The Idiot by Dostoevsky discussion

For discussion of book 2, chapters 7-8

In chapter 7, Aglaya's reading of The Hapless Knight is confusing. On the one hand, she seems serious and to respect the commitment to the ideal of this Hapless Knight (Myshkin) but on the other hand she makes fun of him by changing the initials to Nastassia.

Aglaya's attitude toward Myshkin also seems ambivalent. She seems to like and admire his basic goodness, but to scorn him for not being as assertive as she wishes he would be when the the Pavlishchev's-supposed-son contingent arrives.

In chapter 8, we see other indications of Lebedev's unreliability and untrustworthiness. On the one hand, he's host to Prince Myshkin (maybe not out of liking though so much as payment for a room!), on the other hand he seems to take pleasure in the scandal of the letter and Burdovsky and gang.

Myshkin here is much more insightful and shrewd than in the Russian film in which he comes across more as a naive innocent. He sees through the deception and is aware that many people are trying to take advantage of him because of his inheritance.

But doesn't react with temper the way some of the other characters do. He is more in control of his emotions. He simply states his reactions and the facts as he knows them. And he certainly is capable of asserting himself. He just doesn't have tantrums the way Aglaya and Lizabeta do.

It seems that many of Dostoevsky's characters are at the mercy of their raw emotions and that their civilized veneer is quite thin.
Tolstoy on the other hand portrays characters who act with more civility and are more in the control of their emotions.

What some people might question is Myshkin's decision to make "a charitable donation" to Burdovsky, given that he believes that Burdovsky is a victim here, who genuinely believes that he is Pavlischev son. But is this true? Is he? And if not, is Myshkin too much of a softie here?