The Double

The Double is a novella that centers on Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin, a lowly government clerk who experiences a crisis of identity when he encounters his doppelgänger. Initially, Golyadkin is pleased to meet his double, but as the story unfolds, he becomes increasingly paranoid and desperate as the double begins to usurp his life.

Golyadkin's descent into madness reflects the themes of alienation, identity, and the struggle for self-acceptance. As he grapples with his insecurities and societal pressures, the novella critiques the bureaucratic and social structures of 19th-century Russia. The story concludes with Golyadkin's complete breakdown, highlighting the psychological turmoil of an individual caught in a fractured reality.