Raskolnikov's Murder In Russia

: The story opens with an introduction to the main character, Raskolnikov in the city of Petersburg. Though he is described as “exceptionally handsome” and “above the average in height”(2), he is dressed shabbily, is “verging on hypochondria”(1) and is planning a murder. The victim would be Alyona Ivanovna, a pawn shop owner who is malicious, stingy, and crude overall. After selling a watch to her and absorbing details of the building, Raskolnikov meets Marmeledov, a drunkard who cannot hold a job, is married to a woman of noble background, Katerina, but only because of a failed marriage she previously had, and has a daughter Sonia who has had to become a prostitute to help support the family. After going with Marmaledov to his home, Raskolnikov wakes up the next day in his apartment …show more content…
Now becoming increasingly paranoid, he stashes the items he stole from Alyona’s shop under a rock, frantically checks his clothes for blood, and faints in the police station when the murder is discussed. When he wakes up, he finds his friend Razumihin and Nastasya taking care of him, in addition to his doctor Zossimov, who arrives later. Razumihin has been defending a painter accused of the murders because he was found with earrings from the shop. Luzhin enters afterward, having arrived in Petersburg with Dounia and her mother soon to follow. Irritating Raskolnikov and Razumihin with his prattle, Raskolnikov brutally insults him, causing Luzhin to leave. Feeling better, Raskolnikov continues to arouse suspicion in his conversation with both the painters of Alyona’s house and the inspector Zamyotov. Afterwards he finds Marmeledov in the street, having been trampled by a carriage. He takes the dying man back to his house, where Katerina attempts to care for him while expressing anger at him. Raskolnikov gives the family money after Marmeledov dies and promises more to come. Feeling redeemed somewhat for his murder, he arrives home to find his mother and sister