Razumikhin, Dmitri Prokofyevich
Friend of Raskolnikov’s
Description: Tall, thin, dark-haired and always ill-shaven. Occasionally he would become involved in brawls, and had gained the reputation of being something of a Herculean figure.
He was in his tatty dressing gown, with slippers on his bare feet, hair all over the place, unshaven, unwashed. Pronunciation
Part One
Chapter 4
He was an unusually cheerful, outgoing person, kind to the point of simplicity, though there was depth as well as dignity hidden beneath this simplicity. The best of his fellow students understood this, and everybody liked him. He was far from stupid, though he could sometimes be somewhat naïve. He had a striking appearance: tall, thin, dark-haired and always ill-shaven. Occasionally he would become involved in brawls, and had gained the reputation of being something of a Herculean figure.
One night, when out in company, he had felled a guardian of the law over six and a half feet tall with a single blow. He had an infinite capacity for drink, but could just as easily not drink at all – sometimes he could play outlandish pranks, but was just as capable of behaving completely normally.
Another remarkable point about Razumikhin was that he was never upset by any failure or dispirited if anything went wrong in his life. He could bed down on the roof if he had to, and was able to tolerate dreadful hunger and unusual cold. He had hardly a copeck to his name, yet supported himself all on his own through all sorts of odd jobs. There was a multitude of sources he could draw on (all paid work, of course). Once he had spent an entire winter living in an unheated room, maintaining he liked it better that way, since he slept more soundly when it was cold. For the present he too had been forced to leave university, but only for a short time, and he was doing all he could quickly to improve his circumstances so that he could resume his studies as soon as possible.
Part Two
Chapter 2
Raskolnikov goes to see him after hiding the loot from Alyona Ivanovna’s flat. He offers Raskolnikov some translation work, which he picks up but then brings back and leaves without saying a word.
Chapter 3
Comes to see Raskolnikov as he awakens from his four-day delirium. He explains that the doctor, Zosimov, had called in two days ago and said Raskolnikov’s illness would pass. He asks Nastasya to bring soup and tea, which she does, along with beer and beef.
He found Raskolnikov’s address from the police bureau and came to give him a piece of his mind after the way Raskolnikov had left his flat a few nights before. He mentions that the police couldn’t help him find General Kobelev, but we have no idea who that is.
Using his charm and intuition, he sorted out the whole IOU business with the landlady. He also talked with the police about Raskolnikov and even brought Zamyotov to his room while he was delirious.
He mentions that he’s become friends with Zamyotov and has moved to this part of town. He and Zamyotov went to see Louisa Ivanovna a couple of times. Going for a shag maybe?
He leaves with some of Raskolnikov’s money and returns later, having spent ten roubles on some second-hand clothes for him.
Chapter 4
Has a conversation with Zosimov about the decorator who has been questioned about the murder.
Chapter 6
He bumps into Raskolnikov as he’s leaving the Crystal Palace. He tells Raskolnikov he’s been hunting high and low for him. They have an argument and then Razumikhin invites Raskolnikov to his party that night.
Chapter 7
Accompanies Raskolnikov from his party.
Part Three
Chapter 1
Accompanies Dunya and Pulkheria Alexandrovna to their lodgings and instructs them not to open the door to anyone but him. Brings Zosimov to Raskolnikov’s apartment and talks of his love for Raskolnikov’s landlady.
Chapter 5
Goes with Raskolnikov to visit Porfiry Petrovich. A discussion of Raskolnikov’s article ‘On Crime’ ensues.
Chapter 6
Part Four
Chapter 2
Walks with Rodion to Bakaleyev’s house and relates how he’d gone to see Porfiry but had been unable to express himself.