Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter XIV.
Overview
During Nastasia Philipovna’s confession game, Ferdishenko, General Ivolgin, and Totski reveal morally compromising acts. Shaken, Nastasia turns to Prince Myshkin to decide her fate. When Myshkin whispers she should not marry Gania, she refuses the match, renounces Totski’s money and the general’s pearls, and awaits Rogojin’s dramatic entrance.
Summary
The confession game resumes with Ferdishenko boasting of stealing a three-rouble note and letting a maid be blamed and dismissed. His callousness repels the company and angers Nastasia Philipovna, who struggles to contain her irritation.
General Ivolgin recounts berating a frail widow over a soup tureen, only to learn she died as he raged. Haunted by guilt, he later supports two old women in an almshouse, which he offers as his worst deed. The guests respond uneasily as he congratulates himself.
Totski then confesses under pressure: years earlier he spitefully preempted a rival’s bouquet of red camellias, ruining the man’s chance with a beloved woman; the rival later collapsed, fell ill, and was eventually killed in the Crimea. Totski admits it was malicious mischief that long troubled his conscience.
Seizing the charged moment, Nastasia turns to Prince Myshkin and asks him to decide whether she should marry Gavrila Ivolgin. Pale and struggling for breath, Myshkin whispers “No,” and Nastasia instantly refuses the marriage, citing her trust in the prince’s truthfulness.
Amid protests, she rejects Totski’s 75,000 roubles and returns General Epanchin’s pearls, declaring herself free after “nine years and three months” of captivity. As the room erupts in confusion, a violent knock sounds; Nastasia, expectant and tense, announces the climax is at hand, likely Rogojin with his hundred thousand roubles.
Who Appears
- Nastasia PhilipovnaHost of the soirée; repudiates marriage to Gania after Myshkin’s counsel; rejects money and pearls; asserts newfound freedom.
- Prince MyshkinPressed to decide Nastasia’s fate; quietly advises against marrying Gania, which determines her public refusal.
- Afanasy Ivanovitch TotskiConfesses sabotaging a suitor with camellias; is stunned when Nastasia rejects his 75,000 roubles and independence plan.
- General Epanchin (Ivolgin)Relates berating a dying widow as his worst deed; later satisfied, but has his gifted pearls returned by Nastasia.
- FerdishenkoBoasts of petty theft and framing a maid; angers the party and triggers Nastasia’s growing contempt.
- Gavrila Ardalionovitch (Gania) IvolginHumiliated as Nastasia publicly cancels their engagement based on Myshkin’s judgment.
- PtitsinDeclines to confess; coolly predicts Rogojin’s imminent arrival with money.
- Daria Alexeyevna (the actress)Challenges Ferdishenko’s claim; a skeptical observer of the confessions.
- Parfyon RogojinUnseen but expected at the door with one hundred thousand roubles, heightening the impending crisis.