PART III, CHAPTER 1

When Raskolnikov recovers consciousness, Pulcheria Alexandrovna offers to look after him that night. Raskolnikov refuses her offers and tells his mother and sister to go away. He tells Dounia that he does not want her to marry Luzhin. He asks her to choose between himself and Luzhin. His mother and sister are extremely worried on observing Raskolnikov's strange behavior.

Razumihin grabs hold of the two ladies and leads them out of the room. He explains to them that Raskolnikov is not in the best of mental health. As he accompanies them on their trip to their lodgings, Razumihin is so enamored by Dounia's beauty that, at one point, he falls down on his knees and kisses her hand. He warns them that Luzhin is not a good man. Razumihin brings Zossimov to meet Dounia and Pulcheria Alexandrovna. Zossimov tells them that Raskolnikov's illness is due to a psychological condition, which he says is a product of "moral and material influences" and of "anxieties, apprehensions, worries, certain ideas." Pulcheria Alexandrovna notes that Razumihin is "a competent and devoted young man."

Notes

Raskolnikov shuns his mother and sister not only because of his illness, but also because he is ashamed of himself and suffers from a sense of guilt. Besides, he is opposed to the idea of Dounia marrying Luzhin. He believes that Dounia wishes to marry Luzhin only because Luzhin can help him to complete his studies and get a job. Raskolnikov's pride and sense of independence do not allow him to tolerate such an arrangement. His bluntness offends Dounia.

Razumihin once again comes to the rescue. He accompanies the ladies to their rooms. His frankness and open-heartedness are all the more evident as he has had a little too much to drink. He has fallen madly in love with Dounia and will now be completely devoted to Dounia and her loved ones. Through Zossimov's diagnosis of Raskolnikov's illness, Dostoevsky displays his understanding of modern psychology.

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