The Idiot Literary Elements

The Idiot Literary Elements

Genre

A novel

Setting and Context

The action takes place in Saint Petersburg, the second part of the 19th century

Narrator and Point of View

It is third-person narration.

Tone and Mood

As most of Dostoevsky’s novels, The Idiot is narrated in both intellectual and ironic tones.

Protagonist and Antagonist

The protagonist is prince Lev Mikovaevich Myshkin, while the antagonist is Parfen Rogozhin.

Major Conflict

The main conflict stands in acceptability in society. The author portrays a picture of his contemporary which, due to long ago established prejudices, is unable to accept happiness.

Climax

The climax comes in the very end of the novel, when Rogozhin kills Nastasya Filipovna.

Foreshadowing

When Myshkin is introduced into the house of the Epanchins, his behavior with Aglaya foreshadows that their relationships will develop differently than with the other sisters.

Understatement

Prince Myshkin’s feelings towards Aglaya are understated, though he feels warmth to her he stays unable to agree that it is love

Allusions

The story alludes to Russian poets like Pushkin and Lermontov; some historical events are referenced as well.

Imagery

The images of everyday life and of the characters of the novel are given.

Paradox

The paradox is that, despite of being such a sincere person, Prince Myshkin is unhappy.

Parallelism

Prince Myshkin’s love stories with Aglaya and Nastasya Filipovna are developed in parallel.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

“Several voices were talking and shouting at once” (“voices” is metonymy for people)

Personification

“Silence immediately fell on the room”

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