The Idiot: Part Two, Chapter Eleven Summary & Analysis

Myshkin spends the next three days glumly reflecting on what happened during his disastrous soiree. The day after it happened, Adelaida and Prince Shch. came to visit him to check on his health. They go on a walk, and overall the visit is very pleasant, though none of them discuss Mrs. Epanchin, Aglaya, or what happened the day before. Just before they go, Prince Shch. asks who the woman was who shouted to Evgeny from the carriage; Myshkin replies that it was Nastasya. Prince Shch. adds that he’s confused, because Nastasya mentioned “promissory notes of Evgeny Pavlych’s” that Rogozhin will apparently let slide for a while. This is very perplexing, as Evgeny is now extremely wealthy, although it’s true that in the past he borrowed money. 

Prince Shch. was hoping Myshkin would have some insight, but Myshkin admits he doesn’t. He and Adelaida depart. Myshkin is troubled, but briefly distracted by conversations with Lebedev’s children. His affection for them has grown immensely. Myshkin and Ganya have also become very close; yet although Myshkin trusts Ganya completely, there are still certain topics that they have both decided not to mention. Now Ganya tells him that Nastasya has only been in Pavlovsk four days but is already the center of attention. She is staying in a small house with Darya, and riding around in the best carriage in the area. Countless men have already fallen in love with her, causing a great deal of drama. 

Nastasya often goes on carriage rides with a distant relation of Darya’s, a beautiful 16-year-old girl. Discussing Evgeny, Ganya notes that although he is rich, it is known that his estate is struck by “disorder.” Varya comes by, and mentions that Evgeny is in St. Petersburg, as is Ptitsyn. Something has happened in the city, though she doesn’t say what. She also mentions that Mrs. Epanchin is in a terrible mood and that Aglaya has had a fight with the whole rest of her family. Ganya and Varya then both leave.

Now alone, Myshkin is troubled by this news. That evening, Keller comes to Lebedev’s house, wanting to tell Myshkin his “whole life’s story.” Myshkin indicates that it might be better if he didn’t, but Keller insists. Keller comments that Myshkin’s view of the world is “bright and innocent, and eve […] pastoral!” Growing annoyed, Myshkin asks why Keller is there, wondering if it is to borrow money. Keller is stunned—this is the ultimate reason he came, and he is astonished that Myshkin somehow managed to know that. He goes on to explain that his decision to confess his life story to Myshkin coincided with the idea of borrowing money from him, and Myshkin replies that he finds that such “double thoughts” are common, and that he’s experienced them himself.

Keller says he is shocked that anyone calls Myshkin an idiot. Lebedev enters, and Myshkin asks him about his involvement in the whole affair regarding Evgeny. He asks Lebedev to tell the truth, but as soon as Lebedev begins to do so, starting with the words “Aglaya Ivanovna,” Myshkin goes bright red and tells him to shut up. Later that night, Kolya comes with a great deal of news. He has just returned from St. Petersburg and went straight to the Epanchins’, where a disastrous situation is unfolding. Apparently, Aglaya has been fighting with her family about Ganya, although Kolya doesn’t know exactly what happened. Shortly after, Mrs. Epanchin threw Varya out of the house without her daughters knowing.

Myshkin observes that perhaps these stories indicate that Ganya’s hopes of marrying Aglaya may be fulfilled after all, and Kolya calls him “a terrible skeptic.” However, Kolya then excitedly accuses Myshkin of being jealous, and bursts out laughing. He stops when he sees how upset this has made Myshkin.

The next morning Myshkin goes to St. Petersburg, but is back in Pavlovsk by late afternoon. He runs into General Epanchin at the station, and they talk on the train. The general glumly describes his home life as “hell,” and goes on a long, confused, and mostly nonsensical ramble about Nastasya, Evgeny, Mrs. Epanchin, and the prince himself. This conversation lasts for the whole train ride, during which General Epanchin emphasizes that he doesn’t “suspect” Myshkin of anything. He mentions Evgeny’s uncle, a rich and lively 70-year-old who once had his eye on Nastasya, and notes that when the uncle dies, Evgeny will inherit everything.