The Dream of a Ridiculous Man
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Book Overview
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man by Fyodor Dostoevsky is one of the most concentrated and visionary works in Dostoevsky's writing. First published in 1877, this short philosophical tale explores despair, suicide, moral awakening, and the possibility of spiritual regeneration. Often read as a bridge between Dostoevsky's psychological fiction and his religious philosophy, the story confronts the deepest questions of meaning, guilt, and human responsibility.
The narrative follows a man who has become utterly indifferent to life, convinced that nothing matters. On the verge of suicide, he experiences a dream vision in which he witnesses a world of innocence, harmony, and truth, and then its corruption through human pride and self interest. Through this dream, Dostoevsky examines conscience, free will, moral contagion, and the tragic fall from ideal goodness into suffering and deception. The story combines psychological realism with metaphysical speculation, presenting a stark critique of nihilism and moral apathy.
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is essential reading for those interested in existential literature, moral philosophy, Christian thought, and the inner life. It is frequently studied alongside Notes from Underground, The Grand Inquisitor, and The Meek One for its exploration of freedom, responsibility, and redemption. This edition presents a timeless classic of Russian literature whose vision of moral awakening continues to resonate with readers confronting questions of despair, belief, and the possibility of ethical renewal.
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