Crime and Punishment

       The novel starts off by showing the reader the daily activities of the protagonist Raskolnikov. He was previously a student at the university but is now unemployed. Whenever Raskolnikov goes for a walk around the city the narrator says he is contemplating on committing an act, however the narrator does not clarify what act he is talking about. He then arrives at Alyona Ivanovna's apartment. She is an old pawnbroker who lives with a younger relative named Lizaveta. Alyona is notorious for being a very cheap "Old Crone"and she barely gives Raskolnikov any money for the watch he sells her.
       Next Raskolnikov goes to the tavern where he meets Marmeladov a frequent visiter to the tavern. Raskolnikov and Marmeladov then sit down while Marmeladov proceeds to tell his life story to Raskolnikov. They then depart to go to Marmeladov's house. Upon arrival Raskolnikov realizes how impoverished the family is and feels sorry for them. Before his departure he leaves the family with a small amount of money. This is Ironic in a way because Marmeladov's wife actually comes from a royal heritage yet is so poor that her family must take money from an already poor man to pay the rent.