Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter 3 Peasant Women Who Have Faith
Overview
Father Zossima leaves his cell to bless a crowd of peasant women, focusing on their immediate suffering over rank or decorum. He soothes a hysterical woman, consoles a bereaved mother, corrects a superstition about praying for the living as dead, and absolves a guilt-ridden widow, emphasizing repentance, love, and reconciliation. His compassion and authority deepen his spiritual stature and foreshadow his influence on those seeking guidance.
Summary
Father Zossima emerges to the portico, where peasants and two ladies, Madame Hohlakov and her paralyzed daughter, wait. Ignoring social rank, Zossima turns first to the peasant women, blessing them and briefly calming a hysterical, “possessed” woman by prayer and touch with his stole.
He addresses a grieving tradesman’s wife, Nastasya, who has journeyed far after losing her last child, Alexey. Zossima consoles her with the belief that children are bold before God and rejoicing among angels, then urges her to return to her husband Nikita, warning that abandoning him troubles the child’s happiness. Moved, Nastasya resolves to go back.
An elderly widow, Prohorovna, asks whether she should submit prayers for the repose of her living son Vasenka to prompt a letter. Zossima denounces the practice as sinful and akin to sorcery, directs her to pray to the Mother of God for his health, and confidently assures her the son will soon write or return.
A consumptive young widow kneels and confesses in a whisper to a grave sin tied to her cruel, now-deceased husband, fearing death and judgment. Zossima teaches that no sin can exhaust God’s love, commands continual repentance without fear, forgiveness of the dead, and love that redeems. He blesses her and places his ikon on her neck.
Finally, a sturdy peasant mother from Vyshegorye arrives with her infant, Lizaveta, bringing sixty copecks for someone poorer. Zossima gratefully accepts the alms, blesses mother and child, and dismisses the crowd with affection and benediction, his compassion reaffirmed before the onlooking ladies and visiting monk.
Who Appears
- Father ZossimaElder who blesses the crowd, consoles mourners, corrects superstition, grants absolution, and emphasizes repentance and love.
- NastasyaTradesman’s wife from afar, grieving her dead three-year-old son; urged to return to husband Nikita.
- Young widow (unnamed)Consumptive peasant confessing a grave sin tied to her late abusive husband; receives counsel, blessing, and an ikon.
- ProhorovnaWidow of a non-commissioned officer; seeks guidance about her absent son Vasenka; warned against sinful superstition.
- Possessed womanLocal peasant previously known to Zossima; calmed instantly by his prayer and touch with the stole.
- Peasant mother from VyshegoryeHealthy woman visiting with baby Lizaveta; donates sixty copecks for the poor; receives blessing.
- Madame HohlakovWealthy widow waiting in the portico; observes Zossima’s ministry to the peasants.
- Lise HohlakovMadame Hohlakov’s partially paralyzed daughter, present in a reclining chair, witnessing the scene.
- Visiting northern monkMonk from a distant house seeking Zossima’s blessing; present among the waiting faithful.