The image and characteristics of Aglaya Yepanchina from the Novel "The Idiot"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The famous novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky "The Idiot" was first published in the journal "Russian Messenger". The novel was published in installments in magazine issues in the 1860s. It is no secret that the writer loved his creation more than his other works. The heroes of "The Idiot" are very loved all over the world due to the fact that they are very different in character and worldview. Aglaya Yepanchina is one of the most important characters in the novel. In her image, Dostoevsky portrayed the first female idealists of that time, who tried to cast off the shackles of social prejudices and find their own way.

Characteristic

Epanchina Aglaya Ivanovna - a beauty of twenty years. This is a girl brought up in a very respected noble family of the general. In secular circles, it is considered an ideal candidate for marriage. She is modest, educated, intelligent and talented. She is drawn to knowledge and, secretly from her parents, reads books by progressive philosophers. Aglaya does not like social events. The girl is accustomed to live in prosperity and luxury. She longs for freedom and dreams of traveling. Like all girls her age, dreamsabout great and sublime love. However, despite this, she is conceited, which still does not allow her to sink to the level of education of her surroundings. Therefore, the material we alth of a young man absolutely does not matter to her and she is ready to live her life even with a poor student.

Aglaya is an ambiguous heroine. However, this only emphasizes its depth and shows the complexity of the character. In fact, Aglaya Yepanchina is still a child, although at the first meeting she gives the impression of a serious and tired person from countless balls. Sometimes she behaves capriciously and unfriendly towards others, and she herself understands this very well. Admits to being mean and stupid at times.

Aglaya's relationship with her family

Relatives consider the girl an ideal. She is loved by everyone. Her family is convinced that their lovely pet is destined for a comfortable, heavenly family life. Because of this, two older sisters even gave up part of their dowry in favor of the younger one. Aglaya herself wants to choose a groom for herself, but the girl's mother believes that she is not ripe for real feelings.

Despite the fact that the mother always and everywhere praises her youngest, she at the same time reproaches her for self-will. He thinks that at times she is eccentric and insane. According to the mother, the most negative traits of her daughter are anger and heartlessness, which can greatly interfere with her future life and bring suffering.

Father also idolizes Aglaya for her generous heart and brilliant mind. However, like his wife, he believes that his daughter is sometimes proud, mocking and capricious. But, despite this, he treats her good-naturedly, as always, and even affectionately calls her "cold-blooded imp".

Relations with Prince Myshkin

Having met Prince Myshkin, Aglaya Yepanchina immediately became interested in him. She liked the extraordinary thinking, its dissimilarity to her usual environment. Despite the fact that everyone around considers the prince an idiot, very strange and eccentric, Aglaya, on the contrary, sees in him a pure, fair young man. He became for her a fresh sip in a bored everyday life. She absolutely does not care about his poverty. Myshkin, despite the fact that he is also in love with Aglaya, cannot decide on the next step, since there is another girl who has feelings for him - Nastasya.

Myshkin sympathizes with her and takes care of her, as the girl has a difficult life. He pities her. Aglaya's parents also add fuel to the fire, they put pressure on the girl to give up her stupid girlish crush. They consider Myshkin insane, unworthy of their daughter. However, the heroine rebels. Events are approaching the wedding. The prince continues to rush between the two girls. Then Aglaya Yepanchina decides to meet with Nastasya Filippovna, Myshkin is also present there. Aglaya asks Nastasya to let the prince go and no longer interfere in her relationship with Myshkin. However, the proud and capricious Nastasya Filippovna again manipulates the prince. Girls demand to make a choice. As a result, the offended Aglaya, unable to withstand the nervous tension, runs out of the room. Too compassionate Myshkin is torn, but decides because of pity for NastasyaFilippovna choose her. Lev Myshkin then tries to contact Aglaya Yepanchina, but the girl refuses to do so.

Further fate of Aglaya

There is a big scandal in Aglaya's family. The girl tells her family that she will not marry Prince Myshkin, because everyone around her considers him an idiot. Some time later, she marries a highly suspicious Polish immigrant who has a reputation as a revolutionary. With this, Aglaya Yepanchina finally breaks all ties with her family.

Quotes by Aglaya Yepanchina from the novel "The Idiot"

Dostoevsky's text speaks for itself. The image and characterization of Aglaya Yepanchina is well revealed by her quotes from the novel:

I don't want to be married off all the time! I want… I want… well, I want to run away from home, and I chose you to help me.

I want to talk about everything with at least one person, as with myself.

I want to be brave and fear nothing. I don't want to go to their balls, I want to be useful. I've wanted to leave for a long time. I've been bottled up for twenty years, and everyone gives me in marriage.

I haven't seen a single Gothic cathedral, I want to be in Rome, I want to see all the scientists' offices, I want to study in Paris; I have been preparing and studying for the last year and have read a lot of books…

I don't want to be a general's daughter…

Screening

The first film adaptation wasfilmed back in the days of the Russian Empire, in 1910, by the famous Russian director Pyotr Chardynin. In it, the role of Aglaya Yepanchina was played by Tatyana Shornikova. The Soviet Union also had its own adaptation of the novel. Unfortunately, only the first part of the series was filmed, as the actor Yuri Yakovlev, who played the role of Prince Myshkin, refused to act in the sequel. The role of Aglaya Yepanchina was played by the Soviet actress Raisa Maksimova.

Many countries have their adaptations of The Idiot, but perhaps the most famous film adaptation is the Russian TV series The Idiot, directed by Vladimir Bortko in 2003. In it, the role of Aglaya Yepanchina was played by Russian actress Olga Budina.

In addition, numerous performances based on the novel are staged around the world.