Crime and Punishment

Prompt: TBA

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.

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'...

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...

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, ...

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...

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...

Prompt: " Look back at the side story of Svidrigailov, and answer the following              a. What is the point of his character?             b. Why is he so vile? (Defend him, if you don't believe that he is)             c. Explain the significance of his dream on page 470." Answer:             a. Svidrigailov acts as contrast to Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov is less hateful, and self-centered than Svidrigailov. Svidrigailov's purpose is also to help with the themes of suffering and isolation. 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.      ...

Prompt: " Explain the function of the side story of Marmeladov. (How does his story contribute to a theme in the novel?)" Answer: The side story of Marmeladov functions to exemplify and showcase the theme if suffering in the novel. Marmeladov is poor, and crazy. Although, poverty is not the cause of his craziness, drinking is. Marmeladov is more or less addicted to alcohol, and what it does to him. He stole from his wife and kids so he could have money to drink. This brings him guilt. Marmeladov said '"[He had] sold her", his wife Katerina's, "very stockings for drink". Marmeladov knows he is in the wrong and had just spent five nights "on a hay barge, on the Neva".  Mameladov says he drinks to "try to find sympathy and feeling in drink", also "so that [he] may suffer twice as much" This puts Marmeladov in a vicious, alcohol fueled, suffering cycle. He suffers because he drinks and he drinks to suffer. Taking money ...

Prompt : " Explain the treatment of women in the novel. (Treatment of women by men) *Consider Dounia, Sonia, Katerina Ivanovna, Lizaveta, Marfa Petrovna, Svidrigailov's betrothed, and the women witnessed in the streets." Answer: Before I started the novel, my assumption was that the women in the novel would be flat characters who were oppressed and cliché. Upon reading the novel, I realized I was wrong. The novel does take place in the late 1880's, therefore the women in the novel undoubtedly have less right than the men, and that is shown. However, the women in the novel are strong, and sacrifice much. The women in Crime and Punishment can have jobs, although jobs that aren't as nice as jobs for men Like on page 3 in the streets there were "girls picking up a living as best they can".  They were not offered good jobs, but then again neither was Rraskolnikov. Still, if need be, a woman could earn her own money. Most of this money would, however, come...

Prompt: " List and explain as many moments in the novel wherein Existentialist philosophy is expounded as you can find. (Here's one for you - check out page 300. Also, consider Katerina Ivanovna...)" Answer: Raskolnikov has an existential mindset throughout the novel. He attempts to justify the murder he committed by saying: "I’ve only killed a louse, Sonia, a useless, loathsome, harmful creature". He assures Sonia that his murder is no big deal because the pawnbroker's life didn't matter she was a merely a louse. Raskolnikov also shows an existential mindset when he says: " To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s. In the first case you are a man, in the second you’re no better than a bird. Truth won’t escape you, but life can be cramped." Raskolnikov is saying that every man should follow his own path in reality, no matter the cost of others. Existentialism is also shown in Katerina Ivanovna. Before the deat...

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...