Crime and Punishment Reading Guide – Part IV
· This chapter is devoted totally to Svidrigailov’s visit to Raskolnikov. As you read assess Svidrigailov’s character—what do you like about him, what troubles you about him? Note how closely he resembles Raskolnikov in action. Dostoevsky does this intentionally. “Something in common” -- “birds of a feather”
· Pay close attention to some details: how Svidrigailov came to be married to Marfa. How long have they been married? How does Svidrigailov explain her death?
· Note the three visits by Marfa paralleling the three dreams of Raskolnikov. What happened each of the three visits by Marfa’s ghost? Do you believe in ghosts? Who is Philka—you have already read that Svidrigailov might have had something to do with his death. Notice how Philka’s ghost visits Svidrigailov also.
· What is Svidrigailov’s purpose in this visit? Do you trust his motives? What causes you to think him sincere or not?
· Is Svidrigailov correct in suggesting that if Dunya marries Luzhin she is taking money for a similar reason to his offer of 10,000 roubles? How much did Marfa leave Dunya in her will?
· What do you think about Svidrigailov’s journey he refers to? Where is he going? He says he is going to be married soon, to whom?
· I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I do. I don’t like Luzhin, and I love how Raskolnikov, Mrs. Raskolnikov, and Dunya all gang up on him and put him in his place.
· Notice how Luzhin reveals the history of Svidrigailov and Marfa to Dunya, Raskolnikov, and Mrs. Raskolnikov, yet we have just heard this information in the chapter before from Svidrigailov and with a different twist.
· Luzhin tells two stories that he says he heard from Marfa about Svidrigailov: (1) one is about Resslich’s niece who committed suicide, why? (2) Svidrigailov’s role in his servant Philip’s (Philka) death? Look closely at both of these stories. Can we believe them? Luzhin says they are true, and the evidence that they are true is in what Marfa Svidrigailov left him in her will – nothing – but what did we learn about that in the chapter before?
· I especially enjoy how Luzhin insists that he not be compared to or placed on the same level as Raskolnikov. Then note what Raskolnikov says about the goodness in Sonya’s little finger compared to Luzhin. And then Pulkheria gets involved in the Luzhin bashing – I think it’s fun.
· The final straw is when Luzhin says he has brought these two women to Petersburg at great cost—but what about that? Note closely the final paragraph of the chapter—as Luzhin leaves we see in his eyes—vindictive hatred—how will he get revenge? Watch him closely; we haven’t seen the last of Luzhin!
· First section of the chapter is devoted to Luzhin. Is Dostoevsky urging us to have sympathy for him? His ideas about marriage are rather distorted to me; but you decide what you think about Luzhin. He certainly is positive—he actually thinks that he can mend everything tomorrow.
· Back to Dunya and Pulkheria’s apartment—they apologize for their various roles in this near disaster. Raskolnikov tells Dunya what Svidrigailov’s proposal is concerning her. How would you describe her response to it?
· Naturally Razumihin is delighted. What is his plan for making money? Do you think it will work?
· We haven’t had a weird reaction from Mr. Split Personality lately—so act out Raskolnikov—and he does! He leaves and tells his mom and sister not to worry about him; in fact, he says to forget him. He rushes out and Razumihin chases after him. Look closely at this scene between Raskolnikov and Razumihin. What does Dostoevsky want us to believe here about what Razumihin now knows?
· I know you tire of my excesses—but this is one of the most powerful chapters in literature. I wonder if you will agree when you finish.
· Raskolnikov leaves his family and goes directly to Sonya’s apartment. Notice the description of the poverty and cramped quarters. (Pretend you are a Marxist critic—getting evidence for your case.)
· Pay close attention to how Lizaveta and Sonya knew each other. Coincidence I guess, but it is eerie—what about the New Testament? Note also how Sonya never thinks of herself first—always others. (Look closely at how she feels about Katerina – and what Raskolnikov says will happen to Polenka.)
· Why does Raskolnikov say he kisses Sonya’s foot? He now asks her to read a story from the Bible—read this carefully. This section makes me shiver every time I read it. A good friend of mine says this scene reminds her of a rape scene—why? Would you agree?
· What does Raskolnikov say he will tell Sonya tomorrow if he comes to her? Who has been hearing all of this sitting on the other side of the door?
· This is a very strange chapter. You remember yesterday at Porfiry Petrovich’s apartment, he said that Raskolnikov should come down to the police station and make a statement concerning his pledges. After Raskolnikov leaves Sonya in Chapter Four, he goes there. All of the chapter is a “cat playing with the mouse” scene. Reading this makes me very irritable, and I usually come away not knowing what it is exactly that Porfiry Petrovich wants. Does he want to trap Raskolnikov into a confession or is he sincere in his statement that he likes Raskolnikov and he wants to help him? Let’s discuss what you think.
· Keep reading for the unexpected event.
· Can you explain Nikolay’s behavior? Porfiry Petrovich will explain it to Raskolnikov later, but you should try to understand his motivation as best you can.
· After Raskolnikov left Porfiry Petrovich’s office at the police station, he walks straight home. He is trying to figure out what Porfiry Petrovich’s surprise behind the locked door could be when the man from the street—the one who yelled “Murderer!”—yesterday enters, and asks Raskolnikov for his forgiveness. Now what is this all about?
· Why does he think Raskolnikov committed the murders? What changed his mind?
· Look at the final lines of this book and how Raskolnikov has a new sense of survival – a ray of hope!