Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Genre

Classics, Fiction, Philosophy, Psychology

Contents

The Idiot — Part IV — Chapter XII

Previous: The Idiot — Part IV — Chapter XI Next: Notes from Underground — Part I Underground — Chapter I

Overview

The police, alerted by Lebedeff and two ladies, open Rogojin’s flat and the aftermath unfolds: Rogojin suffers brain fever, is tried, and sent to Siberia. Myshkin is returned to Switzerland under Evgenie Pavlovitch’s care, while the Epanchins visit and forgive him.

Meanwhile Aglaya’s impulsive marriage to a sham Polish count collapses, deepening family distress and underscoring the wreckage left by the tragedy.

Summary

Alarmed by what she learned, the widow rushes to Pavlovsk and, with Daria Alexeyevna and Lebedeff, hastens to Petersburg to prevent disaster. With the porter’s testimony that Parfen Rogojin returned late with a companion, police force open Rogojin’s flat at eleven the next morning in the presence of Lebedeff, the two ladies, and Rogojin’s brother.

Rogojin falls into brain fever for two months and, upon recovery, is tried for Nastasia Philipovna’s murder. He gives exact, comprehensive testimony, while counsel argues prior illness as cause. Convicted with extenuation, he receives fifteen years’ hard labor in Siberia; his fortune passes to his brother. His mother lives on, unaware of the calamity.

Among acquaintances, little changes outwardly. Hippolyte dies, agitated, two weeks after Nastasia’s death. Colia, deeply affected, grows closer to his mother and shows promise. Guided by Colia’s judgment, Evgenie Pavlovitch becomes custodian of Prince Myshkin’s fate, arranging his return to Dr. Schneider’s clinic in Switzerland and visiting him regularly.

Dr. Schneider increasingly doubts recovery, hinting at fatal brain injury. Evgenie’s concern deepens; he corresponds with Colia and, with growing sympathy, sends detailed reports to Vera Lebedeff, whose grief over the prince had made her ill. Through these letters, news of the Epanchins emerges.

Evgenie reports from Paris that Aglaya, captivated by a supposed Polish exile and Jesuit guidance, marries against her parents’ wishes; the man proves an impostor, and Aglaya is estranged from her family. Later, Evgenie meets the Epanchins (minus the general) and Prince S. at Schneider’s. They gratefully acknowledge his care; Lizabetha Prokofievna weeps over the unrecognizing Myshkin and rails against life abroad, while Prince S. offers sober counsel, and Adelaida’s engagement shows strains that time may mend.

Who Appears

Evgenie Pavlovitch

Assumes responsibility for Myshkin’s care, visits Switzerland, and reports sympathetically to Colia and Vera.
Prince Lev Myshkin

Found in idiocy after the tragedy; returned to Dr. Schneider’s clinic and fails to recognize old friends.
Parfen Rogojin

Suffers brain fever, confesses details at trial, and is sentenced to fifteen years’ hard labor in Siberia.
Vera Lebedeff

Shares information, later corresponds with Evgenie, receiving detailed updates on Myshkin’s condition.
Lebedeff

Raises alarm and helps the police open Rogojin’s flat; continues living much as before.
Lizabetha Prokofievna Epanchin

Weeps over Myshkin in Switzerland, forgives him, longs to return home, and scorns life abroad.
Aglaya Epanchin

Impulsively marries a sham Polish count, influenced by a Jesuit; estranged from her family.
Colia Ivolgin

Affected by events; guides Myshkin’s fate by enlisting Evgenie; grows closer to his mother.
Dr. Schneider

Treats Myshkin in Switzerland; increasingly doubts the possibility of recovery.
Daria Alexeyevna

Warned by the widow; joins Lebedeff in alerting authorities and witnessing the flat’s opening.
Rogojin’s brother

Present when police open the flat; inherits Rogojin’s remaining fortune after the conviction.
Hippolyte Terentieff

Dies agitated about two weeks after Nastasia Philipovna’s death.
Prince S.

Offers sensible remarks while accompanying the Epanchins to visit Myshkin in Switzerland.
Adelaida Epanchin

Grateful to Evgenie; engagement shows strain though expected to settle with guidance.
Alexandra Epanchin

Thanks Evgenie for kindness to Myshkin during the family’s visit to Switzerland.
Polish "count"

Impostor who marries Aglaya, causing scandal and estrangement from her family.
Jesuit priest

Spiritual adviser who intensifies Aglaya’s fanaticism and widens the family rift.
Rogojin’s mother

Elderly, dimly remembers Parfen; shielded from knowledge of his crime.