Pulkheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova

Raskolnikov's mother

Description: Despite the fact that Pulkheria Alexandrovna was already forty-three, her face still retained traces of her former beauty, and in general she looked younger than her age - which is almost always the case with women who retain their clarity of spirit, freshness of feeling and honest and pure tenderness of heart right up to old age. […] Her hair was beginning to go grey and to thin out; little crow's feet had long since appeared at the corners of her eyes; her cheeks had become sunken from worry and grief—and yet it was still a beautiful face. It was a portrait of Dunya's face—only one painted twenty years later, with the exception perhaps of that slightly protruding lower lip. Pulkheria Alexandrovna was sensitive (though never cloyingly so), unassuming and compliant, too - but only up to a certain point: she could yield to others in many things, agree to a great deal, even with something that went against her convictions, but she always possessed an honesty, a sense of principle and sufficiently strong beliefs to ensure that she would never, under any circumstances, be forced to cross certain thresholds. (p195)

Pronunciation

Part One

Chapter 3

We read the letter she sent Raskolnikov, which

outlines the situation with Dunya and her impending marriage to Luzhin and informs him that they are coming to St Petersburg.

She feels pity towards Svidrigailov: ‘The whole stigma of the affair lay as an indelible stain on her husband as the chief culprit — so much so that I am even able to pity him: people have dealt too harshly with this madcap fool.’

She explains the marriage proposal and describes her opinion of Luzhin. It’s not particularly favourable, but she sees it as a good match for Dunya and a potential opportunity for Raskolnikov’s advancement.

Part Two

Chapter 7

Arrives at Raskolnikov’s room with Dunya and surprises him when he arrives with Razumikhin.

Part Three

Chapter 1

Raskolnikov asks her and Dunya to leave. Razumikhin accompanies them to their lodgings, secured by Luzhin. The lodgings are substandard and in a dodgy location.

Chapter 2

Receives Razumikhin and talks of the letter from Luzhin instructing Dunya under no circumstances to allow Raskolnikov to be present when Luzhin calls round. Admits to having seen Marfa Petrovna as a ghost in her dream.

Part Four

Chapter 2

Big meeting with Luzhin, in the presence of Dunya, Rodion and Razumikhin. They end up kicking Luzhin out, hopefully never to return.