Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter VII. Stepan Trofimovitch's Last Wandering
Overview
Stepan Trofimovitch flees on foot, clinging to a quixotic “open road” ideal, and meets the gospel-seller Sofya Matveyevna. Falling gravely ill at Ustyevo, he confesses a lifetime of vanity, seeks scripture, and experiences a fervent spiritual turn. Varvara Petrovna arrives, confronts him and Sofya, summons priest and doctor; Stepan receives the sacrament, declares faith, and dies, reconciling personal bonds and closing his arc.
Summary
At dawn, Stepan Trofimovitch abandons Varvara Petrovna’s shelter to enact a proud “pilgrimage” on foot, avoiding hired horses so he cannot be stopped. Distracted and fearful on the high road, he falls in with a peasant cart and reaches a village, where pancakes, vodka, and warmth steady him. There he meets Sofya Matveyevna, a gospel-seller, buys a Gospel, and is recognized by Anisim, who reassures suspicious locals of Stepan’s status.
Spurred by Sofya’s kindness, Stepan hires a trap toward Ustyevo, rhapsodizing about preaching the Gospel to the people. En route he deteriorates with fever, entrusts her with his money, and upon lodging at a lakeside cottage becomes voluble, recounting an embellished life-story and proposing a shared mission. Overnight he is struck by his recurring “summer cholera,” passes through remorse and delusion, asks Sofya to read scripture (Sermon on the Mount, Revelation), and formulates a parable likening Russia’s ills to devils cast into swine.
As the steamer comes and goes, Stepan refuses a doctor, clings to Sofya’s care, and weakens. Varvara Petrovna, alerted by Anisim’s tale, arrives with Darya Pavlovna, fiercely expels then recalls Sofya, and confronts Stepan. Shocked by his condition, Varvara sends for Doctor Salzfish and a priest, while Stepan, trembling between affection and guilt, admits lifelong falsehoods and begs for forgiveness.
Doctor Salzfish warns the case is grave. Despite prior views, Stepan readily confesses and receives the sacrament; before those gathered he articulates a fervent profession of faith, asserting the necessity of God and immortality because of eternal love. He yearns to see Petrusha and Shatov, exalts a “Great Idea” before which all men must bow, and grows dangerously excited until the doctor clears the room.
Within three days Stepan loses consciousness and dies quietly, “like a burnt-down candle.” Varvara takes his body to Skvoreshniki for burial and a marble slab. She sends Sofya away during the final vigil, then brings her back after his death and commands her to stay; Sofya agrees. Varvara, renouncing her son, declares she will accompany Sofya to sell the Gospel, sealing the chapter’s intimate reconciliation and spiritual closure.
Who Appears
- Stepan Trofimovitch VerkhovenskyElderly intellectual who flees on foot, falls ill at Ustyevo, confesses past falsehoods, embraces Gospel readings, receives sacrament, professes faith, and dies.
- Varvara Petrovna StavroginaArrives to recover Stepan, confronts Sofya, secures priest and doctor, tends him, oversees burial, and takes Sofya into her household.
- Sofya Matveyevna UlitinGospel-seller who aids Stepan on the road, nurses him through illness, reads scripture, and later agrees to remain with Varvara.
- Anisim IvanovFormer house-servant who recognizes Stepan in the village and later informs Varvara, enabling her timely arrival.
- Doctor SalzfishExperienced physician summoned by Varvara; pronounces Stepan’s condition grave and attempts to limit agitation.
- Darya Pavlovna (Dasha)Accompanies Varvara, runs errands for doctor and arrangements; present during confrontations.
- Landlady at UstyevoGruff hostess who rents the room and pressures about costs and papers during Stepan’s illness.
- PriestAdministers confession and sacrament; speaks on faith at Varvara’s request before Stepan’s final profession.