# Dmitri Prokofych Razumikhin — Crime and Punishment character guide

> Dmitri Prokofych Razumikhin in Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Razumihin

**First appearance:** 0009-part-ii-i

## Snapshot

Raskolnikov's loud, warm-hearted university friend who talks too much, works too little, and shows up exactly when everyone else has vanished.

## Who they are

Razumihin is poor but buoyant, translating German articles for kopecks and throwing parties on credit, the kind of man who makes friends in a tavern and keeps them through typhus. He nurses Raskolnikov through delirium, falls hard for Dounia, and refuses to believe the worst even as the evidence piles up. His unglamorous decency — and his stubborn detective work on Raskolnikov's behalf — keeps the novel's bleakest stretches from tipping into pure despair.

## Relationships

### [Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/rodion_romanovich_raskolnikov)

_friendship_

Razumikhin is Raskolnikov's fiercely loyal and practical friend, offering unwavering support, care, and a model of healthy human connection throughout his crisis.

### [Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/pulcheria_alexandrovna_raskolnikova)

_friendship_

Razumikhin acts as a protective son-figure and devoted caretaker for Pulcheria, managing her affairs and comforting her during Raskolnikov's illness.

### [Zossimov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/zossimov)

_friendship_

Razumikhin and Zossimov are good-natured friends and colleagues who work together to care for and puzzle over Raskolnikov's condition.

### [Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/avdotya_romanovna_raskolnikova)

_romantic_

Dunya and Razumikhin develop a deep, mutual love and respect, with Razumikhin's steadfast loyalty winning her affection after she rejects Luzhin.

### [Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/rodion_romanovich_raskolnikov)

_friendship_

Razumikhin is Raskolnikov's fiercely loyal and practical friend, offering unwavering support, care, and a model of healthy human connection throughout his crisis.

### [Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/rodion_romanovich_raskolnikov)

_friendship_

Razumikhin is Raskolnikov's fiercely loyal and practical friend, offering unwavering support, care, and a model of healthy human connection throughout his crisis.

### [Zossimov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/zossimov)

_friendship_

Razumikhin and Zossimov are good-natured friends and colleagues who work together to care for and puzzle over Raskolnikov's condition.

### [Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/pulcheria_alexandrovna_raskolnikova)

_friendship_

Razumikhin acts as a protective son-figure and devoted caretaker for Pulcheria, managing her affairs and comforting her during Raskolnikov's illness.

### [Zossimov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/zossimov)

_friendship_

Razumikhin and Zossimov are good-natured friends and colleagues who work together to care for and puzzle over Raskolnikov's condition.

### [Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/avdotya_romanovna_raskolnikova)

_romantic_

Dunya and Razumikhin develop a deep, mutual love and respect, with Razumikhin's steadfast loyalty winning her affection after she rejects Luzhin.

### [Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/pulcheria_alexandrovna_raskolnikova)

_friendship_

Razumikhin acts as a protective son-figure and devoted caretaker for Pulcheria, managing her affairs and comforting her during Raskolnikov's illness.

### [Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/avdotya_romanovna_raskolnikova)

_romantic_

Dunya and Razumikhin develop a deep, mutual love and respect, with Razumikhin's steadfast loyalty winning her affection after she rejects Luzhin.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Acts as loyal friend and protector; recounts his failed, angry visit to Porfiry; attempts to defend the family during the meeting and is ready to physically confront Luzhin.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/chapters/part-vi-i)

Visits Raskolnikov, troubled and annoyed, to confront him directly about the widespread belief that he is mad, stating he wants no secrets but needs to understand.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters/dmitri_prokofych_razumikhin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/crime_and_punishment/characters