Skip to main content

Posts

Post #1

Prompt: "A complete summary of your novel. A well-written summary should be no more than one page, double-spaced, somewhere around 250 words. Do not quote the text, and do not paraphrase. You are summarizing. Remember, you need to write your summary in your OWN WORDS. I will be checking for plagiarism." Answer: Raskolnikov, a poor, suffering student begins plotting for an unknown crime. He goes to an old p awnbroker to try and trade a watch for money.Then, he goes to drink at a tavern, where he meets another poor, suffering man named Marmeladov. Marmeladov has run away from his family and has been drinking for days. Marmeladov shares his story, and  Raskolnikov goes to see his family. Later Raskolnikov gets an upsetting letter from his mom, and his family is coming to town soon to visit him. When at another tavern Raskolnikov hears someone talking bad about the pawnbroker, and decided it will be her who he will murder. When he is murdering her, her sister walks in and h...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

Post #11

Prompt: " Is he redeemed/reformed? Discuss what you believe to be Dostoevsky’s view of repentance and Sonia’s role in this. Is Dostoevsky right?" Answer: There is no exact answer as to weather or not he is redeemed/reformed. In many people's eyes Roskolnikov is redeemed and reformed. As well as suffering, he went through his 'biblical transformation'. In his own eyes, Raskolnikov has gone through a transformation. Sonia allows him to to make this transformation. Without her his repentance may have never occurred. She converted him. Sonia showed him a new way of life. I think as long as Raskolnikov feels he is redeemed/reformed, then Dostoevsky is right.
Post a Comment
Read more

Post #10

Prompt: " What attitude does Dostoevsky create about Lebezyatnikov’s advanced social view? What is the tone? Contrast the tone with that afforded Luzhin. Why the difference? Although the novel is largely about great questions—sin, redemption, crime, punishment, and murder—much political and economic theory exists as well. What can you find in the text to constitute Dostoevsky’s attitudes towards capitalism and socialism? What is his preferred method?" Answer: Luzhin  is quite narrow-minded, and thinks less of women than other characters. He really wants to marry a poor woman so that she can't escape. This is why she chose Dounia.  In contrast, Lebezyatnikov believes in the modern philosophies. Lebezyatnikov is also less self-centered, and wouldn't treat women the way old-styled Luzhin would. I believe Dostoevsky believes in capitalism. One quote I found from Razumihin in part 3 chapter 5 saya: "Human nature is not taken into account, it is excluded, it'...
Post a Comment
Read more

Post #9

Prompt: " The relationship between Raskolnikov and Sonia grows in Chapter 4. What do you learn of her responsibilities? Why does Raskolnikov prostrate himself before her and kiss her feet. Explain his lines following this action (about human suffering). From whom had Sonia received her Bible? What is the significance? How does Sonia convert Raskolnikov. What is the story she reads him, and how is it important? The lines  “ . . . the murderer and the harlot who had come together so strangely to read the eternal book” are appropriate and interesting. Note the references to children as the image of Christ. Examine the biblical passages involved and their appropriateness." Answer: Sonia feels she has gained responsibilities after the death of father. Sonia now needs to help care for her younger siblings, and for Katerina because Katerina is ill. Katerina Ivanovna did, and now especially will struggle to keep her children fed. Sonia now needs to help assure that they are fed. So...
Post a Comment
Read more

Post #8

Prompt: " Review what you know about Svidrigailov. What do his dreams tell of his psychic or spiritual life? Contrast his dreams with Raskolnikov’s. Contrast Svidrigailov’s view of eternity with Raskolnikov’s in Part II, chapter 6. Answer: Svidrigailov is used to having whatever he wants so when Dounia is no longer something he can have, he is deeply upset. Svidrigailov realizes he is alone. This is too much suffering for Svidrigailov to bear, thus he kills himself. S vidrigailov is vile He has also committed sexual assault. If that isn't vile enough, Svidriagilov is also rumored to have killed his wife. Svidrigailov has no respect for women. Svidrigailov has a vile outlook on the world that taints his entire character. Svidrigailov's dreams or raising a 5 year old to be a prostitute are as vile as he is. This dream was the final push on Svidrigailov he ends his life. Svidrigailov doesn't want to spend his life sad and alone, so he ends it. In contrast, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Post #7

Prompt: " Discuss the presentation of God and religion throughout the novel, and explain how the Epilogue contributes to this presentation. ALSO, explain how the Biblical story of Lazarus relates to Raskolnikov." Answer: In the novel, one of the major themes is suffering. Almost all, if not all, characters suffer in som way. Some do it to themselves. For Example,  Marmeladovmakes himself suffer with alcohol. He belives that he will be forgiven by God in the afterlife. In the novel sometimes people would suffer for religious reasons. For example, the painter turned himself in from committing the murder (even though he didn't do it) so that the suffering he would endure for turning himself in, would pay for other, lesser sins. Sonia aids Raskolnikov and is a crucial part of his redemption process. He redeems himself in the classic Christain way of admitting your sins, and asking forgiveness. Roskolnikov asked Sonia to read to him from The Bible that was given t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Post #6

Prompt: " On page 480, Raskolnikov muses, "But why are they so fond of me if I don't deserve it? Oh, if only I were alone and no one loved me and I too had never loved anyone! Nothing of all this would have happened." Explain what he means by this. Then, explain how this comment relates to a greater theme in the novel." Answer:  This quote showcases  Raskolnikov's belief that if all these people in his life who love him weren't around, "none of this would have happened".  Raskolnikov believes that his punishment for the murder, should be to have no one love him, so he suffers. He believes that without these people, the murder may have never occurred, and he wouldn't be forcing himself to suffer. He is upset because after the murder people still regard him kindly. E ven after admitting to the murder people and family members, like Sonia, still give him kindness. The quote relates to themes of isolation and suffering within the book. Becaus...
Post a Comment
Read more