# XII explained — The Idiot

> Chapter companion for The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

## What happens

Colia takes the prince to a public-house where General Ivolgin is waiting. The prince asks the general to guide him to Nastasia Philipovna's, but the general is drunk and rambling. They visit the wrong house, then go to Madame Terentieff's, where the general is in debt. The prince meets Colia and Hippolyte's family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Compassion

Colia describes his mother's and Varia's kindness to Hippolyte, highlighting moral strength in helping the suffering.

### Commonplaceness and Originality

General Ivolgin's drunken, grandiose self-image contrasts with his pathetic reality.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin

Seeks General Ivolgin's help to reach Nastasia Philipovna's; regrets trusting the drunken general.

### Nikolai Ardalionovich Ivolgin

Leads the prince to the public-house; later found at Madame Terentieff's, caring for Hippolyte.

### Ardalion Alexandrovich Ivolgin

Drunk and rambling; takes the prince to the wrong house and then to Madame Terentieff's.

### Hippolyte Terentyev

Mentioned as being ill in bed at Madame Terentieff's; Colia keeps him company.

### Nina Alexandrovna Ivolgina

Praised by Colia for helping Hippolyte with money and clothes.

### Varvara Ardalionovna Ptitsyna

Mentioned as helping Hippolyte, though Colia says she does it from pride.

### Marfa Borisovna

Madame Terentieff; angry at General Ivolgin for not showing up and for owing money.

## Key lines

> Varia does it from pride, and likes showing off, and giving herself airs. As to my mother, I really do admire her⁠—yes, and honour her.

Colia says Varia helps out of vanity, but he truly respects his mother's genuine kindness.

_Colia distinguishes between Varia's pride and Nina Alexandrovna's sincere compassion._

> I have not got a ten-rouble note, but here is a twenty-five. Change it and give me back the fifteen, or I shall be left without a farthing myself.

The prince gives General Ivolgin a 25-rouble note, asking for 15 roubles change so he isn't left penniless.

_The prince reluctantly lends money to the drunken general._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_idiot_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters