Nastasya Filippovna's Self-Destruction

The Idiot

Nastasya's deliberate choices that lead to her own destruction.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
Early LifeEarly Life
Early Life Orphan and Mistress Nastasya is orphaned and becomes Totski's mistress. She is educated but traumatized. Arrival in Petersburg She comes to Petersburg, determined to assert her independence.
The Birthday PartyThe Birthday Party
The Birthday Party Rejection of Proposals She rejects both Ganya and Myshkin's proposals, choosing to leave with Rogozhin. She burns the money as a symbol of her contempt. Self-Destructive Choice She knowingly chooses a path that leads to her death.
MurderMurder
Murder Flight and Death She flees from the wedding with Rogozhin, who kills her in a jealous rage. Her body is discovered the next day. End of a Tragic Life
before the novel
her birthday
the night before the wedding