LI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Injustice of the Legal System

  Nekhlúdoff's visit highlights the arbitrary and harsh treatment of prisoners, including the innocent Menshóffs and the political prisoner Doúkhova.

• Social Class and Inequality

  The contrast between the inspector's comfortable home life and the squalid prison conditions underscores class divides.

Characters to notice

• Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhludoff

  Visits the prison, inquires about Máslova, and arranges to see Doúkhova and the Menshóffs.

• Katerina Maslova

  Reported to be drunk and violent after receiving money from Nekhlúdoff; placed in a separate cell.

• Vera Doukhova

  Political prisoner whom Nekhlúdoff requests to see; she is in the tower.

• Menshoff

  Prisoner accused of incendiarism; Nekhlúdoff visits his cell.

• The Officer

  Assistant to the inspector, escorts Nekhlúdoff to the Menshóff cell.

Key passages

• “Prince, give her no money into her hands. If you like, give it me. I will keep it for her. You see, you gave her some money yesterday; she got some spirits (it's an evil we cannot manage to root out), and today she is quite tipsy, even violent.”

  The inspector advises Nekhlúdoff not to give money directly to Máslova, as she used it to buy alcohol and became drunk and unruly.

  Illustrates the prison's struggle with contraband and the consequences of Nekhlúdoff's earlier generosity.

• “She entered the Conservatoire, but there is such disorder there. She has a great gift. She means to play at concerts.”

  The inspector speaks of his daughter's musical talent and her studies at the Conservatoire, despite the chaos there.

  Highlights the inspector's personal life and the contrast with the prison's grim reality.