C&P Part Six & Epilogue Quiz

What does Pulkheria tell her son that evidences her blind love - or blindness to truth?

"All I'll say, Rodya, is this: I may be silly, but I can see that in the very near future you'll become one of our foremost scholars, if not our first and foremost. And people had the nerve to think you were crazy. Ha ha ha!...even Dunechka (Dunya) was on the verge of believing it...whatever next?" (6.7.482)

What are the main actions of the encounter between Svidrigailov and Dunya?

Dunya sneaks past Raskolnikov to meet with Svidrigailov. He wants to talk to her and Sonya, and so he brings her to Sonya's apartment, but she isn't there. Svidrigaïlov shows Dunya the place where he listened in on Raskolnikov and Sonya. He reveals to Dunya that her brother confessed his crime to Sonya, that he murdered the two women and robbed them. Dunya thinks it's all lies, she can't believe it. Svidrigailov explains Raskolnikov's theory and how it was an experiment. Dunya says that she has read his article. She almost faints. When she tries to leave, the door is locked. Svidrigailov tries to convince her to be with him, but suddenly she pulls out a gun (revolver) and accuses him of assault. She knows he poisoned his wife, and when he denies, she shoots, barely grazing the top of his head. He laughs. She tries to shoot hi, a few more times, but misses. Dunya begs him to let her go, and he asks if she loves him, to which she replies no, and he gives her the key and tells her to run. Blood is on his forehead, and there is one shot left. He puts the gun in his pocket and leaves.

Why does Raskolnikov visit Sonya for the last time?

He goes to Sonya's room to ask her for the crosses so he can "take up his cross." He says the reason he is there is to warn her. He says that she wanted him to go, so now he will do his time and her wish will come true (their discussion about Siberia).

Describe the nightmares Svidrigailov has and what they figuratively represent.

He walks in a beautiful garden, when he notices a 14 year old girl in a coffin. The girl had committed suicide by drowning herself, and he knew this girl (perhaps she was one of the people he molested). Svidrigailov wakes up and notices that the river is overflowing due to the storm. At 3 am, he decides to head out, but sees a soaked 5 year old girl in the hallway, shivering and crying. He takes her to his room, undresses her, and covers her in a blanket. Svidrigailov goes to leave, but takes one last look at her, and she's sound asleep—until her face warps into a smile. She starts laughing at him. He was about to slap her when he woke up at 5 am.

What are the main points that Porfiry makes when he visits Raskolnikov for the last time?

Porfiry talks to Raskolnikov about his observations of his character and how he's irritable. Porfiry also flat out says that if Raskolnikov is going to confess, he should confess everything, so Porfiry can say that he was the first to pounce on him. He mentions to Raskolnikov his article and the things he mentioned to Zametov at the Crystal Palace, and the stone with all the items under it. Porfiry also says that Mikolka's confession did not match up with the murder and he didn't believe him. Porfiry accused Raskolnikov of being the murderer, but Raskolnikov denies it. Porfiry says that whether Raskolnikov confesses or not means nothing him because he's already convinced he's the murderer. Raskolnikov wants to know why Porfiry doesn't arrest him, and he says that if he confesses it will be better. Raskolnikov asks Porfiry what will happen if he leaves town. Porfiry says that he won't, that he will suffer. As he begins to leave, Raskolnikov reminds Porfiry that he hasn't confessed yet. Porfiry knows.

In Raskolnikov's opinion, what makes Svidrigailov a scoundrel?

Raskolnikov doesn't see anything that they have in common. Their villainy is different, and Svidrigaïlov is unpleasant, sly, deceitful and nasty. Raskolnikov is also haunted by him, thinking that he is hovering around him always. He feels that now that he knows his secret, he has power over him.

What are the main points of the Epilogue?

Raskolnikov's trail goes smoothly enough. At the St. Petersburg jail, Sonia and Razumihin visit him. He doesn't talk to Sonya. Right before he leaves for Siberia, Razumikhin tells Raskolnikov that he and Dunya are going to be together romantically. They plan to save money for 5 years and then move to Siberia to be with Sonya and Raskolnikov. He leaves for Siberia, with Sonya following him. Dunya and Razumikhin get married two months later, making Pulkheria very happy. Pulkheria, however, is still sick and eventually dies. Raskolnikov doesn't know about his mother's death for a little while; Dunya and Razumikhin and Sonya write to each other, and she updates them. He continually ignores Sonya. She's found work sewing and has made some friends. She doesn't tell Razumikhin and Dunya that her friends are helping Raskolnikov have an easier time in prison. Dunya and Razumikhin get a letter from Sonia saying that Raskolnikov is having problems with the other prisoners and that he's stopped talking, uninterested and always sullen. He gets very ill and he is taken to the prison hospital. There, he feels ashamed for the way he treated Sonya, with disdain. But he feels ashamed even before Sonya. Raskolnikov wonders about many things. He wonders about his theory and why everyone finds his deed so hideous when he considers it so small. During Easter, he dreams of the whole word "condemned to some terrible, unheard-of pestilence". Chaos ensues with death and ruin. Eventually, when Raskolnikov gets better, and he is treated better by the other inmates. He finally acknowledges the fact that he loves Sonya when he takes her hands, and will make up for how he treated her before.

What is Svidrigailov's end?

Svidrigailov goes outside after his nightmares and sees a short man leaning against the gate of a building. The man, called Achilles, is greeted by Svidrigailov. Svidrigailov tells Achilles that he is going to America. He takes out the revolver and cocks it. Achilles is concerned and says this is not the place for joking. Svidrigailov tells him to tell anyone who asks to say that he went to America. Svidrigailov shoots himself in the head, and he dies.

What are the main points of what Svidrigailov tells Raskolnikov about Dunya?

Svidrigailov says that he's grateful for Marfa telling Dunya stories about him, as it made her interested and she took pity on him rather than showing disgust. He says that she would be among one of the martyrs because she would suffer for other people. Dunya caught Svidrigailov abusing a surname girl, Parisha. He used flattery on Dunya to get her to be with him.