Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Idiot — Part III — Chapter VII
Overview
Hippolyte concludes his confession and attempts suicide at sunrise, but the pistol misfires for lack of a cap, leaving him humiliated and ill. The guests disperse; Evgenie urges Prince Myshkin to send Hippolyte away and hints at a serious, honest intention of his own. Restless, Myshkin wanders the park, relives old feelings of cosmic alienation, dreams of a guilt-stricken woman, and is abruptly awakened by Aglaya’s laughing arrival.
Summary
Hippolyte finishes reading his “explanation,” declaring his intent to die at sunrise, scorning religious consolation, and bequeathing his skeleton to science. As dawn breaks, the guests react with irritation and disbelief. Pressed by Lebedeff, Hippolyte surrenders his pistol key on condition it be returned when he leaves for Petersburg.
Suddenly, Hippolyte breaks free, draws a hidden pistol, and pulls the trigger at his temple. The gun only clicks; Keller seizes it and finds there is no cap. Hippolyte, hysterical and ashamed, insists he forgot to cap the pistol, begs for it back to prove his “honour,” then faints. A doctor is summoned; he is judged in no immediate danger and is watched by Lebedeff, Colia, and others.
After the guests leave, Evgenie Pavlovitch delays a serious conversation, advising Prince Myshkin to send Hippolyte away and warning about the youth’s potential for destructive acts. Myshkin doubts such danger but notes Hippolyte’s request that Aglaya receive a copy of the confession.
Unable to sleep, Myshkin walks in the park, the empty Vauxhall reminding him of the night’s turmoil. A bird’s darting recalls Hippolyte’s image of the happy fly and awakens Myshkin’s Swiss memory of longing and exclusion amid sublime nature. Nodding off on Aglaya’s green bench, he dreams of a familiar woman with a face twisted by remorse, fearing some impending catastrophe.
As the dream reaches a crisis, Myshkin is jolted awake by laughter and finds Aglaya beside him, her sudden, bright presence cutting through his anxiety.
Who Appears
- Hippolyte TerentieffCompletes his confession; attempts suicide with an uncapped pistol; collapses and is tended by others.
- Prince Lev MyshkinHosts the gathering, tries to calm Hippolyte, later wanders the park, recalls Swiss alienation, and dreams before Aglaya arrives.
- Evgenie Pavlovitch RadomskyMocks Hippolyte’s theatrics, advises sending him away, postpones a serious, ‘honest’ talk with the prince.
- LebedeffInsists on securing Hippolyte’s pistol; summons a doctor; oversees the night watch.
- KellerRushes Hippolyte, seizes the pistol, reveals the missing cap, then defends Hippolyte’s good faith.
- Colia IvolginHelps restrain Hippolyte; confirms the pistol’s location; later watches by the sickbed.
- Aglaya Ivanovna EpanchinNamed as a recipient of Hippolyte’s confession; surprises Myshkin in the park with laughter.
- FerdishenkoJeers at Hippolyte’s dramatics and contributes to the crowd’s derision.
- Gavrila (Gania) IvolginDismisses Hippolyte as a fool; leaves with Ptitsin and Rogojin.
- PtitsinQuips about Hippolyte’s bequest; departs with Gania and Rogojin.
- Parfyon RogojinObserves cynically that Hippolyte staged the scene; leaves early.
- General IvolginDeclares Hippolyte won’t shoot himself; remains during the aftermath.
- Vera LebedeffPleadingly tries to prevent Hippolyte’s suicide attempt.
- BurdovskyHelps restrain Hippolyte; maintains he has the right; later watches by the bed.
- DoctorExamines Hippolyte after the misfire and finds no immediate danger.