Mental Illness from Dostoevsky and Gogol
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Both Fyodor Dostoesky and Nikolai Gogol bring forth stories of a somewhat functional member of society and his path into insanity. When comparing both writers illustrations of mental illness there are many similarities involved. Each character lives in the gloomy city of St. Petersburg, wishes to rise above his rank in order to gain respect, but cannot overcome his social inabilities and quirky habits. Each character has certain hang-ups or obsessions that cannot be overcome. The characters' own consciousness plays tricks on both themselves and the reader. Each writer plays with the reader and keeps him perplexed throughout the stories. The reader has a difficult time distinguishing between the characters' illness and actual events. The writers, however, develop a character that has many-sides and many reasons for insanity.
All of the stories are set in the city of St...