Original Text(~250 words)
PART IV - CHAPTER II It was nearly eight o’clock. The two young men hurried to Bakaleyev’s, to arrive before Luzhin. “Why, who was that?” asked Razumihin, as soon as they were in the street. “It was Svidrigaïlov, that landowner in whose house my sister was insulted when she was their governess. Through his persecuting her with his attentions, she was turned out by his wife, Marfa Petrovna. This Marfa Petrovna begged Dounia’s forgiveness afterwards, and she’s just died suddenly. It was of her we were talking this morning. I don’t know why I’m afraid of that man. He came here at once after his wife’s funeral. He is very strange, and is determined on doing something.... We must guard Dounia from him... that’s what I wanted to tell you, do you hear?” “Guard her! What can he do to harm Avdotya Romanovna? Thank you, Rodya, for speaking to me like that.... We will, we will guard her. Where does he live?” “I don’t know.” “Why didn’t you ask? What a pity! I’ll find out, though.” “Did you see him?” asked Raskolnikov after a pause. “Yes, I noticed him, I noticed him well.” “You did really see him? You saw him clearly?” Raskolnikov insisted. “Yes, I remember him perfectly, I should know him in a thousand; I have a good memory for faces.” They were silent again. “Hm!... that’s all right,” muttered Raskolnikov. “Do you know, I fancied... I keep thinking that it may have been an hallucination.” “What do...
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
Raskolnikov finally confesses his crime to Sonia, the moment both have been building toward. In her small, cramped room, he tells her he murdered the old pawnbroker and her sister. Sonia's reaction isn't shock or horror - it's deep compassion and sorrow for what he's done to himself. She doesn't ask why or judge him; instead, she sees his suffering and wants to help him heal. This confession scene reveals the core of both characters: Raskolnikov's desperate need for connection and understanding, and Sonia's capacity for unconditional love despite terrible circumstances. She immediately urges him to confess publicly, to take responsibility and begin the process of redemption. Her faith becomes a lifeline he didn't know he needed. The chapter shows how isolation and pride have nearly destroyed Raskolnikov, while Sonia's acceptance offers him a path back to humanity. This isn't just about admitting guilt - it's about choosing between continued spiritual death and the painful but healing process of reconnecting with others. Sonia represents everything Raskolnikov has lost: faith, community, the ability to love and be loved. Her response to his confession shows that redemption is possible, even after the worst actions, if someone is willing to do the hard work of facing consequences and rebuilding their connection to humanity. The scene demonstrates that true strength often comes through vulnerability and that sometimes we need someone else to believe in our capacity for goodness before we can believe in it ourselves.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Confession
In Russian Orthodox tradition, confession isn't just admitting wrongdoing - it's a spiritual process of facing truth and seeking redemption. For Dostoevsky, true confession requires acknowledging not just the crime but the spiritual damage it caused.
Redemption
The possibility of spiritual healing and renewal even after terrible actions. Dostoevsky believed that genuine redemption required suffering, acceptance of consequences, and reconnection with humanity and God.
Spiritual death
A state where someone has cut themselves off from love, connection, and moral feeling. Raskolnikov experiences this after the murders - he's physically alive but spiritually empty and isolated.
Prostration
Throwing oneself down in submission or worship, common in Russian Orthodox practice. When someone prostrates before another person, it shows complete humility and recognition of their spiritual worth.
Russian Orthodox faith
The dominant religion in 19th-century Russia, emphasizing suffering as purification, confession as healing, and the possibility of redemption through Christ. Sonia's faith represents this tradition's compassionate side.
Extraordinary man theory
Raskolnikov's belief that some people are above ordinary moral laws and can commit crimes for the greater good. This chapter shows how this philosophy led to his spiritual destruction and isolation.
Characters in This Chapter
Raskolnikov
Protagonist
Finally confesses his murders to Sonia, breaking his terrible isolation. His confession reveals his desperate need for human connection and understanding, showing that his intellectual pride has nearly destroyed him spiritually.
Sonia
Spiritual guide
Receives Raskolnikov's confession with compassion rather than horror. Her immediate response is to urge him toward public confession and redemption, representing the power of unconditional love and faith to heal even the worst spiritual wounds.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify people who can hold your worst moments without weaponizing them - a crucial skill for healing from mistakes or trauma.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It was I who killed the old pawnbroker woman and her sister Lizaveta with an axe and robbed them."
Context: The moment of his confession to Sonia
This simple, direct statement breaks Raskolnikov's months of isolation and internal torment. The confession itself becomes the first step toward reconnecting with humanity and beginning his spiritual healing.
"What have you done to yourself?"
Context: Her immediate response to his confession
Sonia's reaction focuses not on the victims or the crime itself, but on the damage Raskolnikov has done to his own soul. This shows her deep understanding that the greatest tragedy is his spiritual self-destruction.
"You must go at once, this very minute, stand at the crossroads, bow down, and first kiss the earth you have defiled."
Context: Her advice for how he should begin his redemption
Sonia prescribes a path of public humility and reconnection with humanity. The crossroads symbolize choice, while kissing the earth represents accepting his place in the human community he tried to rise above.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Thematic Threads
Isolation
In This Chapter
Raskolnikov's confession breaks his self-imposed isolation and creates possibility for connection
Development
Evolved from his gradual withdrawal in early chapters to this moment of chosen vulnerability
Redemption
In This Chapter
Sonia's response shows that redemption requires both confession and acceptance from others
Development
Introduced here as the central possibility that will drive the remaining narrative
Class
In This Chapter
Sonia's poverty and social position make her a safe confessor—shared suffering creates understanding
Development
Continues theme of how social position affects relationships and moral authority
Faith
In This Chapter
Sonia's faith provides framework for forgiveness and path forward that logic alone cannot
Development
Builds on earlier hints of Sonia's religious devotion as source of strength
Pride
In This Chapter
Raskolnikov's confession represents the ultimate surrender of the pride that drove his crime
Development
Climax of his pride's destruction that began with his increasing mental instability
Modern Adaptation
When the Secret Eats You Alive
Following Rodion's story...
Rodion finally tells his neighbor Sofia what really happened at his old job - how he stole $800 from the register to pay rent, then watched his coworker Marcus get fired for it. Sofia doesn't work at some fancy office; she cleans houses and knows what desperation looks like. When Rodion breaks down in her kitchen at 2am, spilling everything, she doesn't gasp or lecture. She just sits there, understanding the weight he's been carrying alone for months. 'You gotta make this right,' she says quietly. 'Not because I'm telling you to, but because this thing is killing you from the inside.' Sofia has her own mistakes - a DUI, a kid she gave up, bills she's juggled with creative math. She knows shame. She also knows that secrets grow teeth in the dark, but shrink when someone else holds them with you. Rodion expected judgment and got something harder to handle: someone who sees his capacity to be better and won't let him hide from it.
The Road
The road Raskolnikov walked in 1866, Rodion walks today. The pattern is identical: isolation amplifies shame while witness creates possibility for healing. Both discover that confession isn't about punishment - it's about choosing connection over spiritual death.
The Map
When carrying devastating secrets, identify your 'Sofia' - someone whose own struggles make them safe witnesses. True healing happens when shame is shared with people who respond with compassion, not judgment.
Amplification
Before reading this, Rodion might have believed his shame made him uniquely terrible, that confession would only bring more pain. Now he can NAME the pattern (isolation feeds shame), PREDICT where it leads (spiritual death), and NAVIGATE it by choosing vulnerability with safe people who've walked hard roads themselves.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Raskolnikov finally tell Sonia, and how does she react to his confession?
- 2
Why do you think Raskolnikov chose Sonia specifically to confess to, rather than someone else in his life?
- 3
Where do you see people today struggling with secrets or mistakes that isolate them from others?
- 4
If you had a friend carrying a heavy secret that was eating them alive, how would you create a safe space for them to share it?
- 5
What does Sonia's response teach us about the difference between accepting a person and approving of their actions?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Identify Your Safe Harbor
Think about the people in your life and identify who would be your 'Sonia'—someone you could trust with your worst mistake or deepest shame. What qualities make them safe? Now consider: are you that kind of safe person for others? Write down three specific ways you could become a better witness for people who need to be heard without judgment.
Consider:
- •Safe people often have their own struggles—shared vulnerability creates trust
- •Being a good witness means listening without immediately offering solutions or moral lectures
- •Sometimes the most healing response is simply 'I'm still here and you're still worthy of love'
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 23: Luzhin's Trap
What lies ahead teaches us manipulation creates false evidence, and shows us the courage to defend the innocent. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.