summary part 2
20:10 Theme: death penalty
21:06 epilepsy
22:06 alcohol
22:47 money
23:21 Love
24:44 Religion

#dostoevsky
#theidiot
#russianliterature

[kamadokd]

I always thought Nastasia chose Rogojin as she secretly hated herself and didn’t think she, a defiled being, deserved an innocent, virtuous character like Myshkin

[FProductions]

Finished the book this morning, I ended up finishing the last couple of chapters on my way to work, usually I only read one chapter during the same duration. It was so captivating that I could not wait to finish it to uncover the ending. The ending was so masterfully shocking and devastating that I struggled in work today. I sat on my chair in shock and felt sadness. Tragic but such a brilliant end to a great book. I will take a small break from Dostoevsky and return to him when the time is right, what a genius...

[real.liam.gardner]

When you start reading Dostoyevsky you never go back to the innocent, simple, happy life you had before. The void of death, the empathy of human relations and the crualty of love hits you just as hard as the envy to detain a soul of pureness who lives without understanding the fear of consciousness.

[quantumphantasm]

There's a huge difference between someone being wrong because they've been conditioned accordingly since the beginning of their lives and threatened for any indication of contesting the provided narrative, versus someone being wrong because their cognition is faulty and they cannot comprehend despite the information needed to do so being readily available, or even plainly obvious. Most people are the former, but plenty of the latter exists.

[catchingmangoes]

Great video, definitely made me realize things about the novel I had previously missed.

I do think however that it's a bit of a simplification to say Nastasya picked Rogozhin because of he is a passionate bad boy. It always seemed to me (and is of course eluded to by Aglaya later on) that Nastasya actually prefers Myshkin from the beginning and recognizes his goodness but does not value herself enough to be with him. She see's him as being to good for her and therefore self sabotages the relationship and falls back with Rogozhin. This is why Aglaya's accusation of her being in love with her status of a victim leaves her so hurt and speechless later on, she recognizes the truth in it. It seemed to me that Dostoyevsky was arguing that her poor upbringing, where everyone was consistently using her for their own objectives, had tragically made her believe she had no self worth. However, Myshkin was the first to love her as a person rather than an object revealing to her she was worth something.

Her story is one of someone wrestling with their conscience, either she chooses Rogozhin and maintains her status a valueless victim who has no responsibility to the world around her and is therefore free to do as she pleases, or she chooses Myshkin and is loved as an equal but has to give up the status of victim and bare the responsibility of her actions. It's a continuation on the theme in The Brothers Karamazov where Ivan states that without God everything is permitted, the fear of choosing Myshkin (Jesus) is the fear of suddenly being responsible and judged upon doing good. Ultimately she loses the battle within her conscience, runs away from God and is killed by the untamed passions of the Devil.

[burke]

I read The Idiot a few months ago and absolutely loved it. I’ve never read anything quite like Dostoyevsky. The Brothers Karamazov is my favorite, but I like all of his novels that I have read so far. His writing is manic at times, and always passionate, and frequently very humorous.
Thanks for the excellent review… J

[federicogallo]

I read the novel many years ago. The best novel Dostoevsky has ever written...alongside with Brothers Karamazov.

[supremereader]

I so appreciate your videos, you make long complex books like the idiot - or complex ideas from people like Jung seem fairly simple. Thanks for making these.

[nigelbryant]

OH YES SIR! One of the greatest novels ever! Hope you do Dostoevsky’s Demons next!

[alistairclark]

There is a certain genius in avoiding intellectual progression.

[anonglakmoonwicha]

Definitely one of the most impressive books I've ever read. I was a lot younger at that time, in 1979, and the mastery and subtlety of Dostoyevski's expression and story-showing literally astonished me.

[Maria-igmh]

It is a literary gem. I've read twice.
It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, as the circumstances we live in do.
I will start watching the video now.

[TupacMakaveli]

There is so much going on in this novel. Love story, psychology, sociology, philosphy, theology and much more.

[talbrott]

Something underrated about Dostoyevsky is how funny he was. The part of the book with Pavlishev's son is extremely funny. That his sense of humour translates to English and to now is staggering.

[CourteousKitsch]

This is probably my favorite novel of all time. And you give such a concise summary of an infinitely layered puzzle that I think will really help others seek out this book and enjoy it for themselves. Great job!

[robertsmith]

The Idiot is my favorite. I have read it several times. Its theme fits nicely in today's post-modern world.

[gianfissore]

about epilepsy.. it is known that in some cases, neurologically speaking, it unlocks some parts of the brain, generate a higher state of consciousness or enhance some kind of special sensivity in the people sufferng it.. so that could also explain why many authors or geniuses in different fields had epilepsy

[MrCono]

Amazing analysis! You know, the "problem" I have with Dostoevsky's novels is that I think there's a lot of deeper meanings in every one of his novels. This was brilliant analysis, and it makes me wonder what is more inside The Idiot. Without doubt, Dostoevsky is one of the best writers I've come across in my life.

[sabyasachisenapati]

I come from a society where although on the surface people generally don't talk about smartness or idiocy but it's a silent acknowledgement among all of them and visible in all aspects of life. I decided to quit a relation because I thought it would create unnecessary problems for the other person and he/she deserved a way better life because of this silent acknowledgement. And I am very proud of that decision, both of us are where we were supposed to be today.

[sergeyperetyatko]

his best novel in my opinion....and probably the easiest to translate from russian without losing its depth