Svidrigailov is Dunia’s former sexually aggressive employer, who has travelled from the provinces to arrange a meeting with her. Raskolnikov dismisses Svidrigailov’s request for an interview with Dunia, so Svidrigailov launches into a long speech defending his innocence. He admits to once beating his recently deceased wife Marfa with a riding whip, but insists that some women appreciate such shows of dominance. He also admits propositioning Dunia and causing a scandal, but insists that some women enjoy being courted in such a manner. Svidrigailov also insists that he has seen the ghost of his dead wife three times. Raskolnikov is appalled by the conversation, but curiosity gets the better of him. Raskolnikov cannot help but be intrigued by the man’s ideas.

Svidrigailov requests a meeting with Dunia. He is willing to offer her 10,000 rubles to break off her engagement to Luzhin. Svidrigailov claims that he and Raskolnikov are actually very similar and leaves, mentioning on his way out that Marfa left Dunia an inheritance of 3,000 rubles.

As Raskolnikov and Razumikhin walk to meet Dunia and Luzhin, Raskolnikov explains that Svidrigailov has come from the provinces in pursuit of Dunia and asks for Razumikhin’s help in protecting her.