description The Adolescent Overview
Originally titled "A Raw Youth," "The Adolescent" is a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky first published in 1875. The narrative follows 19-year-old Arkady Makarovich Dolgoruky, the illegitimate son of a wealthy landowner, as he navigates 19th-century St. Petersburg society. Distinguishing itself through its focus on the psychological development of a young man obsessed with achieving independence and wealth, the story examines deep generational and ideological conflicts.
It stands as one of Dostoevsky's major explorations of radical political ideas and moral formation.
help The Adolescent FAQ
What is Arkady Dolgoruky's idea in The Adolescent?
Arkady dreams of becoming as financially independent and powerful as the Rothschild family. His "idea" is less a practical business plan than a defense against humiliation, illegitimacy, and his need for recognition.
Who is Versilov to Arkady in The Adolescent?
Andrei Petrovich Versilov is Arkady's biological father, although Arkady legally bears the name of Makar Dolgoruky. Arkady's fascination with and resentment toward Versilov drive much of the 1875 novel.
Why is the novel also translated as The Raw Youth?
The Russian title, Podrostok, refers to a young person who is not yet fully mature. English editions have therefore used titles including The Adolescent, The Raw Youth, and A Raw Youth.
How does The Adolescent differ from Crime and Punishment?
The Adolescent is narrated by a young man trying to reconstruct his family history and identity, rather than centering on Raskolnikov's murder and moral crisis. Both novels unfold in St. Petersburg, but Arkady's unstable family relationships dominate this later book.
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