Lecture Notes: Crime and Punishment - Part 6, Chapters 3-4

Overview

Setting: The narrative takes place in the novel "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, focusing on interactions involving Raskolnikov and Svidrigaïlov.
Characters Mentioned:
- Raskolnikov
- Svidrigaïlov
- Sonia
- Dounia
- Marfa Petrovna
- Katerina Ivanovna's children

Raskolnikov's Avoidance and Anxiety:
- Avoids Sonia due to guilt and fear of confessing.
- Worries about Svidrigaïlov reporting him to the police.
- Concerned about Svidrigaïlov's intentions towards Dounia.
Encounter with Svidrigaïlov:
- Raskolnikov sees Svidrigaïlov in a tavern window.
- Tension as Raskolnikov threatens Svidrigaïlov if he harms Dounia.
- Svidrigaïlov's confession of his vices:
  - Cheats at cards.
  - Passion for women, described as a dangerous disease.

Svidrigaïlov:
- Described as handsome but with a mask-like façade.
- Admits personal flaws and fear of death.
- Manipulative and potentially dangerous but claims he wouldn’t harm Dounia.

Allegations Addressed:
- Rumors of raping a 14-year-old girl and killing his wife.
- Svidrigaïlov dismisses these as untrue but evasive.
Svidrigaïlov’s Personal History:
- Describes his marriage to Marfa Petrovna:
  - Marital arrangement allowed infidelities with restrictions.
- His attempts to manipulate and seduce Dounia:
  - Dounia resisted and rejected him.
  - Offered her money and contemplated killing his wife for her.

Raskolnikov’s Suspicion:
- Svidrigaïlov’s denial of pursuing Dounia.
- Recent engagement to a 15-year-old girl raises further suspicion.
- Claims of generosity questioned:
  - Helping Katerina Ivanovna's children.
  - Financing education for a 13-year-old girl, hinting at ulterior motives.

Guilt and Redemption: Raskolnikov’s internal struggle with his guilt and need for confession.
Manipulation and Control: Svidrigaïlov’s manipulative nature and his impact on others’ lives.
Moral Ambiguity: Characters show conflicting morals and questionable motives.