Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Crime and Punishment — Part VI — Chapter IV
Overview
Svidrigaïlov details his permissive marriage to Marfa Petrovna, his manipulative pursuit of Avdotya Romanovna, and his collapse into jealousy and rash offers of money. He claims a new engagement to a sixteen-year-old arranged by Madame Resslich and recounts a dubious “rescue” of a child at a dance hall. Raskolnikov, increasingly suspicious, decides to follow Svidrigaïlov after they leave the restaurant.
Summary
Svidrigaïlov describes his marriage to Marfa Petrovna, a jealous but practical woman who freed him from debtor’s prison and tolerated his infidelities under an unwritten contract. He claims remorse yet admits to exploiting her credulity and broadcasting of family secrets.
Turning to Avdotya Romanovna, Svidrigaïlov recounts how Marfa Petrovna idolized Dounia, how Dounia tried to reform him, and how he manipulated her pity with flattery. His lust and menacing gaze alienated Dounia, leading to scandal involving the servant Parasha and a final break. In frenzy, he even planned to bribe Dounia to elope, and raged when Marfa Petrovna involved Luzhin.
Pressed by Raskolnikov about his intentions, Svidrigaïlov first jeers, then claims he is to be married to a nearly sixteen-year-old, a match arranged by his landlady, Madame Resslich. He revels in the betrothal’s power dynamic, recounting gifts, embraces, and the family’s compliance, while mocking virtue.
To display his fondness for children, Svidrigaïlov tells how he befriended a mother and her thirteen-year-old after a degrading dance-hall scene, presenting himself as their benefactor. Raskolnikov condemns the sordid anecdotes, recognizing Svidrigaïlov’s cynicism and predation.
After paying, Svidrigaïlov departs, increasingly sneering and preoccupied. Alarmed and suspicious, Raskolnikov resolves to follow him as they leave the restaurant and go separate ways, Svidrigaïlov heading toward the Hay Market.
Who Appears
- Arkady Ivanovitch SvidrigaïlovConfesses permissive marriage terms, pursuit and failure with Dounia, boasts new engagement to a sixteen-year-old, tells sordid anecdotes.
- Rodion Romanovitch RaskolnikovChallenges Svidrigaïlov’s motives, condemns his stories, grows suspicious, and decides to follow him after leaving the restaurant.
- Marfa PetrovnaDeceased wife; freed Svidrigaïlov from debt and tolerated infidelities under strict conditions; idolized Dounia.
- Avdotya Romanovna (Dounia)Subject of Svidrigaïlov’s failed seduction; tried to reform him, then rejected him after scandals.
- Madame ResslichSvidrigaïlov’s landlady; arranges his engagement to a nearly sixteen-year-old girl.
- ParashaYoung servant whose involvement helped expose Svidrigaïlov’s lust and provoked Dounia’s intervention.
- PhilipWaiter who brings water; witnesses Svidrigaïlov’s abrupt end to drinking and departure.
- Svidrigaïlov’s betrothedNearly sixteen, shy and compliant; accepts gifts and vows devotion under family pressure.