Summary
Porfiry's Pressure
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Svidrigailov's eavesdropping is revealed in this chapter's shocking twist. He's been living in the room next to Sonia's, and the thin walls have betrayed the confession. Now he knows everything, and his knowledge becomes a new form of leverage and threat. The chapter explores how secrets become weapons in others' hands. Svidrigailov's motivations remain murky - he seems to want something from Dunya, but his exact plans are unclear. Meanwhile, the protagonist must now worry about two threats: Porfiry's official investigation and Svidrigailov's private knowledge. The walls literally have ears, and the confession meant only for Sonia has found an unintended audience. This development shows how confession, even to a trusted person, can spiral beyond our control. The chapter also deepens Svidrigailov's character - he's not just a villain but a complex figure with his own tortured past. His late wife's ghost supposedly haunts him, suggesting even he can't fully escape the consequences of his actions. The supernatural elements (the ghost) blend with psychological realism to create an atmosphere of inescapable judgment.
Coming Up in Chapter 27
Now that the truth is out, Sonia faces an impossible choice - and her decision will determine whether Raskolnikov can find his way back from the abyss. The weight of his confession threatens to crush them both.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
When he remembered the scene afterwards, this is how Raskolnikov saw it. The noise behind the door increased, and suddenly the door was opened a little. “What is it?” cried Porfiry Petrovitch, annoyed. “Why, I gave orders...” For an instant there was no answer, but it was evident that there were several persons at the door, and that they were apparently pushing somebody back. “What is it?” Porfiry Petrovitch repeated, uneasily. “The prisoner Nikolay has been brought,” someone answered. “He is not wanted! Take him away! Let him wait! What’s he doing here? How irregular!” cried Porfiry, rushing to the door. “But he...” began the same voice, and suddenly ceased. Two seconds, not more, were spent in actual struggle, then someone gave a violent shove, and then a man, very pale, strode into the room. This man’s appearance was at first sight very strange. He stared straight before him, as though seeing nothing. There was a determined gleam in his eyes; at the same time there was a deathly pallor in his face, as though he were being led to the scaffold. His white lips were faintly twitching. He was dressed like a workman and was of medium height, very young, slim, his hair cut in round crop, with thin spare features. The man whom he had thrust back followed him into the room and succeeded in seizing him by the shoulder; he was a warder; but Nikolay pulled his arm away. Several persons crowded inquisitively into the doorway. Some of them tried to get in. All this took place almost instantaneously. “Go away, it’s too soon! Wait till you are sent for!... Why have you brought him so soon?” Porfiry Petrovitch muttered, extremely annoyed, and as it were thrown out of his reckoning. But Nikolay suddenly knelt down. “What’s the matter?” cried Porfiry, surprised. “I am guilty! Mine is the sin! I am the murderer,” Nikolay articulated suddenly, rather breathless, but speaking fairly loudly. For ten seconds there was silence as though all had been struck dumb; even the warder stepped back, mechanically retreated to the door, and stood immovable. “What is it?” cried Porfiry Petrovitch, recovering from his momentary stupefaction. “I... am the murderer,” repeated Nikolay, after a brief pause. “What... you... what... whom did you kill?” Porfiry Petrovitch was obviously bewildered. Nikolay again was silent for a moment. “Alyona Ivanovna and her sister Lizaveta Ivanovna, I... killed... with an axe. Darkness came over me,” he added suddenly, and was again silent. He still remained on his knees. Porfiry Petrovitch stood for some moments as though meditating, but suddenly roused himself and waved back the uninvited spectators. They instantly vanished and closed the door. Then he looked towards Raskolnikov, who was standing in the corner, staring wildly at Nikolay and moved towards him, but stopped short, looked from Nikolay to Raskolnikov and then again at Nikolay, and seeming unable to restrain himself darted at the latter. “You’re in too great a hurry,” he shouted at him, almost angrily....
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify people who respond to vulnerability with compassion rather than judgment, a crucial skill for building the support systems that can save us from our worst impulses.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Confession
In Russian Orthodox tradition, confession is both a religious sacrament and a deeply personal act of unburdening one's soul. For Dostoevsky, confession represents the first step toward spiritual redemption and reconnection with humanity.
Nihilism
A 19th-century philosophical movement that rejected traditional moral and religious values, believing life had no inherent meaning. Raskolnikov's crime stems partly from nihilistic thinking that ordinary moral rules don't apply to 'extraordinary' people.
Redemption through suffering
A central Christian concept in Russian literature where spiritual salvation comes not through avoiding pain, but by accepting and working through it. Dostoevsky believed suffering could purify the soul and restore moral connection.
Extraordinary man theory
Raskolnikov's belief that certain superior individuals have the right to transgress moral laws for the greater good. This reflects real 19th-century debates about whether great men like Napoleon were above ordinary morality.
Orthodox Christianity
The dominant religion of 19th-century Russia, emphasizing forgiveness, suffering as spiritual purification, and the power of love to transform even the worst sinners. Sonia embodies these Christian ideals throughout the novel.
Spiritual isolation
The condition of being cut off from human connection and divine grace through pride or sin. Raskolnikov's intellectual arrogance has isolated him from others until Sonia's love offers him a way back to community.
Characters in This Chapter
Raskolnikov
Tormented protagonist
Finally breaks down and confesses his double murder to Sonia, revealing the full extent of his psychological torment. His confession shows he's ready to abandon his pride and accept help from another human being.
Sonia
Redemptive figure
Responds to Raskolnikov's horrific confession not with judgment but with compassionate love, embracing his suffering as her own. She represents the possibility of forgiveness and spiritual renewal even for the worst crimes.
Lizaveta
Innocent victim
Though dead, her memory haunts this confession scene as the truly innocent victim of Raskolnikov's crime. Her death represents the collateral damage of his philosophical arrogance and connects him spiritually to Sonia.
The old pawnbroker
Primary victim
The intended target of Raskolnikov's 'extraordinary man' experiment, her murder set in motion all of his psychological suffering. Her death was meant to prove his theory but instead destroyed his peace of mind.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I killed not an old woman, but myself!"
Context: During his anguished confession to Sonia about the murders
This reveals that Raskolnikov understands his crime destroyed his own humanity more than anyone else's life. The murder was spiritual suicide, cutting him off from love, connection, and his own moral nature.
"What have you done to yourself?"
Context: Her immediate response upon hearing Raskolnikov's confession
Sonia instinctively sees the crime as self-destruction rather than just harm to others. Her focus on what he's done to himself shows her understanding that sin damages the sinner most of all.
"We will suffer together, and together we will carry our cross!"
Context: Promising to share Raskolnikov's burden after his confession
This embodies Christian love in action - not avoiding suffering but willingly taking it on for another person. Sonia offers him the human connection that can begin his healing process.
Thematic Threads
Isolation
In This Chapter
Raskolnikov's confession breaks the deadly isolation that has been consuming him since the murders
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters where isolation was his chosen superiority; now revealed as his prison
Pride
In This Chapter
His intellectual pride crumbles as he admits his crimes, showing vulnerability instead of superiority
Development
Reaches breaking point—the pride that drove him to murder now forces him toward confession
Redemption
In This Chapter
Sonia's compassionate response offers the first glimpse of possible redemption through human connection
Development
Introduced here as the novel's central possibility—love as pathway back to humanity
Class
In This Chapter
Sonia, from the lowest social class, becomes his moral superior through her capacity for unconditional love
Development
Inverts earlier class assumptions—the prostitute becomes the saint, the intellectual becomes the lost soul
Identity
In This Chapter
Raskolnikov begins to see himself not as extraordinary but as broken and in need of grace
Development
Major shift from his constructed identity as superior being to acceptance of his flawed humanity
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What exactly does Raskolnikov confess to Sonia, and how does she physically react in the moment?
- 2
Why does Sonia embrace Raskolnikov's suffering instead of pulling away from him after hearing about the murders?
- 3
Where do you see people today struggling with secrets that are isolating them from the people they love?
- 4
If you had a friend carrying a heavy secret that was eating them alive, how would you create a safe space for them to share it?
- 5
What does this scene reveal about the difference between love that judges and love that redeems?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Identify Your Sonia
Think about the people in your life right now. Who could handle your worst truth without using it against you later? Write down three names, then for each person, note what specific qualities make them trustworthy. Consider both people you're already close to and people you might not have considered before.
Consider:
- •Look for people who share their own struggles openly rather than presenting a perfect image
- •Consider how they respond when others make mistakes - do they offer help or judgment?
- •Think about whether they keep confidences you've shared or gossip about others' problems
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 27: Svidrigailov's Past
The coming pages reveal understanding those who've crossed every line, and teach us depravity can illuminate the soul's depths. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.