Crime and Punishment
Part 3, Chapter 3

1. What word does Doctor Zosimov mention that causes Razumikhin and Raskolnikov's mother and sister to become unsettled?
2. Pulkheria, Raskolnikov's mother, reads a letter which has the startling news that Marfa Svidrigaylov, Dounia's employer in the provinces, has died. Describe Marfa Svidrigaylov's relationship with her husband. How did she die? Even though we have not met Svidrigaylov yet, he will prove to be a very important character in the story.
3. Pulkheria compares Raskolnikov's room to something. What is the comparison? Why is the comparison ironic?
4. To what does Raskolnikov compare Dounia's betrothal?
5. What ultimatum does Raskolnikov give his sister, Dounia?
6. By reading the letter by Luzhin (or Peter Petrovich, Dounia's fiance) what surprising conclusion does Raskolnikov derive from his writing?
7. How is his family's visit affecting Raskolnikov?
8. What decision has Raskolnikov made regarding his attendance at the eight o'clock meeting between Dounia, Pulkheria and Luzhin?
9. What decision has Dounia made regarding Raskolnikov's attendance at the meeting?
10. Why do you think she has made that decision?

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