Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Book IX The Preliminary Investigation
Overview
Perhotin informally investigates Dmitri’s conduct, learns of blood and a missing pestle from Fenya, and confirms with Madame Hohlakov that she gave Dmitri no money. With her written denial, he heads to the police captain. This decision sets the official machinery in motion and launches Perhotin’s career.
Summary
Late at night, Pyotr Ilyitch Perhotin questions Fenya at the widow Morozov’s after Dmitri Karamazov’s violent visit. Fenya reports Dmitri grabbed a mortar pestle before running out, returned without it, and had blood on his hands, claiming he had killed someone. Perhotin leaves convinced Dmitri likely went to Fyodor Pavlovitch’s.
Fearing scandal if wrong, Perhotin instead visits Madame Hohlakov to verify Dmitri’s claim that she gave him three thousand roubles. Despite initial outrage, she listens as Perhotin recounts the blood, the pestle, and Dmitri’s bundle of notes.
Madame Hohlakov denies giving any money, panics that Dmitri may have murdered his father, and urges immediate action. At Perhotin’s request, she writes and signs a note swearing she did not lend Dmitri the money.
Armed with her denial, Perhotin resolves to go straight to the police captain. The narrator notes this impulsive, precise intervention will later prove foundational to Perhotin’s official career.
Who Appears
- Pyotr Ilyitch PerhotinYoung official who investigates Dmitri’s actions, questions Fenya, secures Hohlakov’s denial, and proceeds to the police.
- Madame Hohlakov (K. Hohlakov)Wealthy widow; denies lending Dmitri money, writes a sworn note, and urges Perhotin to alert the police.
- FenyaGrushenka’s servant; reports Dmitri seized a pestle, returned bloodstained, and claimed he had killed someone.
- Dmitri Fyodorovitch KaramazovSubject of investigation; allegedly returned with bloodied hands and unexplained cash, claiming a killing.
- Fenya’s grandmotherElderly witness who partially confirms Fenya’s account for Perhotin.
- House-porter at Morozov’sOpens the gate for Perhotin and remains present during Fenya’s questioning.
- Hohlakov’s maidCarries Perhotin’s urgent messages, prompting Hohlakov to receive him.
- Hohlakov’s footmanInitially reluctant to announce Perhotin’s late visit.
- Mihail Makarovitch (police captain)Respected official to whom Perhotin decides to report the findings.