Crime and Punishment, Chapter 3 summary
Chapter 3 of 40 · Part 1 · 22 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, Raskolnikov receives a letter from his mother describing Dounia’s mistreatment, the clearing of her name, and her engagement to Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin. His mother presents the marriage as a source of help for him, but he finishes reading with anger and distress and goes outside.
What happens
- Nastasya brings food and warns Raskolnikov that his landlady threatens to report his unpaid rent to the police.
- Raskolnikov receives his mother’s letter, dismisses Nastasya, and begins reading alone.
- Pulcheria Raskolnikov recounts how Mr. Svidrigaïlov pursues Dounia and Marfa Petrovna wrongly blames and dismisses her.
- Dounia’s letter and the servants’ testimony establish her innocence, and Marfa Petrovna publicly repairs her reputation.
- Pulcheria announces Dounia’s engagement to Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin and describes hopes for Raskolnikov’s employment and their reunion.
- Raskolnikov cries, finishes the letter with an angry smile, and leaves his stifling room while talking to himself.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Pulcheria reports Luzhin’s view of marriage while acknowledging its rudeness. It exposes the unequal relationship behind the family’s hopes for financial security.
Quick check
What helps clear Dounia’s reputation?
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