The Idiot (Fyodor Dostoevsky)

*The Idiot* by Fyodor Dostoevsky centers on Prince Myshkin, a compassionate and purely good man who returns to Russia after a neurological illness. His innocence and sincerity clash with society’s greed, hypocrisy, and superficiality, leading to misunderstandings and tragedy. The novel explores themes of moral goodness, the nature of happiness, and the destructive power of idealism. Through Myshkin’s interactions with a wealthy and passionate crowd, Dostoevsky examines how purity can be both inspiring and fragile amid a flawed world. Ultimately, it questions whether true goodness can survive in a corrupt society.