The Idiot

[Alix]

I read "The Idiot" about 20 years ago. I just started rereading a new english translation of it. If I remember correctly after reading it the first time is that the gist of it was that "There is a very fine line between genius and madness", I know there is more to it but if you had to explain it in a very few words that is what I would say. Am I right or wrong? If so, why?

[Gladys]

In respect to the prince, you are wrong. My evidence? The entire novel demonstrates the clarity mind of the prince, inspite of prevailing opinions to the contrary. The most overt evidence, however, is in Chapter 48, where Keller advises:

"I assure you, prince, that Lebedeff is intriguing against you. He wants to put you under control. Imagine that! To take 'from you the use of your free-will and your money--that' is to say, the two things that distinguish us from the animals! I have heard it said positively. It is the sober truth."

The prince recollected that somebody had told him something of the kind before, and he had, of course, scoffed at it. He only laughed now, and forgot the hint at once.
Lebedeff's plot?
However, Lebedeff had not lost heart, and went off to a clever lawyer,--a worthy and respectable man, whom he knew well. This old gentleman informed him that the thing was perfectly feasible if he could get hold of competent witnesses as to Muishkin's mental incapacity.

In response,
Lebedeff immediately procured the services of an old doctor, and carried the latter away to Pavlofsk to see the prince, by way of viewing the ground, as it were, and to give him (Lebedeff) counsel as to whether the thing was to be done or not.

The doctor questions the prince at length:
The prince had, of course, at once received him, and had plunged into a conversation about Hippolyte. He had given the doctor an account of Hippolyte's attempted suicide; and had proceeded thereafter to talk of his own malady,--of Switzerland, of Schneider, and so on; and so deeply was the old man interested by the prince's conversation and his description of Schneider's system, that he sat on for two hours.

The impartial doctor’s verdict?
They parted friends, and, after leaving the prince, the doctor said to Lebedeff: "If all such people were put under restraint, there would be no one left for keepers."

In conclusion,
Lebedeff then, in tragic tones, told of the approaching marriage…In brief, it seemed to the doctor that the prince's choice, far from being a sign of foolishness, denoted, on the contrary, a shrewd, calculating, and practical mind. Lebedeff had been much struck by this point of view.

[mickitaz]

Hey guys, just to let you know.. The Idiot is September's Forum Reading Club book.

[Scheherazade]

Hey guys, just to let you know.. The Idiot is September's Forum Reading Club book.:thumbs_up

And the link for the discussion thread, which is in the Forum Book Club (reading club):

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37767

[Gladys]

The Idiot is September's Forum Reading Club book. Mickitaz, could you possibly supply a hyperlink to the 'Reading Club'? I've searched but can't find it.

Oops! Thanks for the link, Scheherazade.