I am wondering about what Dostoyevsky means by the word 'propaganda' in part six, chapter four of Crime and Punishment. None of the meanings that I understand make sense in the context of the book. Here are the quotes:
Once, after lunch, Avdotya Romanovna caught me alone on one of the paths in the garden and, eyes flashing, demanded that I leave poor Parasha alone. It was virtually our first tête-à-tête. I, needless to say, considered it an honour to satisfy her wish, tried my best to look stricken and abashed, and, in short, carried it off rather well. A relationship began: mysterious conversations, admonitions, exhortations, supplications, entreaties, even tears - can you believe it? - even tears! The things a passion for propaganda can do to a girl!
That is page 571 of my Penguin Classics edition.
Then I committed another stupidity. I set about mocking all this propaganda and oratory in the most vulgar way imaginable.
So what does he actually mean by propaganda here? And what does he mean when he said that he 'mocked' the propaganda?