Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter II. Prince Harry. Matchmaking.
Overview
Nikolay Stavrogin’s upbringing under Stepan is recalled, followed by his Petersburg scandals, duels, and a spate of shocking provincial outrages later explained by brain fever. After recovery and travel, Varvara pursues alliances: she courts a match between Nikolay and Liza, maneuvers against the von Lembkes, and abruptly arranges Stepan’s marriage to her protégée Dasha to stabilize households and finances.
Stepan, debt-ridden and compromised by mismanaging his son’s estate, reluctantly agrees as Varvara orchestrates a discreet announcement and future wedding.
Summary
The narrator recounts Nikolay Stavrogin’s childhood under Stepan Verkhovensky, whose emotional dependence shapes the boy’s temperament. As a young officer, Nikolay gains society’s favor, then shocks Petersburg with reckless behavior, duels that kill and maim, and his degradation to the ranks before redeeming himself and resigning.
Back in the province, Nikolay appears elegant yet unsettling. Suddenly he commits bizarre affronts: leading clubman Pyotr Gaganov by the nose and, at Liputin’s party, kissing Madame Liputin. Summoned by Governor Ivan Ossipovitch, he bites the governor’s ear, is arrested, and soon manifests acute brain fever. Doctors declare he had been delirious for days, explaining the outrages; he later apologizes broadly and departs for Italy.
Nikolay travels for years across Europe and beyond. Meanwhile Varvara economizes and schemes. From Switzerland, Praskovya Drozdov hints at an attachment between Nikolay and her daughter Liza, though a quarrel and Nikolay’s abrupt departure to Count K.’s circle muddy prospects. Varvara detects von Lembke family intrigues but believes reconciliation possible and writes to summon Nikolay.
On returning, Varvara confronts shifting local loyalties under the new governor Andrey von Lembke and his ambitious wife. She confides in Stepan, chastising his slovenliness and reputation, while he frets over status and “administrative ardor.” She describes meeting the von Lembkes and Karmazinov, and her revived hopes for Liza.
Suddenly, to secure her protégée’s future and steady Stepan’s life, Varvara proposes marrying Dasha to Stepan. She promises a dowry, a stipend, and firm household terms, making Dasha the practical guardian of Stepan’s habits. Dasha quietly consents out of duty. Varvara then imposes the plan on a stunned Stepan, who, flattered and financially cornered, yields.
Complicating matters, Stepan has mismanaged his son Pyotr’s estate and sold timber poorly; Pyotr is returning to dispose of the property. Varvara offers to buy the ruined estate at a generous price while forbidding premature announcements. She will stage a discreet hint at Stepan’s birthday, then a swift, quiet wedding, keeping full control of the unfolding alliance.
Who Appears
- Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch (Stavrogin)Varvara’s son; elegant yet unsettling. Commits outrageous insults later explained by brain fever; apologizes, travels, and entangles with Liza.
- Varvara Petrovna StavroginMatriarch; orchestrates society maneuvers, pursues Liza for Nikolay, and arranges Stepan’s marriage to Dasha to secure futures and finances.
- Stepan Trofimovitch VerkhovenskyAging intellectual; Nikolay’s former tutor. Slovenly, debt-ridden, mismanaged estate; stunned but consents to marry Dasha under Varvara’s plan.
- LiputinPetty official and local liberal; hosts party where Nikolay kisses his wife; trades barbed wit and ideology with Nikolay.
- Ivan Ossipovitch (the Governor)Mild governor; received as relative by Nikolay; victim of ear-biting incident; orders Nikolay’s arrest before illness is discovered.
- Pyotr Pavlovitch GaganovRespected clubman publicly led by the nose by Nikolay; later receives formal apology.
- AgafyaLiputin’s servant; delivers cheeky message to Nikolay, enabling their ironic exchange.
- Praskovya Ivanovna DrozdovWealthy widow; hints at a Nikolay–Liza rupture; quarrelsome yet sentimental; returns to the province.
- Lizaveta Nikolaevna (Liza) DrozdovHeiress; grows close to Nikolay, then quarrels; proud, passionate, central to Varvara’s matchmaking hopes.
- Darya Pavlovna (Dasha) ShatovaVarvara’s protégée; dutiful and reserved. Accepts marriage to Stepan for stability and gratitude.
- Andrey Antonovitch von LembkeNew governor; administrative zeal; his arrival shifts local alliances against Varvara.
- Yulia Mikhailovna von LembkeAmbitious governor’s wife; related to the Drozdovs; social intriguer influencing provincial society.
- Alyosha TelyatnikovRefined clerk present during governor’s interview; witness to the ear-biting aftermath.
- Colonel (unnamed)Governor’s sturdy friend reading nearby during the interview; oblivious witness in the next room.
- Pyotr Stepanovitch VerkhovenskyStepan’s son; owner of the mismanaged estate; returning soon to sell it.
- KarmazinovFamous writer, distant relation to Yulia; slated to visit, part of Varvara’s social calculations.