Part 4: Chapters 1 - 6

The complexity of this book seems to increase with each page that I turn. New characters and new stories are introduced, some of which seem to shed light on Raskolnikov’s situation and others not. When Svidrgailov comes to Raskolnikov asking for his help in his quest to marry Dunya, he tells him all about his ghostly encounter with his dead wife. I thought this part was incredibly ironic in that Raskolnikov questioned his insanity. This part was almost humorous in that Raskolnikov of all people is questioning anybody’s sanity. I did, however, indicate to me that he has not lost all grip on society. He is still capable of recognizing when another person is saying something that just does not make sense, a clear sign that he has not entirely gone off the deep end. Raskolnikov proved further control of his life in his thoughts about his guilt for the murder. He is told that some of his friends suspect him for the murder, and of course denies it. But he also does something interesting, he wonders what they will think when they discover that he is guilty. Here, I thought that Raskolnikov demonstrated sanity in that he cares about what other people think and that he knows that he will eventually be caught for his crime which is why he tries to leave his family, assumably so they do not involve themselves in his affairs. The whole encounter with Sonya proved very strange to me. It was at this point that I began to think Raskolnikov will end in jail very shortly. He seems like he is making a last stitch effort to live his life in his request that him and Sonya, “kindred souls” run away together. I thought for sure that, during Raskolnikov’s discussion with Potrivich, it would be his last conversation as a freeman as the police sergeant seemed to know that it was Raskolnikov who committed the crime. The conversation consisted of innuendo upon innuendo in which Raskolnikov is subtly accused of the crime until Nikolai bursts in admitting to the crime. I was and remain still very confused as to why he did this. Why would he admit to a crime that he didn’t commit? Could he know the real truth as to who did the murder or is he just as insane as Raskolnikov? I do not, however, believe this is the end of Raskolnikov’s journey as Potrivich did not appear entirely convinced of his innocence.