“The Dream of a Ridiculous Man” : Synopsis and Analysis of the Story
These readings are taken from:
Restoring the Inner Heart The Nous in Dostoevsky’s Ridiculous Man
by Mary Naumenko
ISBN: 9781942699125
Written close to the end of the great writer’s life, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story The Dream of a Ridiculous Man tells of a transformation of the heart and a journey from despair to joy: a joy that can be known by all through the experience of God that transcends a simply rational discourse. In this eye opening literary study, the title character and his spiritual metamorphosis are examined in depth in light of the ancient concept of Nous as it developed from the Greek philosophers to the Christian fathers. By comparing the “Ridiculous Man” to similar characters in Dostoevsky’s corpus, the author shows how an Orthodox Christian understanding of the Nous underpins Dostoevsky’s own anthropology and how his literary works in turn guide the reader toward a truer vision of humanity.
Music:
Sticheron “On the Praises” (Pentecost) and Eirmos of the Ninth Ode (Theophany).
Jordanville Readings is produced and distributed by Holy Trinity Publications in Jordanville, NY with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Luke of Syracuse. All rights reserved.
We strongly recommend that you subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to automatically receive new episodes as they become available! We’ll also post new episodes here at Orthodox Life.
For more information about our publishing work, please visit HolyTrinityPublications.com
Please support this podcast and our wider publishing work by making a monthly pledge of support.