Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Genre

Classics, Fiction, Philosophy, Psychology

Contents

Chapter XVI.

Previous: Chapter XV. Next: The Idiot — Part II

Overview

Ptitsin verifies Prince Myshkin’s immense inheritance, intensifying the chaos at Nastasia Philipovna’s soirée. Nastasia rejects security with Myshkin, theatrically throws 100,000 roubles into the fire to test Gania, then gifts him the saved notes. Choosing Rogojin and flight over respectability, she departs for Ekaterinhof as Myshkin follows.

Summary

Ptitsin confirms Prince Myshkin will inherit a vast fortune from his late aunt, stunning the guests and prompting general congratulations. This revelation reframes Myshkin’s sudden proposal to Nastasia Philipovna, heightening the stakes and bewildering Totski, Gania, and the rest.

Nastasia oscillates between irony and vulnerability, mocks the gathering, and probes Myshkin’s motives. Myshkin replies earnestly that marrying her would honor him, defends her dignity, and attributes her impulse to flee with Rogojin to delirium and suffering. Rogojin pleads for her; Daria Alexeyevna denounces him.

Suddenly, Nastasia rejects safety and spectacle alike. She grabs Rogojin’s money and proposes a trial: throws a packet of 100,000 roubles into the fire, daring Gania to seize it barehanded. Gania, paralyzed by pride and shock, refuses as the notes begin to burn. Amid cries and Lebedeff’s pleas, Nastasia retrieves the packet with tongs, largely intact, and awards it to Gania as recompense for his restraint.

Nastasia then declares freedom from Totski and departs with Rogojin and his jubilant entourage for Ekaterinhof, kissing her servants goodbye. The general warns Myshkin to abandon her, but Myshkin takes a sledge to follow. Totski and the general leave, reflecting on Nastasia’s squandered gifts and the night’s dangerous intensity.

Who Appears

Nastasia Philipovna

Center of the soirée; rejects Myshkin, tests Gania by burning money, gives him the packet, and leaves with Rogojin.
Prince Myshkin

Has immense inheritance confirmed; proposes earnestly to Nastasia, defends her, and pursues her to Ekaterinhof.
Parfen Rogojin

Arrives with money and ruffians; ecstatic over Nastasia; departs with her amid triumph and jealousy.
Gavrila (Gania) Ardalionovitch

Frozen by Nastasia’s test; refuses to snatch burning money, faints, then is gifted the 100,000 roubles.
Ptitsin

Confirms the legality and size of Myshkin’s inheritance; observes events with anxious astonishment.
General

Amazed at Myshkin’s fortune; warns Myshkin against Nastasia; leaves reflecting, pearls in pocket.
Totski (Afanasy Ivanovitch)

Shaken by Nastasia’s defiance; withdraws, rationalizing her character as wasted brilliance.
Lebedeff

Drunkenly cheers, then begs to save the burning money, lamenting its loss.
Ferdishenko

Crass commentator; tries to push Gania to the fire and jokes about retrieving the notes.
Daria Alexeyevna

Defends Myshkin, scorns Rogojin, and tries to restrain Nastasia’s rash departure.