This chapter provides us again with many small details that will later play an important role. For example, the description of his room, small and cramped, will later be used as one of the reasons for his mental breakdown and will be correlated with his search for clean air and freedom. Also, the servant, Nastasya, tells him that his landlady is going to go to the police about his back rent and debts. Ironically, Raskolnikov forgets this and when the police summons arrive the day after the murder, he immediately thinks that his crime has been discovered.
One should note that the sentimentality that Raskolnikov experiences in the receipt of his mother's letter and the love and the compassion it evokes does not conform to that of the cold, rational Ubermensch.
The letter conveys many important ideas that will influence later actions. First, he hears of Svidrigailov's behavior and propositions to his sister Dunya. Thus, before he ever meets Svidrigailov, he has formed a very negative opinion of him. He hears that Svidrigailov made vulgar propositions to her and that he insulted and frightened her. Thus Raskolnikov is prepared to dislike Svidrigailov before he ever meets him.
Secondly, he hears about Dunya's engagement to Luzhin, who wants a wife who will be subservient, obedient to his authority, and always indebted to him. Raskolnikov recognizes that Luzhin is a petty, selfish, and egocentric person, and subsequent events will prove that he is correct in his evaluation of Luzhin.
Finally, Pulcheria Alexandrovna explains their dire financial situation and their need for the bare necessities in arriving in St. Petersburg, but she hopes to squeeze 25 to 30 rubles to send to Raskolnikov. This money, which he receives and subsequently gives to the Marmeladov family, will become a central issue during the remainder of the novel.
