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Part One, Chapter One
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Idiot, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Innocence v. Foolishness
Money, Greed, and Corruption
Social Hierarchy, Authority, and Rebellion
Absurdity and Nihilism
Passion, Violence, and Christianity
Summary
Analysis
General Epanchin lives in a grand house in St. Petersburg, and owns several other properties and a factory. He is known as someone “with big money, big doings, and big connections.” He is intelligent but received little education, and was the son of a “common soldier.” He has many good qualities, and despite some recent misfortune remains upbeat. He has a fondness for gambling that he doesn’t try to hide. He is 56, which is thought to be “the prime of life.” The general is healthy, with a “flourishing family.”
From this introduction of General Epanchin, it is clear that he is something of a model citizen, someone to be admired and envied. Importantly, his successful life also points to the significance of (newfound) social mobility. General Epanchin is not noble, was born into a humble family, and received little education. His rise in circumstances reflects social shifts in Russia during this time.
Themes
Mrs. Epanchin is from the princely Myshkin family, a very old but somewhat minor line of Russian nobility. She and her husband have three daughters: Alexandra (age 25), Adelaida (age 23), and Aglaya (age 20). Although they are only noble through their mother, they are very rich and beautiful. They are all charming, intelligent, and talented; they are very close to one another and rather modest in character.
It is important to note that the Russian word that is here translated as “princely” does not actually correspond to royal status, but rather a lower rank of nobility. As the narrator shows here, the age of one’s family is important, but does not necessarily correspond directly to rank.
Themes
When Myshkin arrives at Epanchins’ house, a servant shows him into an anteroom where he is greeted by the general’s “special attendant.” The attendant tells him to leave his bundle and wait in the reception room, but Myshkin says he would rather stay in the anteroom. The attendant objects that this is not proper, as Myshkin is a guest. This raises suspicion that Myshkin might not be who he says he is. Myshkin explains that he is related to Mrs. Epanchin, and that the two of them are the last two Myshkins. He says it is possible that the Epanchins will not receive him, as he and Mrs. Epanchin are only very distantly related, but that he expects they will.
This moment introduces the importance of social etiquette in the world of the novel. Because of his position in society (i.e. a minor nobleman and guest of the prominent Epanchin family), Myshkin is expected to behave in a certain way. Indeed, this includes the expectation that Myshkin would be haughtily dissatisfied with waiting in the anteroom. Myshkin’s violation of this expectation is so unusual and shocking that it makes the attendant question his identity.
Themes
The valet remains disturbed that Myshkin is sharing details of his life as if they were equals; he believes that Myshkin must either be a “moocher” or a “fool.” Concluding that Myshkin must be a fool, the valet somehow likes him anyway, although he is also determined to stop talking to him because it is not proper. Yet the prince keeps talking, explaining that he is unused to how things are in Russia because he has been away for so long. The conversation is so “polite and courteous” that the valet cannot help but engage.
The valet’s mixed feelings about Myshkin establish a trend that will be repeated throughout the novel. People tend to be intrigued, fascinated, and charmed by Myshkin. Yet although they might want to stay in conversation with him, they also know that his way of being clashes with the norms and expectations of society, and thus feel conflicted or guilty.
Themes
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Myshkin explains that he has not spent much time in St. Petersburg until now. He mentions the fact that in Russia there is no capital punishment and tells the valet about witnessing an execution by guillotine. Myshkin observes that while the death itself is immediate, the leadup to it is harrowing. Yet even if they are horrified by it, people still watch. Myshkin hints that capital punishment is a violation of the Christian maxim not to kill. He observes that it is hypocritical to punish a murderer by killing him, and that he has had five nightmares about the execution since he saw it a month ago.
Capital punishment is a highly important issue in The Idiot. At the time Dostoevsky wrote the novel, capital punishment had just been abolished in Russia as part of a series of reforms by Tsar Alexander II. As Myshkin argues here, humans seem to have a natural fascination with violence, even if they also abhor it. This paradox—and the struggles it creates—becomes a significant theme in the novel.
Themes
The valet comments that it’s good the guillotine is a swift and painless way to die, but Myshkin replies that the suffering of knowing for certain that one is about to die is far worse than the pain of a violent death. He believes it would be better to be violently killed by robbers than to be executed by the state, because at least in the former case you can retain hope to the last minute that you will be saved.
Unlike some Christians, Myshkin does not have a peaceful relationship with the idea of dying. Rather than accepting death as an inevitability or even embracing it as a chance to be closer to God in the afterlife, Myshkin feels horror when he thinks about death.
Themes
Another man comes into the anteroom; it is Gavrila Ardalionovich (known as Ganya), an extremely handsome 28-year-old. The valet introduces Myshkin to Ganya, doing so half in a whisper so Myshkin can’t hear what he is saying. Ganya says that Mrs. Epanchin received Myshkin’s letter and that General Epanchin will be happy to see him. He objects to the fact that Myshkin has been waiting in the anteroom rather than the reception room, but before the prince can explain the general calls out, inviting him in.
The final moments of this chapter further emphasize the importance of social etiquette in the world of the novel. Like the valet, Ganya cannot believe that Myshkin would be happy to wait in the anteroom, even though there does not seem to be anything actually wrong with it. Indeed, the etiquette depicted thus far seems somewhat shallow and even pointless.
Themes
