Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Idiot — Part II — Chapter IX
Overview
Gavrila Ivolgin produces letters proving Pavlicheff could not be Burdovsky’s father, collapsing the claim. Burdovsky concedes but refuses Myshkin’s offer and returns part of an advance, prompting debate over pride, charity, and principle. Lizabetha Prokofievna’s furious tirade erupts, then softens when Hippolyte, gravely ill, pleads to speak. The gathering steadies over tea, leaving tensions intact but immediate scandal diffused.
Summary
Gavrila Ardalionovitch Ivolgin presents letters showing that Nicolai Pavlicheff was abroad for three years, spanning eighteen months before Antip Burdovsky’s birth, disproving the paternity claim. Burdovsky, stunned, accepts the evidence and withdraws his claim but refuses Prince Myshkin’s offered ten thousand roubles.
Gavrila outlines Pavlicheff’s true tie to Burdovsky’s family: youthful love for Burdovsky’s aunt, guardianship and dowry for Burdovsky’s mother, and later generous support, which bred rumors of paternity. He argues the current suit sprang from Tchebaroff’s opportunism and Burdovsky’s ideals, not deliberate fraud. Myshkin, distressed, apologizes for earlier words and for offering money clumsily.
Lebedeff’s nephew and friends dramatically return an envelope, containing only a hundred of the reported two hundred and fifty roubles, insisting the remainder covered Tchebaroff’s expenses and defending their honor. The company erupts in commentary and ridicule. Lizabetha Prokofievna launches a scorching denunciation of their principles and of Myshkin’s boundless conciliatory offers, vowing to shun him if he visits them again.
When Hippolyte, racked by coughing blood, smiles, Lizabetha Prokofievna nearly assaults him, then recoils at his condition. He calmly declares he expects to die within a fortnight and begs to speak. Her fury melts into anxious concern; she sits to hear him and orders Colia to see him home afterward.
At Hippolyte’s request, the prince calls for tea. The Epanchins and guests, initially ready to leave, remain; the mood eases though Aglaya stays aloof. Burdovsky’s group withdraws to a corner to wait for Hippolyte. As tea is served near eleven, the immediate scandal subsides into uneasy civility.
Who Appears
- Gavrila Ardalionovitch Ivolgin (Gania)Produces letters disproving Pavlicheff’s paternity, narrates the family history, and frames the claim as misguided rather than fraudulent.
- Antip BurdovskyAccepts evidence he is not Pavlicheff’s son, refuses Myshkin’s 10,000 roubles, and returns part of an earlier sum.
- Prince Lev Nikolayevich MyshkinApologizes for earlier offense, clumsily offers help, tries to calm tensions, and hosts tea to steady the gathering.
- Lizabetha Prokofievna EpanchinDelivers a fierce tirade against the youths and Myshkin’s generosity, then softens to hear the dying Hippolyte.
- Hippolyte TerentieffIll and coughing blood, interrupts heated debate, declares his imminent death, and requests to speak before all.
- Lebedeff’s nephewDefends their honor, returns 100 roubles, argues the missing amount covered expenses, and challenges Gania.
- DoktorenkoExplains the returned envelope to the prince and supports the group’s principled refusal of charity.
- Colia IvolginComments on the newspaper sum and is tasked by Lizabetha Prokofievna to escort Hippolyte home.
- Evgenie PavlovitchJests about a lawyer’s defense, later turns amiable as the situation eases over tea.
- Prince S.Attempts to defuse Lizabetha Prokofievna’s outburst and supports staying for tea.
- Ivan Fedorovitch EpanchinAghast at the scandal, tries to maintain propriety as the family calms.
- LebedeffBustles to arrange tea; quietly influences General Ivolgin, who goes to sulk.
- Aglaya EpanchinSharp in the chaos, later sits apart, displeased, as tea is served.