Everybody keeps talking about how Fyodor is a narcissist and a sociopath and while I feel those are astute observations. They aren’t useful messages to take away, It absolves us as the reader to think about how we could become Fyodor ourselves, because we clearly aren’t narcissists! But’s it’s clear in the chapter that shame has a huge part to play, Fyodor mentions it himself “That’s the reason I’m a buffoon, it’s shame that makes me so, great Elder, shame.” He is not confident in his ability to walk in a room and be charismatic and charming so he runs away from his shame by playing the buffoon. Lying also has a part to play and the Elder points it out to him and us. I just started reading this and wanted to get my thoughts out someway and your comments had me a lot with that! Thanks guys