#prince lev

[representativecharacters]

Character: Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin

From: The Idiot

Representation: Epileptic

Their Importance: The main protagonist of the novel, Prince Myshkin is notable for being a positive and sympathetic portrayal of an epileptic character at a time when people with epilepsy were demonized and in general, barred from participating in society. Despite being the titular "Idiot", Myshkin is one of the most brilliant and empathetic characters in the whole story and the novel condemns the characters who view him as an "idiot" and inherently lesser due to his epilepsy diagnosis. 

The portrayal of epilepsy and the different forms of discriminations that epileptics face is helped by the fact that the author of the novel, Fyodor Dostoevsky, was epileptic himself and could speak from personal experience.

Thanks to @silver-stargazing for the write up!

[twostarsinonesphere]

before you do something questionable, ask yourself: wwplnmd? (what would prince lev nikolaivich myshkin do?) and if the answer is that he wouldn't do it, definitely don't fucking do that thing

[twostarsinonesphere]

biblical text in dostoevsky: prince lev nikolaivich myshkin and 1 corinthians 1:25-27

because the foolishness of god is wiser than men; and the weakness of god is stronger than men. (...)

but god hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and god hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

[twostarsinonesphere]

by far the shittiest thing rodion ever did (asides from murdering a bitch) is trying to shame sonya for being a sex worker. like no. rodion knew that she was pretty much forced into that position. he makes up for it later but that scene always kills me. our lord and saviour prince lev nikolaivich myshkin would never