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Part 4, Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Crime and Punishment, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Criminality, Morality, and Guilt
Madness and Intoxication
Coincidence and Free Will
Money and Poverty
Family
Summary
Analysis
Luzhin is most shocked that Pulcheria, Dunya, and Raskolnikov do not view him as a benefactor and protector. He worries about Svidrigailov, whom he considers a rival for Dunya's affections. Back in the lodgings, Dunya apologizes to her family for the engagement to such an “unworthy” man. Pulcheria is excited about Dunya’s inheritance from Marfa. Razumikhin feels free to love Raskolnikov’s sister. Raskolnikov sits quietly.
Pulcheria, once again, is shown to equate family stability with the presence of money. Pulcheria might have been more hesitant to welcome the end of Luzhin and Dunya’s relationship if it were not for the inheritance Dunya is to receive from Marfa, thus making Dunya financially independent, at least for the time being.
Themes
Raskolnikov tells his mother and sister of Svidrigailov’s offer of ten thousand roubles. Dunya fears Svidrigailov’s attentions and Razumikhin promises to protect the family from harm, even offering to invest some of Dunya’s inheritance in a small publishing business focusing on translations.
Razumikhin is focused on bettering the family’s fortunes in the future. He, rather than Raskolnikov, tasks himself with protecting the family’s interests and ensuring that they are financially sound in the coming years.
Themes
As Razumikhin, Dunya, and Pulcheria make their plans, Raskolnikov says he must go, and adds, ominously, that it's not as though they are “saying goodbye forever.” Raskolnikov stammers and, finally, says that it is better if they do not see each other for a while. Razumikhin is shocked and follows Raskolnikov, asking what is the matter.
Raskolnikov here attempts a break from the family. All the family’s turmoil is too much for him; now that Dunya can be provided for financially, he feels he no longer needs to protect her from Luzhin. He also recognizes that Razumikhin will do his part in making sure Svidrigailov does not reach Dunya and convince her to elope with him.
Themes
As they stand in the hallway, Raskolnikov tells Razumikhin not to leave his family, and they stare into each other’s eyes. “The hint of some idea, something horrible” is detectable. Razumikhin turns pale at the thought. The narrator says he will not detail how Razumikhin consoled Dunya and Pulcheria, but he adds that, from this time on, Razumikhin was truly their son and brother.
Razumikhin, for the first time, appears to acknowledge at least the possibility that Raskolnikov has done something horrible. Only this would explain Raskolnikov’s desire to escape from his family completely—to strike out on his own, without their guidance or support.
Themes
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