The Idiot: Part Four, Chapter Seven Summary & Analysis

Quite unexpectedly, the dignitary mentions Pavlishchev, catching Myshkin’s attention. General Epanchin comes over and explains that one of the guests, whose name is Ivan Petrovich, was Pavlishchev’s cousin. After being introduced to him, Ivan comments that he remembers meeting Myshkin when he was a child. Ivan and Myshkin speak about what a wonderful man Pavlishchev was. During the conversation Myshkin becomes increasingly nervous, to the point that he can barely speak. He attracts more and more attention to himself, and soon the dignitary—among others—is staring at him. 

Ivan mentions that Pavlishchev converted to Catholicism, which horrifies Myshkin. The dignitary comments that Russians can be persuaded to convert out of fear. Myshkin declares that Catholicism is an “unchristian faith,” and then says that it is even worse than atheism. He argues that the Catholic Church is nothing more than an extension of the Roman Empire, and that through its heretical obsession with violence, money, and power, it paved the way for atheism. Everyone is shocked by Myshkin’s speech; Ivan stammers that he is exaggerating. However, Myshkin continues, arguing that socialism, like “its brother atheism,” has also been produced by Catholicism.

Feeling awkward, Ivan suggests that they talk about something else, but Myshkin refuses. He continues to talk, becoming more and more animated. He decries the ease with which Russians become atheists, and the passion with which they approach atheism when they do. Watching Myshkin get increasingly agitated, everyone who knows him is shocked by this break from his usual timid manner. Ever since Myshkin entered the room, he had been careful to stay as far away as possible from the Chinese vase and had sat in the opposite corner from it. Aglaya’s words had convinced him that he would break it. However, while talking about Catholicism he becomes so impassioned that he forgets all about the vase and, without noticing, gradually migrated nearer to it.

Just as he is finishing his speech, Myshkin somehow makes a gesture that knocks the vase. It swings back and forth “as if undecided” about where it should fall, and then falls to the floor near the German. Everyone shouts and screams, and Myshkin is unspeakably mortified. Mainly, however, he is struck by disbelief that Aglaya’s sarcastic prediction actually came true. As the broken pieces are cleared away, he notices Aglaya looking at him with horror. Mrs. Epanchin comes over and, to Myshkin’s surprise, she (and General Epanchin) are laughing in a friendly manner. When Myshkin asks if Mrs. Epanchin really forgives him, she says it’s not a big deal for a vase to break, when even human lives one day end. 

Now crying, Myshkin asks if everyone forgives him for “everything,” not just the broken vase. Various guests, including Princess Belokonsky, urge him to be calm, assuring him that they are not angry. Myshkin explains that he was very nervous about meeting these high-ranking elders. He notes that he’d heard many negative things about this group of people, including that they were retrograde and shallow, with “ridiculous habits.” Yet he has been pleasantly surprised to find himself surrounded by worthy, moral people. At this point several guests remark that he is rambling again and wonder if he will stop. However, Myshkin insists on continuing.  

Myshkin says he knows he is like a child, and cannot express himself in the right way, which is why he promised Aglaya that he would stay silent. However, he has concluded that there is no point in being embarrassed over being “ridiculous,” because this is just the way people are. Furthermore, if everyone accepts that they are ridiculous, then they can forgive each other more easily. He notes that those present should “become servants, in order to be elders.” He then wonders how it’s possible to be unhappy, because simply looking at a tree or loving a person makes one so happy. At this point, Myshkin falls to the floor. He is having an epileptic fit.

As the guests leave, they express mixed opinions about Myshkin. Mrs. Epanchin concludes that Myshkin and Aglaya cannot possibly get married. However, when Aglaya says that she will never marry him and that he is a “stranger” to her, Mrs. Epanchin chastises her for so callously throwing away their friendship.