Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is a young ex-law student living in extreme poverty in Saint Petersburg. He lives in a tiny garret which he rents, although due to a lack of funds has been avoiding payment for quite some time. Due to lack of money he eats very rarely. He is handsome and intelligent, though generally disliked by fellow students. He is devoted to his sister and his mother. He usually talks to himself and dislikes most people, but likes company sometimes.