This is about “The Idiot” by Dostoyevsky so if you haven’t read it you’ll be confused. Also I’ve only just finished part 2 so please try not to spoil. Anyways onto my question
In the beginning it’s mentioned he stole money from his dad to buy her a necklace. He even went as far as gathering 100,000 roubles for her. However in part 2 it’s mentioned how he beat her to show her what would happen if he caught her cheating however he then manipulated her into forgiving him. It’s still evident that he still wants to marry Nastasya. Why is this? Does he love her? (In his own screwed up way)
by ahjsdisj
5 Comments
I think he’s just obsessed with her and wants to “possess” her. Nastasya was “shamed” and thus (the societal thinking goes) should count herself lucky if any “decent” man is willing to have her. But here she is, with multiple men willing to throw themselves at her because she is beautiful and witty and fierce and all that, but she rebuffs everyone. And the more she lets the men pursue her, while not actually committing to anyone, the more passionate the pursuers become and the more she becomes a “prize” to be won or conquered. But once she gives her consent to someone in particular, the winner now thinks of her not as an amazing person to be treated humanely, but as someone to do with as the guy wants. That’s not to say there may not be some genuine feeling there on Rogozhin’s part, but… um… just keep reading. (By coincidence I’m re-reading it at the moment.)
He’s obsessed with her. I’m pretty sure Rogozhin, Nastasya and Dostoyevsky would have said that what he feels for her is love. Probably most people alive would. Some people would say that love is about caring for someone more than yourself and if he loved her he wouldn’t hurt her. Personally i think that’s a very narrow-minded understanding of love and just because Rogozhin’s love is twisted and violent doesn’t stop it from being love. How you define love is up to you.
The better question: Is Rogozhin sane?
I think the better question is is he capable of love-the true kind that wants the best for the beloved and is willing to sacrifice? And the answer is no. He is obsessive, mentally unstable, drunk, sincere but incapable of love. If he can’t have her completely, no one can. It’s the selfish act of evil.
By the way; thank you for reminding me of this wonderful novel.