How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
[T]he arrival of the prince came almost as a godsend.
The announcement of his name gave rise to some surprise and to some smiles, especially when it became evident, from Nastasya's astonished look that she had not thought of inviting him. But her astonishment once over, Nastasya showed such satisfaction that all prepared to greet the prince with cordial smiles of welcome.
"Of course," remarked General Epanchin, "he does this out of pure innocence. It's a little dangerous, perhaps, to encourage this sort of freedom; but it is rather a good thing that he has arrived just at this moment. He may enliven us a little with his originalities." "Especially as he asked himself," said Ferdishenko.
"What's that got to do with it?" asked the general, who loathed Ferdishenko.
"Why, he must pay toll for his entrance," explained the latter. (1.13.15-20)
For General Epanchin, the prince's innocence is something to be cultivated for public pleasure. For grody-to-the-max Ferdishenko, though, it's something to be exploited for amusement. Which is pretty much what every other person Myshkin ever comes across tries to do.
Quote #5
"[Y]ou needn't be afraid, Ganya; everybody knows what your worst action is without the need of any lying on your part. Only think, gentlemen,"—and Ferdishenko here grew quite enthusiastic, "only think with what eyes we shall observe one another tomorrow, after our tales have been told!"
[…]
"But, pardon me, Mr. Ferdishenko, is it possible to make a game out of this kind of thing?" persisted Totsky, growing more and more uneasy. "I assure you it can't be a success. […] as Gavrila Ardalionovitch has said, the least suggestion of a falsehood takes all point out of the game. It seems to me that sincerity, on the other hand, is only possible if combined with a kind of bad taste that would be utterly out of place here."
"How subtle you are, Afanasy Ivanovitch! You astonish me," cried Ferdishenko. "You will remark, gentleman, that in saying that I could not recount the story of my theft so as to be believed, Afanasy Ivanovitch has very ingeniously implied that I am not capable of thieving—(it would have been bad taste to say so openly); and all the time he is probably firmly convinced, in his own mind, that I am very well capable of it!" (1.13.79-86)
Ooh, another moment where innocence is converted to experience, or at least that's what Ferdishenko is hoping will happen after this game is played. Check out that thing about how the players' eyes will be changed after they find out all of these gross details about each other. Can we connect that to Nastasya and Rogozhin's eyes?
Quote #6
"At first I received the news with mistrust, then I said to myself that I might be mistaken, and that Pavlichev might possibly have had a son. […] That is why I thought it my duty to try and help him as 'Pavlichev's son'; in the first place by rescuing him from the influence of Chebarov, and secondly by making myself his friend. I have resolved to give him ten thousand roubles; that is about the sum which I calculate that Pavlichev must have spent on me. […] the main point is that Mr. Burdovsky is not Pavlichev's son at all. Gavrila Ardalionovitch has just told me of his discovery, and assures me that he has positive proofs. […] there can be no further doubt that Chebarov is a rogue! He has deceived poor Mr. Burdovsky, and all of you, gentlemen, who have come forward so nobly to support your friend—(he evidently needs support, I quite see that!). He has abused your credulity and involved you all in an attempted fraud, for when all is said and done this claim is nothing else!" (2.8.65-92)
It's kind of hard to know what to make of what the prince says here. Do you really think that he means it when he says that Burdovsky and his pals are a bunch of yokels who were bamboozled by this wily Chebarov guy into trying to get some money out of Myshkin? Or is this a really well-crafted attempt of letting Burdovsky save face in front of this room full of people? Who is really innocent here?