Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter IV. All in Expectation
Overview
Public opinion flips to celebrate Nikolay Stavrogin after Yulia Mihailovna reframes his duel and past insult, restoring his social standing. Varvara Petrovna reconciles with Yulia and backs a grand literary matinee. Pyotr Stepanovich viciously breaks Stepan Trofimovich’s morale, then manipulates Governor von Lembke while Yulia empowers Pyotr, setting conditions for upheaval.
Summary
News of the duel spreads, and at the marshal’s nameday gathering a retired general invites open discussion. Yulia Mihailovna declares that Stavrogin ignored the student’s slap because the man had been his former serf, recasting Stavrogin as principled and severe. Society instantly revises its judgments: Gaganov is blamed, gossip about Switzerland and a lame woman fades, and Stavrogin becomes fashionable and solemnly admired.
Lizaveta Nikolaevna, now openly engaged to Mavriky Nikolaevich, appears radiant, though ladies suspect hidden drama. Varvara Petrovna basks in her son’s restored standing yet is haunted by thoughts of the crippled Marya. She visits Yulia to thank her; Yulia outlines an ambitious charity day for governesses featuring readings and masked quadrilles, enlisting Karmazinov and proposing Stepan Trofimovich as a reader. Varvara is charmed and tentatively agrees.
Pyotr Stepanovich urges reconciliation with Stepan Trofimovich but immediately goes to the “old man” out of spite. In a brutal confrontation, Pyotr mocks Stepan’s ambitions, claims Yulia has seen years of compromising letters, brands him a parasite, and taunts him with insinuations about his parentage. He provokes Stepan’s despair while demanding a short, fact-filled reading for Yulia’s event, then storms off as Stepan curses him.
The narrative shifts to Governor Andrey Antonovich von Lembke’s background: a careerist with childish hobbies (toy theatre, model railway, toy church) who married the ambitious Yulia Mihailovna, raising his station. Pyotr intrudes on von Lembke’s dignity, even seizing his study and “losing” the governor’s secret novel manuscript, while Yulia indulges Pyotr as a conduit to the youth.
Pyotr needles von Lembke with radical talk (state vodka, demolishing churches) and exploits the governor’s liberal posturing. Von Lembke defends officials as guardians of “external decency,” craving greater gubernatorial power. Yulia rebukes her husband’s tactlessness over sharing a manifesto collection but refuses to curb Pyotr, insisting the talker is harmless and devoted. The narrator warns that Yulia’s vanity and obstinacy will enable coming mischief.
Who Appears
- Nikolay Vsyevolodovich StavroginBecomes the sudden darling of provincial society after the duel, maintaining austere silence that enhances his allure.
- Yulia Mihailovna von LembkeReframes Stavrogin’s conduct, orchestrates a grand charity matinee, and champions Pyotr despite warnings.
- Varvara Petrovna StavroginaExults in her son’s rehabilitation, befriends Yulia for the event, yet remains anxious about the ‘cripple’ Marya.
- Pyotr Stepanovich VerkhovenskySpitefully crushes Stepan Trofimovich, inserts himself into the Lembkes’ circle, and manipulates both households.
- Stepan Trofimovich VerkhovenskyShaken, studies radical texts to refute them; endures Pyotr’s humiliations and a rupture that leaves him desolate.
- Andrey Antonovich von LembkeGovernor with childish hobbies and liberal affectations; loses authority to Pyotr’s insolence and Yulia’s schemes.
- Lizaveta NikolaevnaPublicly acknowledges engagement to Mavriky; her gaiety fuels society’s suspicions yet scandal fades.
- Mavriky NikolaevichConfirmed as Lizaveta’s fiancé amid shifting social narratives.
- Retired general (Gaganov’s relative)Prompts open talk of the duel, enabling Yulia’s remark that flips public opinion.
- KarmazinovCelebrated writer aiding Yulia’s program; plans to read his farewell piece, ‘Merci’.