Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter V. A Wanderer
Overview
Shatov’s estranged wife, Marya, arrives unexpectedly and soon goes into labor, derailing his impulse to denounce the conspirators. Through a frantic night he secures midwife Arina Prohorovna and help from Kirillov; a son, Ivan, is born, softening Marya and renewing Shatov. That evening, Erkel retrieves Shatov to reveal the buried press, setting the stage for the conspirators’ next move.
Summary
Shatov, shaken by Liza’s catastrophe and Marya Timofyevna’s death, wavers between silence and exposing the conspirators. At dusk, his estranged wife, Marya, unexpectedly arrives destitute and exhausted. He scrambles for tea and money, borrowing from Kirillov and extorting cash from Lyamshin. During this, Erkel visits with instructions: Shatov must reveal the buried press to Liputin the next evening, and Pyotr plans to leave town.
Marya’s irritability masks worsening pain that Shatov slowly realizes is labor. Ignoring her protests, he fetches midwife Arina Prohorovna, who quickly asserts control and sends Shatov on necessary errands while forbidding doctors. Through the night, Arina manages the crisis as Marya swings between fury and fear, and Shatov staggers between panic, prayer, and memory.
At dawn, Marya delivers a son. The infant’s cry transforms the mood; Shatov experiences exultant, almost mystical joy, while Arina dismisses his rapture as nonsense. Shatov refuses to send the child to the Foundling Hospital and claims him as his own. Marya softens, condemns Stavrogin as a scoundrel, and clings to Shatov, who dreams of a new life. They name the boy Ivan.
During the day Kirillov sends food and an old woman to help. Exhausted but blissful, the couple naps until evening, when Arina returns, satisfied with Marya’s recovery and the baby’s condition. As night falls, Erkel arrives to collect Shatov. Promising Marya he will return by nine, Shatov departs with Erkel to Skvoreshniki to point out the hidden press, believing this final act will free him for a new beginning.
Who Appears
- Ivan ShatovTorn by guilt and resolve, he aids his laboring wife, becomes a father, reconciles with her, and agrees to reveal the buried press.
- Marya (Marie) ShatovEstranged wife who arrives destitute, endures a difficult labor, softens toward Shatov after birthing their son Ivan.
- Arina Prohorovna VirginskyMidwife who takes charge, manages the confinement efficiently, and scolds Shatov while dismissing his mystical joy.
- Alexei KirillovNeighbor who supplies tea, money, and help; shares his vision of ‘eternal harmony’ and sends an old woman to assist.
- ErkelYoung conspirator-messenger who instructs Shatov to surrender the press and later escorts him to the hiding place.
- LyamshinFrightened conspirator who reluctantly buys back Shatov’s revolver at night, giving him meager funds.
- Andrei VirginskyHost to Arina; mediates her departure to help Marya amid his own anxieties about the group’s plans.