Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
Chapter V. The Subtle Serpent
Overview
In Varvara Petrovna’s drawing room, rumors and anonymous letters erupt into confrontation. Captain Lebyadkin’s bluster collapses under Pyotr Stepanovich’s account of Stavrogin’s past "eccentricity" with Marya. Stavrogin arrives, treats Marya tenderly, and leaves with her, denying a marital tie. Pyotr exposes Stepan Trofimovitch’s plan to marry Dasha; Varvara expels him. Shatov then strikes Stavrogin, and Liza collapses.
Summary
Varvara Petrovna confronts Marya Lebyadkina’s sudden presence, grilling Shatov and the household. Darya (Dasha) calmly explains she forwarded three hundred roubles to Captain Lebyadkin at Nikolay Stavrogin’s request. Praskovya Ivanovna arrives in anger, citing anonymous letters; Varvara hints at similar slanders and summons Marya’s brother.
Captain Lebyadkin enters overdressed and agitated, theatrically offering money and evasions. Varvara presses him about rumors of missing funds and his sister’s condition. Pyotr Stepanovich bursts in, announces Stavrogin’s imminent arrival, and then Stavrogin himself appears. Varvara bluntly asks if Marya is his lawful wife. Stavrogin gives no direct answer; instead, with conspicuous tenderness, he escorts the abashed, lame Marya out, telling her he is not her husband.
In the aftermath, Pyotr narrates a Petersburg episode: Stavrogin once moved among the poor, treated Marya with respect that fed her delusions, and arranged a pension; Captain Lebyadkin later abused control of her and the money. Varvara resolves to protect Marya. Pyotr then reads Stepan Trofimovitch’s letters revealing plans to marry Dasha and flee to Switzerland; Varvara, stung and disillusioned, expels Stepan from her house.
As tensions peak, Shatov rises, crosses the room, and without a word smashes his fist into Stavrogin’s face. Stavrogin masters himself, does not retaliate, and stands pale and controlled. The shock overwhelms the company; Lizaveta Nikolaevna, already unstable, faints as her mother and Mavriky try to lead her away.
Who Appears
- Varvara Petrovna StavroginaMatriarch-host; interrogates all, confronts rumors, summons Lebyadkin, vows to protect Marya, and expels Stepan over Dasha.
- Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch (Stavrogin)Arrives unexpectedly; treats Marya with tenderness, denies being her husband, remains controlled after Shatov punches him.
- Pyotr Stepanovich (Petrusha)Manipulative mediator; announces Stavrogin, narrates the Petersburg backstory, unmasks Lebyadkin, exposes Stepan’s marriage plans.
- Marya Timofyevna LebyadkinaLame, guileless sister; dazzled by the salon, is gently escorted out by Stavrogin, central to rumors and protection.
- Captain LebyadkinBlustering, evasive brother; flaunts money, recites nonsense, admits abusing arrangements; cowed by Stavrogin’s presence.
- Darya Pavlovna (Dasha)Composed and truthful; confirms delivering Stavrogin’s money, becomes target of Stepan’s marriage plan revelation.
- Stepan Trofimovitch VerkhovenskyFlustered intellectual; implicated by letters about marrying Dasha and fleeing; leaves with dignity when Varvara expels him.
- Lizaveta Nikolaevna (Liza)Highly agitated; veers from ironic laughter to collapse, finally fainting after Shatov strikes Stavrogin.
- Praskovya IvanovnaLiza’s mother; arrives accusatory, rattled by anonymous letters and her daughter’s hysterics.
- Mavriky NikolaevitchGrave suitor; supports Praskovya and Liza, objects to admitting Lebyadkin, remains protective throughout.
- ShatovTaciturn observer; suddenly crosses the room and violently punches Stavrogin, then departs silently.