Prince Myshkin
WIP
(NO_ITEM_DATA:Dostoyevsky1868) : The Idiot
Prince Myshkin is an example of a Holy Fool. I don't remember where,
have to look it up some time, but I remember reading that Dostoyevsky
wrote The Idiot with this question in mind: how would a truly good
person react to society? Haven't wrote about this in my summary yet,
but Dostoyevsky's answer is to recoil in shock and retreat into mute
isolation. Rogózhin kills Nastasya and Myshkin is so shocked by the
entire situation that he becomes an actual invalid.
Myshkin is not entirely a Holy Fool by the typical definition. In many
other examples, one key characteristic is the purpose of the Holy
Fool's actions. The Holy Fool's idiosyncratic, unconventional, or
eccentric behavior is typically performed for a higher moral
purpose. The actions of the Holy Fool not only reveals the corruption
of society, but makes that corruption painfully obvious.
Society and the people who play the game will be forced to reconcile
with their moral short commings. And more often than not, society
reacts by ostracizing and rejecting the Holy Fool. Abusing and
sometimes even killing the Holy Fool. Only to revere the Fool later
when the Fool is no longer there to .
To some extent, Myshkin does do this. However, my impression is that
people are more forced to face their moral failings through seeing the
contrast in their behavior against Myshkin's. I think the difference
is in delivery. Myshkin's method… first of all, I don't think
Myshkin does this on purpose. He is just trying to be the best person
he can, keeping his focus on his morals and values first before other
considerations. In doing so, people realize their own faults on their
own.
Holy Fools tend to be more intentional, more confrontational,
generally speaking. There are definitely counter examples and other
types of Holy Fools. A lot of other Holy Fools tend to function as
teachers that are using this method to help others. In contrast,
Myshkin, though he inspires others at times to be better people, is
just trying to live his life as best as he can.
But to reiterate the point that there are different types of Holy
Fools, there are examples who were also just trying to live their
lives. Saint Isidora is a great example of this type. Holy Fools can
also be people who are so in love with life and the good that they
become overwhelmed and their eccentricity is simply an expression of
that love. Myshkin can probably be an example of that.