Original Text(~250 words)
PART I - CHAPTER II Raskolnikov was not used to crowds, and, as we said before, he avoided society of every sort, more especially of late. But now all at once he felt a desire to be with other people. Something new seemed to be taking place within him, and with it he felt a sort of thirst for company. He was so weary after a whole month of concentrated wretchedness and gloomy excitement that he longed to rest, if only for a moment, in some other world, whatever it might be; and, in spite of the filthiness of the surroundings, he was glad now to stay in the tavern. The master of the establishment was in another room, but he frequently came down some steps into the main room, his jaunty, tarred boots with red turn-over tops coming into view each time before the rest of his person. He wore a full coat and a horribly greasy black satin waistcoat, with no cravat, and his whole face seemed smeared with oil like an iron lock. At the counter stood a boy of about fourteen, and there was another boy somewhat younger who handed whatever was wanted. On the counter lay some sliced cucumber, some pieces of dried black bread, and some fish, chopped up small, all smelling very bad. It was insufferably close, and so heavy with the fumes of spirits that five minutes in such an atmosphere might well make a man drunk. There are chance meetings with...
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Summary
Raskolnikov wakes up in his cramped, coffin-like room after a feverish sleep filled with disturbing dreams. His landlady's servant, Nastasya, brings him soup and tea, but he can barely eat. She mentions that his mother has sent him money and a letter, which immediately fills him with dread. The letter from his mother, Pulcheria, reveals devastating news: his sister Dunya has been working as a governess for the Svidrigailov family, where she was sexually harassed by the master of the house. Though Dunya maintained her virtue, the scandal has ruined her reputation. Now, to save the family from poverty and help pay for Raskolnikov's education, Dunya has agreed to marry Pyotr Luzhin, a wealthy but calculating older man who sees her as a bargain. Raskolnikov is horrified by this sacrifice. He recognizes that his sister is essentially selling herself into a loveless marriage to rescue him and their mother from destitution. The letter forces him to confront the brutal reality of their situation: they are trapped by poverty, and the women in his life are paying the price. His mother writes with forced cheerfulness about the marriage, but Raskolnikov sees through it. He understands that Dunya is sacrificing her happiness and future for his sake, which fills him with rage and guilt. This revelation intensifies his psychological turmoil and strengthens his conviction that extraordinary measures are sometimes necessary to break free from impossible circumstances. The chapter shows how poverty doesn't just limit opportunities—it forces good people into moral compromises that destroy their souls.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Governess
A woman employed to teach and care for children in wealthy households. In 19th century Russia, this was one of the few respectable jobs available to educated women from poor families, but it left them vulnerable to harassment from male employers.
Marriage of convenience
A marriage arranged for financial or social benefit rather than love. In Dostoevsky's time, poor families often had to sacrifice their daughters' happiness to survive economically.
Social reputation
In 19th century society, a woman's reputation was everything - any hint of scandal could ruin her chances of marriage or employment. This gave men enormous power over women's lives.
Psychological realism
Dostoevsky's technique of showing characters' inner thoughts and mental states in detail. This chapter reveals how poverty and family pressure create intense psychological conflict.
Moral compromise
Being forced to act against your values due to circumstances. The chapter shows how poverty forces good people into situations that damage their souls.
Sacrifice dynamic
When family members give up their own happiness for others' benefit. Raskolnikov sees how his mother and sister are destroying their lives to help him.
Characters in This Chapter
Raskolnikov
Tormented protagonist
Wakes from feverish dreams to face devastating news about his family. His horror at his sister's sacrifice intensifies his belief that desperate times require extreme measures.
Nastasya
Servant messenger
The landlady's servant who brings Raskolnikov food and his mother's letter. Her practical concern contrasts with his psychological turmoil.
Pulcheria Raskolnikov
Sacrificing mother
Writes the letter revealing the family's desperate situation. Her forced cheerfulness about Dunya's marriage shows how poverty makes people lie to themselves.
Dunya
Self-sacrificing sister
Has agreed to marry a man she doesn't love to save her family from poverty. Her situation represents how women bore the worst costs of economic hardship.
Svidrigailov
Predatory employer
The wealthy man who sexually harassed Dunya when she worked as his children's governess. Represents how the powerful exploit the vulnerable.
Pyotr Luzhin
Calculating suitor
The older man Dunya will marry for money. He sees her poverty as making her a 'bargain' - revealing how economic desperation strips away human dignity.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how desperation rewrites moral reasoning, helping readers recognize when survival needs are disguised as willing choices.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"They want to sacrifice themselves for me! That's what they're doing! They're sacrificing themselves for me!"
Context: His realization after reading his mother's letter about Dunya's engagement
Shows how Raskolnikov recognizes the terrible cost his family is paying for his sake. This guilt and rage fuel his growing conviction that extraordinary measures are justified.
"She's selling herself! She's selling herself for me!"
Context: His reaction to learning about Dunya's marriage arrangement
Reveals his understanding that poverty has forced his sister into what amounts to prostitution disguised as marriage. This moral outrage drives his psychological breakdown.
"What is to be done? What is to be done?"
Context: His repeated question as he paces his room after reading the letter
This desperate refrain shows his mental state - trapped between guilt over his family's sacrifice and his growing belief that crime might be the only solution.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Thematic Threads
Sacrifice
In This Chapter
Dunya sacrificing her future happiness through marriage to save her family from poverty
Development
Introduced here as family burden that drives desperate choices
Class
In This Chapter
Poverty forcing moral compromises—family must choose between values and survival
Development
Evolved from Raskolnikov's personal shame to family-wide crisis
Guilt
In This Chapter
Raskolnikov recognizing his education costs his sister's happiness and freedom
Development
Deepened from general self-loathing to specific awareness of his burden on others
Deception
In This Chapter
Mother's forced cheerfulness about Dunya's marriage, hiding family desperation
Development
Introduced here as protective lying within families under stress
Identity
In This Chapter
Raskolnikov seeing himself as both victim and cause of family suffering
Development
Evolved from isolated self-focus to understanding his role in family dynamics
Modern Adaptation
When Family Money Comes with Strings
Following Rodion's story...
Rodion wakes up in his studio apartment to find his phone buzzing with missed calls. His mom has sent money through Venmo—more than usual. The accompanying text reveals why: his sister Maya is engaged to her manager at the insurance company, a man twenty years older who's been 'mentoring' her career. Mom's message is all exclamation points about Maya's 'good fortune' and how this will help everyone. But Rodion reads between the lines. Maya lost her previous job after rejecting her boss's advances. She's been supporting their mom since Dad's disability claim got denied. Now she's marrying a man who can secure her position and help with Mom's medical bills. The engagement ring photo shows Maya's forced smile. Mom keeps texting about wedding plans and how Maya is 'so mature' and 'knows what she wants.' Rodion stares at the Venmo notification—money that came from Maya's sacrifice. He knows she's selling herself into a marriage she doesn't want to keep their family afloat. The apartment walls feel like they're closing in as he realizes how his unemployment has cornered the women in his life into impossible choices.
The Road
The road Raskolnikov walked in 1866, Rodion walks today. The pattern is identical: poverty forces families to rationalize devastating compromises, calling sacrifice what is actually surrender.
The Map
This chapter provides a tool for recognizing when desperation masquerades as choice. Rodion can learn to spot the difference between genuine opportunity and survival dressed up as luck.
Amplification
Before reading this, Rodion might have accepted his family's narrative about Maya's 'good fortune' and felt grateful for the help. Now he can NAME the coercion, PREDICT where it leads, and NAVIGATE toward solutions that don't require anyone to sacrifice their dignity.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Raskolnikov's mother reveal in her letter about Dunya's situation and upcoming marriage?
- 2
Why does Raskolnikov see through his mother's cheerful tone about Dunya's engagement to Luzhin?
- 3
Where do you see people today making sacrifices that slowly compromise their values for survival or family needs?
- 4
If you were advising Dunya, what alternatives to this marriage might you suggest, and what would each option require?
- 5
What does this chapter reveal about how poverty doesn't just limit money, but forces people to trade away pieces of themselves?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Family Story
Think of a time when someone in your family (or circle) presented a difficult situation as good news or the best option available. Write down what they said, then write what the underlying reality might have been. What pressures or constraints were they not mentioning? What story were they telling themselves to make it bearable?
Consider:
- •Look for words like 'opportunity,' 'blessing,' or 'the right thing to do' when describing difficult choices
- •Consider what options might have existed but felt too risky or shameful to pursue
- •Notice how survival needs can make us reframe compromise as virtue
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 3: The Letter
What lies ahead teaches us reading the subtext in family communications, and shows us love can become manipulation. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.