Paperback, 48 pages
English language
Published June 30, 2004 by Kessinger Publishing.
"The Dream of a Ridiculous Man" (Russian: Сон смешного человека, Son smeshnovo cheloveka) is a short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky written in 1877. It chronicles the experiences of a man who decides that there is nothing of any value in the world. Slipping into nihilism with the “terrible anguish” he is determined to commit suicide. A chance encounter with a young girl, however, begins the man on a journey that re-instills a love for his fellow man. It was first published in A Writer's Diary.
"The Dream of a Ridiculous Man" (Russian: Сон смешного человека, Son smeshnovo cheloveka) is a short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky written in 1877. It chronicles the experiences of a man who decides that there is nothing of any value in the world. Slipping into nihilism with the “terrible anguish” he is determined to commit suicide. A chance encounter with a young girl, however, begins the man on a journey that re-instills a love for his fellow man. It was first published in A Writer's Diary.
Indeed describes the main ideas of Dostoyevsky's philosophy and his view of the world. I despise it though.
Indeed describes the main ideas of Dostoyevsky's philosophy and his view of the world. I despise it though.
"Soullessness! Oh nature! People are alone on this planet, that's the trouble. 'Is there a living soul on this field?' cries the hero of Russian legend. Though no legendary hero, I make the same call, but no one responds. They say the sun gives life to the universe. But the sun rises and—look—isn't it dead? Everything is dead, the dead lie everywhere. Just solitary people, and all about—silence. That's the kind of world we live in. 'People love one another'—who said that? Whose commandment is it? The pendulum is clicking unfeelingly, horridly. It's two in the morning. Her shoes are standing beside her bed, as though they are waiting for her...Listen, I mean it, they'll take her away tomorrow, but what about me?"
Good god was this a bloody brilliant read, "The meek one" and "A funny man's dream" being my absolute favourite parts of this. The former's theme revolving …
"Soullessness! Oh nature! People are alone on this planet, that's the trouble. 'Is there a living soul on this field?' cries the hero of Russian legend. Though no legendary hero, I make the same call, but no one responds. They say the sun gives life to the universe. But the sun rises and—look—isn't it dead? Everything is dead, the dead lie everywhere. Just solitary people, and all about—silence. That's the kind of world we live in. 'People love one another'—who said that? Whose commandment is it? The pendulum is clicking unfeelingly, horridly. It's two in the morning. Her shoes are standing beside her bed, as though they are waiting for her...Listen, I mean it, they'll take her away tomorrow, but what about me?"
Good god was this a bloody brilliant read, "The meek one" and "A funny man's dream" being my absolute favourite parts of this. The former's theme revolving around pride, the male ego, and twisted love whilst the latter—just as brilliant and enticing—is about a man, nihilistic in nature, who has given up on life until he is challenged by a dream of a perfect, idyllic earth where people live in harmony, without sin, and are holy in every sense. Upon his discovery of these people and this place in his dream, he then finds himself spreading corruption in their land—eventually ridding them of their former holiness.
The dream acts as a form of revelation for him and he starts preaching "The Truth" and abandons his initial plan to end his own life. He is considered a madman, he is alone in his knowledge and thus, is ridiculed. An inevitable end for such character.
5/5 and most certainly a recommended read!
What a refreshing read. So much easier to get your point across when you don't spend the first 300 pages introducing 30 characters.
What a refreshing read. So much easier to get your point across when you don't spend the first 300 pages introducing 30 characters.
