"The Possessed" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Paper Summary:

The paper shows that if Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" is measured against the conventional standards of naturalism it will seem somewhat feverish and improbable. It explains, however, that Dostoyevsky uses cleverly many of the devices of naturalism, the most obvious being his deliberately flat, blunt style. The paper shows how "The Possessed", similar to a Greek tragedy, is in essence a debate: a dialogue between characters in opposition who are at the same time immensely similar.

From the Paper:

"It is through Stavrogin, or more appropriately through the characters obsessions and possessions of Stavrogin's personality, that Stavrogin's true characteristics are unleashed. No one character could subsist solely on his or her own without the character of Stavrogin. His presence is felt continuously; like Peter, he, too, is everywhere, though few are capable of realizing it. Stavrogin is present in Peter Verkhovensky as his "better half;" in Shatov as his God-fearing brethren; in Kirilov as his suicidally-matched twin; in Maria Lebyatkin as her demented soul; in Liza as her passionate lover; and surely in Stepan Trafimovich Verkhovensky as his tragic hero.

More papers on "The Possessed" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky:

• Analytical Essay # 21565 : "Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" and Herman Melville's "Moby Dick"
• Book Review # 44090 : "The Archivist" by Martha Cooley."
• Analytical Essay # 8379 : "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky"

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