Adios Raskolnikov

        I cannot say I am thrilled that I am finally finished with the book. I actually really enjoyed reading it. I actually had a about an hour discussion about the book with one of my cousins over the long weekend. When I first started reading Crime and Punishment, a lot of people told me it would get better towards the end and some told me it was not really worth reading since it is a slow read. To my surprised I liked the plot and how it was portrayed throughout the story.

        In the last couple of chapters in the book, I found a couple of sections shocking. When Svidrigailov kills himself, I was taken by surprise. In chapter 6, we start to see why Svidrigailov really moved to St. Petersburg and how he felt about everything. I found myself agreeing with him when he questioned how Sonya could love Raskolnikov even tough he murdered two people, one of whom she was close to, and care for him a little more than the kids she is responsible for since Katerina’s death. Svidrigailov’s suicide put Raskolnikov in another light as well. It showed how much you must suffer to end your life, yet Raskolnikov has guiltier conscious, and sees suicide for the weak and common people. Once again we see how Raskolnikov views himself superior than the rest of humanity.  

        Also, Raskolnikov’s need to confess to the murder grows in part 6. After he confesses to Sonya he has the urge to tell his family and Razumikhin. When Dunya arrives at his apartment in the first couple of chapters in part 6, Raskolnikov is forced to keep his mouth shut about everything he has done. Razumikhin explains to Raskolnikov later that Porfiry has captured the murderer and there should be no need to worry that the police are after him. In my opinion, this information causes Raskolnikov to regret not saying anything to his family or to his friend because once again another person has been sent to jail for a crime Raskolnikov committed. He starts to think about Porfiry and their last meeting at Porfiry’s office and about Svidrigailov’s visit.

        All in all, even though this was a slow read at times, Dostoevsky continued to catch my attention with a lot of twists throughout the story. As I continued to read, I kept relating Crime and Punishment to NFTU. I am actually really glad I read the book instead of hearing pieces of information from other people.