Book Review of “White Nights” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

 

Summary

The novella is set in 1848 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The major themes of the novella are loneliness, isolation, unrequited love, and transient happiness. As readers, we see the story from the first-person perspective of our protagonist; therefore, the narration provides a deep understanding of human psychology and connection. Dostoyevsky uses long paragraphs filled with metaphors and examples to showcase the complexities of human emotions and feelings.

The storyline revolves around our protagonist, who remains nameless throughout the novel. The rising action begins when he meets the female lead, Nastenka. Readers engage as the two main characters have conversations during the white nights on the streets of Petersburg. This forms the baseline of the novel, and complexities start to arise as we learn more about the characters’ lives and emotions.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• The novel has smooth pacing, giving us just enough to understand while keeping us hooked and wanting more. The plotline keeps us engaged throughout the novella.
• The narration is portrayed magnificently as the plot reaches its climax; we feel deep and raw emotions as readers. Dostoyevsky is a master at placing words correctly to reveal the whirlpool of human emotions.
• The novella ends with an open question, leaving us to think about what happens next and encouraging us to use our critical thinking to decide the ending on our own.

Weaknesses

• The long paragraphs can be difficult for beginner readers.
• The novella contains many fillers and references from the protagonist’s perspective, which can make it hard to stay engaged.
• It focuses more on the male protagonist’s mindset and does not necessarily provide a clear insight into the female lead.

Title Discussion

The novella is titled “White Nights” both in a literal and metaphorical sense.
Literally, white nights refer to the season in which the novella is set; summer nights in Petersburg, where the sun does not completely set, resulting in nights without complete darkness.

Metaphorically, White Nights symbolizes fleeting moments of happiness, as the bright nights of summer eventually give way to darker ones. It also represents sleeplessness, as the light prevents complete rest.

My Personal Interpretation

Title

My view of the title is more complex. The male protagonist represents darkness, while the female lead represents light. The only time the two can meet or stay together is during the white nights, when it is neither completely dark nor completely bright. Throughout the novella, these elements of darkness and light contrast and complement each other. By the end, both characters leave lasting influences on one another.

The Ending

In my opinion, there is no fixed ending to this novella. Dostoyevsky, being a master of representing human psychology, portrays the protagonist’s worldview changing throughout the story. At first, we see him as pessimistic and faithless, a dreamer escaping reality, but gradually, that dream becomes a burden. He begins to face reality, which feels more comfortable for him, yet that too is shattered. The question remains: will he return to being a depressed man now that his reality is harsh, or will he face it and challenge his fears?

I believe he will face reality and try his best to live up to Nastenka’s expectations. In the end, as he hopes for her to have a great life, there is a chance he, too, will try to become his best self.