Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Idiot — Part III — Chapter III
Overview
Shaken by the Vauxhall scandal, the Epanchins quarrel over Evgenie after news of his uncle’s suicide. Aglaya secretly summons Prince Myshkin, while General Epanchin reveals Evgenie had proposed and been refused. Keller anticipates a duel for Myshkin. Late that night Rogojin brings Nastasia’s message and hints at her plotting Myshkin’s marriage to Aglaya.
Summary
The Epanchins hurry home from the Vauxhall shaken and indignant. Lizabetha Prokofievna and her elder daughters decide that Evgenie Pavlovitch’s ties to Nastasia are exposed, yet more mysteries arise. Aglaya stays cool and aloof, refusing explanations.
On the verandah, Aglaya tests Prince Myshkin with questions about duels and even instructs him, half-mockingly, how to load a pistol. As they part, she passes him a secret note, appointing a private meeting at the green bench at seven in the morning.
General Epanchin, distraught, drags Prince Myshkin off and discloses that Evgenie’s uncle has shot himself amid missing government funds, and that Evgenie had proposed to Aglaya a month earlier and was refused. He says Aglaya taunts everyone and claims Nastasia wants to marry her to Myshkin to drive Evgenie away.
Outside, Myshkin reads Aglaya’s hurried note and, elated, wanders the park. Keller intercepts him, offering to act as second in a likely duel with Lieutenant Moloftsoff after the bandstand scuffle; Myshkin laughs it off, talks of champagne, and continues roaming, torn between joy and melancholy.
Near midnight, Rogojin appears, saying Nastasia must see Myshkin. They debate jealousy and guilt; Rogojin insists Nastasia loves Myshkin, writes letters to Aglaya, and vows to marry Rogojin only after Myshkin marries Aglaya. Myshkin calls this madness, invites Rogojin to welcome his birthday with him, and speaks of a “new life,” while Rogojin notes he is not himself.
Who Appears
- Prince Lev MyshkinConfused yet elated after Aglaya’s secret note; laughs off a potential duel; debates jealousy with Rogojin; invites him to celebrate his birthday.
- Aglaya Ivanovna EpanchinCool and ironic; quizzes Myshkin about duels; secretly summons him to the green bench for an important talk.
- General EpanchinReveals Evgenie’s uncle’s suicide and Evgenie’s refused proposal; warns Myshkin Aglaya mocks him; hurries to manage scandal.
- Parfen RogojinFinds Myshkin at night; delivers Nastasia’s message; claims she writes Aglaya and schemes marriages; rejects reconciliation yet engages.
- Lizabetha Prokofievna EpanchinHorrified by the scandal; fears family disgrace; quarrels upstairs over Evgenie and Aglaya.
- Evgenie Pavlovitch RadomskyCompromised by Nastasia’s revelations; his uncle commits suicide; previously proposed to Aglaya and was refused.
- KellerOffers to serve as Myshkin’s second in a likely duel; astonished by Myshkin’s giddy mood.
- Prince S.Disturbed by news; discussed the matter with General Epanchin; overshadowed during the family turmoil.
- Adelaida EpanchinProbes for details about Evgenie’s uncle; witnesses the family clash.
- Alexandra EpanchinShares her mother’s alarm; part of the tense family discussion.
- Nastasia PhilippovnaOffstage but pivotal; allegedly writes Aglaya; asks to see Myshkin; vows to marry Rogojin only after Myshkin weds Aglaya.
- Lieutenant MoloftsoffExpected to demand satisfaction after being seized by Myshkin at the bandstand.