Humiliated and harmed

Author: (Russian) Dostoevsky Zheng Qi Li Song
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The Blamed and the Damaged is a novel that truly embodies Dostoevsky's writing style. The characteristics later termed "polyphony" by Bakhtin have already emerged, and even the questions Dostoevsky would explore throughout his life—does God exist?—are raised early on. Descriptions of madness also begin to appear. All these elements became important features of his later works, making this novel a significant part of Dostoevsky's creative career. It was even so influential that "The Blamed and the Damaged" became a common epithet for the archetypal characters he created. It even directly foreshadowed the appearance of Crime and Punishment.
Nelli is one of the most captivating characters in the novel, and her presence also marks the formation of the author's style. She is a 13-year-old girl who secretly falls in love with the male protagonist, who takes care of her, and suffers from severe epilepsy. Her unspoken crush on the protagonist, combined with her refusal to confess her feelings, creates the "polyphony" of the novel, subjecting both readers and characters to emotional torment. At the same time, such a kind and devout young girl, burdened by epilepsy and ultimately dying from the disease, pushes the readers' emotions to their extreme.