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    THE CROCODILE: A Satirical Novella
    THE CROCODILE: A Satirical Novella
    THE CROCODILE: A Satirical Novella
    Ebook54 pages50 minutes

    THE CROCODILE: A Satirical Novella

    By Fyodor Dostoevsky

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    About this ebook

    Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'The Crocodile' delves into the complexities of human nature and societal issues through a satirical lens. The novella follows Ivan Matveich, a government bureaucrat who is swallowed whole by a crocodile while visiting a circus. Through this absurd premise, Dostoyevsky explores themes of power, authority, and the absurdity of life itself. The narrative is presented in a humorous and ironic tone, showcasing the author's mastery of dark comedy and social commentary. Set in St. Petersburg, the story is a reflection of the political and social climate of 19th century Russia. Dostoyevsky's unique literary style and philosophical insights make 'The Crocodile' a thought-provoking and engaging read for those interested in Russian literature and existential themes. Fyodor Dostoyevsky's personal experiences with government censorship and imprisonment likely influenced his creation of this satirical work, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the author's motivations and perspectives. Overall, 'The Crocodile' is a captivating and insightful novella that offers a deeper exploration of human nature and societal structures.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMusaicum Books
    Release dateOct 6, 2017
    ISBN9788027217892
    THE CROCODILE: A Satirical Novella
    Author

    Fyodor Dostoevsky

    Fyodor Dostoevsky was born in Moscow in 1821. Between 1838 and 1843 he studied at the St Petersburg Engineering Academy. His first work of fiction was the epistolary novel Poor Folk (1846), which met with a generally favourable response. However, his immediately subsequent works were less enthusiastically received. In 1849 Dostoevsky was arrested as a member of the socialist Petrashevsky circle, and subjected to a mock execution. He suffered four years in a Siberian penal settlement and then another four years of enforced military service. He returned to writing in the late 1850s and travelled abroad in the 1860s. It was during the last twenty years of his life that he wrote the iconic works, such as Notes from the Underground (1864), Crime and Punishment (1866), The Idiot (1868) and The Brothers Karamazov (1880), which were to form the basis of his formidable reputation. He died in 1881.

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      Book preview

      THE CROCODILE - Fyodor Dostoevsky

      I

      Table of Contents

      On the thirteenth of January of this present year, 1865, at half-past twelve in the day, Elena Ivanovna, the wife of my cultured friend Ivan Matveitch, who is a colleague in the same department, and may be said to be a distant relation of mine, too, expressed the desire to see the crocodile now on view at a fixed charge in the Arcade. As Ivan Matveitch had already in his pocket his ticket for a tour abroad (not so much for the sake of his health as for the improvement of his mind), and was consequently free from his official duties and had nothing whatever to do that morning, he offered no objection to his wife’s irresistible fancy, but was positively aflame with curiosity himself.

      A capital idea! he said, with the utmost satisfaction. We’ll have a look at the crocodile! On the eve of visiting Europe it is as well to acquaint ourselves on the spot with its indigenous inhabitants. And with these words, taking his wife’s arm, he set off with her at once for the Arcade. I joined them, as I usually do, being an intimate friend of the family. I have never seen Ivan Matveitch in a more agreeable frame of mind than he was on that memorable morning — how true it is that we know not beforehand the fate that awaits us! On entering the Arcade he was at once full of admiration for the splendours of the building, and when we reached the shop in which the monster lately arrived in Petersburg was being exhibited, he volunteered to pay the quarter-rouble for me to the crocodile owner — a thing which had never happened before. Walking into a little room, we observed that besides the crocodile there were in it parrots of the species known as cockatoo, and also a group of monkeys in a special case in a recess. Near the entrance, along the left wall stood a big tin tank that looked like a bath covered with a thin iron grating, filled with water to the depth of two inches. In this shallow pool was kept a huge crocodile, which lay like a log absolutely motionless and apparently deprived of all its faculties by our damp climate, so inhospitable to foreign visitors. This monster at first aroused no special interest in any one of us.

      So this is the crocodile! said Elena Ivanovna, with a pathetic cadence of regret. Why, I thought it was … something different.

      Most probably she thought it was made of diamonds. The owner of the crocodile, a German, came out and looked at us with an air of extraordinary pride.

      He has a right to be, Ivan Matveitch whispered to me, he knows he is the only man in Russia exhibiting a crocodile.

      This quite nonsensical observation I ascribe also to the extremely goodhumoured mood which had overtaken Ivan Matveitch, who was on other occasions of rather envious disposition.

      I fancy your crocodile is not alive, said Elena Ivanovna, piqued by the irresponsive stolidity of the proprietor, and addressing him with a charming smile in order to soften his churlishness — a manœuvre so typically feminine.

      Oh, no, madam, the latter replied in broken Russian; and instantly moving the grating half off the tank, he poked the monster’s head with a stick.

      Then the treacherous monster, to show that it was alive, faintly stirred its paws and tail, raised its snout and emitted something like a prolonged snuffle.

      Come, don’t be cross, Karlchen, said the German caressingly, gratified in his vanity.

      How horrid that crocodile is! I am really frightened, Elena Ivanovna twittered, still more coquettishly. I know I shall dream of him now.

      But he won’t bite you if you do dream of him, the German retorted gallantly, and was the first to laugh at his own jest, but none of us responded.

      Come, Semyon Semyonitch, said Elena Ivanovna, addressing me exclusively, let us go and look at the monkeys. I am awfully fond of monkeys; they are such darlings … and the crocodile is horrid.

      Oh, don’t be afraid, my dear! Ivan Matveitch called after us, gallantly displaying

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