Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin Character Analysis in Crime and Punishment

Dunya’s suitor, Luzhin is a petty government official who believes that women make for better wives when they are monetarily indebted to their husbands. Luzhin is later chased away by Dunya, who is insulted by his desire for power. Luzhin then attempts to blame Sonya for stealing; it is revealed, however, that Luzhin has in fact planted the money on Sonya in order to appear generous in forgiving her publically.

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin Quotes in Crime and Punishment

The Crime and Punishment quotes below are all either spoken by Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin or refer to Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Criminality, Morality, and Guilt Theme Icon

. . . as he explained, a husband ought to owe nothing to his wife, but it is much better if a wife looks upon her husband as a benefactor.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 36

Explanation and Analysis:

This marriage will not take place as long as I live, and to the devil with Mr. Luzhin!

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 40

Explanation and Analysis:

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin Character Timeline in Crime and Punishment

The timeline below shows where the character Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin appears in Crime and Punishment. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Dunya’s reputation was restored, and in short order a relative of Marfa’s named Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin proposed marriage to her. Dunya and Pulcheria have agreed in principle to this marriage, arranged... (full context)

Luzhin met with Dunya once, in a formal setting, before proposing. He is 45 years old,... (full context)

In the letter, Pulcheria describes how, at his second visit with the family, Luzhin announces that it is ideal for a husband to marry an impoverished woman who has... (full context)

Luzhin wishes to meet Raskolnikov in Petersburg; Dunya has already spoken highly of her brother to... (full context)

...has joked to Pulcheria that she is so excited to see Raskolnikov she would marry Luzhin almost for that reason alone. Pulcheria closes her letter with an outpouring of love and... (full context)

Outside, Raskolnikov walks and talks to himself. He decides he will not permit Luzhin to marry Dunya under any circumstances. He also dismisses his mother’s justifications for the speed... (full context)

Raskolnikov goes to on to denounce Luzhin for his penny-pinching behavior, since Pulcheria and Dunya will have to pay for much of... (full context)

...noble. Dunya would never marry a man only for money, he avers; she is marrying Luzhin in order to secure Raskolnikov’s future. He believes that, if Dunya were to marry for... (full context)

...man is taken aback by this rudeness but recovers and introduces himself as Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin. Raskolnikov appears not to remember Luzhin’s name, despite having read his mother’s recent letter, and... (full context)

Razumikhin informs Luzhin of Raskolnikov’s illness. Luzhin worries that conversation might further upset the sick man, but Zossimov... (full context)

Luzhin says he learns much from Lebezyatnikov, because the latter is a man of “new ideas,”... (full context)

Luzhin, Razumikhin, and Zossimov discuss the murder and other recent crimes in Moscow, among the upper,... (full context)

Luzhin argues that his words were misrepresented in Pulcheria’s letter, but Raskolnikov does not permit Luzhin... (full context)

The landlord Amalia, Frau Lippewechsel, arrives and begins fighting with Katerina. Lebezyatnikov is also present (Luzhin’s roommate). The doctor arrives and informs Raskolnikov that there is no hope: Marmeladov will die... (full context)

...peace and “stop tormenting him.” Both are reluctant to do so. They say they know Luzhin has visited that day; Raskolnikov tells Dunya he does not approve of the marriage and... (full context)

Razumikhin, in his drunkenness, calls Luzhin a “scoundrel” for providing the two with such poor lodgings; he offers them his unreserved... (full context)

...he had at his apartment, with those who preach “the new ways” (not dissimilar from Luzhin’s previous arguments at Raskolnikov’s). Pulcheria seems not to understand; Dunya agrees somewhat but mostly wishes... (full context)

...is particularly ashamed of the attention he showed Dunya, and of his negative comments about Luzhin. He strikes his stove out of anger at himself, hurting his hand. He dresses for... (full context)

Razumikhin recounts Raskolnikov’s reaction to Luzhin the previous day. Unlike the night before, Razumikhin refuses to speak badly of Luzhin. Pulcheria... (full context)

Luzhin reports that he saw Raskolnikov the day before at Marmeladov’s (Luzhin lives in the same... (full context)

...apartment. Raskolnikov repeats to his sister, with apologies, that he cannot support her marriage to Luzhin. Dunya says she is marrying for her own reasons, not for her brother’s sake; Raskolnikov... (full context)

...anger passes, however, and Raskolnikov tells his sister to marry whomever she wishes. Raskolnikov reads Luzhin’s recent letter and corrects Luzhin, saying that he gave the money to Katerina, not to... (full context)

...believes that Sonya might be at the root of her son’s troubles, but Dunya blames Luzhin for planting this idea in her mother’s head. Back in Raskolnikov’s room, Sonya stays while... (full context)

...upset, finally, and asks Svidrigailov his business. The latter asks whether Dunya is to marry Luzhin. Svidrigailov says he suspects Raskolnikov does not approve of the marriage, which is to be... (full context)

...Raskolnikov to arrange a meeting with Dunya, whereby he can convince her not to marry Luzhin and instead to accept ten thousand of his roubles. Svidrigailov says he is already engaged... (full context)

They run into Luzhin as they enter Pulcheria and Dunya’s quarters. They all discuss, briefly, Marfa’s death, and Dunya... (full context)

...him a visit and that Marfa left Dunya three thousand roubles. Pulcheria is very pleased. Luzhin gets up to leave but is stayed by Dunya, who reminds him he has something... (full context)

Luzhin claims that it is unfair for him to be placed on the “same level” as... (full context)

Luzhin grows angry when Pulcheria tells him that they have moved to Petersburg and abandoned all... (full context)

Luzhin is most shocked that Pulcheria, Dunya, and Raskolnikov do not view him as a benefactor... (full context)

Luzhin awakes to find he is still upset about his interaction with Dunya and Pulcheria. He... (full context)

Lebezyatnikov also finds that Luzhin is an obstinate and unlikeable man. They speak on the day of the funeral meal... (full context)

Their conversation turns to Sonya: Luzhin asks whether, according to the “new ideas,” Sonya’s prostitution is wrong. Lebezyatnikov replies that it... (full context)

Luzhin continues to joke about the commune and about the proposed liberal sexual politics of such... (full context)

Luzhin expresses a desire to help Sonya and the family, since he recognizes that they now... (full context)

Lebezyatnikov tells Luzhin that his behavior is noble, especially considering how upset Luzhin must be over the possible... (full context)

...snobbery, and, between coughs, ridicules her other guests, whispering in his ear. Sonya enters, bringing Luzhin’s apologies that he cannot attend. This pleases Katerina. (full context)

...going to cause a scene. Katerina appears to believe, based on an offhand remark of Luzhin’s, that she will receive part of Marmeladov’s government pension, even though he served without distinction... (full context)

...immediately because they have not paid. The children cry and others guests laugh uproariously, until Luzhin enters and Katerina goes up to speak with him. (full context)

Katerina asks Luzhin for his support in her quarrel, but Luzhin replies he has instead come to speak... (full context)

Katerina goes on to say that Luzhin cannot prove his assertions. Katerina turns inside-out Sonya’s pockets, revealing the 100-rouble note, and Amalia... (full context)

Lebezyatnikov claims that Luzhin placed the note in Sonya’s pocket unbeknownst to her, and Lebezyatnikov assumed at the time... (full context)

Luzhin leaves in a huff, with the room now on Lebezyatnikov’s side, and the latter asks... (full context)

...the feast, and Raskolnikov goes on to ask a strange hypothetical question: would Sonya kill Luzhin in order to prevent his activities and spare Katerina and her family? Sonya replies that... (full context)

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Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin Character Analysis

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin Quotes in Crime and Punishment

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin Character Timeline in Crime and Punishment

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