Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter 6 The First Interview with Smerdyakov
Overview
Ivan visits the ailing Smerdyakov in hospital and probes his “predicted” epileptic fit and the cellar story. Smerdyakov insists the fit was genuine and claims he warned Ivan indirectly. Relieved, Ivan leans toward Dmitri’s guilt. Later, tormented, Ivan asks Alyosha if he once desired their father’s death; Alyosha’s quiet yes drives Ivan to avoid him and return to Smerdyakov.
Summary
Ivan recalls two earlier visits to Smerdyakov and his late arrival after their father’s murder. Skeptical of Alyosha’s early suspicion of Smerdyakov, Ivan first concluded Dmitri was guilty, especially after a disordered jail interview with Dmitri.
At the hospital, Ivan questions Smerdyakov about predicting his epileptic fit and the cellar. Smerdyakov, weak but composed, claims fear triggered a genuine seizure, says he already told investigators everything, and argues he sent Ivan to Tchermashnya to keep him near and to deter Dmitri. He maintains that, had he plotted murder, he would not have boasted of shamming fits beforehand.
Ivan leaves feeling oddly relieved that Dmitri, not Smerdyakov, is the murderer, and accumulating evidence soon strengthens this view: testimonies from tavern folk, Plotnikov’s, Mokroe, the “knocks,” and Grigory’s open door. Doctors affirm Smerdyakov’s real fits; Marfa says he moaned all night. Despite this, Alyosha still believes Dmitri innocent and suspects Smerdyakov.
Meanwhile Ivan is consumed by passion for Katerina Ivanovna amid quarrels and remorse. Old misgivings resurface: his furtive listening on the stairs, his self-reproach on the journey, and the thought “I am a scoundrel.”
Meeting Alyosha, Ivan demands the truth about whether he once desired their father’s death; Alyosha quietly admits he did think so. Shaken and angry, Ivan begins to avoid Alyosha and, immediately after, goes again to Smerdyakov.
Who Appears
- Ivan KaramazovQuestions Smerdyakov in hospital, leans toward Dmitri’s guilt, later admits desiring patricide to Alyosha and avoids him.
- SmerdyakovSick in hospital; defends his fit as genuine, explains the cellar and knocks, subtly shifts suspicion onto Dmitri.
- Alyosha KaramazovMaintains Dmitri’s probable innocence; tells Ivan he once believed Ivan desired their father’s death.
- Dmitri (Mitya) KaramazovIn jail; his chaotic behavior and accumulating evidence convince Ivan of his guilt.
- Doctor HerzenstubeAffirms Smerdyakov’s epileptic fits are genuine; notes his abnormal but not mad state.
- Doctor VarvinskySupports that fear triggered Smerdyakov’s genuine seizure and records his testimony.
- Marfa IgnatyevnaSays Smerdyakov lay moaning all night beyond the partition; brings him necessities.
- Grigory VassilyevichHis testimony about the open door weighs against Dmitri.
- Katerina IvanovnaObject of Ivan’s volatile passion; her wavering and quarrels deepen his turmoil.