Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter X. Filibusters. A Fatal Morning
Overview
Shpigulin factory workers march peacefully to petition the governor, but the unstable Lembke misreads it as revolt and orders a few floggings. Stepan confronts him over Blum’s search; Lembke backtracks. At Yulia’s crowded salon, Lembke behaves erratically, and Liza compels Stavrogin to reveal his secret marriage, shattering society and isolating Varvara.
Summary
The morning begins with seventy Shpigulin factory hands marching quietly to petition the governor about cheating by the manager. Police surround them while Lembke, already unhinged after a night of jealous conflict with Yulia, arrives and, seeing rebellion, demands “rods.” Only a few are flogged, yet rumors exaggerate the violence.
The narrator and Stepan witness the scene. Police-superintendent Flibusterov nearly assaults Stepan, but Lembke’s glance restrains him. Determined to protest a search of his rooms, Stepan enters the governor’s house to demand an explanation.
Inside, Stepan confronts Lembke over Blum’s raid that seized books and letters. Lembke, volatile and confused, first blusters, then, recognizing a blunder, turns crimson and apologizes, promising restitution. His despair breaks through before Yulia’s party floods the waiting room.
In Yulia’s salon, society preens: Karmazinov postures, guests banter, and Pyotr appears to needle Stepan. Lembke bursts in, declares the “filibusters” unmasked, then stumbles and exits, heightening talk of his derangement. Tension spikes when Liza publicly complains about Captain Lebyadkin’s letters and demands clarity from Stavrogin.
Stavrogin calmly admits he has been married to Lebyadkin’s sister for nearly five years. The revelation horrifies Varvara and electrifies the room. Stavrogin leaves; Liza nearly follows, restrained by herself as Mavriky escorts her out. Gossip engulfs the town; Varvara shuts herself in, Stavrogin returns to Skvoreshniki, and Stepan, shaken yet elated by attention, prepares his reading for the fête.
Who Appears
- Andrey Antonovitch (Von Lembke)Governor; mentally frays, orders floggings, vacillates between bluster and apology, embarrasses himself in Yulia’s salon.
- Stepan Trofimovitch VerkhovenskyWitnesses floggings; confronts Lembke about Blum’s search; feted in salon; prepares to read at the fête.
- Yulia MihailovnaIgnores her husband’s authority, orchestrates the salon, flatters guests, tries to steady appearances amid scandal.
- Nikolay StavroginPublicly confirms a secret five-year marriage to Lebyadkina, shocking society; leaves immediately.
- Lizaveta (Liza)Openly challenges Stavrogin about Lebyadkin’s letters; forces his confession; nearly rushes after him.
- Varvara Petrovna StavroginaStunned by Stavrogin’s confession; withdraws from society in shock and anger.
- Pyotr Stepanovitch VerkhovenskyAbsent from the morning unrest; later mocks Stepan and influences Yulia’s views.
- Police-superintendent FlibusterovZealous, drunken official; nearly assaults Stepan; reports the ‘riot’ to Lembke.
- BlumPolice official who searched Stepan’s rooms; faces Lembke’s rebuke in person.
- Ilya Ilyitch (Chief of Police)Cordons workers; likely prepared rods; benefits from Lembke’s misreading.
- Mavriky NikolaevitchAttends salon; escorts Liza out after Stavrogin’s revelation, protecting her.
- KarmazinovVain writer; preens in salon talk, intensifying the atmosphere of shallow display.
- Shpigulin factory workersPeaceful petitioners to the governor; a few are flogged amid rumors of revolt.
- LyamshinGossipy provocateur; rushes news to Yulia; mocks and stirs the room.