Part 2: Chapter 5 Summary

The fiancé of Raskolnikov's sister arrives. This Luzhin, a lawyer by trade, appears to the group as pompous and disagreeable, even though he is wealthy and good-looking for an older man. The sight of the small, run-down apartment and the shabby appearance of his future brother-in-law clearly offend him. Luzhin announces that Raskolnikov's' mother and sister will arrive soon. As they chat, Luz tries to impress them with his knowledge of current affairs and ideas, but they merely get into disagreements. Raskolnikov recalls Luzhin's statement that he, a wealthy man, should marry a poor woman so that she could benefit from his money. Raskolnikov is skeptical of this motive, accusing him instead of wanting to flaunt his wealth and feel superior to his future wife. An argument erupts and the fiancé angrily leaves.

Part 2: Chapter 5 Analysis

In this chapter, Dostoevsky lets...