Bulgarian Journal of Psychiatry, 2019; 4(2):52-55

KIRILLOV AND DOSTOEVSKY

Ivo Mitrev

Clinic of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Medical University – Plovdiv
Clinic of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Sveti Georggi University Hospital – Plovdiv

Abstract. The literary character Alexei Kirillov from the Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel “Demons” is presented. Emphasis is placed on Kirillov’s suicide and the answer to the question whether it is a psychiatric case or an existential hero we are speaking of. The Dostoevsky’s case illustrates the good use of a common neurological disorder (epilepsy) by a remarkable writer, who transforms suffering into art and a disadvantage into an advantage.

Key words: suicide, epilepsy, Dostoevsky, Kirillov


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