The Double

Summary

The novel "The Double" by Fyodor Dostoevsky tells the story of a minor civil servant, Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin, who encounters the appearance of his doppelgänger. Golyadkin leads a modest and reclusive life, plagued by insecurity and social isolation. His life takes a turn when he meets someone who looks and behaves exactly like him. This double, Golyadkin Junior, quickly wins the favor of those around him and begins to undermine Golyadkin Senior's position at work and in society. Gradually, Golyadkin Senior loses control over his life, descending into paranoia and despair. The double becomes a symbol of the protagonist's internal conflict and split personality, reflecting his fears and insecurities. Ultimately, Golyadkin Senior ends up in a psychiatric hospital, unable to cope with the destructive influence of his double.