The Permanent Husband is a darker and more psychological novella, exploring themes of guilt, morality, and fate. The story follows Pavel Pavlovich Trusotsky, a man who unexpectedly discovers that his wife has been unfaithful. In a fit of rage, he rushes to confront her, only to find her dead, leaving him in a state of shock and guilt. After years of wandering and aimless existence, Pavel returns to his hometown, where he encounters Prince Vasily, the man who had once been his wife's lover. As their paths intertwine once more, Pavel becomes obsessed with confronting his past and seeking closure. However, his emotions oscillate between revenge, self-loathing, and existential confusion, leading to an intense psychological struggle. As the novel progresses, Pavel’s growing paranoia and erratic behavior illustrate the weight of unresolved guilt and inner turmoil. In the climax, he faces a tragic and ironic fate, leaving the reader to question whether redemption was ever possible. The Permanent Husband delves into Dostoyevsky’s signature themes of moral ambiguity, human weakness, and the psychological consequences of crime and betrayal.
