How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
It was not more than two or three hundred yards from the Epanchins' house to Lebedev's. The first disagreeable impression experienced by Mrs. Epanchin was to find the prince surrounded by a whole assembly of other guests—not to mention the fact that some of those present were particularly detestable in her eyes. The next annoying circumstance was when an apparently strong and healthy young fellow, well dressed, and smiling, came forward to meet her on the terrace, instead of the half-dying unfortunate whom she had expected to see.
She was astonished and vexed, and her disappointment pleased Kolya immensely. Of course he could have undeceived her before she started, but the mischievous boy had been careful not to do that, foreseeing the probably laughable disgust that she would experience when she found her dear friend, the prince, in good health. Kolya was indelicate enough to voice the delight he felt at his success in managing to annoy Lizabeta Prokofievna, with whom, in spite of their really amicable relations, he was constantly sparring. (2.6.54-55)
What a really great passage for giving us some direct insight into Mrs. Epanchin, who really gives herself over to whatever emotion is uppermost in her mind. At first she is feverishly concerned about Myshkin being sick after his seizure. Then that immediately goes away when she sees some annoying people. And eventually she even feels "disgust" when she sees that all her worrying was about nothing.
Quote #5
"How dare you grin at me like that?" she shouted furiously, rushing at the invalid, whose mocking smile drove her to distraction. […] "But you must be mad! It is ridiculous! You should take care of yourself; what is the use of holding a conversation now? Go home to bed […]. Oh, sit down, sit down, why are you standing? […] why talk now?" replied Lizabeta Prokofievna, more and more alarmed; "are quite feverish. Just now you would not stop shouting, and now you can hardly breathe. You are gasping."
"[…] Do you know, Lizabeta Prokofievna, that I have dreamed of meeting you for a long while? […] You are an original and eccentric woman; I have seen that for myself—Do you know, I have even been rather fond of you? […] Stay here, and let us spend the evening together. […] Forgive me for being so free and easy—but I know you are kind […]."
"It is quite true," said Mrs. Epanchin decisively. "Talk, but not too loud, and don't excite yourself. You have made me sorry for you." (2.9.48-69)
This reversal from anger to compassion is sort of typical for the Epanchins, no? Compare it to the way General Epanchin's heart kind of melts in response to Myshkin's smile. Is this what makes them socially "off" as a family—that they are willing to acknowledge and act on their emotions? Also, if Mrs. Epanchin is able to experience this kind of transformation, why does it make her angry to witness Myshkin's insta-forgiveness?
Quote #6
The prince had not seen [Nastasya] for more than three months. All these days since his arrival from Petersburg he had intended to pay her a visit, but some mysterious presentiment had restrained him.
[…]
In the very look of this woman there was something which tortured him. In conversation with Rogozhin he had attributed this sensation to pity—immeasurable pity, and this was the truth. The sight of the portrait face alone had filled his heart full of the agony of real sympathy; and this feeling of sympathy, nay, of actual suffering, for her, had never left his heart since that hour, and was still in full force.
[…]
If, loving a woman above everything in the world, or at least having a foretaste of the possibility of such love for her, one were suddenly to behold her on a chain, behind bars and under the lash of a keeper, one would feel something like what the poor prince now felt. (3.2.85-90)
What does it say about Myshkin that he is so drawn to this woman despite feeling nothing but misery every time he is near her? There is a huge contrast between the kind of self-denigration and humility that Jesus calls for in his followers, and the way these virtues are applied in the "real life" world of the novel. Myshkin really just comes off as a glutton for punishment, and it feels like readers have to constantly make a mental effort to adjust their perception of him.