This is the story:
Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov walks around the poverty stricken city. He contemplates his "terrible act." He goes to a tavern where he meets Marmaledov, a man who has problems due to his alcoholism. Raskolnikov listens to stories about Marmaledov and his wife, Katarina. He also listens to the sad story of Marmaledov's daughter, Sonya, and her life of prostitution.
Raskolnikov is fascinated by thislong-suffering family, and he goes home with Marmaledov to witness Katerina scold him for running off and spending the family's money on liquor. The children are howling. When Raskolnikov leaves, he gives them the money remaining from the ruble he had changed in the tavern by surreptitiously placing it on the window sill.
At home the next morning, Raskolnikov is given a letter from his mother, Pulkheria Alexandrovna. The letter says things about "fortune's taking a turn for the better," in other words, the letter is supposed to contain good news. Raskolnikov's mother tell Raskolnikov in the letter about Svidrigaylov trying to seduce his sister, Dunya, and how she refused. The letter also tells about how Dunya was blamed at first, but Marfa Petrovna, Svidrigaylov's wife found out the truth, and cleared Dunya's name. The final most important news in the letter is that Dunya is marrying Peter Petrovich Luzhin. Raskolnikov does not take the news well.. He feels that she is getting married for the wrong reasons.
The letter that Raskolnikov receives from his mother upsets him and he decides to go out for a walk to think about it. He believes that his sister, Dunya, is marrying Luzhin in order to provide help for him. Raskolnikov feels that she is sacrificing herself for her family by marrying him even though she is not in love with him. While he is thinking about this whole affair, he observes a young girl staggering down the street as if she was drunk. This girl is being followed by a young man who has clear intentions. Raskolnikov attacks the man and calls a policeman to help him protect the girl. He gives his last twenty kopecks for cab money and then he leaves the scene. At the end of the chapter, he decides to go visit an old school friend by the name of Razumihin . He reconsiders and instead, he goes to a tavern, has a glass of Vodka. He falls asleep and dreams that he is a young boy throwing is arms around a dead, beaten horse. Upon waking, he thinks, "is it possible that I really shall take an ax and strike her on the head..."
In this chapter (Book I, Chapter V), the pawnbroker lets in Raskolnikov to pawn his cigarette case, and he then murders with the ax he stole. As he improperly robs the house, he is forced to kill Lizaveta, a witness. When he finally leaves with a little loot, he staggers home and faints pitifully.
Raskolnikov steals an ax from his landlady's kitchen. He muses that the successful commission of a crime depends on the criminal keeping a resolute will. He believes that usually, a criminal is subject to the collapse of reason at the time of the crime. He believes that he himself will not be so susceptible.
Chapter one of part two begins with Raskolnikov waking from a nap after having committed the murders. First he begins to try and hide all the evidence. He also tries to examine all his clothing for any blood stains. Soon Nastasya and the porter arrive. The porter comes to visit him to bring him a summons from the police. Raskolnikov begins to worry that they know he is the murderer. Raskolnikov, fearing is because of the murder, is relieved to find it is only because of the overdue rent. After arriving at the police station he gets into an argument with the officer and then finds out he was summoned because of an IOU from his landlady. Raskolnikov, with the help of the officer, writes a reply. He tells the policemen, Ilya Fomich Zametov, and Ilya Petrovich about his having been engaged to marry the landlady's daughter. The thought occurs to Raskolnikov to confess the crime, when he hears Nikodim Fomich and Ilya Petrovich discussing the murder. While trying to leave the office during this conversation, he faints. When he comes to, he immediately leaves, worrying they will search his home.
Raskolnikov hides his "loot" under the rock because he is both scared and paranoid. He needs it out of his room because he thinks the police might find it. First, he considers dumping it in the Neva, but as he walks there, he decides it would be even better to hide it somewhere in the woods or someplace more secluded. As he looks around he finds a huge stone and places the evidence underneath. Convinced that his tracks are covered, he decides to see his former student friend, Razumihin, as he said he would days before. Razumihin tries to care for his obviously sick friend, but Raskolnikov acts agitated and anxious. Razumihin offers Raskolnikov a chance at a job translating books. Raskolnikov refuses it and storms out of Razumihin's apartment and on to the street where he stumbles in front of a carriage and gets whipped in the back by the carriage driver. People in the street then think he is a drunk scoundrel with no hope, so they throw money at him. Raskolnikov then gets up and walks around town for hours. When he arrives home and tries to sleep, he begins hallucinating the sounds of his landlady being beaten. When Nastasya arrives, she begins to worry about his condition and goes to get him a drink.
Raskolnikov wakes from his sleep to find Nastsya, and a bearded men. The bearded man comes to bring Raskolnikov the 35 rubles his mother had sent. Razumihin is also in his room. Razumihin gets the agreement from the police, so the money is now Raskolnikov's, although Razumihin bought Raskolnikov new clothes. Razumihin buys Raskolnikov new clothes with this money. He asks Razumihin about whether he said anything while he was sleeping. Raskolnikov again tries to hide the rest of the evidence, after everyone has left the room.
He suddenly wakes, or so he thinks, to a struggle happening a few floors before his apartment. It is between the landlady and Ilya Petrovich. Ilya is unmercifully beating the landlady. Raskolnikov thinks it is because of himself that the landlady is dying. He then becomes scared for his life. Then the noise dies down and it sounds as if Ilya and the landlady both leave. Raskolnikov lies in bed until Nastasya comes in with the meal. Raskolnikov then questions Nastasya about the happenings of a half hour ago. She says there have been no beatings or fighting. It must have been his blood. Raskolnikov is now in complete disarray. He asks for some water, puts a little on his chest, then passes out.
Porfiry Petrovich arrives to investigate the crime. Zossimov and Razumihin talk about the two painters arrested for the murder of Alëna Ivanovna and Lizaveta. Razumihin feels that the painters couldn't not have committed the crime. Meanwhile Raskolnikov is getting better. Leaving the conversation, Raskolnikov feels a little guilt.
Dr. Zossimov, a physician, is taking care of Raskolnikov. He finds Raskolnikov awake and talking to Razumihin when he comes to check on Raskolnikov's sickness. Zossimov agrees that it is safe for Raskolnikov to have food but he shouldn't move around. After Razumihin invites Raskolnikov to a party, Razumihin tells of the arrest of the painter for the murder of Alëna and Lizaveta Ivanovna. Razumihin relates all the evidence of the case. He describes exactly how Raskolnikov committed the murders. As Zossimov begins disagreeing with Razumihin, a stranger enters the room.
Dunya's fiancee, Peter Luzhin, enters the room and inquires about Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov is angered by Luzhin's presence and is very curt with him. Luzhin explains the lodgings he has made for Raskolnikov's family and that he is rooming with Andrey Lebezyatnikov. The four men discuss the younger generation's ideas and the murder of the pawnbroker. After Raskolnikov questions Luzhin's intentions for Dunya, Luzhin insults Raskolnikov's mother. Raskolnikov threatens to throw Luzhin down the stairs, and orders everyone to leave him alone so he can sleep.
Raskolnikov takes the 25 rubles left over from the buying of the clothes by Razumihin and leaves his apartment. He head toward the haymarket and comes across a young girl who is street singing. He then put a five kopeck piece in the girl's hand. He also comes across a you'd lad who asks what "government" he is from. The boy also points him in the direction of the billiard house. Raskolnikov enters a tavern and asks for newspapers of the last five days. By coincidence, Zametov, the police clerk, shows up. Raskolnikov is making strong hints about the murder while talking to Zametov. He keeps saying "confess" and reminds Zametov of the time he fainted in the police station. Raskolnikov even admits to Zametov that if he committed the murder he would have buried the money that he had stolen. Raskolnikov is insulted when Zametov talks about the mistakes made by the murderer at the crime scene. Raskolnikov pushes the conversation further, asking Zametov "What if it was I who killed the old woman and Lizaveta?"
Leaving the tavern, Raskolnikov runs into Razumihin. He is extremely rude to his friend, insisting that he is sane and unwilling to bother with other people. Razumihin, nevertheless, invites him to a party at his house. Raskolnikov refuses and leaves. Razumihin goes to Zametov to find out what's up.
Raskolnikov walks on, and grows weaker. He comes across a woman jumping into a canal as if to commit suicide. The woman does not succeed and is rescued. This shows how confused Raskolnikov is. He doesn't know if he should confess or kill himself. He then goes to the scene of the pawnbroker's murder. He wants to know where the blood is and was expecting to find the corpses still there. He rings the bell three times. Workmen press him for his identity. A crowd gathers at the gate. Raskolnikov leaves the scene with the intention of going to the police, but his attention is distracted by the commotion of the crowd.
Marmeledov staggers into the road and is hit badly by a horse and carriage. He is severely injured. Raskolnikov recognizes Marmaledov and pays two cops to help him take Marmaledov and pays two cops to help him take Marmaledov to his home.
Once at the house, Katerina is in total hysterics. Raskolnikov tries to calm her down by saying he would pay for the doctor. Katerina Immediately tells Polenka, her little daughter, to go get Sonya. Amelia, the landlady, storms into the room and demands to know what is going on. Katerina and Amalia then get into a fight about Amalia's true heritage. At that point, Marmaledov wakes up and tries to move. He is too weak, though. He asks for a priest. The doctor then arrives and says there is no hope. A priest then shows up and says prayers. Polenka arrives back and says Sonya is coming. Sonya then enters and sits at the door. Katerina then begins to scream about how God is both merciful and wicked. Sonya goes to Marmaledov and holds him. He asks for Sonya's forgiveness, and then dies in her arms.
Katerina is distraught and Raskolnikov offers money to pay for the funeral. He is leaving with Fomich when Polenka calls for him and asks about him. Raskolnikov just tells her to pray for Rodion (himself). He then walks into the street by himself, thinking about his major sin. He goes to Razumihin's house and Zossimov is there. Zossimov tells Raskolnikov that he is to go home and take medicine. Razumihin walks Raskolnikov home and says that Zossimov thinks he is insane. The two arrive home and see a light in the window. They go to Raskolnikov's room where his mother and sister are waiting. Raskolnikov passes out.
Raskolnikov wakes up to his waiting mother and sister. Raskolnikov is furious and doesn't act like himself. He won't allow his mother and sister to stay in the place Luzhin left for them. Razumihin falls in love with Dunya
Razumihin goes to check on Raskolnikov's mother and sister. He tells them about Raskolnikov's illness and double personality. The doctor is pleased with Raskolnikov's progress. Raskolnikov is engaged to the landlady's daughter, unfortunately. Raskolnikov's mother shows him the letter from Luzhin that he may not be present at the meeting. Raskolnikov is scaring his mother and sister.
Raskolnikov can't understand why he's getting so much attention. He becomes paranoid again. Luzhin is unable to meet Alexandra and Dunya in St. Petersburg. Raskolnikov tells his mother that he gave his money away to a poor family. He leaves his mother and sister.
Raskolnikov strictly opposes his sister, Dunya's, marriage. At this family reunion, Raskolnikov lashes out and says he won't accept the marriage. Razumihin tries to cover it up, saying that Raskolnikov is delirious. His mother wants to stay with him, but Razumihin says to leave him alone. The doctor, Zossimov, comes to check on Raskolnikov. He believes that Raskolnikov is a monomaniac. The doctor believes that this is the cause of his illness.
Raskolnikov, still feeling a bit weary, breaks out of his delirium to find that his beloved sister is marrying a tyrant, Peter Petrovich Luzhin. A huge dispute arises between brother and sister which ends with Raskolnikov forcing Dunya to choose between himself and Luzhin. "If you marry, I cease to look on you, as my sister." Raskolnikov, convinced that Dunya is marrying out of convenience rather than love, demands that Dunya call off the marriage. Dunya states, "Why should you demand from me a heroism which, perhaps, you yourself are not capable of? That is tyranny, despotism! If I destroy anybody it will be myself and nobody else... I have not killed anybody!"
The family reunion of Raskolnikov, his mother, and sister is interrupted by Sonya. She invites him to the funeral of her father, Marmaledov, at the request of her mother, Katerina Ivanovna. Sonya is embarrassed because his apartment is so poor, she feels guilty because her family had been given so much money by Raskolnikov. After leaving, a tall, stout man follows her home. He lies at apartment 8, and she lives at number 7. Razumihin and Raskolnikov go to visit the police investigator, Porfiry.
Raskolnikov accuses Razumihin of having feelings for Dunya.
Raskolnikov goes to Porfiry's to collect his watch and other objects of sentimental value. Porfiry questions why he didn't pick them up earlier and Raskolnikov's paranoia returns. Porfiry brings up an article Raskolnikov had written once regarding a theory of ordinary versus extraordinary men. In this article, he states that ordinary men are on the earth solely to give birth to extraordinary people. He also states that extraordinary people are not bound by any rules. Porfiry then tries to trap Raskolnikov by asking him if he saw the painter the night he went to see the pawnbroker. Raskolnikov answers that he did not. In fact, the painters were at the apartment only on the day of the murder.
Raskolnikov is certain he's suspected of murder. He goes to his house to make sure there's no evidence. As Raskolnikov is on his way there, a passing stranger calls him "murderer." At home, he dreams he kills Lizaveta but she won't die. He wakes up and Svidrigaylov is standing in his doorway.
Svidrigayalov tells Raskolnikov that his purpose in coming is to see him. Svidrigaylov first wants to meet Raskolnikov, and second, he wants Raskolnikov to set up a meeting with Dunya. Raskolnikov refuses to help him. Svidrigaylov reveals himself to Raskolnikov by telling him that his reasons for beating his late wife, Marfa Petrovna. Svidrigaylov tells Raskolnikov that he feels they have a lot in common. Raskolnikov disagrees. Svidrigaylov mentions he wants to give Dunya 10,000 rubles to help her break up with Luzhin. As he leaves, he tells Raskolnikov that Marfa left Dunya 3,000 rubles in her will.
Raskolnikov and Razumihin go with Dunya and Pulkheria Alexandrovna to meet with Luzhin, to Luzhin's annoyance. Raskolnikov tells Razumihin about Svidrigaylov and asks for his help in protecting Dunya. Luzhin tells Raskolnikov about Svidrigaylov's crimes more in depth. After exchanging greetings, Luzhin informs the ladies that Svidrigaylov is in St. Petersburg. Luzhin goes on to talk about Marfa Petrovna's death and the suicide of a young girl whom Svidrigaylov had abused. Both deaths appeared to be ultimately caused by Svidrigaylov. This conversation upsets Dunya who asks Luzhin to stop talking about Svidrigaylov. At this moment, Raskolnikov announces that Svidrigaylov just came to see him. Raskolnikov tells Dunya that Marfa Petrovna left her 3,000 rubles in her will, but says he will not tell her about Svidrigaylov's proposal until later (meaning after Luzhin leaves). Luzhin asks Raskolnikov about his interview with Svidrigaylov, but Raskolnikov won't tell him anything. Luzhin is offended by this and threatens to leave Dunya. Dunya accepts his challenge and throws him out. Before he leaves, he insults her one last time and Razumihin almost strikes him. Dunya and Razumihin decide to go into the publishing business together by investing Dunya's money and some Razumihin plans to borrow from his uncle.
Raskolnikov visits Sonya. During this visit, he discovers Soya's love and devotion towards her stepmother and siblings. It is apparent that Sonya has low self-esteem, which is emphasized by her fragile features and child-like appearance. They talk about Katerina. Raskolnikov says that if Katerina dies soon there will be nothing monetarily for the children. This greatly upsets Sonya. Raskolnikov takes advantage of her vulnerability and proposes horrible situation such as Katerina dying, or Sonya killing herself. Later he asks Sonya to read the story of Lazarus to him from the bible. Raskolnikov knows that Sonya is religious and he also knows that Sonya was friendly with Lizaveta. He mentions Lizaveta and the murder. He says he'll come back the next day and tell her who is the murderer. She flips out, wondering why he knows. They are both oblivious to the fact that Svidrigaylov is listening to the entire conversation from the empty flat next door.
Raskolnikov arrives at the police station and Porfiry is alone. Porfiry acts very strangely, laughing, and very excited.
He makes it very clear that he suspects Raskolnikov is the murderer. He tries to torment Raskolnikov and make him confess. Raskolnikov does get very angry and agitated, demanding that Porfiry either charge him for the crime, or let him go.
Porfiry then informs Raskolnikov he has a surprise for him behind a door.
Raskolnikov is expecting he is going to be arrested.
Instead, however, Nikolay the painter barges in and confesses to killing the pawnbroker. He thinks he blindly killed the two ladies.
Porfiry then leads Raskolnikov out of the office. Porfiry, however, assures Raskolnikov that they will meet again.
After returning home, Raskolnikov meets the stranger who had called him "murderer." It is then revealed that he is the surprise and he had been at the flat the night Raskolnikov told the porter to go to the police.
Luzhin and Lebeziatnidov argue their ideas and philosophies about life. Lebeziatnikov seems to espouse progressive views regarding free love and the establishment of communes. Luzhin seems preoccupied and asks Andrey Lebeziatnikov to bring Sonya to him. Sonya is downstairs attending the funeral supper for her father. She goes upstairs and Luzhin tells her that he wants to help Katerina. To start off with, he gives Sonya a ten ruble note.
Katerina Ivanovna holds her funeral luncheon in remembrance of Marmaledov. She cannot afford to hold such an extravagent affair, but she feels inclined to hold it anyways. She has bought a lot of food and she borrowed fancy utensils to make it look as though she wasn't always poor. Raskolnikov was there, as well as a bunch of lowlife types who really didn't know Marmaledov. They were there for a free meal. All the important people didn't show up. Katerina Ivanovna begins to insult the landlady. The landlady is offended and they get into a fight. As this is happening, Luzhin appears at the door.
Luzhin enters the room and accuses Sonya of stealing a one hundred dollar ruble note. Luzhin says he will call the police if Sonya refuses to return the note. Katerina hysterically begins to search Sonya. The note falls out of one of her pockets. Sonya is shocked until Andrey speaks up and says that he saw Luzhin slip it into her pocket unknowingly. Then Raskolnikov explains that Luzhin was hoping to trap Sonya in order to further cast aspersions upon Raskolnikov's relationship with her. Luzhin still hoped to win back Dunya in this underhanded way. At a loss, Luzhin leaves and Katerina throws a glass after him. It hits the landlady, who summarily evicts Katerina and her family. Raskolnikov then leaves to visit Sonya.
Raskolnikov feels he must confess to Sonya. He tells her and then tries to offer an explanation for his actions. She tells him that he must suffer for his sin and then he can be forgiven. She says he must ask the earth for forgiveness. Svidrigaylov is in the adjoining room the whole time, listening to the confession.
Raskolnikov leaves to go back to his own room. There, he sees Dunya. She says that she understands Raskolnikov's situation. He wants to tell her but he can't. He leaves and encounters Katerina, who has gone completely mad. She is playing music and forcing the children to beg and sing. She falls while running and begins bleeding from her mouth. She is in the last stages of consumption and will soon choke to death on her own blood. She is brought to Sonya's room in a state of delirium. There, she dies. Svidrigaylov appears and offers to donate money to help the children. He then hints to Raskolnikov that he, too, knows who the murderer is.
Raskolnikov sits alone in his room. Razumihin walks in and accuses him of being mean for treating his family as though he's already abandonned them. He says that Raskolnikov never visits them anymore, and that one day Pulkheria had told him that she believed something was wrong. She went to visit her son, but he wasn't there, disappointing her that he found time to go out but not to visit her and his sister.
During this time, Raskolnikov tells Razumihin how much Dunya loves him. He also tells Razumihin to look after his mother and sister. Finally, Razumihin leaves and Porfiry arrives for a visit.
Porfiry basically informs Raskolnikov that he believes he is the killer. He feels Raskolnikov should confess, but he will not arrest him.
Raskolnikov goes to Svidrigaylov, who is sitting in a tavern, drinking and listening to a young girl sing. He tries to hide from Raskolnikov, but is unsuccessful. They talk. Svidrigaylov tells him that he is engaged to a sixteen year old girl. He also tells him that Dunya had tried to get him to change his ways back when she was working for Marfa Petrovna. He informs Raskolnikov that he had hoped to run away with Dunya. As for Svidrigaylov's present intended, her parents seem to be thrilled with the prospect of such a rich son-in-law.
Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov part company, although Raskolnikov tries to follow him. Svidrigaylov manages to elude him and meet surreptitiously with Dunya. He tricks her into his apartment and then he reveals the secret regarding the murder. He attempts to blackmail Dunya. He seems to want to do Dunya physical harm also, having tricked her into his locked apartment at a time when the rest of the tenants are gone. She pulls out a gun and attempts to shoot him. She grazes him with one of her shots, and then puts down the gun. Svidrigaylov gets the gun and tells Dunya to leave. After she goes, he wanders outside a bit. He visits Sonya and his fiance, giving each some money. He wanders about a little more before killing himself by shooting himself in the head in front of a poor man.
Raskolnikov, meanwhile, visits his mother and his sister. He still insists that the old pawnbroker was a louse. He kisses the picture of his dead fiancee and proceeds to Sonya's house. She puts on her green shawl and follows him as he goes to the police station. Before entering, he kisses the earth. He confesses to Ilya Petrovich.
Raskolnikov is sentenced to seven years hard labor in Siberia. Sonya follows him out there. She makes money by sewing. Raskolnikov acts mean toward her. Meanwhile, his mother dies. He ends up making up with Sonya and they are both happy, at last.
