Crime and Punishment — Part III — Chapter II

In the morning, Razumihin wakes deeply ashamed of his drunken behavior and jealousy toward Luzhin and Avdotya Romanovna. He cleans himself up but refuses to pander, vowing to help silently. Zossimov stops by, cautions about Raskolnikov’s fragile, hypochondriacal state, and urges care from the family, while noting Zametov’s imprudent chatter and Porfiry’s awareness.

At nine, Razumihin visits Pulcheria Alexandrovna and Avdotya Romanovna. Welcomed gratefully, he recounts Raskolnikov’s recent year, character, and illness, stressing Rodion’s pride, alternations of coldness and kindness, and isolation. He hears—and cautiously comments on—Raskolnikov’s past plan to marry his landlady’s sickly daughter, which ended with the girl’s death.

They revisit the prior day’s clash with Luzhin. Razumihin, now sober, rebukes Raskolnikov’s deliberate insult and, out of respect for Dounia’s engagement, speaks measuredly of Luzhin, apologizing for his own conduct.

Pulcheria Alexandrovna then produces Luzhin’s letter: he failed to meet them, demands an evening visit at eight, insists Raskolnikov be absent after a “gross affront,” and cites Raskolnikov’s gift of twenty-five roubles to a “notorious” girl at a drunkard’s deathbed. Distressed, Pulcheria Alexandrovna considers keeping Raskolnikov away; Razumihin defers to Dounia.

Dounia decisively orders that Raskolnikov must attend the eight o’clock meeting, rejecting Luzhin’s condition. They depart to see Raskolnikov immediately, discussing how to handle his moods. On arriving at the building, the landlady furtively watches them and slams her door, foreshadowing tense encounters ahead.