Crime and Punishment: Part Four, Chapter One

Key Characters:

• Svidrigaïlov: A man with a dubious past, possibly involved in his wife's death.
• Raskolnikov: The protagonist who pretends to be asleep during the encounter.
• Dunya: Raskolnikov's sister, who Svidrigaïlov had previously shown interest in.

Summary of Events:

• Svidrigaïlov's Visit:

  • Svidrigaïlov visits Raskolnikov's room unexpectedly.
  • Claims he has abandoned his pursuit of Dunya and is engaged to someone else.
  • Requests Raskolnikov to help him give money to Dunya as an apology.

• Discussion of Svidrigaïlov's Past:

  • Denies involvement in his wife's (Marfa Petrovna's) death.
  • Downplays previous inappropriate behavior towards Dunya.
  • Appears candid but comes off as creepy.

• Disturbing Comments:

  • Svidrigaïlov suggests his wife enjoyed being "roughed up."
  • Admits to being jailed for gambling before his wife covered his debts and married him.
  • Claims to have seen Marfa Petrovna's ghost multiple times since her death.

• Philosophical Musings:

  • Svidrigaïlov questions the nature of the afterlife, wondering if it's a small room with spiders.
  • Draws a parallel between himself and Raskolnikov, questioning if they are monsters or victims.

• Raskolnikov's Response:

  • Initially refuses Svidrigaïlov's request to relay the money offer to Dunya.
  • Eventually agrees to inform Dunya but insists Svidrigaïlov does not contact her.
  • Remains suspicious of Svidrigaïlov's true intentions.

• Inheritance Mention:

  • Svidrigaïlov reveals Marfa Petrovna left Dunya three thousand roubles in her will.