Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Crime and Punishment — Part II — Chapter VII
Overview
Raskolnikov encounters the mortally injured Marmeladov, brings him home, and witnesses his death amid family despair, a priest’s rites, and Sonia’s arrival. Shaken yet invigorated, Raskolnikov donates his money, resolves to live with strength, consults Razumihin and Zossimov, then returns home to find his mother and sister and collapses.
Summary
Raskolnikov pushes through a street crowd and recognizes the run-over victim as Marmeladov. He urges police to carry Marmeladov to Kozel’s house, promising payment, and helps tend him. Katerina Ivanovna takes charge through coughing fits; a doctor and priest arrive, declaring death imminent. The lodgers gawk, and Katerina Ivanovna quarrels with the landlady Amalia.
Sonia, dressed in humiliating finery, arrives as the sacrament is given. Marmeladov recognizes her, begs forgiveness, and dies in Sonia’s arms. Katerina Ivanovna, desperate about burial and food, lashes out in grief. Raskolnikov gives her twenty roubles, promises to return, and departs, asking officials to treat her gently.
On the stairs, Polenka stops Raskolnikov to thank him and asks his name; he tenderly engages her, asks for her prayers, and promises to visit. On a bridge, he rejects his morbid fantasies, declaring a new resolve for strength and life.
Raskolnikov visits Razumihin’s gathering, takes a sedative from Zossimov, and walks home with Razumihin, who reports others’ fading suspicions after his taunting of Zametov. Seeing a light in his room, Raskolnikov enters to find his mother and sister waiting, learns they have been worried by reports of his illness, and immediately faints as Razumihin reassures them.
Who Appears
- Rodion RaskolnikovRecognizes injured Marmeladov, orchestrates help, donates money, seeks renewal of will, consults Razumihin/Zossimov, then faints upon seeing his mother and sister.
- Katerina IvanovnaMarmeladov’s consumptive wife; manages aid, quarrels with landlady, vacillates between fury and care, despairs over burial and poverty.
- Semyon MarmeladovRun over by a carriage; confesses, seeks a priest, asks Sonia’s forgiveness, and dies in her arms.
- Sofya (Sonia) MarmeladovaArrives in gaudy, shame-marked attire; tearfully embraces dying father as he begs forgiveness.
- PolenkaRuns for Sonia, later thanks Raskolnikov warmly, promises prayers, revealing the family’s piety and need.
- Dmitri RazumihinHosts a gathering, escorts Raskolnikov, relays others’ suspicions, and aids when Raskolnikov faints.
- German DoctorExamines Marmeladov, declares death imminent, remains briefly during last rites.
- PriestAdministers confession and sacrament to Marmeladov; admonishes Katerina Ivanovna to forgive.
- Nikodim FomitchOfficial who arrives after the accident; speaks with Raskolnikov, notes blood on his clothes.
- Amalia Ivanovna (Lippevechsel)Quarrelsome landlady; demands hospital removal, sparring with Katerina Ivanovna amid the crowd.
- NastasyaRaskolnikov’s servant-landlady’s maid; informs his mother and sister about his recent illness.
- ZossimovPhysician who gives Raskolnikov a sedative and assesses improvement, suspects mental strain.
- Avdotya Romanovna (Dounia)Raskolnikov’s sister; arrives with their mother, anxiously greets him before he faints.
- Pulcheria Alexandrovna RaskolnikovaRaskolnikov’s mother; distraught yet relieved to see him, trusts Razumihin’s help.