First, we'll explore Svidrigailov's beliefs, particularly his encounters with ghosts. Then, we'll join the characters at the table—to discover whether Dunya will indeed marry Luzhin.
There's something about Svidrigailov that is almost alluring. He's even more despicable than Luzhin, but while Luzhin is so pompous and ridiculous you can just laugh at him, Svidrigailov has this chilling, perfectly calm way to explain himself that makes you almost want to believe him, especially because a lot of his bad deeds are just rumors. I can see why Rodion would be intrigued and even tempted by him, here's someone who's allegedly committed heinous crimes but seems perfectly sure of himself and at peace with his conscience. He's not, of course, or he wouldn't be seeing ghosts. I'm interpreting ghosts in this novel as both hellish creatures wanting to drag sinners down with them, and someone's own conscience tormenting them.
(Side note: this is the time period when ghosts became transparent or translucent in people's imagination, with the invention of photography it was an easy trick to pull, a simple matter of double exposure. So-called "ghost photos" were circulating everywhere.)
I have two theories about Svidrigailov: he's planning to marry Sonia (he's clearly a stalker), and/or possibly he's planning suicide? He talked a lot about a "voyage". Worth nothing that I find his idea of afterlife, a little bathhouse with spiders, strangely cozy and reassuring. I like spiders.
Thank you for promoting The Leopard, Dana! I hadn't realize both novels were set in the same years, indeed it was a time when religion was put under scrutiny. Freemasonry was another symptom of it, with all its pagan symbolism. Do we know what Dostoevsky thought of Freemasons, has he left something on the subject?
I realized I hadn't answered the question about Freemasons. This topic intrigued me, and I started researching. It turns out there are connections between Dostoevsky and the Freemasons, and their influence on his work! This opens up a whole new layer for reflection. However, the Masonic movement in Russia (as seen, for example, in Tolstoy's "War and Peace") was non-radical and at the beginning of the century was practically indistinguishable from Christian thought. It was later banned, and I still need to find out exactly what kind of Freemasonry was associated with Dostoevsky.
Svidrigailov is undoubtedly much worse than Luzhin. While Luzhin can be considered simply a repulsive person with no serious crimes to his name, there are numerous sinister rumors about Svidrigailov. In literary criticism, there's an opinion that Luzhin and Svidrigailov are Raskolnikov's doppelgangers, reflecting his worst traits. I don't particularly like this theory, as these characters are too different. I prefer another idea: Luzhin and Svidrigailov appear as the devil's entourage precisely when Rodion sinks to their level. And they continue to test him, pushing him towards an even greater fall.
Thank you for mentioning the photographs - it's indeed an interesting detail. I wonder if Dostoevsky ever saw such "ghostly" photographs? So far, I haven't found any mentions of this, only about his participation in séances.
Regarding Svidrigailov's "journey," there's a reference to the French idiom "faire le grand voyage," associated with suicide. I won't reveal all the cards, but let's see if he undertakes this journey. There are still many events ahead of us.
I recently watched an interview with a current Russian Freemason Grandmaster discussing the history and impact of the Freemasons in Russia. It was fascinating!
They're strangers, yet what an introduction it would be—showing up to ask for one's own death! But with Svidrigailov, anything's possible. Theoretically, he could simply break into a house full of armed people, and they'd swiftly take care of him.
After he muders two women (he can be as chilling as Svidrigailov) Razkolnikov holds Razumikhin back from attacking Luzhin and then quietly and distinctively says to him, “Kindly leave the room.” Wish this Raskolnikov showed up more often. Definitely a split up person.
Big fan of your artwork for these chapters, especially the final meeting. Perfect color combo! That conversation was spectacular. I loved seeing Dunya’s development. I was cheering her on!
I too am a big fan of your sketches. I’d love to see them all together sometime. Thank you for all the time & care youbare taking with this group. I am so glad to be a part of it.
Razumikhin is beginning to look like a good catch compared to Svidrigailov and Luzhin. I don’t quite understand why Razumikhin keeps returning to help Raskolnikov. Razumikhin certainly is not treated very well by him.
Is there an etiquette as to name use? Characters have so many names, I get confused. And sometimes two names for the same person don’t even seem similar.
There's only one given name. In Russia, every person's official documents include their given name + patronymic + surname. For exemple: Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov.
Given name + patronymic (Rodion Romanovich) is the polite form of address, also used for elders and in formal settings.
The given name alone can be declined or used in diminutive forms. Rodion can be Rodia, Rodechka, Rodka etc
If you have any questions about the name, let me know, and I'll explain in more detail if there are still difficulties.
I'm a bit unclear about something — if Luzhin knew about the inheritance, why does he still want to marry Dunya? She's no longer a poor girl, so she no longer fits his expectations.
Yes, he has (in a way) fallen in love with her now, and he's possessive—so when rejected, he desires her even more. Out of principle, he'll now try harder to keep her. After all, if Dunya marries him, the extra money will become his. According to his plan, he'll still be able to remind her of her wretched family origins, her insignificance, and how grateful she should be. Even such a jerk can have feelings. And it's hard not to fall in love with Dunya.
He's also been keeping his mouth shut about the money! Maybe he was hoping Dunya wouldn't have found out until after the wedding, and then all the money would have been legally his.
Yes, after I read Luzhin's confirmation of Raskolnikov's revelation that Dunya was going to inherit the 3000 rubles (page 265 of the Pasternak translation) I concluded that that was the main reason he was trying to marry Dunia. That was why he was in such a hurry to get the wedding done, before Dunia learned about the bequest. Although over on Footnotes and Tangents Daria has said that Russian women in the 19th century had more rights to their property than women in western europe did, I can imagine that Luzhin expected to get the money from her regardless of her legal rights.
The extent of women's rights in this context is nuanced. While emancipation processes have begun, women remain largely powerless compared to men. Should Dunya marry Luzhin, he'd become the family's head. Divorce would be nearly impossible unless he resorted to extreme physical abuse. Thus, marriage to Luzhin would essentially trap Dunya. Currently, Luzhin's strategy is to entice her through any means and promises at his disposal.
Even a sum as substantial as 3000 rubles would likely do little to alter Dunya's situation in marriage—unless, perhaps, she secretly set it aside for a potential escape.
In general, yes. But it won't be enough for a lifetime for herself and supporting a family. After all, it's not socially acceptable for a woman to work and to live "without a husband". If she finds herself a good husband, for example, this would be an excellent starting capital.
Seriously, everyone besides Dunya should be locked up, even just for the public welfare! 🤣 What a motley bunch.
I will confirm that a stranger watching you sleep is super creepy. Many years ago my apartment was robbed while I was asleep, and they closed my bedroom door so as to not disturb me in the process. 😳 How considerate?
These two chapters are fascinating! At this point in the novel, it seems we've clearly moved away from the murder plot that was the main focus earlier. The emphasis has shifted more towards Dunya rather than Rodion, highlighting the rivalry among the men around her: Luzhin, Rodion, Razumikhin, and Svidrigailov. I wonder how these two very different plots will converge, if at all.
I also agree with your comment about the Resslich girl, which leads me to think there is likely a comparison to be made between Svidrigailov and Stavrogin, right? In any case, I love the explosive tension in scene 4.2. This is where I believe Dostoevsky shines at his best!
There's something about Svidrigailov that is almost alluring. He's even more despicable than Luzhin, but while Luzhin is so pompous and ridiculous you can just laugh at him, Svidrigailov has this chilling, perfectly calm way to explain himself that makes you almost want to believe him, especially because a lot of his bad deeds are just rumors. I can see why Rodion would be intrigued and even tempted by him, here's someone who's allegedly committed heinous crimes but seems perfectly sure of himself and at peace with his conscience. He's not, of course, or he wouldn't be seeing ghosts. I'm interpreting ghosts in this novel as both hellish creatures wanting to drag sinners down with them, and someone's own conscience tormenting them.
(Side note: this is the time period when ghosts became transparent or translucent in people's imagination, with the invention of photography it was an easy trick to pull, a simple matter of double exposure. So-called "ghost photos" were circulating everywhere.)
I have two theories about Svidrigailov: he's planning to marry Sonia (he's clearly a stalker), and/or possibly he's planning suicide? He talked a lot about a "voyage". Worth nothing that I find his idea of afterlife, a little bathhouse with spiders, strangely cozy and reassuring. I like spiders.
Thank you for promoting The Leopard, Dana! I hadn't realize both novels were set in the same years, indeed it was a time when religion was put under scrutiny. Freemasonry was another symptom of it, with all its pagan symbolism. Do we know what Dostoevsky thought of Freemasons, has he left something on the subject?
I realized I hadn't answered the question about Freemasons. This topic intrigued me, and I started researching. It turns out there are connections between Dostoevsky and the Freemasons, and their influence on his work! This opens up a whole new layer for reflection. However, the Masonic movement in Russia (as seen, for example, in Tolstoy's "War and Peace") was non-radical and at the beginning of the century was practically indistinguishable from Christian thought. It was later banned, and I still need to find out exactly what kind of Freemasonry was associated with Dostoevsky.
Svidrigailov is undoubtedly much worse than Luzhin. While Luzhin can be considered simply a repulsive person with no serious crimes to his name, there are numerous sinister rumors about Svidrigailov. In literary criticism, there's an opinion that Luzhin and Svidrigailov are Raskolnikov's doppelgangers, reflecting his worst traits. I don't particularly like this theory, as these characters are too different. I prefer another idea: Luzhin and Svidrigailov appear as the devil's entourage precisely when Rodion sinks to their level. And they continue to test him, pushing him towards an even greater fall.
Thank you for mentioning the photographs - it's indeed an interesting detail. I wonder if Dostoevsky ever saw such "ghostly" photographs? So far, I haven't found any mentions of this, only about his participation in séances.
Regarding Svidrigailov's "journey," there's a reference to the French idiom "faire le grand voyage," associated with suicide. I won't reveal all the cards, but let's see if he undertakes this journey. There are still many events ahead of us.
I recently watched an interview with a current Russian Freemason Grandmaster discussing the history and impact of the Freemasons in Russia. It was fascinating!
I was thinking suicide as well…maybe he’ll try to get Rodion to murder him?
They're strangers, yet what an introduction it would be—showing up to ask for one's own death! But with Svidrigailov, anything's possible. Theoretically, he could simply break into a house full of armed people, and they'd swiftly take care of him.
After he muders two women (he can be as chilling as Svidrigailov) Razkolnikov holds Razumikhin back from attacking Luzhin and then quietly and distinctively says to him, “Kindly leave the room.” Wish this Raskolnikov showed up more often. Definitely a split up person.
Please, yes, tell us the spine chilling tale of the death of Dostoevsky’s father’s death near Halloween.
Big fan of your artwork for these chapters, especially the final meeting. Perfect color combo! That conversation was spectacular. I loved seeing Dunya’s development. I was cheering her on!
Thank you. For some chapters, it's indeed easier to draw than for others. I can't draw Rodion anymore, he's become so tiresome 😅
Dunya is the best!!!
I too am a big fan of your sketches. I’d love to see them all together sometime. Thank you for all the time & care youbare taking with this group. I am so glad to be a part of it.
Thank you very much for your participation and support 💕. I think when all the sketches are finished, I'll somehow compile everything together.
Razumikhin is beginning to look like a good catch compared to Svidrigailov and Luzhin. I don’t quite understand why Razumikhin keeps returning to help Raskolnikov. Razumikhin certainly is not treated very well by him.
Is there an etiquette as to name use? Characters have so many names, I get confused. And sometimes two names for the same person don’t even seem similar.
There's only one given name. In Russia, every person's official documents include their given name + patronymic + surname. For exemple: Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov.
Given name + patronymic (Rodion Romanovich) is the polite form of address, also used for elders and in formal settings.
The given name alone can be declined or used in diminutive forms. Rodion can be Rodia, Rodechka, Rodka etc
If you have any questions about the name, let me know, and I'll explain in more detail if there are still difficulties.
I'm a bit unclear about something — if Luzhin knew about the inheritance, why does he still want to marry Dunya? She's no longer a poor girl, so she no longer fits his expectations.
Yes, he has (in a way) fallen in love with her now, and he's possessive—so when rejected, he desires her even more. Out of principle, he'll now try harder to keep her. After all, if Dunya marries him, the extra money will become his. According to his plan, he'll still be able to remind her of her wretched family origins, her insignificance, and how grateful she should be. Even such a jerk can have feelings. And it's hard not to fall in love with Dunya.
He's also been keeping his mouth shut about the money! Maybe he was hoping Dunya wouldn't have found out until after the wedding, and then all the money would have been legally his.
Yes, after I read Luzhin's confirmation of Raskolnikov's revelation that Dunya was going to inherit the 3000 rubles (page 265 of the Pasternak translation) I concluded that that was the main reason he was trying to marry Dunia. That was why he was in such a hurry to get the wedding done, before Dunia learned about the bequest. Although over on Footnotes and Tangents Daria has said that Russian women in the 19th century had more rights to their property than women in western europe did, I can imagine that Luzhin expected to get the money from her regardless of her legal rights.
And autocorrect insists on trying to turn Luzhin into Luzon. :-)
The extent of women's rights in this context is nuanced. While emancipation processes have begun, women remain largely powerless compared to men. Should Dunya marry Luzhin, he'd become the family's head. Divorce would be nearly impossible unless he resorted to extreme physical abuse. Thus, marriage to Luzhin would essentially trap Dunya. Currently, Luzhin's strategy is to entice her through any means and promises at his disposal.
Even a sum as substantial as 3000 rubles would likely do little to alter Dunya's situation in marriage—unless, perhaps, she secretly set it aside for a potential escape.
I was just about to ask, 3000 doesn’t seem like life-changing money, more like come-up-for-air money.
In general, yes. But it won't be enough for a lifetime for herself and supporting a family. After all, it's not socially acceptable for a woman to work and to live "without a husband". If she finds herself a good husband, for example, this would be an excellent starting capital.
Seriously, everyone besides Dunya should be locked up, even just for the public welfare! 🤣 What a motley bunch.
I will confirm that a stranger watching you sleep is super creepy. Many years ago my apartment was robbed while I was asleep, and they closed my bedroom door so as to not disturb me in the process. 😳 How considerate?
Yikes!
Polite thieves. It's actually a creepy story: who knows if someone was sitting over you and for how long, until they decided you were sound asleep. 😳
Yes, Dunya and her family got lucky. It's good that Svidrigailov hasn't sneaked in on them yet. Although? Maybe he's lurking behind the door.
Oh man. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to wake up to that.
These two chapters are fascinating! At this point in the novel, it seems we've clearly moved away from the murder plot that was the main focus earlier. The emphasis has shifted more towards Dunya rather than Rodion, highlighting the rivalry among the men around her: Luzhin, Rodion, Razumikhin, and Svidrigailov. I wonder how these two very different plots will converge, if at all.
I also agree with your comment about the Resslich girl, which leads me to think there is likely a comparison to be made between Svidrigailov and Stavrogin, right? In any case, I love the explosive tension in scene 4.2. This is where I believe Dostoevsky shines at his best!