Part 4: Chapter 5 Summary

The next morning Raskolnikov goes to see Porfiry with the list of his pawned articles. This chapter is one long dialogue between Porfiry and Raskolnikov. Dostoevsky portrays an incredible psychological duel between criminal and magistrate, in which there is no hard evidence, only the play of human reactions. Raskolnikov's anxiety grows steadily throughout.

Both men know how conventional interrogation works, but the magistrate does not play by the rules. He has unpredictable, sophisticated techniques: he is extremely friendly and genuine, but he often puts words in Raskolnikov's mouth and misquotes him. The magistrate subjects Raskolnikov to such an unpredictable examination so subtle that his subject cannot tell an accusation from a joke.

Porfiry mentions all of the details of Raskolnikov's recent strange behavior: the visit to the scene of the crime, and all his various private conversations about the murder. Porfiry...