Who killed Marfa Petrovna in Crime and Punishment?

Question

I need to know who killed Marfa Petrovna, Svidrigailov's wife in the book, Crime and Punishment. Does it ever say and when does it say who the killer is?

Answer 1

Svidrigailov murdered his wife by poisoning her.

Note that in book one chapter seven, Raskolnikov killed Alyona with an ax

(("Raskolnikov commits murder but of Alyona. He strikes Alyona Ivanovna twice in the head with the blunt side of an ax, killing her. He stands still trembling after the murder before finally searching for her keys and trying to find the money. Lizaveta returns, and in his panic Raskolnikov splits her skull with one blow from the sharp side of the ax. After this, he is unconscious in his delirium. He deliberately attempts to clean the ax and his clothing. As he is ready to leave, two visitors ring the doorbell. Realizing that the door is locked from the inside, they leave to get help, allowing Raskolnikov to escape. He falls asleep almost immediately after returning home." ))



Read the summary of the chapter below:


PART VI, CHAPTER 5

Summary

Svidrigailov threatens to call the police if Raskolnikov does not stop following him. Raskolnikov, who is by now thoroughly disgusted by Svidrigailov, leaves and walks alone towards Haymarket square. He walks past Dounia in a trance-like state and stands at the parapet of a bridge.

Svidrigailov meets Dounia on the bridge. He asks her to come with him around the corner so that Raskolnikov cannot see them. He persuades her to come to his apartment against her better judgment because what he has to tell her cannot be said in the street. Dounia goes with Svidrigailov to his apartment. In the house he explains to her how he had sat and overheard Raskolnikov's confession to Sonia. In his letter to Dounia, Svidrigailov had hinted at a crime committed by Raskolnikov. Svidrigailov now tells Dounia that Raskolnikov killed Alena Ivanovna and Lizaveta. Dounia does not believe Svidrigailov. Svidrigailov begins to give reasons for Raskolnikov's having committed the murders. These reasons include Raskolnikov's isolation, poverty, and pride. He mentions Raskolnikov's article on crime, and because Dounia has read it, she begins to suspect her brother's guilt. Dounia states that she wishes to speak to Sonia now. Svidrigailov informs her that Sonia is not at home. Dounia accuses him of lying and in a swoon sinks into her chair. Svidrigailov sprinkles some water on Dounia's face until she recovers.

Svidrigailov offers to help Raskolnikov escape from the law. Dounia wishes to leave but finds that the door is locked. Svidrigailov looks at her menacingly and refuses to open the door. Svidrigailov tries to blackmail Dounia into giving herself up to him for the sake of her brother's freedom. Dounia takes a loaded revolver out of her pocket. It had once belonged to Marfa Petrovna. Dounia accuses Svidrigailov of murdering his wife by poisoning her. Svidrigailov does not deny that he had a hand in Marfa Petrovna's death. Dounia points the revolver at Svidrigailov, who walks towards her threateningly. She fires at him. The bullet grazes his scalp. Dounia swears that she will kill Svidrigailov, but Svidrigailov is unafraid. He walks closer to her. She pulls the trigger again, and the gun misfires. Svidrigailov now steps even closer to Dounia. Dounia throws away the gun although there is still one bullet left.

Svidrigailov is relieved to see Dounia's last action. He puts his arm around her waist. Dounia asks him to let her go. Svidrigailov ask her whether she could ever love him. She replies "never!". He lets go of Dounia and gives her the key to the door. After Dounia has left the house, Svidrigailov picks up the revolver and puts it into his pocket.


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