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 A.M.GORKY INSTITUTE OF WORLD LITERATURE
OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Povarskaya 25A, bld. 1, 121069 Moscow, Russia
fedor@dostmirkult.ru

ISSN 2619-0311 (Print)
ISSN 2712-8512 (Online)

"The Dream of a Ridiculous Man" in Dante's Light

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  • Author: Caterina Corbella
  • Information about the author:

    PhD in Philology, Associate Researcher, Research Centre "Dostoevsky and World Culture," A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Povarskaya St., 25A, bld. 1, 121069 Moscow, Russia.

    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5996-0127

    E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • For citation:

    Corbella, Caterina. "'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man' in Dante's Light." Dostoevsky and World Culture. Philological journal, no. 3 (35), 2026, pp. 55-85. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22455/2619-0311-2026-3-55-85
  • Received: 15 June 2026
  • Approved after reviewing: 08 July 2026
  • Published: 25 Sept. 2026
  • Issue: 2026 no. 3 (35)
  • Department: HERMENEUTICS. SLOW READING
  • Pages: 55-85
  • DOI: Visit Website
  • EDN:

    https://elibrary.ru/DGCGGH
  • UDK: 821.161.1.0+821.131.1.0+82.0
  • BBK: 83.3(2Рос=Рус)+83.3(4Ита)+83
  • Publication Type: Research Article
  • Keywords: Dostoevsky, Dante, "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man," Divine Comedy, New Life, truth and righteousness
  • Abstract: This article continues the investigation of possible influences and correspondences between the works of Dante and Dostoevsky, taking as its material the fantastic tale "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man." A number of typological similarities are identified, while leaving open the question of a direct literary connection. Among the points of intersection are the shared framework of the dream-vision and the theme of a "new life" marked by memory. Both protagonists, by special grace, travel the path from the underworld to the stars for the sake of personal salvation and in order to preach what they have seen "for the benefit of a world that lives badly" (Purg., XXXII, 103). Even if they do not find the right words, they are nonetheless called to bear witness to the truth they have seen and to live in accordance with the love that has been revealed to them. The article also examines possible genetic connections between Dostoevsky's text and two biblical sources: Psalm 84 and the Second Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, which is mentioned in Dante's text.

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Audio Recordings

1. Corbella, Caterina. "Novaia zhizn" i 'Khoziaika': popytka sopostavleniia" ["Vita Nuova and The Landlady: An Attempt of Comparative Reading"]. XVIII Mezhdunarodnye chteniia "Proizvedeniia F.M. Dostoevskogo v vospriatii chitatelei XXI veka". Utrennee zasedanie [28th International Readings "Dostoevsky's Works in the Perception of 21st-Century Readers." Morning Session]. Available at: https://vkvideo.ru/video-18077050_456240758 (accessed 07 Aug. 2026).

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