Dostoevsky Quote by Martin Jay
““It was not surprising that after the war Dostoevsky was linked to Kierkegaard as a prophet of social resignation.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary Criticism, 1995
Dostoevsky’s post‑war outlook aligns with Kierkegaard’s ideas of social resignation.
In simple terms: Both writers saw society as burdensome.
Key Takeaway
Recognize resignation in literature.
Themes
literature
philosophy
history
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- book clubs
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does war shape philosophical thought?
- Can resignation be productive?
A Different Perspective
Not all post‑war writers share this view.
![“But, inevitably, as he [Kierkegaard] approaches what we might call his Christocentric climax many readers drop off. Many scholars just leave that part of his authorship alone.” quote by George Pattison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/44a/george-pattison-17005_approach_but-inevitably-as-he-kierkegaard-approac_610234.jpg)
![“[Dostoyevsky] eloquently proves that heartless ideas are often a source of immorality: they bring with them destructiveness, hatred, cynicism, and misanthropy. The novelist also carefully examines moral indifference and corruption which leads him to the questions: “What if reason takes the side of…” quote by George L. Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c87/george-l-kline-239544_dostoevsky_dostoyevsky-eloquently-proves-that-heart_53378.jpg)
![“Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (November 11 [O.S. October 30] 1821 – February 9 [O.S. January 28] 1881) is considered one of two greatest prose writers of Russian literature, alongside close contemporary Leo Tolstoy. Dostoevsky's works have had a profound and lasting effect on twentieth-century…” quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab7/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_russian-literature_fyodor-mikhailovich-dostoevsky-november_624363.jpg)