Crime and Punishment: Part II, Chapter Five

The stranger who shows up in the front door of Raskolnikov's abode introduces himself as Luzhin; this is Dunya's finance, a very pompous individual who immediately shows resentment towards Razumikhin's "friendly familiarity." This individual makes a large "show" of his own interest toward the "progressive ideas and reform," but in an unsuccessful attempt to impress the younger men in the crowd or the room. Both of them, Razumikhin and Raskolikov treat him with disrespect and a "cold shoulder."

Just as Luzhin gets up to leave, the conversation (well, at least with respect to Razumikhin and Zossimov) turns to the recent murders in the city. It is Razumikhin who states that the murders had to be committed by an amateur, since only a few trinkets were removed and most of the money was left, not to be taken by the murderer or the robber. Luzhin breaks into the conversation again to try to impress the younger crowd with his intelligence, but Razumikhin uses this opportunity to criticize his ideas. Raskolnikov, who is "feverish" by this time, then, also enters into the conversation, and later denounces Luzhin for his desire to be his sister's benefactor. Luzhin takes an offense to the comments and storms out of the room.

All of the men in the room are literally shocked by the behavior. Raskolnikov angrily shows the door to everyone else in the room. However, on the way out, the doctor makes mention that the conversation about the murders has made Raskolnikov extremely "feverish," which makes him all that much more angry and worried.