The Idiot · Chapter
Chapter X: The Nightmare Letters and the Midnight Encounter explained
The prince, tormented by three letters from Nastasya Philipovna, finally reads them after a restless sleep.
What happens
The prince, tormented by three letters from Nastasya Philipovna, finally reads them after a restless sleep. The letters are a delirious mixture of adoration, fear, and prophecy, in which she declares him perfection, confesses her love, and describes her terror of Rogojin, whom she believes will kill her. She also speaks of uniting the prince with Aglaya. After reading, the prince wanders through the park and, thinking it is only half-past nine, goes to the Epanchin house, where Alexandra tells him it is half-past twelve. He leaves in confusion and on the road encounters Nastasya herself, who falls to her knees before him, kissing his hand, just as in his dream.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Destruction
Nastasya's letters intertwine love with fear and death, as she confesses her love for the prince while describing Rogojin's murderous obsession.
Innocence and Idiocy
The prince is portrayed as an innocent, almost angelic figure, incapable of personal offense, which Nastasya both worships and laments.
The Fallen Woman
Nastasya's self-perception as a 'sinful' woman who has renounced the world, yet seeks redemption through the prince, is central to the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin
Tormented by Nastasya's letters, he reads them and is deeply affected; later he wanders to the Epanchin house and then meets Nastasya on the road.
- Nastasya Filippovna Barashkova
Writes three delirious letters to the prince, expressing love, fear of Rogojin, and a desire to unite him with Aglaya; later appears suddenly and kneels before him.
- Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin
Mentioned in Nastasya's letters as a menacing presence who loves and hates her, and whom she believes will kill her.
- Aglaya Ivanovna Epanchin
Referenced in Nastasya's letters as the one the prince should love; she is not well and is at home.
- Alexandra Ivanovna Epanchina
Meets the prince at the Epanchin house at half-past twelve and tells him the time.
- Adelaida Ivanovna Epanchina
Mentioned as having gone to bed; also referenced in Nastasya's letter as having said that Nastasya's beauty could overthrow the world.
Key passages
“When you open this letter, look first at the signature. The signature will tell you all, so that I need explain nothing, nor attempt to justify myself.”
Nastasya tells the prince that her name alone will explain everything, so she does not need to justify her audacity.
This opening of her first letter establishes her self-abasement and the power dynamic between them.
“I know that once when your sister Adelaida saw my portrait she said that such beauty could overthrow the world. But I have renounced the world.”
Nastasya recalls Adelaida's comment about her beauty, but declares she has given up worldly concerns.
This shows Nastasya's awareness of her own beauty and her rejection of its power.
“He is always silent, but I know well that he loves me so much that he must hate me. My wedding and yours are to be on the same day; so I have arranged with him.”
Nastasya says Rogojin's love is so intense it turns to hate, and she has planned for their weddings to coincide.
This reveals her belief in a fatal symmetry between her relationship with Rogojin and the prince's with Aglaya.