Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter 10 “It Was He Who Said That”
Overview
Alyosha confirms Smerdyakov’s suicide and finds Ivan in delirium, claiming a “devil” told him first. The apparition’s taunts expose Ivan’s tortured motives about confessing in court. Ivan collapses into fevered sleep, while Alyosha tends him and believes Ivan will still testify, framing a crisis of faith, pride, and conscience.
Summary
Alyosha arrives to tell Ivan that Smerdyakov has hanged himself. He reports Marya Kondratyevna found the body and a note disclaiming blame. Ivan, feverish and disoriented, claims he already knew because a visiting "devil" told him. Alyosha, alarmed, tries to calm him and tends to him.
Ivan insists the devil sat on the sofa moments earlier, taunting him with cynical maxims about conscience and accusing Ivan of planning a theatrical confession about their father’s murder. Ivan rages that he seeks no praise and that the accusation misrepresents his motives.
Pressed by Alyosha’s questions, Ivan maintains the devil revealed Smerdyakov’s suicide before anyone else knew, deepening his torment about whether to testify. He vacillates between pride, fear of Katya’s judgment, and hatred for Dmitri’s supposed “monster.”
As Ivan’s delirium worsens, he staggers and collapses into bed. Alyosha stays, praying for both brothers, concluding that even without Smerdyakov alive to corroborate him, Ivan will still go to confess. Alyosha hopes God’s truth will conquer Ivan’s inner rebellion, or else Ivan will destroy himself in hatred.
Who Appears
- Ivan KaramazovFeverish and delirious; claims the devil visited, taunts himself about conscience and confessing; collapses.
- Alyosha KaramazovBrings news of Smerdyakov’s suicide, tends Ivan, prays, and believes Ivan will still confess.
- SmerdyakovFound hanged; leaves a note disavowing blame, catalyzing Ivan’s torment over testifying.
- Marya KondratyevnaDiscovers Smerdyakov’s body and alerts Alyosha, initiating the report to authorities.
- The Devil (Ivan’s hallucination)Ivan’s vision; mocks conscience and accuses him of prideful motives for confessing.