Crime and Punishment: Part One, Chapters Three and Four

Chapter Three

Raskolnikov is experiencing isolation.
His landlady has stopped providing him food due to unpaid debts.
Maid Nastasha provides him tea and relays the landlady's complaints to the police about the debts.
Raskolnikov is questioned by Nastasha about his school and work absence; he states that he is thinking.

Raskolnikov receives a letter from his mother, Pol Karia Alexandrovna, detailing issues with his sister, Dunya.
Dunya lost her governess job due to employer Svidrigaïlov's inappropriate proposal.
- Svidrigaïlov's wife, Marfa Petrovna, blamed Dunya and damaged her reputation.
- Eventually, Svidrigaïlov confessed to his actions, and Dunya's reputation was restored.
Dunya plans to marry Luzhin, a wealthy lawyer, despite his stinginess.
- The marriage is seen as a means to help the family financially.
Pol Karia and Dunya plan to visit St. Petersburg for the wedding.
Pol Karia expresses hope and dependence on Raskolnikov and sends him a small amount of money.

Raskolnikov is in emotional turmoil and wanders the streets, speaking to himself.

Raskolnikov is angry about Dunya's marriage to Luzhin, viewing it as legalized prostitution for the family’s sake.
He questions his right to intervene, considering his inability to support his family.
Raskolnikov contemplates committing a crime, previously just an idea.

Raskolnikov observes a young, disheveled, drunk girl possibly being followed by a suspicious man.
He intervenes, yelling at the man and involving a policeman.
Suspects the girl was assaulted and is vulnerable.
Pays the policeman to take her home, but changes his mind, and the girl leaves with the man.
Policeman follows them, suspecting Raskolnikov's sanity.
Raskolnikov questions his involvement, assuming the girl will fall into prostitution.