Prince Myshkin returns to Russia from an asylum in Switzerland. Ashe becomes embroiled in the frantic amatory and financial intrigueswhich centre around a cast of brilliantly realised characters and whichultimately lead to tragedy, he emerges as a unique combination of theChristian ideal of perfection and Dostoevsky’s own views, afflictionsand manners. His serene selflessness is contrasted with the worldlyqualities of every other character in the novel.Dostoevsky supplies a harsh indictment of the Russian ruling classof his day who have created a world which cannot accomodate thegoodness of this idiot.