Crime and Punishment · Character
Marfa Petrovna Svidrigailova
Svidrigailov's deceased wife, whose wealth he controlled. Her ghost is said to haunt him, and her treatment of Dounia is a subject of scandal.
minor
Also known as Marfa Petrovna, Petrovna
First appearance: part iii i
Marfa Petrovna Svidrigailova's tie to Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov is one of the pressures that moves Crime and Punishment—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Marfa Petrovna Svidrigailova first appears in 0016 part iii i.
With Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov (psychological): Marfa Petrovna was Svidrigailov's wealthy, domineering wife, whom he possibly murdered and who haunts him as a ghost, representing his guilt and moral reckoning. With Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov (psychological): Marfa Petrovna was Svidrigailov's wealthy, domineering wife, whom he possibly murdered and who haunts him as a ghost, representing his guilt and moral reckoning.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
10 connectionsA slice of how Marfa Petrovna Svidrigailova sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
- Other
Character groups
- Supporting Household Figures
- Central Characters
- Minor Plot Catalysts
- Protagonist
+5 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the emotional peak where Katerina Ivanovna's desperate, final appeal for respect and protection is pub…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov
psychological · negative
Marfa Petrovna was Svidrigailov's wealthy, domineering wife, whom he possibly murdered… How this plays out →
- Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov
psychological · negative
Marfa Petrovna was Svidrigailov's wealthy, domineering wife, whom he possibly murdered… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Marfa Petrovna Svidrigailova in part iii i