Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Crime and Punishment — Part I — Chapter III
Overview
Raskolnikov receives a transformative letter: Dounia’s honor is publicly restored, and she becomes engaged to Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin, promising prospects in Petersburg for the family and possibly for Raskolnikov. The news provokes conflicting emotions in Raskolnikov, sharpening his isolation and agitation as he flees his suffocating room.
Summary
Raskolnikov wakes late in his stifling, squalid room, irritable and withdrawn from everyone. Nastasya brings weak tea and leftover soup, jokes about his "thinking" as work, and warns that the landlady means to report him to the police for unpaid rent. He fixates on needing a fortune and avoids lessons for lack of boots.
Nastasya delivers a long-awaited letter from his mother. In it, Pulcheria Raskolnikov explains Dounia’s ordeal in the Svidrigraïlov household: Arkady Svidrigraïlov concealed a lustful pursuit behind rudeness, culminating in a shameless proposal. Marfa Petrovna initially blamed and publicly shamed Dounia, but after discovering Dounia’s firm refusal letter and servants’ testimony, she repented, publicly vindicated Dounia, and restored her reputation.
The letter announces Dounia’s engagement to Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin, a prosperous, somewhat conceited legal official who values a bride acquainted with poverty. Pulcheria outlines hopes that Luzhin will aid Raskolnikov’s career in Petersburg and possibly employ him, and she promises to send a small sum despite their tight means. She urges faith, love between siblings, and imminent reunion in Petersburg.
Reading, Raskolnikov weeps, then finishes pale, with a bitter, malignant smile. Overwhelmed and cramped by his room and thoughts, he rushes out and wanders Vassilyevsky Prospect, muttering to himself as passers-by assume he is drunk.
Who Appears
- Rodion RaskolnikovImpoverished ex-student; irritable in squalor, craves a fortune; reads his mother’s letter and reacts with tears and bitter agitation.
- Pulcheria Alexandrovna RaskolnikovRaskolnikov’s mother; writes a long letter detailing Dounia’s ordeal, vindication, engagement to Luzhin, and hopes for Raskolnikov.
- Avdotya Romanovna (Dounia) RaskolnikovaRaskolnikov’s sister; falsely shamed, later publicly vindicated; consents to marry Luzhin, aiming to aid the family.
- Pyotr Petrovitch LuzhinProsperous legal official; Dounia’s suitor; pragmatic, somewhat conceited; plans to move to Petersburg and may employ Raskolnikov.
- NastasyaCook and servant; brings tea and soup, jokes about his ‘thinking,’ warns of landlady’s police threat, delivers the letter.
- Marfa PetrovnaSvidrigraïlov’s wife; first accuses and shames Dounia, then repents and publicly restores Dounia’s honor.
- Arkady Ivanovich SvidrigraïlovDounia’s former employer; conceals desire behind rudeness, makes a shameless proposal, later exposes evidence clearing Dounia.
- Praskovya PavlovnaRaskolnikov’s landlady; threatens to complain to the police over unpaid rent, increasing his anxiety.