Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Idiot — Part II — Chapter XII
Overview
Mrs. Epanchin confronts Prince Myshkin about his past letter to Aglaya, probes his feelings, and forces him to swear he did not come to marry Nastasia. She dismisses Evgenie’s suit, hints at Gania and Varia’s intrigues, and reads Burdovsky’s apology. Upon seeing Aglaya’s curt note banning Myshkin, she impulsively hauls him to the Epanchins’ to resolve matters.
Summary
In the evening, Mrs. Epanchin arrives unannounced to confront Prince Myshkin about a letter he sent Aglaya around Easter. Pressing him for its contents and intent, she forces Myshkin to recite it and to declare he is not in love with Aglaya. She warns that Aglaya will never marry him and demands he swear he did not come to marry Nastasia Philipovna; Myshkin swears he did not.
Mrs. Epanchin, convinced Aglaya will not wed Evgenie Pavlovitch, states she will never consent to that match, and probes Myshkin about Gania. She alleges recent secret communications between Gania and Aglaya and accuses Gania and Varia of drawing Aglaya into correspondence with Nastasia, though she herself doubts it despite “proofs.”
She berates Myshkin’s trusting nature, and he shows her a letter from Antip Burdovsky admitting he was wrong and refusing further aid, which Myshkin values as a difficult admission. Irritated, Mrs. Epanchin orders Myshkin never to visit again, but instantly reverses when she learns Aglaya herself sent him a curt note forbidding him the house.
Reading Aglaya’s note, Mrs. Epanchin interprets it as a provocation born of pique at Myshkin’s absence. Seizing his hand, she drags him off at once to the Epanchins’ to see matters with her own eyes and to force a confrontation, insisting Aglaya wants a “clown” to play with and that Myshkin deserves the lesson.
Who Appears
- Prince Lev MyshkinRecites his letter to Aglaya, denies romantic intent, swears he didn’t come to marry Nastasia, shows Burdovsky’s apology, is dragged to the Epanchins’.
- Lizabetha Prokofievna EpanchinConfronts Myshkin, rejects Evgenie’s suit for Aglaya, alleges Gania/Varia intrigues, reads Aglaya’s ban, then impulsively takes Myshkin to her house.
- Aglaya EpanchinAbsent but central; recipient of Myshkin’s letter and author of a curt note banning him from the house.
- Antip BurdovskySends a letter admitting error and refusing further money; his apology influences Myshkin and annoys Mrs. Epanchin.
- Evgenie PavlovitchDiscussed; Mrs. Epanchin decides he will not marry Aglaya after recent humiliations.
- Gavrila Ardalionovitch (Gania)Accused of secret communications with Aglaya and of enabling contact with Nastasia; his honesty is doubted.
- Varia IvolginAlleged by Mrs. Epanchin to have worked to advance Gania and to link Aglaya with Nastasia.
- Nicolai Ardalionovitch (Kolya)Mentioned as the possible messenger of Myshkin’s earlier letter to Aglaya, dubbed the “urchin.”