Crime and Punishment

Raskolnikov goes quickly to see Svidrigailov. He is worried that Svidrigailov has power over him, though he does not understand what just happened in the conversation with Porfiry. He feels repulsed by Sonia. As he walks, Raskolnikov wonders whether Svidrigailov told Porfiry everything, but decides that this is not the case. He finds Svidrigailov listening to a singer in the back room of a restaurant. Svidrigailov eventually invites Raskolnikov to sit and drink with him.

Raskolnikov aggressively tells Svidrigailov to leave Dunia alone, threatening to kill Svidrigailov if he refuses. Svidrigailov should know by now, Raskolnikov points out, that Raskolnikov is capable of murder. Svidrigailov pretends to want to hear about Raskolnikov’s theories. Then, he talks about his love of women, which disgusts Raskolnikov, who is about to leave when Svidrigailov mentions Dunia. When Raskolnikov agrees to stay, Svidrigailov launches into a detailed story about his dead wife, Marfa, who saved him from a debtor’s prison. She agreed to marry Svidrigailov despite his philandering. Svidrigailov admits that he openly courted Dunia and other servants until Dunia told him to stay away from her. The 50-year-old Svidrigailov insists that he no longer needs Dunia, telling a story about forcing himself on a 15-year-old. Raskolnikov feels appalled and worried in equal measure. Svidrigailov walks away, but when he notices that Raskolnikov is following him, he boards a carriage. Raskolnikov abandons his pursuit, not noticing that Svidrigailov exits the carriage at the other end of the street.

Svidrigailov convinces Dunia her to meet him in his apartment, telling her that he knows her brother’s dark secret. He tells her that her brother killed two women. Dunia does not believe him and her anger and confusion make her feel faint. Svidrigailov says that he can help Raskolnikov avoid punishment, but only if Dunia agrees to marry him. Dunia tries to run from the room but Svidrigailov has locked the door. He threatens to rape her, threatening to reveal her brother’s guilt if she goes to the authorities. Instead, Dunia pulls out a gun, points it at Svidrigailov, and accuses him of killing his wife Marfa. Svidrigailov dares Dunia to fire. She shoots, but only grazes Svidrigailov’s temple. He rushes to grab her, but instantly realizes that Dunia will never love him and lets her go. He takes the gun and leaves.

Svidrigailov walks the streets in the rain. That evening, he goes to Sonia’s apartment. He offers Sonia 3,000 rubles if she promises she will go with Raskolnikov to Siberia (where he will be exiled for his crimes). Svidrigailov speaks of his plans to go to America. Then, he visits the house of the 15-year-old, tells the teen’s confused family that he will be gone for some time, and he gives them a large sum of money. Next, Svidrigailov goes to a hotel to sleep. He suffers from feverish nightmares about finding a cold little girl in his room and trying to comfort her. He also dreams that the city is flooded. Svidrigailov wakes up before dawn, walks through the streets, asks a soldier on guard duty to tell people that Svidrigailov went to America, and then shoots himself in the head.

Raskolnikov goes to visit his mother. She has read his article on the nature of crime. Though she did not understand all of it, she was nevertheless impressed. Raskolnikov, however, is now disgusted with his earlier ideas. Even though his mother thinks he is a genius, he does not agree with her. He asks his mother whether she will always love him. With tears in his eyes, he tells her that he needs to leave. She cries and begs Raskolnikov to stay, but he refuses.

Dunia is waiting for Raskolnikov at his apartment. He admits to her that he has thought about killing himself, but he knows that he could never follow through with it. Dunia urges her brother to confess, hoping that he can then atone for his sins. Raskolnikov becomes upset, suddenly unable to see why he should be punished for killing a disreputable woman who was a blood-sucking parasite. Dunia is shocked by this resistance. As Raskolnikov looks into his sister’s eyes, he realizes how much pain he has put his family through. He and Dunia walk out, take one final look at each other, and then go in different directions.

Raskolnikov goes to Sonia’s apartment and tells her that he is now ready to wear the wooden cross that once belonged to the dead woman. Sonia makes Raskolnikov pray with her before he departs.

Raskolnikov walks to the police station. He worries about the aftermath of his confession, particularly the prospect of public humiliation. On his way through a market, he thinks back to Sonia’s idea that he should kneel at a crossroads and beg for forgiveness. Raskolnikov examines the city around him, taking in every detail, determined to remember his final moments as a free man. He reaches the crossroads and kneels, but when the crowd gathers and mocks him, Raskolnikov loses his nerve and cannot bring himself to make a public confession.

Then, Raskolnikov notices Sonia, who has been following him. Her presence inspires him, so he stands up and marches to the police station. But, before he can confess, Raskolnikov learns about Svidrigailov’s suicide. He is so shocked that he leaves the police station without confessing to anything. Seeing Sonia outside waiting for him, he turns around, enters the police station, and finally gives a full confession to the crimes.