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Crime and Punishment Chapter 12
Chapter 12
A stranger walks into the room. He looks frowningly at the slovenly conditions of the place and its inhabitants. He is Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin, Dounia's fiance, who has come to see Raskolnikov. He introduces himself to Raskolnikov, but is somewhat offended by his smug indifference to him. Razumihin explains that Raskolnikov has not been well. Raskolnikov looks over Luzhin's well-groomed appearance. Luhzin tells Raskolnikov that he has found temporary lodging for Dounia and her mother for their visit to St. Petersburg. He is staying with his friend, Andrey Semyonovitch Lebezianikov, a young clerk in the Ministry. Luhzin proudly claims that he is interested in hearing about the latest novel ideas from the young people of St. Petersburg. In order to sound progressive and learned, he engages Razumihin in debate about the merits of scientific and economic advancement. He argues that economic self-interest benefits all of mankind. Razumihin abruptly changes the topic to the discussion of the murders. Zossimov opines that the murderer must have been a cool and calculating criminal. Raszumihin begs to differ because of the fact that the murderer made off with a small sum of money when over fifteen hundred roubles were found in the old woman's room. He guesses that the murderer is an amateur, a first timer who escaped by chance.
Luzhin chips in with a comment that crime seems to be on the rise in both the poor and rich classes of Russian society. Raskolnikov reminds Luzhin that the decay in social morality is in accordance with his theory of economic self-interest, if taken to its logical extremes. Luhzin is offended and tries to defend himself. But Raskolnikov continues his attack by bringing up his mother's statement about Luhzin preferring a poor wife so that she may better serve him. Quite offended, Luzhin blames the mistaken interpretation given by Raskolnikov's mother. Raskolnikov tells Luhzin that if he offends his mother again, he is going to toss him down the stairs. Luhzin quips back that he will not forgive this insult against him, even for a future relative. Raskolnikov tells Luhzin to go to hell. Luhzin promptly leaves. Raskolnikov tells Zossimov and Razumihin to leave him alone.
Upon leaving Raskolnikov's room, Zossimov notes to Razumihin that Raskolnikov seems uninterested in everything except for when it comes to the discussion of the murders. Razumihin agrees. Zossimov shows an interest in Raskolnikov's psychological condition.
