Reaction to part 2

    As Raskolnikov's friends continue to discuss the murder in the comfort of his own home Raskolnikov continues to get even more upset. Randomly, his sisters soon to be husband enters Raskolnikovs house unexpected and unannounced. This causes Raskolnikov to become even more upset. Ofended by Raskolnikov, Luzhin leaves the room, and his friends continue to talk about the murder. Raskolnikov gives little input to the conversation every now and then, but he is still angered any time that the conversation is brought up. His anger soon takes over him, and Raskolnikov kicks all of his friends out of his house. For the first time since the murder was committed, Raskolnikov's friends take note of the fact that Raskolnikov seems to get extremely upset whenever the topic is brought up.
       Despite the fact that we know Raskolnikov is severely ill, he believes that he is feeling much better and goes out to town. Raskolnikov has a very awkward encounter with a police man, Zamyotov, about the murder. He was telling him all about crime and murders claiming to be an expert on both topics. I found this conversation very weird, because immediately after the murder, Raskolnikov was filled with guilt and was paranoid that the police new he was the murderer and would soon be after him. Now, he goes up to a police man and tells him all about how he knows everything there is to know about crimes and getting away with murder.
        I think that Raskolnikovs health is taking over him more so as time passes. He randomly thinks that he is feeling better and decides to go out and act out all confident, but then the next second he is back to feeling ill and has to go to Razumikhin's house so that he could look after him because he had fainted in the middle of the streets of town.

Comment on Jessica

I really like Jessica’s comment describing Raskolnikov’s behavior as “plagued by paranoia and deliria” because it perfectly describes exactly as what is going in this story.  The comment that his life is “plagued” is perfectly on point in that it absolutely consumes his world causing him to be ill sleeping for more than six hours at a time and being constantly forgetful, as Jessica stated. I agree with Jessica in Razumikhin being a foil character as he is essentially the exact opposite of Raskolnikov. For everything that Raskolnikov lacks, his college friend seems to have plus more. The characterization of these people seems to be only of people who Raskolnikov spends significant time thinking about. Whether he is jealous of the person or likes the person, the author makes sure to spend specific time drawing attention to Raskolnikov’s desires as Jessica stated. 

Reaction to Wendell

              It is obvious that Raskolnikov is not mentally sane at this point in the book. Wendell mentioned the incident where Raskolnikov insults Luzhin out of the clear blue. His actions are driven by his guilt that eats away at him. Wendell brings up valid points about Raskolnikov. When Raskolnikov is at the crystal palace, his word choice and mannerisms do not make him seem innocent. Raskolnikov does not want to be caught but at the same time he is not making himself look innocent. He is causing people to question him and maybe even his sanity. When the doctor, Zosimov comes to check up on him Raskolnikov's pulse is extremely fast and Razumikhin explains what had just happened. His attitude towards the new clothes was unexpected and out of the ordinary. Normally people would have been pleased to have new clothing after wearing rags for a couple of years.

            In the first chapter of part III, it is no longer just Raskolnikov’s friends who are worried about his present state but also his family members. When his mother and his sister first appear at his apartment, they are shocked to see him gazing off at nothing. His sister starts to cry at his appearance. It almost seems as if they know something is wrong with him and he has changed for the worst. Zosimov explains to Raskolnikov’s mother and sister that Raskolnikov seems have an obsession of some sort. His obsession, according to Zosimov, is the reason for his present condition.

Part II and Part III: 1-2

    As the story continues, Raskolnikov’s guilt increases and causes his “illness” to worsen. He is plagued by paranoia and deliria since the murder of Alyona and her step-sister. Instead of a physical punishment, Raskolnikov receives a mental punishment that slowly eats away at him.  He tends to sleep for more than six hours at time and is constantly forgetful of conversations he had just had or of recent events. But the murder is the one event that he cannot forget.
            In the first chapters of Part II, we are introduced to Raskolnikov’s only friend from the college, Razumikhin.  Razumikhin plays the role of Raskolnikov’s foil. He does not pity himself, look down on others, and he works hard to earn money.  Razumikhin does not seemed bothered by the fact that he is poor and has to wear second hand clothes while Raskolnikov does not handle his financial state well. In Part II, Razumikhin is portrayed as the caring best friend who only wants to see his friend gain his strength. He offers Raskolnikov  money in return of translations and he goes out and buys Raskolnikov new clothes with Raskolnikov’s money. Throughout the novel, only Razumikhin  Raskolnikov’s mother address Raskolnikov by his first name, Rodya.
            At this point in the book, I have noticed that Dostoyevsky goes into great detail when characterizing. Raskolnikov pays very close attention to the details of others and there is nothing left unturned when he is done examining that person. This gives Raskolnikov more characterization but it also shows how talented Dostoyevsky is. Through the characterizations I have a clear picture of how each character is suppose to look like and how he or she acts.

            By the end of part II, we learn that Raskolnikov’s family is expected in St. Petersburg in a couple of days. In part II, his mother and sister arrive to his apartment in shock. In the first chapter, Raskolnikov is not happy with his family’s presence and rudely orders them to leave at once. Razumikhin, who is somewhat drunk, confesses to Dunya, Raskonikov’s sister, that Luzhin is unfit for her. The two women are frightened of Razumikhin. He comes off intense and insists that the doctor will watch over Raskolnikov if they leave the apartment. It was strange to see Razumikhin telling Dunya that her fiancé is unfit for her. He is not her brother or her father and should not be making that type of comment. It is pretty obvious that Razumikhin has taken a liking for Duyna pretty quickly when he gets jealous that the doctor compliments her.

Chapter 5 - 7

  As the story continues, Raskolnikov’s digression toward insanity ensuing from the guilt of the murder he committed intensifies. Raskolnikov’s guilt seems to be growing so large that I predict that he, himself, will be the cause of his own demise. Every time somebody mentions the crime, Raskolnikov nearly indicates himself with his obvious nervousness and lack of composure over the matter. Specifically, on a visit to the crime with Zayotov, he gets so heated that he almost confesses to the crime. Then when he talks with the painters in old landlady’s apartment, he seems to be in an almost dazed state unaware of what he is saying and asking. This chapter continues to show Raskolnikov losing things that once provided  him with a small sense of sanity. Marmeladov’s death seemed to be a big blow for Raskolnikov, but then seems to provide him with a strange sense of satisfaction when he leaves the family money and a promise of future aid. This seemed to be an attempt to make himself feel some sense of redemption from the guilt of the murder. This obviously wears off toward the end of this part of the story as Raskolnikov collapses from intoxication. His demise continues to appear inevitable. 

Comment on Mikaelas

Wendell Pfeffer

Comment on Mikaelas – October 28

            Mikaela brings some great valid points from her latest reading of the novel. Mikaela I agree that it is incredibly strange that the police have accused the painter for the murder instead of Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov was sick the day of the murder and he is acting rather strange. I disagree when you state that no one “else seems to think that something is mentally wrong with him” and that it is only physical. There were many incidents that people questioned why he looked and acted so strange. I know that you haven’t read this part of the story yet but in the later stages of the novel Raskolnikov has a conversation with Zamiotov, he works for the police station. Raskolnikov brings up the murder of the pawnbroker and proposes an idea of what he would do if he were the one responsible. While he does this he turns pale and becomes really nervous and as a result Zamiotov becomes suspicious. His physical appearance did play a roll but his mental state had an even greater influence, the way he phrased his sentences and acted rather awkward are what caused Zamiotov to become suspicious. Also if I someone committed a murder why would you even think about bringing it up, I understand that Raskolnikov is paranoid but he has to pull himself together if he is going to have a slight chance of getting away with it.  In the end you predicted that Dostoevsky “is trying to add more and more pressure onto Raskolnikov until he will actually burst.” Actually it turned out differently, Raskolnikov is cured from his sickness because he helped try to save someone’s life – Marmeladovs. He leveled off his guilt with a good deed he committed himself into doing. I predict that Zamiotov will accuse Raskolnikov of the murder because of the conversation they had together at the crystal palace. 

Reaction: part 2 - chapter 4-7

Wendell Pfeffer

11/1/13

Reaction: Crime and Punishment

            Raskolnikov continues to show great signs of remorse towards the crime he committed. Before he was in bed delirious and unable to interact with the people around him, but now he is conscientious and fully aware of his surroundings.  Although he is attentive Raskolnikov is to paranoid to think about other things that don’t touch on the subject of the murder. The incident with Luzhin really demonstrates this factor as Raskolnikov uncontrollably insults him for absolutely no reason. He ultimately forces him, Razumikhin and the other people in the room to leave him alone. Raskolnikov is trying to find a way to coup with his guilt; right now he is unable to do so which is causing him to go crazy. He tries to go for a walk but ends up finding himself in the crystal palace talking to Zamiotov. While he talks to this man, Raskolnikov tries to make himself sound innocent but instead does the complete opposite. He kept on re-introducing the topic of the crime and proposes an idea of what he would do if he were the one responsible. He even turns pale which causes Zamiotov to become a little suspicious. I understand that Raskolnikov is facing a tremendous amount of guilt but he has to pull himself together if he doesn’t want to get caught. I believe he can get away with the murder but he has to act casual. I think that Raskolnikov will be caught in the future because of the conversion he had with Zamiotov, it will bite him back in the butt. But beside the current events that just happened, Raskolnikov has finally managed to set himself free when he unsuccessful tries to save Marmeladov's life. The fact that he did something good makes him believe that whatever he did wrong in the past is okay. He has shrugged off his guilt. Raskolnikov even tells himself that his “life had not gone out with the old woman’s”. He has finally overcome his guilt and is ready to move on.