Raskolnikov is best seen as two characters. He sometimes acts in one manner and then suddenly in a manner completely contradictory. These actions compel one to view him as having a split personality or as being a dual character. Perhaps the best description of Raskolnikov occurs in Part Three, Chapter […]
Read more Character Analysis Rodion Romanovitch RaskolnikovSummary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 8
Summary Dunya and Sonya had been waiting all day for Rodya, fearing that he might have taken his life. Dunya gives up and goes to Rodya’s room to wait for him. When he arrives at Sonya’s, she is overjoyed to see him. He immediately tells her “I have come for […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 8Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 7
Summary On that same day that Svidrigailov commits suicide, Rodya is on way to pay his last visit to this mother. She is alone. She refuses to question him about his whereabouts and maintains that she has read his article three times and feels that he is destined for greatness. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 7Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 6
Summary After Dunya’s departure, Svidrigailov indulges his low, vulgar taste in entertainment places on his way to Sonya’s room, next door to his. He tells her that Katerina’s three children are very well taken care of. He then gives her 3,000 rubles for her own use. When she tries to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 6Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 5
Summary Raskolnikov fears that Svidrigailov still has evil designs on his sister and is determined to follow him. Svidrigailov is disgusted and annoyed because the designated time to meet Dunya has almost elapsed. Therefore, he begins to bring up the subject of the murder and to make caustic remarks to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 5Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 4
Summary Svidrigailov persuades Raskolnikov to remain a while longer and he tells how his wife Marfa rescued him from debtor’s prison, and knowing that he had a wandering eye, made him agree to a verbal contract where she was to be informed of his various “wandering eyes.” He did often […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 4Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 3
Summary After Porfiry’s pronouncement, Raskolnikov hurries to Svidrigailov’s. He feels that the man has some power over him, a feeling he cannot understand. At the same time he feels some repulsion toward Sonya and thinks that he must go his own way or hers. As he walks towards Svidrigailov’s room, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 2
Summary Porfiry begins rattling on about these poisoned cigarettes, and Raskolnikov wonders if Porfiry is going to play the same old game again. He throws Raskolnikov off guard by apologizing for their last meeting — “it was such a strange scene” — and perhaps he acted unfairly. He wants to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 2Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 1
Summary It was a strange time for Raskolnikov: Katerina Ivanovna is dead; Dunya has visited him; Svidrigailov, who had overheard his conversation with Sonya, worries him the most. Now Razumihkin comes to accuse him of being a scoundrel for ignoring his family. He informs Rodya that his mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 6: Chapter 1Summary and Analysis Part 5: Chapter 5
Summary Lebezyatnikov has come with the information that Katerina has been evicted from her apartment, has gone mad, and is now wandering madly around the town with the children dressed in outlandish and absurd costumes. She is forcing them to sing and beg from strangers. Her speech is virtually incoherent, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: Chapter 5