Reaction 6 - 8

The title of this novel is finally starting to make sense to me. I knew that Raskolnikov was in a dreadful state of mind and incredibley desperate, but I never truly thought that he would carry out his plan to kill his land lady. Surprisingly, my perception of Raskolnikov has gotten better. I can’t help but be on Raskolnikov’s side after discovering the land lady was described as such a horrible person. Saying that, nobody deserves to die, but Raskolnikov almost seems like a Robin Hood-like character. The discussion of how much good the old lady’s money could do, how many meals it could feed destitute families, rang bells of Socialism as I read these last few chapters. It’s not surprising to me that this book was written in Russia, as Socialism was such a signature part of the country’s ideals for such a long time. On this note, I would think that the author would have Raskolnikov carry out his plan of charity and be revered as a hero to the rest of Russia, but the title forces me to predict otherwise. The “Punishment” aspect in the title leads me to believe that Raskolnikov will be captured for murdering the old woman. I personally cannot think of any way he would be caught as he killed all of the witnesses. The old lady seemed to be a person that nearly everyone who met her, or at least owed her money, would want her to be killed. At the end of this section of the novel, I find that my perspective toward the protagonist has changed dramatically. Ironically, the murder of the old woman makes me eager for Raskolnikov to succeed in evading the authorities. 

Crime and Punishment chapters 7 and 8

Wendell Pfeffer

Crime and Punishment

Reaction on chapters seven and eight

            Chapter seven begins with Raskolnikov talking angrily towards Aliona Ivanovna. He discusses with his friends how much she has cheated others for her own gain, even if it cost her a ruble: “Rich as a jew, she’s always got money around…. She could lend out five thousand, yet she wouldn’t turn down a pawn worth a ruble.” This was a problem with Raskolnikov in the beginning of the novel - he tried to pawn his fathers watch, but only received half of what he should have got. I knew Raskolnikov hated her ever since this incident occurred. He even insults her calling her a “stupid, senseless, insignificant, bad tempered, sick old hag” to try and relieve his anger. I knew one day he would get his revenge against this sick and evil old lady.

            It all began to play out when Raskolnikov brings out the idea of killing the old lady for the better of his society: “kill her take her money, dedicate it to serving mankind.” His friends thought he was joking, but he wasn’t; he actually wanted too kill her and he did in the eight chapter. Raskolnikov’s plan was incredible successful, he tricked the old lady into believing that he wanted to sell her something of value. He even ended up killing her sister - Elizaveta to leave no witnesses behind. After executing his plan with perfection Raskolnikov leaves without being seen and returns to his home like as if nothing ever happened.

Raskolnikov should have not killed the old lady, violence only leads to more violence, he should have tried and dealt with his situation in a more adult manner. But in his case with his associated “mental problem” I think he couldn’t help it. Raskolnikov must have thought that it would have been okay to kill her because everyone scorned her.

Part 1: Chapter 2-5 Reaction; Women in the Story

       Characteristics of certain women stood out to me most after reading these chapters. Like Sonia, Dunia is sacrificing her own comfort and morals to help support the family when the men in the family are incapable. Raskolinkov is ashamed and unhappy of his sister’s decision to marry Mr. Luzhin, even though he is benefiting, because he dose not want his sister to give up her pride and submit to a man like that. These incentives and the fact that Aliona Ivanovna will be alone in her apartment I think are what make Raskolinkov know exactly what he will do at seven o’clock the next day. I think he is trying to find ways to take responsibility for his family.

The horse that Mikolka dreadfully beats to death somewhat reminds me of the women in the story. I think its no mistake that Dostoevsky made this horse a female. Women like the Sonia, Dunia, and Katerina Ivanova are constantly giving or giving up part of themselves for their family. I think eventually, they will reach a breaking point. Raskolinkov’s father repeatedly said that Mikolka and the townspeople were just drunk which he used as an excuse for their actions.  That’s a theme that I notice, many drunken men and the women at their mercy.

The horse dream may have also been underlying guilt Raskolinkov feels for what he may possibly do to Aliona Ivanova. At first I thought it would just be to steal from her, however after the horrific dream, it may be something worse. He said , “I couldn’t stand it! Then why am I still…” This could pertain to not helping his sister, or him still thinking about taking advantage of Aliona Ivanova.

             

Reaction to Chapters 3-5

         As I continue to read further on in the book Crime and Punishment, I realized that there are more sides to the main character, Raskolnikov, than we are aware of. The first two chapters of the book introduce the character of Raskolnikov as very antipathetic towards the rest of society, mainly because he is so full of himself and considers himself to be greater than everyone else around him. I really don't understand what makes him think that he is better than everyone else around him, since later on in the book we realize that he's dropped out of the university and lives off of his mother and sisters money. 

          When Raskolnikov receives a long anticipated letter from his mother, he suddenly has a complete change of attitude that is very unlike his character. The author describes how Raskolnikov's cheeks are red hot from his tears, and suddenly, it seems like he might not be that prideful man that he makes himself out to be. I think that throughout the book, certain things will happen that will bring out this different side of Raskolnikov and show a more grounded and down to earth side of him. I really enjoyed reading these chapters due to the fact that it showed a different and more human side to him, showing that even when people act like they can be so much better than the rest of us, we all struggle and go through difficult times that can get to us. I like that Raskolnikov shows a lot of love towards his mother and sister, someone other than himself. 

Raskolinkov's Letter from His Mother

          In chapter 3, Raskolinkov receives a letter from his mother. The letter explains what has happened in the past two months. Raskolinkov's mother describes him as a man who is full of heart and will do anything for his family. This changes the readers perspective towards Raskolinkov from a man who is full of hatred and remorse to a man who has a good head on his shoulders and has a good heart. As the letter continues, it describes the unfortunate events that has happened to his family. His mother explains that she has not written to him because she did not want to make his condition worse. We get a better understanding of why Raskolinkov decided to the leave the university but we do not fully know why. He could not support himself with the money he earned but is now living off his mother and sister. In the first chapter we see him as an independent man who has to make a living for himself by selling different items but in chapter 3 we see him as a man who has dropped everything he once was for a life of poverty. The main question that comes to mind is what could have caused him to drop everything he once had for his current life. His obsession with the crime is one of the most likely reasons he left his old life. Raskolinkov's reaction to the letter is unexpected. Here, his mother writes a letter to explain what has happened and tells him how much her and his sister love him but he can only think of them with scorn. This is not the typical reaction one expects from a mentally stable person. His reaction to the letter and his constant thoughts help prove that there is something mentally unstable with Raskolinkov.

Reaction on chapters 3, 4 and 5

Wendell Pfeffer

English

Reaction on Raskolnikov

               The main character, Raskolnikov receives a sweet letter from her mother stating the condition of her sister and how she chose to marry a businessman. The term “business man” does not flow well through Raskolnikov’s ears. It seems to him that his sister is only going to marry him for his money. Raskolnikov does not want his sister to waste her life to the benefit of him and his mother. He wants her to live her life happily like any other girl would: “love is not involved,” she is “marrying a man she does not respect and with whom she has nothing in common, and for life, just for a personal gain.” Raskolnikov keeps thinking to himself that her sister is making a mistake; he knows her sister can do better. The image of the marriage floats around the head of Raskolnikov for a long period of time, he wishes he can help her but he simply cannot.

Raskolnikov is a passionate man who cares for his family and people in need. He remains pensive about his sister throughout the beginning of the fifth chapter until he sees a helpless girl wandering the streets clumsily, appearing to be drunk. He tries to help her by protecting her from a man wanting to take advantage of her. He almost fights him attracting a policeman to the scene quickly. He gives the policeman twenty kopecks to call a cab too take her home. Unfortunately the policeman just ends up taking his money. From the series of events that have occurred you can assume that Raskolnikov has a big heart. This not only demonstrated in the fifth chapter but in the third one as well. He gives the remaining amount of coins he had in his pocket to Marmeladov’s family. Marmeladov drank up all the kopecks he had left, leaving nothing for his wife and kids. The only reason Raskolnikov gave the kopecks to Marmeladov’s family was because he saw that they had nothing.

 Alcohol to Raskolnikov is not a solution to everyday problems but an evil toxin. It has been the same too him since he was a little boy. The one thing Raskolnikov can remember clearly about his childhood was the effects alcohol had on people. The first time he saw people drunk was when he went to a drinking bar tavern, what he saw there has been the most traumatizing event he had ever seen in his life. He saw men beating a horse for absolutely no reason. Like his father said, “they’re drunk, they’re fooling around, they’re idiots.”  Too Raskolnikov it was more than people just fooling around, it was a living animals life at stake. He ran up to the poor horse wanting to help it, the man beating the horse forced him off. Right after he was pushed he witnessed the final moments of that horses life. Even as an adult Raskolnikov continues to have bad dreams of that particular day. You can already notice from the series of chapters how much of a good heart Raskolnikov has, he cares for animals, helps people when they are in need and cares for his family. 

Davis Knaub Ch. 3, 4, & 5

As this book progresses, I find my view point of the main character, I assumed the antagonist, changing drastically. The beginning of the book portrayed Raskolnikov characters suffering from a possible mental illness, but he still had a certain likeableness about him, despite the atrocities I predicted that he would commit in the coming pages. This following few chapters, strongly changed my opinion of this character. Raskolnikov’s mother sends him a warm and hearfelt letter describing at first how much she misses him and how much she hopes to send him money in the few days after hearing about him dropping out of the university. She then goes on to discuss how drastically their fortunes, as a family, have just changed. Out of the goodness of her heart, his sister Dunechka decides to marry a man just so her brother may have the promise of a better future and the new family plans to travel to Petersburg for the wedding and hope to see Raskolnikov. His reaction to the letter was undoubtedly the most surprising. Rather than being grateful and thankful for what his sister and mother are doing for him Raskolnikov can only scorn them and think of how naive they are. He hurls insult after insult at his family concluding that he will never allow this marriage to happen. As a reader, the letter made me excited for a better future for Raskolnikov, thinking perhaps he would not have to commit the crime that he has been planning. His reaction really solidifies my prediction that he has a mental problem. Something must have happened to make him leave the university, something that allows him to be such a bitter person toward his seemingly doting family. Either way, my perception of Raskolnikov as a character has changed direction entirely as I no longer hope for him to avoid the crime he plans to commit. My hope is that he not only commits the crime, but gets punished severely.