Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Crime and Punishment — Part V — Chapter V
Overview
Lebeziatnikov alerts Sonia that Katerina Ivanovna has gone mad and taken the children to beg in the streets. After a desperate scene, Katerina hemorrhages and dies in Sonia’s room. Svidrigaïlov unexpectedly offers to fund the funeral and the children’s futures, then reveals he is Sonia’s neighbor and overheard Raskolnikov, implying dangerous knowledge.
Summary
Lebeziatnikov rushes to Sonia and Raskolnikov, reporting that Katerina Ivanovna has gone mad, been turned out, and is forcing the children to perform in the streets. Sonia runs out; Raskolnikov briefly returns home, brooding over his isolation. Dounia arrives, reassures him of her support, and he awkwardly commends Razumihin before sending her away, fearing future shame.
As evening falls, Lebeziatnikov finds Raskolnikov again: Katerina has gathered a crowd by making the children sing and dance. On the canal bank, Katerina rages, coughs, and alternates between pride and despair, rebuffing pleas to return home. An official offers money while a policeman intervenes. Panicked, Kolya and Lida flee; Katerina chases them and collapses, bleeding from her lungs.
Sonia leads the group to her nearby room. Surrounded by neighbors, including Kapernaumov and unexpectedly Svidrigaïlov, Katerina drifts in and out of delirium, bequeathing her children to Sonia, rejecting a priest, and recalling songs and grievances. After a final convulsion and sigh, she dies; Sonia and the children break down in grief.
As order returns, Svidrigaïlov draws Raskolnikov aside. He offers to pay for the funeral, place the children in an orphanage, and settle funds for their future, claiming simple humanity. He then reveals he lives next door and heard Raskolnikov’s words to Sonia, echoing Raskolnikov’s own arguments, which startles him and hints that Svidrigaïlov knows far more than he should.
Who Appears
- Rodion RaskolnikovHaunted and isolated; briefly meets Dounia, witnesses Katerina’s collapse, and is rattled when Svidrigaïlov reveals he overheard him.
- Katerina Ivanovna MarmeladovaDeranged with desperation; forces her children to beg, hemorrhages from consumption, and dies in Sonia’s room.
- Sofya (Sonia) SemyonovnaFrantic caregiver; pleads with Katerina, brings her home, grieves, and becomes guardian of the children.
- Arkady Ivanovich SvidrigaïlovAppears unexpectedly; funds funeral and children, then reveals he overheard Raskolnikov, implying dangerous knowledge.
- Avdotya (Dounia) RomanovnaVisits Raskolnikov to express unwavering support and concern; he praises Razumihin to her.
- Andrey Semionovich LebeziatnikovBrings news of Katerina’s state, helps locate the scene, and assists during the crisis.
- PolenkaElder daughter; tries to help, then mourns at her mother’s feet after Katerina’s death.
- KolyaFrightened son in improvised costume; flees with Lida, then weeps after their mother collapses.
- LidaYoung daughter in a feathered cap; runs in panic with Kolya and later cries inconsolably.
- The officialSympathetic passerby; gives money, helps disperse crowd, and assists moving Katerina to Sonia’s room.
- The policemanAttempts to stop the street disturbance and later helps carry Katerina to Sonia’s room.
- KapernaumovLame, one-eyed landlord; appears from the neighboring room and fetches a doctor.