I feel a lot of 19th century Russian novels poke fun at the “Intellectual”

This is ironic, because at first glance, when people hear about the “Russian Novel” they get intimidated and think it’s an intellectual chore.
After reading Anna K, Brothers K, Crime and Punishment and the Idiot they all play to the fact that “intellectuals” really just like to hear the sound of their own voice and pull mental gymnastics in conversation just show off their mental prowess.
For example, in Anna K, the conversation between Vronsky, Anna, Golenishchev and the artish Mikhailov does exactly this. Mikhailov is showing off his painting and knew the rich elite know nothing about art and will just critique his painting just to show off, which is exactly what happened.
I just love the awareness and it really makes me less intimidated of people I feel may be intellectually superior.

On the contrary, I actually feel like the 19th and early 20th century English novel lacks awareness completely and puts the “intellectuals” on a pedestal and is highbrow for the sake of being highbrow.

I could be a complete moron with this observation but let know what you think.

by coolguy9025