Essay Questions

According to Fyodor Dostoevsky, what are the primary evils in society?

In the novel The Idiot, Fyodor Dostoevsky precisely indicates that corruption and bribery are the biggest hindrances to the progress of any society. Getting basic services is problematic if one does not give a bribe to the authorities. Therefore, those people who are not in a position to give bribes cannot access the basic services. He argues that corruption is a dark culture because it is an enemy of progress. Making matters worse, corruption and bribery have become part of life and people have accepted that they have to part with something to get whatever they want.

What is the satirical meaning of the title The Idiot?

Prince Myshkin is a principled man who stands for what is right and this has made many people call him the idiot. Nevertheless, it is ironic that when one is against corruption and bribery he is painted as an idiot. In the novel, Prince Myshkin is depicted as a man of integrity. People assume that he is an idiot simply because he deviates from the societal norm of corruption. The reader finds it satirical that smart people with integrity and honesty are thought to be stupid by the people who have been corrupted by the culture of bribery.

Why is Prince Myshkin referred to as ignorant by the people around him?

Prince Myshkin believes in honesty but he is surrounded by corrupt individuals who believe that they can bribe the system to accumulate wealth for themselves. His friends wonder why he is so ignorant to overlook the opportunities that can make him rich in the shortest time possible. He is poor because he does not want to give a bribe to get to riches. However, the people around the him are confusing his innocence with ignorance.