Crime and Punishment — Part VI — Chapter II

Porfiry Petrovitch visits Raskolnikov privately, abandoning earlier games to offer an open explanation of his conduct. He recounts how rumors, Raskolnikov’s behavior, the article on extraordinary men, and the “bell” incident led his suspicions from psychology toward certainty, while Nikolay’s false confession complicated matters.

Porfiry sketches Nikolay’s character and motives for “taking suffering,” then dismisses him as the murderer, describing the real killer as a theorist who acted rashly, forgot practicalities, and hid trifles under a stone. Abruptly, Porfiry states his conviction: Raskolnikov is the murderer.

Raskolnikov denies it, but Porfiry, calm and sympathetic, proposes that Raskolnikov surrender, promising to arrange his confession as an aberration and lessen the sentence. He hints at a “little fact” from Providence but withholds details, saying he must arrest Raskolnikov soon though he will allow a day or two.

Porfiry urges him not to disdain life, to accept suffering as expiation, and predicts Raskolnikov will ultimately confess. Before leaving, Porfiry warns against suicide and, should a “fantastic” end be attempted, asks for a brief note mentioning the stone. Raskolnikov insists he has admitted nothing and hurriedly departs after Porfiry leaves.