Prince Myshkin returns to Russia from an asylum in Switzerl&. As he becomes embroiled in the frantic amatory & financial intrigues which centre around a cast of brilliantly realised characters & which ultimately lead to tragedy he emerges as a unique combination of the Christian ideal of perfection & Dostoevskys own views afflictions & manners. His serene selflessness is contrasted with the worldly qualities of every other character in the novel. Dostoevsky supplies a harsh indictment of the Russian ruling class of his day who have created a world which cannot accomodate the goodness of this idiot.