The Author and the Hero in the Poetics of F. M. Dostoevsky’s Novel “The Idiot” Cover Image

Автор и герой в поэтике романа Ф. М. Достоевского «Идиот»
The Author and the Hero in the Poetics of F. M. Dostoevsky’s Novel “The Idiot”

Author(s): Elena A. Fedorova
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Russian Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Петрозаводский государственный университет
Keywords: F. M. Dostoevsky; author; reader; hero; hierarchy; the Gospel; religious discourse; speech genres; confession; sermon;

Summary/Abstract: The structure of F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “The Idiot” is hierarchical and Christ-centered. The author’s ideas of the faith need, adherence to evangelical commandments, ability to self-sacrifice as a path to human revival are at the heart of the plot, composition and system of images of the novel. The motif of humility is implemented in the actions and discourses of Prince Myshkin. The teaching speech of the hero, containing confession and sermon, conveys the author’s ideas of renunciation of the death penalty, unity of natural, active and blessing faith as the essence of a religious feeling, the need of the Russian society to address to Orthodoxy as a uniting spiritual bond. Emphasizing that the author shares these ideas, the writer includes autobiographical allusions in the hero’s speech. The speeches of Ippolit Terentyev and Lebedev the author’s thoughts about Christocentrism as a society-binding idea, about the need for mutual forgiveness and grace are manifested.

  • Issue Year: 17/2019
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 186-206
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Russian