Possible Thesis Papers:

1) I want to discuss guilt and the tole that it takes on the body, specifically that of Raskolnikov. I want to talk about how the guilt from the crime was the true "Punishment" and how it lead him to do many crazed actions. Instead of any prison time or anything as I predicted, Raskolnikov's life was plagued with guilt and it essentially controlled his life.

2) The psychology behind Raskolnikov is something that intrigues me as well. I want to take a look at how the author uses Raskolnikov's various states of delirium to emphases the effect of what can happen to someone when ridden with guilt. From schizophrenia, to bipolar disorder, I want to make my paper an attempt to diagnose Raskolnikov's many personalities.

3) After researching, I think looking at how the role of nihilism plays into this novel would be something worth while to discuss. From what I have discovered, this idea plagued the writings of Russian literature during the time period this novel was written and basically discusses a person who has no ties to society, much like Raskolnikov.

4) Raskolnikov, throughout the novel, has a distorted sense of self in that he justifies his actions, including the murder of the old woman. I want to take a look at this god-like persona that Raskolnikov sees himself as having in order to find the reason behind his actions.