The Diary of a Madman

Synopsis

19th Century, St Petersburg, Russia

Poprishchin’s life is mundane and uneventful, marked by his insignificance in a rigid bureaucratic system. He obsesses over his superior’s daughter, with whom he is hopelessly in love, though she barely acknowledges his existence.

The story is told through Poprishchin’s diary entries, where his grip on reality gradually loosens. His writings reveal his growing delusions and paranoia, eventually leading him to believe that he is the heir to the Spanish throne. Gogol masterfully portrays Poprishchin’s mental deterioration, blending dark humour with a poignant exploration of human frailty and societal pressures. The diary format provides an intimate glimpse into the protagonist’s unraveling mind, making his descent into madness both compelling and heart-wrenching.