How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"I am a prince of an old family myself, and I am sitting among my peers; and I am talking like this in the hope of saving us all; in the hope that our class will not disappear altogether—into the darkness—unguessing its danger—blaming everything around it, and losing ground every day. Why should we disappear and give place to others, when we may still, if we choose, remain in the front rank and lead the battle? Let us be servants, that we may become lords in due season!"
[…]
"Do you know, I cannot understand how anyone can pass by a green tree, and not feel happy only to look at it! How anyone can talk to a man and not feel happy in loving him! Oh, it is my own fault that I cannot express myself well enough! But there are lovely things at every step I take—things which even the most miserable man must recognize as beautiful. Look at a little child—look at God's day-dawn—look at the grass growing—look at the eyes that love you, as they gaze back into your eyes!" (4.7.107-110)
The party at the Epanchins' house is a pretty great set-piece for the social satire side of the prince's innocence. He can't begin to imagine that all the people who are being so friendly and charming there are just putting on good manners. But it's also the place where he rants about the evils of the Catholic Church, and then about the fact that the Russian aristocracy needs to dig a little deeper to hold on to power and status—both things that don't really sounds like the totally wide-eyed innocent Myshkin that we know. So what do we make of this speech? Does it clarify anything about Myshkin and his goals? Make him more mystifying?