Pulcheria Alexandrovna was 43 years old. She, too, was still pretty, but her mental makeup was clearly softer than Dunya. However, despite her sensitivity and pliability, she could give in “only up to a certain point,” but she would not cross it for anything.
Having shown the ladies to their room, Razumikhin immediately ran to his home to fetch Doctor Zosimov. He took him to “check on Rodka,” and then came with him to give Duna and Pulcheria Alexandrovna a report on Raskolnikov’s condition. Zosimov said that there is no obvious madness in the patient, “rather, some kind of motionless thought is noticeable, something denouncing monomania.”
Both of them then went to spend the night at Raskolnikov's house. When Zosimov hinted along the way that Dunya was “not bad,” the jealous Razumikhin grabbed him by the throat with a roar and pressed him to the wall. Zosimov laughed, and Razumikhin advised him, instead of Dunya, to pay attention to Raskolnikov’s landlady Pashenka. “She is terribly shy, but she also melts like wax. With it you will find what people like you need most: a quiet refuge, the three-fish foundation of the world, the essence of pancakes, fatty kulebyak, an evening samovar, quiet sighs and warm katsaveykas, heated beds. And at the same time you’ll save me from it.”
Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”, part 3, chapter 2 – summary
Waking up the next morning, Razumikhin recalled with shame his drunken outpourings in front of Dunya yesterday. He cursed himself for scolding Luzhin in front of her, now considering: since such a girl marries him, then Pyotr Petrovich is not without merits. Raskolnikov was still sleeping. Zosimov left without meeting Pashenka: she, frightened, locked herself away from him in the evening.
Gloomy Razumikhin again went to Dunya and P.A. to Bakaleev’s rooms. But he was afraid in vain: there he was greeted with gratitude and respect. Over tea together, Razumikhin expressed his opinion about Rodion to the ladies. “I’ve known him for a year and a half. He is gloomy, gloomy, arrogant and proud, but at the same time generous and kind. Hidden: he would rather commit cruelty than express his heart in words. Sometimes he is cold and insensitive to the point of inhumanity, as if two opposing characters are replacing him. Doesn't listen to what they say. Never interested in what everyone else is interested in at the moment. He values himself terribly highly and, it seems, not without some right to do so. He doesn't love anyone; maybe he will never love.” Looking at the ladies, Razumikhin again noted to himself that Dunya looked terribly like her brother.
“From a very young age, he was terribly fantastic and capricious,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna said about her son. “I’m sure that he might suddenly do something to himself that no person would ever think of doing.” She told how a year and a half ago Rodion unexpectedly decided to marry his mistress’s daughter: ugly, sick, without a dowry. This marriage did not take place only because of the death of the bride.
Razumikhin described yesterday's scene of Raskolnikov's insult to Luzhin. The ladies reported: after their arrival in St. Petersburg yesterday, Luzhin did not meet them as promised, sending some lackey in his place. And this morning he sent a note: “I’ll come tomorrow at eight in the evening, I can’t do it earlier, and only on the condition that Rodion Romanovich, who offended me in an unprecedented manner, will not be present at our meeting, otherwise blame yourself" In the same note, Luzhin assured: Raskolnikov gave 25 rubles, which his mother and sister collected for him with great trouble, to the daughter of “one drunkard broken by horses,” “to a girl of notorious behavior.”
Dunya, without explaining her purpose to her mother, decided that Rodion should come on purpose today at eight so that they would definitely meet with Luzhin.
From the rooms, Razumikhin and the women went together to Raskolnikov. Pulcheria Alexandrovna, approaching his house, was terribly worried.
Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”, part 3, chapter 3 – summary
Zosimov was already sitting with Raskolnikov. Rodion, like yesterday, was terribly constrained in the conversation by his sister and mother. He hardly hid the fact that their presence was almost physical pain for him. Zosimov and Razumikhin, seeing this, tried to encourage their friend, but he responded to their sincere feelings with almost ridicule. Dunya and mother sat stunned.
Raskolnikov admitted that yesterday he gave to the family of “one deceased” all the money sent by his mother and sister. “However, I had no right, knowing how you yourself got this money.” “Come on, Rodya,” his mother reassured him, “I’m sure everything you do is wonderful!” “Don’t be sure,” Raskolnikov grimaced.
Pulcheria Alexandrovna said that the wife of the landowner Svidrigailov, who was pursuing Dunya, Marfa Petrovna, died - and, according to rumors, after her husband beat her. Dunya, however, explained softly: “In general, he was always very patient with her, even too lenient with her character, for seven whole years... Somehow he suddenly lost patience.” - “So, he’s not so terrible at all, if he’s been strong for seven years?” – Raskolnikov asked. - “No, no, this is a terrible person!” – Dunya got excited.
Pulcheria Alexandrovna timidly remarked out loud that Rodion was so silent that it was even scary to talk to him. “Come on, mama, we’ll have time to talk!” - Raskolnikov waved it off, and immediately caught himself thinking that with a pure soul he would no longer be able to talk about anything, ever, or with anyone. This insight was so terrible that he forgot himself, got up and walked out of the room, not seeing anyone. Razumikhin stopped him by grabbing his hand.
Raskolnikov, as if in oblivion, began to tell how he wanted to marry the daughter of the landlady. “She was such a sick girl, quite ill; She loved to give to the poor, and she kept dreaming about the monastery, and once she burst into tears when she started talking to me about it... She’s such an ugly girl... Really, I don’t know why I became attached to her then, it seems because she’s always sick... So , there was some kind of spring nonsense..." - “No, there’s more than one spring delirium here,” Dunya objected enthusiastically.
Raskolnikov suddenly joyfully remembered that he wanted to talk about in fact. “Sister, or me, or Luzhin! – he said to Duna again. “I may be a scoundrel, but you shouldn’t be.” Someone alone."
Dunya began to ardently convince: she is marrying Luzhin not at all because she wants to sacrifice herself to her family. “I’m just choosing the lesser of two evils... I won’t marry him without being firmly convinced that I can respect him. And I can be convinced of this today... Even if I kill someone, it’s only myself... I haven’t killed anyone yet!..” Dunya suddenly noticed how terribly her brother’s gaze suddenly changed at these last random words, and screamed: “ Rodya, what are you doing?
His mother and sister showed Raskolnikov the note they had received yesterday from Luzhin. Unfolding it, he suddenly said, as if struck by a new thought: “It’s strange, why am I making such a fuss? Yes, marry whoever you want!” But, after reading the letter, he was indignant: “He writes: blame yourself. This is a threat to leave you - and now, when he has already called you to St. Petersburg. And he slanderes me: I gave the money for the funeral, and not for anything else, and not to the “notorious” daughter of a drunkard, but to his widow.
Dunya, contrary to Luzhin’s insistence, asked her brother to definitely be on a date with him tomorrow evening. Raskolnikov agreed. Dunya asked Razumikhin to come too.
Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”, part 3, chapter 4 – summary
Then Sonya Marmeladova unexpectedly entered the room. Seeing her unusually timid appearance, Raskolnikov was immediately filled with sympathy for her - and from this he seemed to “come to life.”
He politely invited Sonya to sit down. She was amazed that decent people did not immediately reject her, a prostitute. Raskolnikov introduced Sonya to his mother: “This is the daughter of that same Marmeladov.”
Looking around Raskolnikov’s poor room, Sonya said in shock: “You give us All you gave it away yesterday!? “This made her mother and Dunya immediately look at her warmer. Sonya conveyed to Raskolnikov an invitation from Katerina Ivanovna to be at their wake tomorrow - that’s what she came for.
Dunya and her mother left. Encouraged by compassion for Sonya, Raskolnikov said goodbye to them much more warmly than he spoke. “You know, Dunya,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna said as he went out into the street, “I looked at both of you, you are a perfect portrait of Rodion: both of you are melancholic, both gloomy and hot-tempered, both arrogant and both generous.”
Raskolnikov, meanwhile, turned to Razumikhin: “You said that this... investigator Porfiry Petrovich... asked about the pawnbrokers of the old woman. So, I also had pawns there: my sister’s ring and my father’s silver watch. All trinkets, but memory - it would be a pity if they disappeared!” “So come with me now to Porfiry!” – Razumikhin began to fuss.
Together with Sonya they left the house. Raskolnikov inquired about Sonya's address, saying that he wanted to visit her. Sonya was very surprised by this. A stout, dignified, healthy, dashing gentleman with cold, blue eyes and a cane passed them on the street. (See Svidrigailov's appearance.) Hearing the surname “Raskolnikov” in their conversation, he shuddered.
Having said goodbye to Razumikhin and Raskolnikov, Sonya went home alone. The burly gentleman followed her a little further away. Soon he was surprised to discover: Kapernaumov’s apartment, where Sonya lived, was located across the wall from Madame Resslich’s apartment, where he himself was staying.
Raskolnikov, going with Razumikhin to Porfiry, coldly pondered how to behave with this investigator. “Porfiry is a very smart guy,” said Razumikhin, “although he is distrustful, a skeptic, a cynic, a lover of fooling and playing tricks on others.”
Raskolnikov drew up a plan that seemed very cunning to him. He suddenly began to egg Razumikhin on, hinting that he had guessed about his feelings for Dunya. Razumikhin blushed, became embarrassed and furious. Raskolnikov burst out laughing - specifically in order to enter Porfiry with a cheerful look and cover up his strong excitement with this mask. He was eager to find out the details of the investigation into the case of the murdered pawnbroker.
Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”, part 3, chapter 5 – summary
Raskolnikov entered Porfiry’s apartment looking as if he was about to burst out laughing, but he himself was all on his guard. Behind him trailed the embarrassed Razumikhin, who, upon entering, immediately hit the small table with his hand in anger and almost broke it. “Why break the furniture?” Porfiry humorously exclaimed, greeting the guests. Raskolnikov was unpleasantly surprised to see Zamyotov with him.
Porfiry was a man of about thirty-five, short, plump, shaven, with a large, round, cropped head. His figure even resembled that of a woman. The color of the snub-nosed face looked unhealthy, the eyelashes were blinking. However, his gaze was very insightful - it gave Porfiry something much more serious than one might expect at first glance. (See Appearance of Porfiry Petrovich, quote.)
Raskolnikov outlined the “business” about his gizmos. “If you want, you can write about them directly to me,” Porfiry suggested. - “Isn’t this on plain paper?” - inquired Raskolnikov with a feigned air of concern about trifles. - “Oh, at the simplest one!” - Porfiry confirmed - and suddenly mockingly winked at Raskolnikov!
Everything inside Raskolnikov broke down. “He knows that I’m a killer!” – he grew cold. Rodion tried to hide his excitement, but this only revealed it more strongly. He realized that he had overacted and that he looked unnatural.
“I’ve been waiting for you here for a long time,” Porfiry calmly noted. (Raskolnikov shuddered.) “The old woman had your ring and watch wrapped in a piece of paper, and on the piece of paper your name and the number of the mortgage were indicated.”
Razumikhin began inopportunely to tell how Raskolnikov ran away from home yesterday “in delirium.” “I took a lot of money with me,” Raskolnikov laughed evilly. “Mr. Zametov saw the money.”
It turned out that this was not news for Porfiry. He already knew how Raskolnikov visited the Marmeladovs and “donated” a considerable amount there.
Raskolnikov could hardly contain himself. “Well, hit straight, and don’t play like a cat and a mouse,” he thought. He was most interested in: does Porfiry know how he then went to the that apartment
Razumikhin reminded Porfiry of their drunken argument yesterday about the socialists’ view of crimes - they say people commit them because “the environment is stuck.” “Socialists want to remake the living history of human development according to a dead theory that came out of some mathematical head. All human disorders are explained by stupidity alone. They want to discipline a living soul, make it slave, like rubber - but it’s not alive, but without will, but it’s slave, it won’t rebel! Everything was reduced to just the laying of bricks and the arrangement of corridors and rooms in the phalanstery! But it’s too early for a living soul to go to the cemetery!”
Porfiry chuckled, but suddenly started talking about Raskolnikov’s article in Periodical Speech. Rodion himself did not know that the article he sent to this newspaper was published there. Porfiry was interested in the main idea of this note: “there seem to be some people in the world who have every right to commit all sorts of atrocities and crimes. And ordinary people must live in obedience with them.”
Raskolnikov began to passionately explain: “All the benefactors of humanity were terrible bloodshed - otherwise it would be impossible to spread useful institutions and ideas among people. And the good they have done justifies their crimes! The ordinary masses preserve the world and increase it numerically, but special people move the world towards the goal,” towards the New Jerusalem. (See the full text of the excerpt: Raskolnikov’s theory - quote from Crime and Punishment.)
Porfiry was surprised that Raskolnikov still believed in the New Jerusalem. “And do you believe in God?” - he asked. - “I believe.” “But how can we distinguish ordinary people from special ones? – the investigator did not lag behind. - And if someone from the first category considers that he belongs to the second and begins remove all obstacles? And how many extraordinary people are there who have the right to cut others? It’s scary, sir, if there are too many of them?” “Don’t worry, there are very few such people,” Raskolnikov said irritably.
Razumikhin widened his eyes: “Are you serious, Rodya? But this is a permission for blood according to conscience, it’s more terrible than an official permission to shed blood!” Raskolnikov looked at him sadly: “There are always stupid or vain people. But society is provided with exile, prisons, judicial investigators, hard labor. Look for the thief."
“Well, what about his conscience?” – Porfiry was curious. “Whoever has it must suffer, since he recognizes his mistake,” Raskolnikov did not give up. - This is his punishment - like hard labor. Suffering and pain are always necessary for a broad consciousness and a deep heart. Truly great people, it seems to me, should feel great sadness in the world.” - “And when you wrote your article - it’s impossible that you didn’t consider yourself, at least a little bit, an extraordinary person too?” “It may very well be,” Raskolnikov muttered contemptuously. - “And they would decide for the sake of noble goals step over: kill and rob? “I don’t consider myself Mohammed or Napoleon.” “Come on, who in Rus' doesn’t consider himself Napoleon now?” Porfiry doubted. - “Wasn’t it some future Napoleon who killed our Alena Ivanovna with an ax last week?” – Zamyotov assented.
Raskolnikov got up to leave. “You were one of the last to visit the murdered woman,” said Porfiry. “Won’t you come to my unit, maybe we can learn something useful from you.” - “Do you want to officially interrogate me?” – Rodion turned sharply to him. - “Why, sir? For now this is not required at all. And when was the last time you visited the old woman, when walking up the stairs, you didn’t see any workers in the open apartment?” Porfiry asked, as if by chance.
“But the dyers were painting on the very day of the murder, and he was there three days before?” – Razumikhin shouted to Porfiry. - “Ugh! Mixed it up! Completely mixed up!” – he slapped himself on the forehead with feigned absent-mindedness.
Raskolnikov and Razumikhin left.
Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”, part 3, chapter 6 – summary
Along the way, Raskolnikov was indignant to Razumikhin that Porfiry clearly suspected him of murder. “If they had this thought, they would, on the contrary, hide it!” - Razumikhin believed. “They don’t hide it because they don’t have the facts. So they are trying to knock me down with impudence, so that I will break through out of frustration,” Raskolnikov shouted.
He was suddenly struck by an alarming thought: was it possible that some of the loot was left in the hole behind the wallpaper? What if they come with a search! Having quickly said goodbye to Razumikhin, Raskolnikov rushed home. He searched through the hole behind the wallpaper, but found nothing.
Then going out into the yard, he saw a janitor and standing next to him an unfamiliar, gloomy, elderly tradesman, dressed in a strange robe. The janitor pointed out Raskolnikov to the tradesman. Rodion rushed towards them. But the tradesman, without saying anything, looked at him sternly, turned and walked away. Raskolnikov rushed after him.
Having caught up with the stranger, he walked side by side with him for a minute, not daring to ask anything out of excitement. “Did you ask the janitor for me?” – he finally squeezed out. The tradesman stopped and, looking at him, said ominously: “Murderer!” - “What are you... who is the killer?” - Raskolnikov muttered in shock. – “ You murderer,” said the tradesman, turned and left. (See the full text of the excerpt “Raskolnikov’s Meeting with a Tradesman.”)
Raskolnikov returned home trembling. He lay down helplessly on the sofa. Thoughts flowed on their own without any connection. Hearing that Razumikhin and Nastasya were coming in, he pretended to be asleep. They decided not to wake him and left.
“Who is this man who came out of the ground? - Raskolnikov was tormented. “Where was he and what did he see?”
He cursed himself bitterly: why did he decide to commit a crime, knowing in his soul that he was not Napoleon! “I killed someone to kill, but it turns out that didn't step over! I convinced myself that I was doing everything. for a noble purpose, while a real genius places a good-sized battery somewhere across the street and blows on the right and the wrong, without even deigning to explain himself! Mother, sister, how I loved them! Why do I hate them now? (See the full text of this monologue.)
He gradually dozed off. I saw in a dream that he was walking down the street in the evening, and a tradesman from afar was beckoning him with his hand. Raskolnikov followed him into the gateway of the house. The tradesman disappeared. And suddenly he found himself in the same one apartment. Someone was hiding behind a cloak hanging there on the wall. Raskolnikov took him away and saw an old pawnbroker with her head bowed. He took out an ax and began to hit her on the head, over and over again, but she did not even move from the blows. He bent down to look into her face and saw the old woman burst into laughter. Then voices were heard from the bedroom. The hallway and stairs were already full of people... (See the full text of the excerpt “Raskolnikov’s Dream about the Laughing Old Woman.”)
Rodion woke up and saw, as a continuation of his dream, that the door of his closet was wide open, and an unfamiliar, portly man was standing on the threshold and looking at him.
Raskolnikov closed his eyes, looking through his eyelashes. The stranger entered, closed the door and quietly sat down on a chair, resting his chin on his cane.
After waiting quite a long time, Raskolnikov sat up on the sofa. “But I knew that you weren’t sleeping,” the strange guest laughed. - Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov, allow me to introduce myself...” (See the full text of Raskolnikov’s first conversation with Svidrigailov.)
See the full text of this chapter and its.
PART ONE
He woke up late the next day, after a troubled dream, but the dream strengthened him. He woke up bilious, irritable, angry and looked at his closet with hatred. It was a tiny cell, about six paces long, which had the most pitiful appearance with its yellow, dusty wallpaper falling off the walls everywhere, and so low that even a slightly tall person felt terrified in it, and everything seemed to be about to you hit your head on the ceiling. The furniture corresponded to the room: there were three old chairs, not entirely in good working order, a painted table in the corner, on which lay several notebooks and books; just by the way they were dusty, it was clear that no one’s hand had touched them for a long time; and, finally, an awkward large sofa, which occupied almost the entire wall and half the width of the entire room, once upholstered in chintz, but now in rags and served as Raskolnikov’s bed. Often he slept on it as he was, without undressing, without a sheet, covering himself with his old, shabby student coat and with one small pillow in his head, under which he put all the linen he had, clean and worn, so that the headboard would be higher. There was a small table in front of the sofa.
It was difficult to become more dejected and shabby; but for Raskolnikov it was even pleasant in his current state of mind. He resolutely retreated from everyone, like a turtle into its shell, and even the face of the maid, who was obliged to serve him and who sometimes looked into his room, aroused bile and convulsions in him. This happens with other monomaniacs who are too focused on something. His landlady had already stopped giving him food for two weeks, and he still hadn’t thought of going to talk to her, even though he was sitting without dinner. Nastasya, the cook and the landlady's only maid, was partly glad of the tenant's mood and completely stopped cleaning and cleaning for him, and only once a week, by accident, would sometimes take up a broom. She woke him up now.
Get up, why are you sleeping! - she shouted over him, - ten o’clock. I brought you tea; would you like some tea? Are you getting thin?
The tenant opened his eyes, shuddered and recognized Nastasya.
Tea from the hostess, or what? - he asked, slowly and with a painful look, rising on the sofa.
What a surprise from the hostess!
She put her own cracked teapot in front of him, with the tea already drunk, and put two yellow lumps of sugar.
Here, Nastasya, please take this,” he said, rummaging in his pocket (he slept dressed like that) and pulled out a handful of copper, “go and buy me a cod.” Yes, get some cheaper sausages from the sausage shop.
I’ll bring you some cod in a minute, but would you like some cabbage soup instead of sausage? Good cabbage soup, yesterday's. Yesterday I left it for you, but you came late. Good cabbage soup.
When the cabbage soup was brought and he began to eat it, Nastasya sat down next to him on the sofa and began to chat. She was one of the village women and a very talkative woman.
Praskovya Pavlovna wants to report you to the police,” she said.
He winced tightly.
To the police? What does she want?
You don’t pay money and you don’t get off the boat. It is known what is needed.
“Eh, the devil hasn’t gotten enough yet,” he muttered, gritting his teeth, “no, this is now... inopportune for me... She’s a fool,” he added loudly. - I’ll go see her today and talk to her.
She’s a fool, she’s a fool, just like me, and what about you, smart guy, lying there like a sack, not seeing anything from you? Before, you say, you went to teach children, but now why don’t you do anything?
I’m doing... - Raskolnikov said reluctantly and sternly.
What are you doing?
Work...
What kind of work?
I think,” he answered seriously after a pause.
Nastasya burst out laughing. She was one of the laughing ones, and when they made her laugh, she laughed silently, swaying and shaking with her whole body, until she felt sick.
There's a lot of money, what? - she was finally able to say.
You can't teach children without boots. I don't care.
Don't spit in the well.
Children are paid in copper. What can you do with a penny? - he continued reluctantly, as if answering his own thoughts.
Would you like all the capital at once?
He looked at her strangely.
Yes, all the capital,” he answered firmly after a pause.
Well, little by little, otherwise you’ll scare me; It's terribly true. Should I go after the cod or not?
As you wish.
Yes, I forgot! After all, a letter arrived to you yesterday without you.
Letter! to me! from whom?
From whom, I don’t know. I gave my three kopecks to the postman. Will you give it back, or what?
So bring it, for God’s sake, bring it! - Raskolnikov shouted, all in excitement, - Lord!
A minute later a letter appeared. That’s right: from his mother, from the R-th province. He even turned pale while accepting it. He had not received letters for a long time; but now something else suddenly squeezed his heart.
Nastasya, go away, for God’s sake; Here's your three kopecks, but for God's sake, quickly leave!
The letter trembled in his hands; he did not want to open it in front of her: he wanted to be alone with this letter. When Nastasya came out, he quickly raised it to his lips and kissed it; then for a long time he peered at the handwriting of the address, at the familiar and dear small and crooked handwriting of his mother, who had once taught him to read and write. He hesitated; he even seemed to be afraid of something. Finally I opened it: the letter was large, thick, in two lots; two large postal sheets were covered in fine writing.
“My dear Rodya,” my mother wrote, “it’s been more than two months since I’ve talked to you in writing, from which I myself suffered and didn’t even sleep some nights, thinking. But, probably, you won’t blame me for this involuntary silence of mine. . You know how much I love you; you are the only one for us, for me and for Dunya, you are our everything, all our hope, our hope. What happened to me when I found out that you had left the university for several months already, for lack of anything support yourself, and that your lessons and other means have ceased! How could I, with my one hundred and twenty rubles a year pension, help you? The fifteen rubles that I sent you four months ago, I borrowed, as you yourself know, towards the same pension from our local merchant Afanasy Ivanovich Vakhrushin. He is a good man and was also a friend of your father. But, having given him the right to receive a pension for me, I had to wait until the debt was paid, and this has just now been fulfilled, so I I couldn’t send you anything all this time. But now, thank God, it seems I can send you more, and in general we can now even boast of our fortune, which I hasten to tell you about. And, firstly, can you guess, dear Rodya, that your sister has been living with me for a month and a half now, and we will no longer be separated in the future. Thank you God, her torture is over, but I’ll tell you everything in order, so that you will know how it all happened and what we have been hiding from you until now. When you wrote to me two months ago that you heard from someone that Dunya suffers a lot from rudeness in the house of the Svidrigailovs, and asked me for exact explanations, what could I write to you in response then? If I had written to you the whole truth, then you would probably have dropped everything, even on foot, and come to us, because I know your character and feelings, and you would not have offended your sister. I myself was in despair, but what could I do? I myself didn’t know the whole truth then. The main difficulty was that Dunechka, having entered their house as a governess last year, took a full hundred rubles in advance under the condition of a monthly deduction from her salary, and, therefore, it was impossible to leave the place without paying off the debt. She took this amount (now I can explain everything to you, priceless Rodya) more in order to send you sixty rubles, which you so needed then and which you received from us last year. We deceived you then, we wrote that it was from Dunya’s previous money accumulated, but it was not so, and now I am telling you the whole truth, because everything has now changed suddenly, by the will of God, for the better, and so that you know how much he loves you Dunya and what a priceless heart she has. Indeed, Mr. Svidrigailov treated her very rudely at first and made various incivilities and ridicule to her at the table... But I don’t want to go into all these difficult details, so as not to worry you in vain, when it’s all over now. In short, despite the kind and noble treatment of Marfa Petrovna, Mr. Svidrigailov’s wife, and everyone at home, it was very difficult for Dunechka, especially when Mr. Svidrigailov was, according to his old regimental habit, under the influence of Bacchus. But what happened later? Imagine that this madman had long had a passion for Dunya, but kept hiding it under the guise of rudeness and contempt for her. Perhaps he himself was ashamed and horrified, seeing himself already in age and the father of a family, with such frivolous hopes, and therefore he was involuntarily angry with Dunya. Or perhaps it was also that he only wanted to hide the whole truth from others with the rudeness of his treatment and ridicule. But finally he could not resist and dared to make an obvious and vile proposal to Dunya, promising her various rewards and, moreover, to give up everything and go with her to another village or, perhaps, abroad. Can you imagine all her suffering! It was impossible to leave the place now, not only because of the monetary debt, but also to spare Marfa Petrovna, who might suddenly become suspicious, and therefore would have to create discord in the family. And it would have been a big scandal for Dounia; It wouldn't have worked out that way. There were many different reasons, so Dunya could not possibly hope to escape from this terrible house before six weeks. Of course, you know Dunya, you know how smart she is and how strong her character is. Dunechka can endure a lot and even in the most extreme cases find so much generosity in herself that she does not lose her firmness. She didn’t even write to me about everything, so as not to upset me, and we often sent messages. The denouement came unexpectedly. Marfa Petrovna accidentally overheard her husband begging Dounia in the garden, and, misunderstanding everything, blamed her for everything, thinking that she was the cause of everything. A terrible scene happened right there in their garden: Marfa Petrovna even hit Dunya, didn’t want to listen to anything, and she screamed for a whole hour and finally ordered Dunya to be immediately taken to me in the city, on a simple peasant cart, into which they all threw her things, linen, dresses, everything as it happened, untied and unpacked. And then a torrential rain arose, and Dunya, insulted and disgraced, had to travel seventeen miles with the man in an uncovered cart. Think now what could I write to you in a letter in response to yours, which I received two months ago, and what should I write about? I myself was in despair; I didn’t dare write you the truth, because you would be very unhappy, upset and outraged, and what could you do? Perhaps he could also ruin himself, and Dunechka forbade it; but I couldn’t fill the letter with trifles and about anything, while there was such grief in my soul. For a whole month we had gossip all over the city about this story, and it got so bad that we couldn’t even go to church with Dunya because of the contemptuous looks and whispers, and there were even conversations out loud in front of us. All our acquaintances distanced themselves from us, everyone stopped even bowing, and I probably found out that the merchant clerks and some clerks wanted to inflict a low insult on us by smearing the gates of our house with tar, so the owners began to demand that we move out of the apartment. The reason for all this was Marfa Petrovna, who managed to accuse and pollute Dunya in all the houses. She knows everyone and has been coming to town every minute this month, and since she is a little talkative and likes to talk about her family affairs and, especially, complain about her husband to everyone, which is very bad, she spread the whole story, in a short time, not only in the city, but also throughout the county. I got sick, but Dunechka was tougher than me, and if you had seen how she endured everything and how she consoled and encouraged me! She's an angel! But, by the mercy of God, our torment was shortened: Mr. Svidrigailov came to his senses and repented and, probably taking pity on Dunya, presented Marfa Petrovna with complete and obvious evidence of all Dunya’s innocence, namely: a letter that Dunya had written even before Marfa Petrovna found them in the garden, she was forced to write and give it to him in order to reject the personal explanations and secret meetings on which he insisted, and which, after Dunechka’s departure, remained in the hands of Mr. Svidrigailov. In this letter, she most ardently and with complete indignation reproached him precisely for the ignobility of his behavior towards Marfa Petrovna, made it clear to him that he was a father and a family man and that, finally, how vile it was for him to torment and make someone already unhappy unhappy and defenseless girl. In a word, dear Rodya, this letter is written so nobly and touchingly that I cried while reading it, and to this day I cannot read it without tears. In addition, to justify Dunya, evidence finally appeared from servants who saw and knew much more than Mr. Svidrigailov himself assumed, as is always the case. Marfa Petrovna was completely amazed and “murdered again,” as she herself confessed to us, but she was completely convinced of Dunechkina’s innocence and the next day, Sunday, arriving straight at the cathedral, on her knees and with tears she begged the mistress to give her the strength to endure this a new test and fulfill your duty. Then, straight from the cathedral, without visiting anyone, she came to us, told us everything, cried bitterly and, in complete repentance, hugged and begged Dunya to forgive her. That same morning, without any hesitation, straight from us, she went to all the houses in the city and everywhere, in the most flattering expressions for Dunya, shedding tears, she restored her innocence and the nobility of her feelings and behavior. Moreover, she showed and read aloud to everyone Dunechkino’s handwritten letter to Mr. Svidrigailov and even allowed them to make copies of it (which, it seems to me, is unnecessary). Thus, she had to visit everyone in the city for several days in a row, since some began to be offended that others were given preference, and thus queues started, so that in every house they were already waiting in advance and everyone knew that on such and such a day Marfa Petrovna this letter would be read there, and for each reading, even those who had already listened to the letter several times, both in their homes and at other acquaintances’, gathered in turn. My opinion is that much, very much, was unnecessary here; but Marfa Petrovna is already of this character. At least she completely restored Dounia’s honor, and the whole vileness of this matter fell as an indelible shame on her husband, as the main culprit, so I even feel sorry for him; They've already dealt too harshly with this madman. Dunya immediately began to be invited to give lessons in some houses, but she refused. In general, everyone suddenly began to treat her with special respect. All this contributed mainly to that unexpected event through which, one might say, our whole destiny is now changing. Find out, dear Rodya, that a groom has wooed Duna and that she has already given her consent, which I hasten to notify you of as soon as possible. And although this matter was done without your advice, you probably will not make a complaint against me or your sister, since you will see for yourself from the matter that it would be impossible for us to wait and put off until we receive your answer. And you yourself could not discuss everything exactly in absentia. This is what happened. He is already a court councilor, Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin, and a distant relative of Marfa Petrovna, who contributed a lot to this. He began by expressing a desire to get to know us through her, was properly received, drank coffee, and the next day sent a letter in which he very politely explained his proposal and asked for a quick and decisive response. He is a businesslike and busy man, and is now in a hurry to St. Petersburg, so he values every minute. Of course, at first we were very surprised, since it all happened too quickly and unexpectedly. We thought and thought together all that day. He is a reliable and wealthy man, he serves in two places and already has his own capital. True, he is already forty-five years old, but he is quite pleasant in appearance and can still please women, and in general he is a very respectable and decent person, just a little gloomy and seemingly arrogant. But this may only be what it seems at first glance. And I warn you, dear Rodya, when you see him in St. Petersburg, which will happen very soon, do not judge too quickly and ardently, as is typical for you, if at first glance something in him does not seem to you. I’m saying this just in case, although I’m sure he’ll make a pleasant impression on you. And besides, in order to identify any person, you need to treat him gradually and carefully, so as not to fall into error and prejudice, which are very difficult to correct and make amends for later. And Pyotr Petrovich, at least in many ways, is a very respectable man. On his first visit, he told us that he was a positive person, but in many ways shared, as he himself put it, “the convictions of our newest generations” and was an enemy of all prejudices. He also said a lot, because he is somewhat vain and really loves to be listened to, but this is almost not a vice. I, of course, didn’t understand much, but Dunya explained to me that although he had little education, he was smart and, it seemed, kind. You know the character of your sister, Rodya. This girl is firm, prudent, patient and generous, although with a passionate heart, which I learned well in her. Of course, there is no special love here on her part or on his part, but Dunya, in addition to being a smart girl, is at the same time a noble creature, like an angel, and as a duty she will set herself to create the happiness of her husband, who in turn would become to take care of her happiness, and in the latter we have, for now, no great reason to doubt, although, admittedly, the matter was quickly done. In addition, he is a very calculating person and, of course, he will see for himself that his own marital happiness will be all the more certain the happier Dunechka is for him. And that there are some unevenness in character, some old habits and even some disagreement in thoughts (which cannot be avoided even in the happiest marriages), then on this score Dunechka herself told me that she hopes for herself; that there is nothing to worry about and that she can endure a lot, provided that further relations are honest and fair. He, for example, seemed to me at first to be somewhat harsh; but this can happen precisely because he is a straightforward person, and certainly so. For example, on the second visit, having already received consent, in a conversation he expressed that before, without knowing Dunya, he had decided to take an honest girl, but without a dowry, and certainly one who had already experienced a difficult situation; because, as he explained, a husband should not owe anything to his wife, but it is much better if the wife considers her husband to be her benefactor. I add that he expressed himself somewhat softer and more affectionately than I wrote, because I forgot the real expression, but remember only one thought, and, besides, he said this not at all intentionally, but, obviously, having let it slip, in the heat of conversation, so that he even tried to get better and soften it later; but I still thought it was a little harsh, and I told Duna about it. But Dunya even answered me with annoyance that “words are not action,” and this, of course, is fair. Before making up her mind, Dunechka did not sleep all night and, believing that I was already asleep, got out of bed and walked back and forth around the room all night; Finally she knelt down and prayed long and fervently before the icon, and the next morning she told me that she had made up her mind.
I have already mentioned that Pyotr Petrovich is now leaving for St. Petersburg. He has big business there, and he wants to open a public law office in St. Petersburg. He has been involved in various claims and litigation for a long time, and recently he just won one significant lawsuit. He needs to go to St. Petersburg because he has one significant matter in the Senate there. Thus, dear Rodya, he can be very useful to you, even in everything, and Dunya and I have already decided that you, even from this very day, could definitely begin your future career and consider your fate already clearly determined. Oh, if only this could come true! This would be such a benefit that we must consider it nothing other than the direct mercy of the Almighty to us. Dunya only dreams about this. We have already risked saying a few words to Pyotr Petrovich on this matter. He expressed himself cautiously and said that, of course, since he couldn’t do without a secretary, then, of course, it was better to pay a salary to a relative than to a stranger, if only he turned out to be capable of the position (if only you weren’t capable!), but he immediately expressed doubt that your university studies would not leave you time to study in his office. This time the matter ended with that, but Dunya now doesn’t think about anything other than this. Now, for several days now, she’s just been in some kind of heat and has drawn up a whole project about how later you can be a comrade and even a companion of Pyotr Petrovich in his litigation studies, especially since you yourself are at the Faculty of Law. I, Rodya, completely agree with her and share all her plans and hopes, seeing complete probability in them; and, despite the current, very understandable, evasiveness of Pyotr Petrovich (because he doesn’t know you yet), Dunya is firmly convinced that she will achieve everything with her good influence on her future husband, and of this she is confident. Of course, we were careful not to let Pyotr Petrovich know about any of these further dreams of ours and, most importantly, that you would be his companion. He is a positive person and, perhaps, would have accepted it very dryly, since all this would have seemed to him just dreams. Likewise, neither I nor Dunya have yet spoken a word to him about our strong hope that he will help us help you with money while you are at the university; That’s why they didn’t say that, firstly, this would happen on its own later, and he, probably, without further ado, would offer it himself (if only he would have refused Dounia this), all the more quickly since you yourself can become his right hand hand around the office and receive this help not in the form of a benefit, but in the form of a salary you deserve. This is how Dunechka wants to arrange it, and I completely agree with her. Secondly, that’s why they didn’t say that I especially wanted to put you on an even footing with him at our upcoming meeting. When Dunya spoke to him about you with delight, he replied that every person must first be examined for himself and more closely in order to judge him, and that he himself imagines, having met you, to form his own opinion about you. You know what, my priceless Rodya, it seems to me, for some reasons (however, not at all related to Pyotr Petrovich, but for some of my own, personal, perhaps even an old woman’s, woman’s whims) - it seems to me that I , maybe I’ll do better if I live separately after their marriage, as I live now, and not with them. I am quite sure that he will be so noble and considerate that he will invite me and invite me not to be separated from my daughter anymore, and if he has not said so far, then, of course, because even without words it is assumed so; but I will refuse. I have noticed more than once in my life that mothers-in-law are not very after their husbands’ hearts, and not only do I not want to be the slightest burden to anyone, but I myself want to be completely free, as long as I have at least some kind of my own. a piece and children like you and Dunechka. If possible, I will settle down next to both of you, because, Rodya, I saved the most pleasant thing for the end of the letter: know, my dear friend, that perhaps very soon we will all get together again and hug all three of us after almost three years separation! It’s probably already been decided that Dunya and I are leaving for St. Petersburg, I don’t know when exactly, but, in any case, very, very soon, even maybe in a week. Everything depends on the orders of Pyotr Petrovich, who, as soon as he looks around St. Petersburg, will immediately let us know. He wants, according to some calculations, to hurry up the marriage ceremony and even, if possible, to have a wedding in the current meat-eater, and if it doesn’t work out, due to the shortness of the time, then immediately after the mistresses. Oh, with what happiness I will press you to my heart! Dunya is all excited with the joy of meeting you, and once said, jokingly, that just because of this alone she would marry Pyotr Petrovich. She's an angel! Now she doesn’t attribute anything to you, but only told me to write that she needs to talk to you so much, so much that now her hand doesn’t even rise to take up the pen, because you can’t write anything in a few lines, but you’ll only upset yourself ; She told me to hug you tighter and send you countless kisses. But, despite the fact that we may very soon meet in person, I will still send you as much money as I can one of these days. Now, as everyone has learned that Dunechka is marrying Pyotr Petrovich, and my credit has suddenly increased, and I probably know that Afanasy Ivanovich will trust me now, on account of the pension, even up to seventy-five rubles, so I’ll give you, maybe, rubles I’ll send twenty-five or even thirty. I would send more, but I’m afraid for our travel expenses; and although Pyotr Petrovich was so kind that he took on part of the costs of our travel to the capital, namely, he himself volunteered, at his own expense, to deliver our luggage and a large chest (somehow he had it there through friends), but still... Still, we need to count on coming to St. Petersburg, where we can’t appear penniless, even for the first few days. We, however, had already calculated everything with Dounia to precision, and it turned out that the road would take a bit. The railway is only ninety miles from us, and we have already, just in case, made an agreement with one peasant cab driver we know; and there Dunechka and I will have a safe ride in third class. So, maybe I’ll manage to send you not twenty-five, but probably thirty rubles. But enough; I wrote two sheets of paper all around, and there’s no more room left; our whole history; Well, yes, so many incidents have accumulated! And now, my priceless Rodya, I hug you until our close meeting and bless you with my maternal blessing. Love Dunya, your sister, Rodya; love the way she loves you, and know that she loves you infinitely, more than herself. She is an angel, and you, Rodya, you are everything to us - all our hope and all our hope. If only you were happy, we would be happy. Do you still pray to God, Rodya, and do you believe in the goodness of our Creator and Redeemer? I'm afraid in my heart that the latest fashionable irreligion has visited you? If so, then I am praying for you. Remember, dear, how even in your childhood, during your father’s life, you babbled your prayers on my lap and how happy we all were then! Farewell, or better yet, goodbye! I hug you tightly and kiss you countlessly.
Yours to the grave
Pulcheria Raskolnikov.
Almost the entire time Raskolnikov read, from the very beginning of the letter, his face was wet with tears; but when he finished, it was pale, twisted with a spasm, and a heavy, bilious, evil smile snaked across his lips. He lay his head down on his skinny and worn-out pillow and thought, thought for a long time. His heart beat strongly, and his thoughts were greatly agitated. Finally he felt stuffy and cramped in this yellow closet that looked like a closet or a chest. The gaze and thought asked for space. He grabbed his hat and went out, this time no longer afraid of meeting anyone on the stairs; he forgot about it. He took the path in the direction of Vasilievsky Island through V-Prospekt, as if he was hurrying there to do something, but, as usual, he walked without noticing the road, whispering to himself and even talking out loud to himself, which greatly surprised passers-by. Many took him for a drunk.
Crime and Punishment
Part three
Chapter first
When Raskolnikov woke up, he was weak and could not stand on his feet. Mother and Dunya were surprised and disappointed by the condition of their son and brother. Rodion did not want to talk to anyone, so Razumikhin, although the mother did not want to leave her son alone, persuaded them to leave and leave their son in silence. To make them feel safer, Razumikhin accompanied them to their apartment. Since Razumikhin was very drunk, he told Duna that she was an angelic being and that Luzhin was unworthy of her.
He also spoke about Rodion’s quarrel with Pyotr Petrovich. Dunya and Pulcheria Alexandrovna considered Razumikhin a gift from fate; they understood that he was a man of honor. Razumikhin promised to return to them in 15 minutes and report on Rodya’s condition. He kept his promise. When he came to Dunya and Pulcheria Alexandrovna for the second time instead of with Doctor Zosimov, and he calmed the worried women, Pulcheria and Dunya went to bed. Zosimov and Razumikhin decided to leave the housewarming party and spend the night near Raskolnikov.
Chapter two
Razumikhin, waking up in the morning, remembered that yesterday he had said a lot of stupid things to Duna, for which he felt ashamed, and, having learned that Raskolnikov was okay, he went to tell his mother and sister about it. When he came to them, he first of all apologized for his behavior yesterday, and then told them everything he knew about Raskolnikov’s life. In the morning, Pulcheria Alexandrovna received a letter from Luzhin. She gave this letter to Razumikhin to read for advice on what to do. In the letter, Luzhin wrote that Raskolnikov insulted him, and he also wrote that yesterday Raskolnikov acted like crazy by giving a prostitute girl, Sonya Marmeladova, 25 rubles received from his mother. Razumikhin advised him to go to Raskolnikov and talk to them all about it. The three of them went to Rodion.
Chapter Three
When they came to Rodion, Zosimov was sitting in his room. Pulcheria Alexandrovna was very afraid to talk to her son and their conversation did not go well at all. Pulcheria Alexandrovna told her son about the death of Marfa Petrovna and, although she died of a heart attack, everyone thinks that her husband, Svidrigailov, killed her. Pulcheria Alexandrovna gave Raskolnik Luzhin’s letter to read. After reading the letter, Rodya began to accuse Luzhin of illiteracy and his businesslike manner of writing. Raskolnikov realized that Luzhin wanted to quarrel with his mother and sister, since he wrote very vulgarly about Sonya, without knowing her at all. He told his mother that he gave the money not to Sonya, but to Katerina Ivanovna, the wife of the deceased, and that Luzhin was trying to slander him. Dunya had already begun to doubt Luzhin’s nobility, but she still wanted to see her brother and fiancé together, so that they could talk and make peace. With this intention, she invited Raskolnikov and Razumikhin to dinner with them today at 8 o’clock and said that Luzhin would be there.
Chapter Four
Then a girl enters the room and, seeing that there are a lot of people in the room, backs away to leave. Raskolnikov, a little later, realized that it was Sonya and stopped her. Raskolnikov sat her on a chair next to his sister and mother. Sonya behaved very reservedly, even fearfully, she turned purple all over. In a quiet voice, she thanked Rodion on behalf of her stepmother and on her behalf invited him to the wake, which would be held tomorrow morning. Raskolnikov thanked her, and at that time the mother and sister stood up to leave; on the way out of the room, Dunya extended her hand to Sonya in farewell, which Sonya was surprised by. Dunya saw a beautiful creature in this girl, and Pulcheria Alexandrovna had some kind of unpleasant premonition about this lady. A little later, Razumikhin and Raskolnikov went out into the street, where they said goodbye to Sonya and went straight to Porfiry Petrovich, the investigator who was working on the old woman’s case. They went to him so that Raskolnikov would return his father’s watch, which he had recently pawned to the old woman. When Sonya walked home, she completely did not notice how an unfamiliar man was following her. She realized this only when she began to open the door to her apartment. This man turned out to be her neighbor.
Chapter Five
On the way to Porfiry, Raskolnikov noticed that today Razumikhin was somehow heavily pomaded and well-groomed. Raskolnikov found it funny that Razumikhin did this for Dunya, and, entering Porfiry’s apartment, Rodion laughed with all his might at his friend. Razumikhin introduced them, they shook hands, and Raskolnikov began to express his request. He said that since the old woman no longer needed his watch, he wanted to return it to himself, since it was a memory of his father. Porfiry said that he needed to go to the office and write an official statement to return the watch. The three of them sat and talked. All this time, it seemed to Raskolnikov that Porfiry suspected him of murder, and he tried to hide his excitement. Porfiry mentioned Raskolnikov’s article from a month ago, which he had recently read. In this article, Raskolnikov wrote about the division of people into ordinary and unusual. Porfiry asked what this meant, to which Raskolnikov replied that there are ordinary people who live ordinary lives and do nothing remarkable, but there are also extraordinary people who sometimes, when they want, can not give a damn about the law and moral standards, in order to commit some important act, which in his time would be considered a crime, but after several decades this person will be respected and worshiped. Raskolnikov cited Napoleon as an example. Porfiry, as if to catch Raskolnikov when he was leaving, asked him if he had seen then, two weeks ago, when he visited the old woman, the painters who were painting on the second floor. But Raskolnikov, realizing the trick, replied that he did not understand what kind of painters he was talking about, since then he did not see anything on the second floor. Raskolnikov and Razumikhin left Porfiry and went to dinner with Pulcheria Alexandrovna and Duna.
Chapter Six
On the way to dinner, Razumikhin was dissatisfied and worried that this vile Porfiry suspected his friend and asked such tricky questions. Raskolnikov said that he immediately realized that Porfiry wanted to confuse him with his last question, and therefore he answered cleverly. Raskolnikov stopped in the middle of the road and decided to go home, telling Razumikhin that he would come later. Raskolnikov, having arrived home, immediately looked under the wallpaper to check if there were any gold things there. When he left the room, he saw a man walking towards him, but as soon as this man saw Rodion, he went back to the street. The janitor told Rodion that this man was looking for him and asked where he lived. Rodion decided to follow the man and ask what he needed. But as soon as Rodion leaned towards the man’s face, he whispered, “You are a murderer.” Raskolnikov froze in the middle of the sidewalk and stood there for about five minutes, not looking after the man. He returned to his closet and lay down on the sofa. Suddenly he found himself on the street and followed that man. The man went into the house of the old pawnbroker, and Rodion followed him. Suddenly the man disappeared somewhere, and an old woman pawnbroker was sitting on a chair in the middle of the apartment. Raskolnikov took an ax and began to hit the old woman on the head, but the old woman did not react, and she smoothly raised her head and looked at Raskolnikov. At first she began to laugh quietly, then the laughter intensified, and she began to laugh with all her might. Suddenly Raskolnikov woke up. It was just a dream. Rodion heard someone climbing the stairs to his closet, and Raskolnikov pretended to be asleep. A man entered the room and sat down near the bed. It was Svidrigailov and he realized that Rodion was pretending.
Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin is one of those heroes of the novel by F.M. Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”, whose path is completely unacceptable neither by Rodion Raskolnikov in his wanderings and searches for truth, nor by the author himself. Luzhin is a successful man, a businessman of a new, capitalist formation. He serves in the public service and at the same time is successfully engaged in private business. In St. Petersburg, he is going to open a law office, and here he is going to marry Raskolnikov’s sister, Duna, and arrange a new apartment. He is prosperous, has means, is carefully and fashionably dressed, and is proud of his progressive beliefs. But his love for progress does not hide his moral squalor - mercy and compassion for others are alien to this man. He chose Dunya as his bride on the basis that the girl was of noble birth, beautiful and educated, but she was homeless and had endured a lot in life, which means she would owe everything to her benefactor. He talks about the economic prosperity of society, preaching open selfishness and denying the biblical commandments, considering it necessary, first of all, to “love” oneself and care only about one’s well-being. Realizing that Rodion is against his marriage with Dunya, Luzhin begins to intrigue, trying to quarrel Rodion with his sister and mother in order to weaken his influence. Finally, in order to discredit Sonya, Pyotr Petrovich undertakes a frankly vile act: having planted money on her, he accuses Sonya of theft. Sonya seems to Luzhin to be a serious obstacle, exerting her influence on Rodion, and therefore on Avdotya Romanovna. For his accusation, Luzhin chooses a tense dramatic moment: the scandal of Katerina Ivanovna and the landlady at the wake of Sonya’s father. In the presence of many people, Luzhin tells how he invited Sonya to his room, gave her a ten-ruble ticket to commemorate her father, and then discovered that one of the hundred-ruble tickets had disappeared. Sonya is terribly embarrassed and frightened: as a believer, she has never taken anything that belongs to others in her life, but how can she prove she is right if everyone around her “looked at her with such terrible, stern, mocking, hateful faces”? She wants to give Luzhin the ten rubles she received from him, but she has nothing more to say in her defense. The drama of the scene is enhanced by the fact that the hostess is about to call the police, as Luzhin demands, and Katerina Ivanovna throws his ten-ruble note in his face. She shouts in anger that Sonya is not a thief, and offers to search her pockets. And that’s when a folded hundred-ruble bill flew out of Sonya’s pocket. Pyotr Petrovich triumphs, the hostess demands the police, Katerina Ivanovna calls for the protection of those present. Luzhin is ready to generously forgive Sonya, since it was important for him to compromise her and he achieved his goal: everyone felt sorry for Sonya, but thought that she was a thief. Only an accident frustrated his plans: Lebezyatnikov appeared and acquitted Sonya. He saw how Luzhin himself slipped Sonya the ill-fated ticket, but he thought that Pyotr Petrovich did so out of nobility. Now Lebezyatnikov has realized how deceived he was in this man, and is not afraid to tell Luzhin to his face that he is a liar and a slanderer. The episode ends with a successful showdown: Katerina Ivanovna is glad that there is someone to protect Sonya, and Raskolnikov exposes Luzhin for his secret plans.
The significance of this episode in the novel is important for the author’s complete completion of Luzhin’s character: the type of enterprising businessman, egoist and low, vile person from the moral side is worthy only of contempt and condemnation. For Rodion Raskolnikov, this is completely obvious; he rejects this path, considering it completely unacceptable for himself. This scene also conveys the dynamics of the development of the storyline of the Marmeladov family, the tension and drama of the atmosphere in which the events take place. The tragic fate of Sonya and Katerina Ivanovna evokes the reader's sympathy, and the author's depiction of the psychology of the heroes evokes admiration for the peculiarities of F.M.'s artistic skill. Dostoevsky.
Raskolnikov silently took the hands of his sister and mother in his hands, looking intently into their eyes. The mother was frightened by his gaze; there was a strong feeling in it and something motionless, as if crazy. Rodion began to persuade his mother and sister to go to his place, assuring that Razumikhin would look after him. When the name Luzhin was mentioned, he told his sister that he did not want this marriage. Dunya did not argue with her brother, seeing his condition. Razumikhin managed to convince Pulcheria Alexandrovna and Dunya to go to the rooms rented for them by Luzhin, and volunteered to accompany them.
Razumikhin was very excited. His state resembled some kind of delight. He did not yet realize that he immediately fell in love with Raskolnikov’s sister. Having brought both ladies to the indicated address, he was amazed at what bad rooms Luzhin had rented for them. He strictly ordered them not to open the door to strangers. Razumikhin promised to tell them about Rodion’s condition, which he subsequently did.
Mother and daughter were left in anxious anticipation. Avdotsya Romanovna, lost in thought, walked from corner to corner. She was pretty - tall, slender, strong, confident. The expression on her face was almost always serious, but how a smile came to that face, how her cheerful, young laughter came to her! Pulcheria Alexandrovna, at forty-three years old, looked much younger than her years and her face still retained the remnants of the beauty of her youth.
As promised, Razumikhin came to talk about Rodion’s condition and brought Zosimov to them. He spoke in more detail about Raskolnikov’s illness. In the morning, Razumikhin again visited Raskolnikov’s sister and mother. We talked again about his condition. The conversation also turned to Rodion's deceased fiancee. Razumikhin himself knew little about this, but said that the bride was not good-looking and very sick. There is no dowry. In general, it is difficult to judge this matter. The marriage did not take place due to the sudden death of the bride.
Pulcheria Alexandrovna gained such trust in Razumikhin that she decided to discuss another rather delicate issue with him. It turned out that Luzhin, who did not meet them at the station, but only sent a lackey, gave them the letter. This letter said that he was going to visit them that evening, but asked that Rodion not be present at the meeting. Further in the letter, he told his sister and mother that he met Rodion in the apartment of a drunkard crushed by horses and saw with his own eyes how Rodion gave twenty-five rubles to a girl of “notorious behavior” supposedly for a funeral. The mother did not know how to tell her son not to come. Avdotya Romanovna, on the contrary, decided that Rodion must certainly be present at their meeting with Luzhin in order to immediately resolve all misunderstandings. Having decided nothing, everyone went to Rodion.
Compared to yesterday, Rodion was almost healthy, which Zosimov confirmed. Raskolnikov told his mother that yesterday he gave the money she had sent for Marmeladov’s funeral. He asked her for forgiveness, but there was a widow, a pitiful woman, and hungry children.
The more they talked, the more tension arose in the conversation. “But they are definitely afraid of me,” thought Raskolnikov. To defuse the situation, Pulcheria Alexandrovna began to talk about the death of Marfa Petrovna, Svidrigailov’s wife. They say that her husband beat her terribly, she went into town, had lunch and went to the bathhouse. There she suffered a stroke. There was another pause in the conversation. “Are you sure you’re afraid of me?” - said Raskolnikov. “It’s really true,” Dunya answered honestly. The mother protested, Rodion took her hand: “Come on, Mama, we’ll have time to talk.” Having said this, he became embarrassed and turned pale. He realized that he had told a terrible lie, that now he would never be able to talk to anyone. This thought struck him so much that he stood up and quickly left the room.
Razumikhin stopped him. Quite unexpectedly for everyone, he said: “Why are you so boring! Let's talk! " He explained his behavior by saying that he remembered one thing. This calmed everyone down. Zosimov took his leave and left. Razumikhin also began to say goodbye. Raskolnikov remembered his love for the landlady's daughter. This ugly girl was very pious and loved to give to the poor. Suddenly he stood up and, without looking at anyone, walked around the room again. Then he seriously told his sister that he would not give up his own: “Either I or Luzhin.” It was clear that Avdotya Romanovna was thinking about his words yesterday. She replied that she was marrying Luzhin not for Rodion, but for herself. Raskolnikov thought she was lying. They showed him Luzhin's letter. Raskolnikov was surprised by how illiterate and dryly it was written. He decided not to argue with his sister anymore: “I’ll do what’s best for you.” Dunya urgently asked him to be present at the meeting with Luzhin this evening.
At that moment a girl unexpectedly entered the room. It was Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova. Today she was a modestly dressed girl, almost a girl with decent manners. She was embarrassed to see a room full of people. Looking at her more closely, Raskolnikov realized that this creature was extremely humiliated. Everything in him suddenly turned upside down. Seeing her move to leave, he stopped her. Sonya embarrassedly conveyed to Raskolnikov Katerina Ivanovna’s invitation to attend Marmeladov’s funeral.
Raskolnikov's sister and mother left. The mother was worried about her son meeting a girl with such a reputation. Dunya called Luzhin a gossip; she was sure that Sonya was a beautiful girl. And Raskolnikov started talking to Razumikhin about his things pawned with the murdered old woman pawnbroker. He heard that investigator Porfiry Petrovich was interviewing the pawnbrokers. He kept a silver watch there, which was dear to his mother as a memory of his father. Rodion said that he would not want them to get lost. Razumikhin believed that it was better to turn to Porfiry Petrovich.
Seeing that Raskolnikov needed to go, Sonechka hurried again. They all left together. On the street, Raskolnikov found out Sonya's address and promised to come to her. He couldn't say goodbye to her. Finally, they parted.
Sonya was so excited by the meeting and Raskolnikov’s promise to come see her that she did not notice the gentleman who had been carefully watching them even during their conversation and then followed her. He was a man of about fifty, above average height, with broad, steep shoulders. He was dressed smartly and comfortably. He had a beautiful cane in his hands, and fresh gloves on his hands. He had blond hair, a wide thick beard and blue eyes. Seeing the house Sonya entered, the man was very surprised. It turned out that they occupied adjacent rooms.
Further, in part 3 of the novel “Crime and Punishment” it is said that Raskolnikov and Razumikhin went to Porfiry Petrovich. They started talking about the old woman again. Raskolnikov said that he visited her three days before the murder. Raskolnikov entered Porfiry Petrovich’s room, barely holding back his laughter, and Razumikhin, completely enraged. The fact is that Raskolnikov began to make fun of Razumikhin’s love for Dunya. Raskolnikov was unpleasantly surprised that Porfiry Petrovich had Zametov. Porfiry Petrovich received the guest with emphatic courtesy. Raskolnikov briefly and clearly outlined the essence of his case. Porfiry Petrovich said that you need to write a statement at the office regarding the pawned things. Raskolnikov, emphasizing his limited means, asked if this statement could be written on plain paper. Raskolnikov marveled aloud at Porfiry Petrovich’s amazing memory - after all, there were many pawnbrokers, and he remembered that Raskolnikov had come for the watch. He calmly, with a hint of mockery, answered: “All the pawnbrokers have already visited, you’re the only one who didn’t deign to come.” Raskolnikov spoke about his illness, anger began to boil within him. “But in anger I’ll let it slip!” - flashed through him.
Much in this conversation worried Raskolnikov. He was unpleasantly surprised by Porfiry’s remark that Nikodim Fomich met him at Marmeladov’s. Porfiry Petrovich turned the conversation to their argument yesterday at Razumikhin’s. It turned out that they were arguing about a crime. Razumikhin spoke critically yesterday and stood his ground today regarding the opinion of the socialists. They believe that the social system is to blame for crimes. Porfiry Petrovich asked Raskolnikov’s opinion on this issue. It turned out that he had read his article in the newspaper Periodical Press. Raskolnikov did not even know that this article of his had been published. Porfiry Petrovich outlined the essence of the article in a pointedly primitive manner.
Raskolnikov was forced to explain his point of view in more detail. He believes that extraordinary people have the right, in conscience, to step over certain obstacles if the implementation of an idea requires it. For example, if Newton's discoveries could remain unknown because of the lives of ten, a hundred or more people who interfered with this, then he would have the right and even the obligation to eliminate these ten, hundred people. Most of the historical figures were terrible bloodshed. Porfiry Petrovich noticed that if there were a lot of such extraordinary people, it would become creepy, sir. Raskolnikov sadly and calmly explained that such people are rarely born. Razumikhin was horrified by this theory, because it turns out that Raskolnikov allows blood out of conscience, and this is worse than an official permission to kill. To the poisonous question that if an ordinary person imagines himself extraordinary and commits a crime, Raskolnikov explained that this is why investigators and prisons exist in society. Then, an ordinary person will definitely stop halfway towards the goal, his conscience will begin to torment him, he will repent. Porfiry Petrovich asked if, when he wrote this article, he considered himself an extraordinary person. Raskolnikov replied that it was possible. Porfiry Petrovich did not let up and asked him if he could kill? There was a pause. Raskolnikov looked at everyone gloomily and prepared to leave. Finally, Porfiry Petrovich asked Raskolnikov if he had seen painters on the stairs on his last visit to Alena Ivanovna. Raskolnikov understood the catch and replied that he had not seen anyone. (After all, the painters were painting on the day the old woman was killed, but three days before the murder they were not there).
Raskolnikov and Razumikhin left Porfiry Petrovich gloomy and gloomy. They headed to the rooms where Raskolnikov's mother and sister were staying. On the way to them, Raskolnikov gave Razumikhin the idea to talk frankly with Porfiry Petrovich about why they suspected Raskolnikov of murdering the old pawnbroker. Raskolnikov suddenly left Razumikhin at the rooms and quickly went to his room. He thought that some small thing from the old woman’s belongings could remain in his room, which would become irrefutable evidence against him. He searched the hole in which the old woman’s things lay, but there was nothing left there.
Deep in thought, Raskolnikov left the house. At the gate he saw that the janitor pointed at him to an elderly man. The tradesman looked at him carefully and, without saying anything, left. Raskolnikov caught up with him, walked alongside him for a while, then asked why he was looking for him. "Killer!" - he said in a quiet but clear voice. He returned to his closet with weakened steps and lay down on the bed. Some fragments of thoughts flashed through his head.
Razumikhin and Nastasya arrived. Raskolnikov pretended to be asleep, and they decided not to wake him. Raskolnikov forgot. He dreamed that he saw a tradesman on the street. He looked around and beckoned Raskolnikov to follow him. It turned out that the tradesman brought him with him to the old woman’s apartment. She sat hunched over on a chair. Raskolnikov thought that she was afraid of him and bent down to look at the old woman. Then he saw that she was laughing. Raskolnikov grabbed an ax and began to hit her on the head, but the old woman continued to laugh. He started to run, but there were people everywhere. Raskolnikov woke up in horror.
The dream seemed to continue. The door to his room was open, and a stranger stood on the threshold. Raskolnikov pretended to be asleep, the man was silent. “Tell me what you want?” - asked Raskolnikov. “I knew you weren’t sleeping,” the stranger laughed. It was Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov.
Source (abbreviated): Big reference book: The whole Russian language. All Russian literature / I.N. Agekyan, N.M. Volchek and others - Mn.: Modern writer, 2003
Brief summaries of other parts of the novel “Crime and Punishment”: H