When I
first read the description on the back of this book, it sort of reminded me of
another story that I had read with a similar theme to it. Even before opening
the book, I tried to imagine what kind of events would transpire, just by
having read the description. However, once I started reading, it was quite
different than what I had imagined. So far, this book seems to discuss the
concept of morality through its’ characters.
The two characters we are
introduced to in depth are Raskolnikov and Marmeladov. While the two characters
are similar as far as their financial situations are concerned, their ethical
codes are not the same. In the case of Rascolnikov, he seems to have this
contempt of people, not wanting to be around them, as the narrator tells us
when he is approached by Marmeladov. As I got further into chapter one,
Raskolnikov seems to be in an unstable mindset. The first indication was that
he has conversations with himself, which has been happening for a month. He
also seems to have been planning on doing something very bad, and now is
disgusted with himself as to why he was planning on doing it. The fact that this
behavior had only started happened a month ago leads me to believe that he may
have developed schizophrenia. The idea is plausible, since those who are born with schizophrenia usually suddenly develop symptoms when they are young adults, like Raskolnikov.
Another character we come to encounter while reading is Marmeladov. He meets Rascolnikov at a drinking den, and he seems eager to share his life story
with the young man. Marmeladov tells him of how he is basically a good for
nothing drunk that is willing to do anything for his alcohol. He also stresses
the fact that he knows that what he does is wrong, and yet he keeps spending
money on alcohol anyway. He even lets himself and his family rely on his
daughter to make money by selling her body. As far as who I believe to be the
worst character is at this point in the novel, it would be Marmeladov, because although
he knows what he is doing is wrong and hates himself for it, he doesn’t put
forth any genuine effort to fix his life.
-Rachel Franklin
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