Dostoyevsky and Europe

The overarching theme of this monograph is how a Russian intellectual, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, saw himself in the European context. By reference to various of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's romanesque works, the monograph proposes an account of the development of the European awareness of an author nevertheless greatly attached to his native land, and of his influence on European culture. Sections of the monograph discuss the influence of European culture on Dostoyevsky; his attitude towards Europe; his socio-political, religious and philosophical ideas in relation to Europe; and his contribution to European culture. The monograph concludes that through his quest for a spiritual principle, through his longing for justice but also for freedom, and through his aspiration towards the ideal, Dostoyevsky ranks with the greatest European thinkers. Six one-page "working texts" (excerpts from novels) of Charles Dickens, Dostoyevsky, and Albert Camus; and a time line relating events in Dostoyevsky's life and works to cultural, political, social, and artistic life in Russia and in Europe are attached. (RS)