Part 3, Chapter 5: Raskolnikov enters still laughing and unable to restrain himself for several moments, meaning to affect a tone of spontaneous gaiety and confuse any suspicions Porfiry may have. He is surprised to see that Zamiotov, the officer he had met in the tavern the day before, is there. Raskolnikov then explains that he would like to retrieve the pawned items. Porfiry tells him that he must make a formal statement to the police about the matter. Raskolnikov, who is watching Porfiry closely, begins to suspect that he knows. Porfiry then mentions that he has been waiting for him and that the items were found at the pawnbroker's with his name on them, along with the date they were obtained. He goes on to mention an article of Raskolnikov's which has been published recently. Raskolnikov is surprised to hear that it has been published.
In the article, Raskolnikov discusses his theory of crime and the extraordinary man. He argues that there are some individuals who are above the law. These extraordinary people are extremely rare, and include men like Napoleon, who step over all obstacles in order to achieve a greater goal. In the end, history agrees with them because their works are not subject to common morality and bring about great changes. These men do not suffer the pangs of conscience others are afflicted with. Their will is supreme. Although it is this theory which has allowed him to murder, Raskolnikov falls short of his definition of the extraordinary man. There rages within him a battle between the cold, calculating killer and the humane being capable of love. Thus at one moment, he is able to murder two people and at another abandon himself utterly to compassion, giving the last of his money to a dead man's family. The extraordinary man is entirely driven by his ideology, while Raskolnikov is aware in some ways of his connectedness to other living beings.
Porfiry asks Raskolnikov to expound more on his theory and asks whether Raskolnikov considered himself one of the extraordinary men when he wrote the article. Raskolnikov answers that it might very well have been. Porfiry then asks whether it wasn't some future Napoleon who finished off the pawnbroker and her sister. Raskolnikov does not reply. Porfiry then tells him to come by with the statement and at that time they will talk. Raskolnikov, feeling annoyed, answers harshly, Do you want to question me officially, with all the formalities? Porfiry denies this, although Raskolnikov does not believe him. Porfiry then casually asks whether Raskolnikov recalls seeing painters at work in the empty apartment when he had brought his pledges. (Of course, the painters were working the day of the murder, not the day he brought his pledges). Raskolnikov, understanding the trap, says that he doesn't recall seeing them but that someone was moving out. Raskolnikov and Razumikhin leave.
Part 3, Chapter 6: After leaving Porfiry's, Razumikhin and Raskolnikov discuss the conversation. Razumikhin is insulted by the implication that Porfiry and Zamiotov may suspect Raskolnikov of the crime, and admits that he had noticed the idea hatching quite a while ago. When they reach the lodging where Raskolnikov's mother and sister are staying, Raskolnikov excuses himself, saying he has business to attend to. He goes back to his house and searches the hole in the wall where he had originally stored the stolen items. Nothing is there, however, and he leaves. As he reaches the gate, he hears the janitor say, There he is to a man he has never seen before, who is dressed as an artisan. He goes over to the stranger and asks, What is it? The man stares at him closely for a moment then turns slowly away and leaves through the gate. Raskolnikov follows him and the two walk side by side, not saying anything for a moment until Raskolnikov speaks up and asks him why he had been looking for him. The man calls him a murderer and leaves him standing in the street.
Raskolnikov goes back to his room and lies on the couch, drained and feeling ill again. After a while he hears Razumikhin check in on him and leave. He is distraught, wondering who the strange man could have been and whether he actually saw anything. At this point, he feels contemptuous of his own weakness and thinks that the extraordinary men are made of bronze, not flesh and blood! He laughs at his pitiful attempt to be extraordinary, thinking Would Napoleon sneak up to an old bag like that along her bed? He decides he is a louse, yet continues to burn with hatred for the old woman. He then ponders gentle creatures like Poor Lizaveta and Sonia, and falls asleep with Sonia in his thoughts.
He dreams that he goes into the old woman's house and strikes her with the ax again, but she does not die, as if she were made of wood. Every time he strikes, the old woman laughs. When Raskolnikov wakes, Svidrigailov is waiting in his room.
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