Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Gambler — Chapter VII
Overview
De Griers intervenes to stop the narrator’s planned challenge to Baron Burmergelm, citing the General’s urgent need to avoid scandal before marrying Mlle. Blanche. The narrator counters with a plan to involve Mr. Astley. Polina’s commanding note compels restraint, revealing De Griers’ hidden influence over her and deepening the intrigue.
Summary
In the morning, the narrator instructs the maitre d’hotel to render his bill to him directly and, buoyed by irrational optimism with only 160 gulden left, prepares to visit Mr. Astley. Unexpectedly, De Griers arrives, unusually affable, to mediate on the General’s behalf and to deter a confrontation with Baron Burmergelm.
The narrator argues he deserves a personal hearing and outlines a paradoxical demand: the Baron must first retract his insult so the narrator can then offer apologies. De Griers, alternately supercilious and conciliatory, offers continued salary and eventual reinstatement if he desists, warns of police intervention, and mocks the idea of a duel.
Pressed, the narrator proposes enlisting Mr. Astley as his intermediary, certain the Baron would receive an Englishman of standing. De Griers reveals the General’s pressing need to avoid scandal because he hopes to marry Mlle. Blanche de Cominges, pending news from Russia, likely tied to the General’s affairs concerning his mother.
As the narrator moves to leave, De Griers produces a sealed note from Polina. In it, she orders him to stop his “folly,” invokes his promise to obey her, and references the Shlangenberg. Shaken but defiant, the narrator agrees to calm Polina, then departs suspecting De Griers holds secret power over her and vowing a future reckoning with the Frenchman.
Who Appears
- The narrator (tutor)Defies pressure to drop his challenge, plans to use Mr. Astley, rattled by Polina’s commanding note.
- De GriersActs as the General’s intermediary; alternates threats and inducements; reveals marriage plans; delivers Polina’s note.
- PolinaSends a decisive note ordering the narrator to stop, invoking past promises and Shlangenberg.
- Mr. AstleyProposed as the narrator’s intermediary and potential second due to his English standing.
- The GeneralAbsent but central; seeks to avoid scandal before possibly marrying Mlle. Blanche; relies on De Griers.
- Baron BurmergelmTarget of the narrator’s intended challenge; expected to refuse a meeting without high-placed mediation.
- Mlle. Blanche de ComingesObject of the General’s marriage hopes; her prospects hinge on avoiding scandal and news from Russia.