Crime and Punishment Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 4: Chapter 4 Summary

Part 4: Chapter 4 Summary

Raskolnikov goes directly to Sonia, who lives poor and alone in a rented room. He announces that it is his last visit to her and that she will know everything on the following day. He wants desperately to confess but is still not ready or able to do so. Instead, they talk about Sonia's family and friends. Raskolnikov is surprised to discover that Sonia was friends with Lisaveta and that they used to read the Bible together.

Raskolnikov keeps evading his confession and tries to distract Sonia with other problems. He tells her she will never be safe, will not earn enough money to protect her family and wonders why she did not just throw herself into the river. She holds fast to her belief that God will take care of her and her family, but he mocks her faith, asking why God lets such terrible things happen to good...
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