Crime and Punishment's Secondary Characters

In the Playhouse production, Crime and Punishment has been adapted for the stage, thereby eliminating some of the unnecessary roles. Three actors will portray the remaining characters. Here is a brief character synopsis of some of the lesser-known roles in this stage adaptation.

Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova – Raskolnikov’s strong-willed and self-sacrificing sister, called Dunya for short. She initially plans to marry the wealthy, yet somewhat smug and self-possessed, Luzhin to save the family from financial destitution, but her plans are foiled.

Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov – Hopeless, but amiable drunk who indulges in his own suffering, and father of Sonya. He informs Raskolnikov of his familial situation and how he feels incapable of helping them. Marmeladov could be seen as a Russian equivalent to the character of Micawber in Charles Dickens’ novel, David Copperfield.

Pulkheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova – Raskolnikov’s relatively clueless, hopeful mother. Following Raskolnikov’s sentence, she falls ill (mentally and physically) and eventually dies. She hints in her dying stages that she is slightly more aware of her son’s fate, which was hidden from her by her daughter.

Alyona Ivanovna – Suspicious old pawnbroker who hoards money and is merciless to her patrons. She is Raskolnikov’s intended target for murder.

Lizaveta Ivanovna – Alyona’s simple and innocent sister who arrives during the murder and is subsequently killed. She was a friend of Sonia’s.

The preceding is an excerpt from wikipedia.org.