How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Occasionally I was so much better that I could go out; but the streets used to put me in such a rage that I would lock myself up for days rather than go out, even if I were well enough to do so! I could not bear to see all those preoccupied, anxious-looking creatures continuously surging along the streets past me! Why are they always anxious? What is the meaning of their eternal care and worry? […] Oh, how I longed at that time to be turned out—ME, eighteen years old, poor, half-clothed, turned out into the street, quite alone, without lodging, without work, without a crust of bread, without relations, without a single acquaintance, in some large town—hungry, beaten (if you like), but in good health—and THEN I would show them—[…] to live as I have lived these last six months is to live longer than grey-haired old men. (3.5.97-99)
Ah, the relative nature of power! To the man condemned to die, a life of ragged poverty on the street seems like one rich with infinite possibility. Is this a naïve attitude, even if it makes perfect sense to think like this in his condition?
Quote #8
"'Do you know what has suddenly come into my head?' said I, suddenly—leaning further and further over the rail.
"'Surely not to throw yourself into the river?' cried Bachmatov in alarm. Perhaps he read my thought in my face.
"'No, not yet. At present nothing but the following consideration. You see I have some two or three months left me to live—perhaps four; well, supposing that when I have but a month or two more, I take a fancy for some "good deed" that needs both trouble and time, like this business of our doctor friend, for instance: why, I shall have to give up the idea of it and take to something else—some little good deed, more within my means, eh? Isn't that an amusing idea!'" (3.6.61-63)
This is kind of an interesting thought. At least some of Ippolit's bitterness comes from the fact that he won't be alive to do any grand good deeds for anyone anymore. But honestly, does he do anything good for anyone in any part of the novel? Even the thing with Burdovsky—was he honestly trying to help that guy, or just put one over on Myshkin?
Quote #9
"A little while ago a very amusing idea struck me. What if I were now to commit some terrible crime—murder ten fellow-creatures, for instance, or anything else that is thought most shocking and dreadful in this world—what a dilemma my judges would be in, with a criminal who only has a fortnight to live in any case, now that the rack and other forms of torture are abolished! Why, I should die comfortably in their own hospital—in a warm, clean room, with an attentive doctor—probably much more comfortably than I should at home. […]
"Who, in the name of what Law, would think of disputing my full personal right over the fortnight of life left to me? What jurisdiction can be brought to bear upon the case? Who would wish me, not only to be sentenced, but to endure the sentence to the end? Surely there exists no man who would wish such a thing—why should anyone desire it? For the sake of morality? (3.7.6-11)
Talk about going out with a bang. Why should knowing no one would convict you change your feelings about committing a crime? Or is this a form of self-destructiveness? Do you think he really means to kill himself when his gun misfires or is it all an elaborately staged cry for help?