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arbores_loqui_latine t1_j5f8n1l wrote

I'm a native English speaker and the names in Crime and Punishment were difficult for me as well. Russian nicknames often sound completely different from the original name (ex: Avdotya -> "Dunya"). What helped me was keeping a bookmark with the names and a brief description of each character and referring to it frequently.

Sparknotes has a character page, but there are some spoilers on it, so I've copied and pasted a mostly spoiler-free version below and added some extra clarification. Some spoilers were unavoidable because they're so crucial to understanding the characters, but I don't know how far in the book you are, so I put some phrases behind spoiler tags.

Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov (“Rodya,” “Rodka”) : The protagonist of the novel.

Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladov (“Sonya,” “Sonechka”) : Raskolnikov’s love and Semyon Marmeladov’s daughter.

Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov (“Dunya,” “Dunechka”) : Raskolnikov’s sister. Most often referred to as "Dunya."

Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov : Dunya’s (Raskolnikov's sister's) depraved former employer.

Dmitri Prokofych Razumikhin : Raskolnikov’s friend, a poor ex-student.

Katerina Ivanovna Marmeladov : The consumptive wife of Semyon Marmeladov.

Porfiry Petrovich : The magistrate in charge of investigating>! the murders!<.

Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov : An alcoholic public official whom Raskolnikov meets at a tavern. Father of Sofya/"Sonya" and married to Katerina. Most often referred to by his last name, Marmeladov.

Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov : Raskolnikov’s mother.

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin : Dunya’s (Raskolnikov's sister's) fiancé.

Andrei Semyonovich Lebezyatnikov : Luzhin’s (Raskolnikov's sister's fiance's) grudging roommate.

Alyona Ivanovna : An old, withered pawnbroker >!whom Raskolnikov kills!<.

Lizaveta Ivanovna : Alyona Ivanovna’s sister.

Zossimov : Raskolnikov’s doctor and a friend of Razumikhin (Raskolnikov's poor student friend).

Nastasya Petrovna (“Nastenka,” “Nastasyushka”) : A servant in the house where Raskolnikov rents his “closet.”

Ilya Petrovich (“Gunpowder”) : A police official whom Raskolnikov encounters >!after committing the murder!<.

Alexander Grigorievich Zamyotov : A junior official in the police station who suspects that >!Raskolnikov is the killer!<.

Nikolai Dementiev (“Mikolka”): A painter who is suspected of >!being the murderer!<.

Polina Mikhailovna Marmeladov (“Polya,” “Polenka,” “Polechka”) : The oldest daughter of Katerina Ivanovna Marmeladov from her former marriage.

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WisestAirBender OP t1_j5fai46 wrote

Thanks! I'm only a few chapters in so I didn't read everything you posted.

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CrazyCatLady108 t1_j5g0aj8 wrote

Hi there. Your post would be better asked in our Simple Questions thread. It helps us keep the main subreddit focused around broader discussion rather topics which only apply to an individual. Thank you!

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