The Epanchin Family's Social Struggles

The Epanchin family's efforts to maintain social status and arrange marriages for their daughters.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

General Epanchin's Ambition

General Epanchin's Ambition Social Climbing General Epanchin, a self-made man, seeks to secure advantageous marriages for his daughters. He is involved with Totski and hopes to marry Alexandra to him. The Prince's Arrival Myshkin's arrival disrupts their plans, as Aglaya becomes interested in him.

Aglaya's Rebellion

Aglaya's Rebellion Defying Parents Aglaya refuses to marry Evgenie Pavlovitch and insists on seeing Myshkin. She quarrels with her mother and asserts her independence. The Scandal Her involvement with Myshkin and the confrontation with Nastasya cause a public scandal, forcing the family to leave Pavlovsk.

Aftermath

Aftermath Adelaida's Marriage Adelaida marries Prince S., providing some stability. The family travels abroad. Aglaya's Fate Aglaya's unhappy marriage to the Polish count brings grief to her parents. The Epanchin family's social standing is shaken.

early in the novel

during the summer at Pavlovsk

after the novel's main events