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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
slow-paced
So as I read I always asked myself, if our protagonist Lord Myschkin is really an idiot or are his very sircumstances in a way pushing him on being sort of an "idea of idiot" or a way to be seen by others as an idiot but without glancing 'behind the scenes/shades'. but as I finished the last 130 pages in one sitting, I all came clear to me that this book is a way of describing the circumstances, that ppl get to think of another person as an idiot. It's a definition of an idiot as theres no such thing as THE idiot but there are and it's a deep charakter study of it. The translation says THE idiot, the original just idiot, maybe AN idiot would be rather true... but yea, he's surely an idiot!
will not attempt another one of these during the school year again lol.
The characters are great, and the work is really strong with some of D's favourite subjects, though sometimes it gets a little obvious ('doubles', christianity, etc, etc). Its a bit of a mess sometimes, with D seeming to try and put random themes in places where they wouldnt really fit, but it kind of works with how erratic his characters are.
The characters are great, and the work is really strong with some of D's favourite subjects, though sometimes it gets a little obvious ('doubles', christianity, etc, etc). Its a bit of a mess sometimes, with D seeming to try and put random themes in places where they wouldnt really fit, but it kind of works with how erratic his characters are.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is a saying that when reading a great novel it acts like a mirror to your heart; this statement cannot be more relevant for The Idiot.
Prince Myshkin starts as a mystic figure who is almost prophetic in a sense that he systematically opens up layers of veil that enshroud peoples pride. For me, his criticality starts to break down in the latter half of the novel where his idiosyncratic reflection on those around him as well as his narrow-mindedness become a nuisance. In one instance, at a Russian aristocracy party, his anger towards Catholicism and Russian elites has completely shattered the social fabrics of etiquette. By ignoring repeated suggestion to stop his tirade, he has effectively over-stepped boundaries and his over-confidence in his judgement of the situation make him look rather naive. This reveals his inability to interweave his personality with the societal constraints - a sign of immaturity and to an extent ignorance.
It's interesting to see the comparison between The Idiot and Crime and Punishment. In one instance, Myshkin is portrayed as an articulate man, unbound by social norm while simultaneously stabs into the core of defects across the Russian elites. However, what we see at the end is a pitiful young man who cannot be accepted into the society due to his peculiarity, critical views and vanity. The converse is true for Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment who, despite being a cold-blooded murderer, is portrayed as a culmination of human tenderness, compassion and regret which ultimately leads to redemption. In other words, for me at least, Myskin mirrors the flaws in my characters which I try to suppress while Raskolnikov enlightens virtues that inspire.
Lastly, The Idiot is definitely a smart title. Not surprising that many people consider it as a paradox.
Prince Myshkin starts as a mystic figure who is almost prophetic in a sense that he systematically opens up layers of veil that enshroud peoples pride. For me, his criticality starts to break down in the latter half of the novel where his idiosyncratic reflection on those around him as well as his narrow-mindedness become a nuisance. In one instance, at a Russian aristocracy party, his anger towards Catholicism and Russian elites has completely shattered the social fabrics of etiquette. By ignoring repeated suggestion to stop his tirade, he has effectively over-stepped boundaries and his over-confidence in his judgement of the situation make him look rather naive. This reveals his inability to interweave his personality with the societal constraints - a sign of immaturity and to an extent ignorance.
It's interesting to see the comparison between The Idiot and Crime and Punishment. In one instance, Myshkin is portrayed as an articulate man, unbound by social norm while simultaneously stabs into the core of defects across the Russian elites. However, what we see at the end is a pitiful young man who cannot be accepted into the society due to his peculiarity, critical views and vanity. The converse is true for Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment who, despite being a cold-blooded murderer, is portrayed as a culmination of human tenderness, compassion and regret which ultimately leads to redemption. In other words, for me at least, Myskin mirrors the flaws in my characters which I try to suppress while Raskolnikov enlightens virtues that inspire.
Lastly, The Idiot is definitely a smart title. Not surprising that many people consider it as a paradox.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes