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166 reviews for:
Humiliated and Insulted: From the Notes of an Unsuccessful Author
Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.12 AVERAGE
166 reviews for:
Humiliated and Insulted: From the Notes of an Unsuccessful Author
Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.12 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Insulted and Injured is one of Dostoevsky’s earlier works. That being said, it is still a departure from his previous writings, specifically Poor Folk. In the latter, Dostoevsky presents people as being heavily impacted by external circumstances. On the contrary, in Insulted and Injured, we see the emphasis of autonomy - people have the freedom of choice, and wether they are happy/unhappy, poor/rich, etc. is largely a result of their own action.
Simultaneous to this idea is the development of limitation to such autonomy. While it is true that we have freedom of choice, we often do not see it as such. Our view is much more restricted - we consider other people around us, future consequences, etc. These are all complex ideas which overlap, and therefore limit us in exercising our freedom of choice. Thus, we have the protagonist, Ivan Petrovich, who deals with many hardships. And yet, despite having this ‘free’ choice, he continuously prolongs these hardships in exchange of helping other around him.
Another limitation to this notion of autonomy is our upbringing. For example, Elena spends most of her childhood being convinced by those around her that she does not deserve kindness. Thus, it is difficult for her to break this chain and accept that the love offered to her by the Ichmenyevs is not only long-lasting, but that they do not expect anything in return.
Another major theme within this novel is reality vs. Illusion. We oftentimes see characters who, die to the dismal nature of their reality, resort to fantastical notions or states of ‘brain fever’. This phenomenon seems to work the other way too - we sometimes see characters who, having been used to dismal conditions and then having achieved a better reality, revert to morose/ negative illusions. Then, too, we cannot ignore that the narrator is an author whose work therefore lies in ‘creating’ reality/realities. There is, notably, this conflict within him - whether he should recreate reality as it is in his work, or whether he should give was to joyous fabrication.
While the narrator and many other characters seem to walk along the line between reality/illusion, there are those who live only in one or the other. Alyosha, for example, seems to live in a world of his own. Initially, one cannot help but pity him, in a sense. He seems innocent in a childlike way, open to being pulled this way and that by anyone who happens upon him. This makes him vulnerable, and it is evident how he could be a dangerous character if pulled under the wrong sway. Nevertheless, his naïvety becomes tiresome eventually, and it is hard to witness him carry on in his oblivious ways while those dear to him are being deeply wounded by his actions. He is, in many ways, a predecessor to Dostoevsky’s later character, Prince Myshkin from The Idiot. The latter, however, is more complex in his innocence/purity and perhaps overall more developed. It is remarkable how similar characters are worked, re-worked, and enhanced in time.
Alyosha is not the only such example. His father can be seen as a prototype for multiple later characters, most notably the Underground man (Notes from the Underground) and Nikolai Stavrogin (Demons). Here are characters who are similar in their evil qualities. Interestingly, the Prince lacks any remorse/ regret found in the other two (more in Stavrogin than in the Underground man). He is, instead, almost wholeheartedly evil. This makes him slightly tiresome, though he is clearly still intelligent and therefore his reasoning at certain parts in the book are interesting to think about. In fact, the scene between the prince and Ivan, the clash between egoistic negativity and selfless good, is one of the most important in the novel.
On an ending note, the most important theme in the book is that of pride. We see this especially in pride being an obstacle in asking/accepting forgiveness- something which only causes more pain long-term. Yes, it is true that there are plenty insults and injuries which we can becomes exposed to/ endure. But the real pain, so to speak, is if we do not allow ourselves to step on our pride and to move on from those instances. In dwelling in them (something which Dostoevsky emphasises- the notion that people like to revel in their despair) we harm ourselves and those around us, sometimes irreparably. Putting your pride away is difficult, but worth it tenfold.
To end, though The Insulted and Injured is not Dostoevsky’s most complex (or long!) novel, I have only touched upon some of the major themes present within it. It is a relatively easy read, which nevertheless has a lot of insight to offer. Though early in his career, Dostoevsky displays such a heightened knowledge of people - their interactions, feelings, and behaviour - which is at once touching, relatable, and unnerving. I, therefore, recommend this book to anyone, and anyone has only to gain in reading it.
Simultaneous to this idea is the development of limitation to such autonomy. While it is true that we have freedom of choice, we often do not see it as such. Our view is much more restricted - we consider other people around us, future consequences, etc. These are all complex ideas which overlap, and therefore limit us in exercising our freedom of choice. Thus, we have the protagonist, Ivan Petrovich, who deals with many hardships. And yet, despite having this ‘free’ choice, he continuously prolongs these hardships in exchange of helping other around him.
Another limitation to this notion of autonomy is our upbringing. For example, Elena
Another major theme within this novel is reality vs. Illusion. We oftentimes see characters who, die to the dismal nature of their reality, resort to fantastical notions or states of ‘brain fever’. This phenomenon seems to work the other way too - we sometimes see characters who, having been used to dismal conditions and then having achieved a better reality, revert to morose/ negative illusions. Then, too, we cannot ignore that the narrator is an author whose work therefore lies in ‘creating’ reality/realities. There is, notably, this conflict within him - whether he should recreate reality as it is in his work, or whether he should give was to joyous fabrication.
While the narrator and many other characters seem to walk along the line between reality/illusion, there are those who live only in one or the other. Alyosha, for example, seems to live in a world of his own. Initially, one cannot help but pity him, in a sense. He seems innocent in a childlike way, open to being pulled this way and that by anyone who happens upon him. This makes him vulnerable, and it is evident how he could be a dangerous character if pulled under the wrong sway. Nevertheless, his naïvety becomes tiresome eventually, and it is hard to witness him carry on in his oblivious ways while those dear to him are being deeply wounded by his actions. He is, in many ways, a predecessor to Dostoevsky’s later character, Prince Myshkin from The Idiot. The latter, however, is more complex in his innocence/purity and perhaps overall more developed. It is remarkable how similar characters are worked, re-worked, and enhanced in time.
Alyosha is not the only such example. His father can be seen as a prototype for multiple later characters, most notably the Underground man (Notes from the Underground) and Nikolai Stavrogin (Demons). Here are characters who are similar in their evil qualities. Interestingly, the Prince lacks any remorse/ regret found in the other two (more in Stavrogin than in the Underground man). He is, instead, almost wholeheartedly evil. This makes him slightly tiresome, though he is clearly still intelligent and therefore his reasoning at certain parts in the book are interesting to think about. In fact, the scene between the prince and Ivan, the clash between egoistic negativity and selfless good, is one of the most important in the novel.
On an ending note, the most important theme in the book is that of pride. We see this especially in pride being an obstacle in asking/accepting forgiveness- something which only causes more pain long-term. Yes, it is true that there are plenty insults and injuries which we can becomes exposed to/ endure. But the real pain, so to speak, is if we do not allow ourselves to step on our pride and to move on from those instances. In dwelling in them (something which Dostoevsky emphasises- the notion that people like to revel in their despair) we harm ourselves and those around us, sometimes irreparably. Putting your pride away is difficult, but worth it tenfold.
To end, though The Insulted and Injured is not Dostoevsky’s most complex (or long!) novel, I have only touched upon some of the major themes present within it. It is a relatively easy read, which nevertheless has a lot of insight to offer. Though early in his career, Dostoevsky displays such a heightened knowledge of people - their interactions, feelings, and behaviour - which is at once touching, relatable, and unnerving. I, therefore, recommend this book to anyone, and anyone has only to gain in reading it.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
Wowza this made me weeeep!! Nelly!! Natasha!! What sweet, poor, unlucky ladies!! I sadly ruined the twist early on by googling the book but still was horrified when it did come. The hectic roving narrator running from home to home was a delicious way to build the narrative. Dozza's characters are always just so ill I feel like I learn about so many illnesses just by reading his books lol.