Forgive Me Father For I Have Sinned (Part III: chapter 6)

         Almost every child has watched or heard the story of Pinocchio; the story of a boy whose nose grows as he lies with a cricket representing his conscious. Jiminy cricket’s character and actions help the mind, the human and the living soul to make a choice. He focuses on right vs. wrong and good vs evil. While Jiminey Cricket is not walking around with Raskolnikov, an angel and devil are, in a way, sitting on Raskolnikov’s shoulders in these chapters even though he struggling to cope with his overwhelming emotions, his guilt, and wanting to execute his theory. In this section of the book, caught between guilt and his theory, Raskolnikov confesses his actions, to a point, and begins contradicting himself, while being prodded by those who suspect his involvement in the case. Out of paranoia, other people’s actions, the questions and facial expressions of Porfiry, and the encounter with the stranger (the artisan in the street) guide him towards impulsively checking for missed evidence and retreating to solitude. 
      While reading this section of the book, it was hard to distinguish if the artisan was real or just a figment of Raskolnikov's imagination. In my opinion, the artisan represents Raskolnikov's guilt. When the two men walk down the abandoned alley, the artisan does everything Raskolnikov does expect speak. The only time the artisan is heard is when he tells Raskolnikov he is murder. While Raskolnikov speaks in a hushed tone, the artisan speaks at him not to him. It is almost as if the artisan is yelling at him to wake up from his fake reality and confess. After this strange encounter with the artisan, Raskolnikov suddenly is on his couch dreaming. His dream in my perspective resembles his silent cry for salvation. He dreams about a church where one reflects on his sins and confesses. Raskolnikov subconsciously wants to be forgiven for his actions and wants to release the burden of his guilt.  
        When he wakes, Raskolnikov starts to wonder where the artisan came from. He describes the artisan as knowing everything and "rising from the ground". When reading this I connected the artisan with the devil. The devil, just like God, watches everything you do, just from below, waiting for you to mess up. The word "artisan" describes someone who is skilled in a certain profession but at the same time is interested in art. Poe described murder as an art form, something to be praised for. In recent t.v. series such as Dexter and American Horror Story, the murderers view their acts as something they should be proud of not thrown in jail for. Even though the artisan can resemble Raskolnikov's guilt, he could very well resemble someone who is praising Raskolnikov for his barbaric actions. 
      

Comment on Davis Part 3: 4-6

Wendell Pfeffer

Comment on Davis Part 3: 4-6

            Davis makes some really good implications from his latest reading of the novel.  Davis I found it really interesting when you began to discuss about Raskolnikovs mentality issues. You state that he has “a multiple personality disorder throughout the book.” I think this point you made is really interesting, however, I can’t seem to agree with it. Before he committed the murder he was acting like a normal human being. But later on in the novel when he committed the murder problems regarding his psychology really started to kick in. Like you said, “he would act like a calm and collected innocent individual” and then a “sporadic suspect of some unknown crime.” This change of behavior is only being influenced by his guilt of ever committing such an atrocious crime – that’s really it he doesn’t have a disorder.  Furthermore, most of what you said regarding the conversation Porfiry and Raskolnikov had together I agree with; the article he wrote is making Raskolnikov seem guilty in front of Porfiry. Other than that I really like the comment you made about Raskolnikov and how you were actually “rooting for him.” I felt the same way and maybe it is for the reason that he makes himself looks morally right and just while making the victim’s of his crimes look bad. Also Davis I disagree with the statement you made about his dream. The dream is in an indication of what will happen in the next few chapters, it foreshadows what is to come.  

Part 3: 4-6

As usual, these last few chapters portray Raskolnikov struggling with a conflict within his consciousness that makes its way into his actions causing others to question his sanity. The main occurrence in these chapters is the visit to Porfiry Petrovich’s home in which he makes himself appear guilty through his once again bizarre behavior. It almost appears that Raskolnikv has multiple personality disorder throughout this book. He alternates between appearing as a calm and collected innocent individual and other times a wildly sporadic suspect of some unknown crime. This is the first point in the story, however, that readers are given some sense as to why exactly Raskolnikov committed the murder. The article that Raskolnikov wrote “On Crime” basically describes somebody, assumably Raskolnikov, as a “superman” of sorts who is above all of humanity and with it, the moral code. Essentially, Raskolnikov seemed to be saying that he is above the entire world and what he did was not actually wrong, because he does not live by the rules and regulations of the society that he lives in. However, this article only seems to make himself appear guilty to Porfiry when he comes to get his pawned watch. As each page goes on, readers inherently lose any sympathy for Raskolnikov. At the beginning of the book, I somewhat rooted for Raskolnikov, because he seemed to be trying to live out some type of Robin Hood persona. Now, however, he seems to just be justifying his actions with the fact that he is better than everyone, and that the woman that he killed hadn’t a life worth living. As these last few chapters wind down, it appears as though Raskolnikov may finally be headed towards the literal punishment through legal means. Porfiry obviously suspects Raskolnikov of the crime trying to trap him with the question about the painters. Both Raskolnikov and Razumikhin agree that the police are beginning to suspect him as a murderer probably leading Raskolnikov to his dream about trying to kill Alyona, but failing. In this dream, she only laughs as he tries to kill her making him seem incompetent and delusional. This dream indicated to me that Raskolnikov may not be as confident in himself as he makes himself out to be. 

Part III: chapter 4, 5 and 6

Wendell Pfeffer

12/7/13

Reaction: Part III chapters 4, 5 and 6

            By the end of Part III the story already gives the reader a sense of where it is heading. But before that in chapters 4 and 5 there are many important events that lead towards the mind-blowing occurrences in chapter 6. What I noticed in chapter 4 was a possible relationship between Sonia and Raskolnikov - they were giving each other the lovable look, making loving gestures towards each other and Raskolnikovs mother even noticed a bond between both of them. I personally believe Raskolnikov likes her due to the fact that he feels sorry for her, all the pain she has had to go through, of her being a prostitute etc. Another reason to add on towards this notion is she also is the daughter of Marmeladov. Dunia on the other hand does not like Sonia and dislikes the bond that her brother and Sonia have with each other. Maybe it’s for the reason that she does not like the idea that her brother likes a prostitute or maybe she feels a form of jealousy. What I also noticed was Razumkhins rather strange behavior towards Raskolnikov. It seemed apparent in chapter 4 that he really wanted Raskolnikov to visit Porfiry because maybe he’s suspicious of Raskolnikov. Although, it seems unlikely at the end of their conversation when they begin to walk on the street, away from Porfirys house. After the conversation in chapter five I really began to start to fear for Raskolnikovs future because there is a more than likely possibility that he will be accused of the murder. During the conversation Porfiry really made Raskolnikov seem guilty – the combination of his pale face, incessant words and strange behavior really put Raskolnikov in an uncomfortable place. Also when Porfiry spoke words about the recent crime of the old lady and his sister Raskolnikov lost control of himself. Porfiry on the other hand seemed really calm during the conversation, this really made Raskolnikov uneasiness stand out, especially when he Raskolnikov got up to leave randomly.

            Chapter 6 was by far the most important chapter out of part III for the one and only reason that someone in his society knows the true person within Raskolnikov – a murderer. What is really unique about this idea in the novel is how does he know. Did he see him commit the murder himself? This will play out in the next couple of chapters. Other than the artisan himself Raskolnikovs dream was also a really important part in the chapter 6 because it foreshadows the next coming parts in the novel – people finding out that he is the true and real murderer not the painter.

What Does it Mean to be Mental ?

After Raskolnikov seems to begin recovering and  gain more mental normality I am questioning my initial assumption that he is mentally insatiable. He still is sickened by any thought of murder, but who wouldn’t be after committing such crime. Amir was sick not by killing anyone, but by the guilt of watching his friend get rapped. However, we don’t believe he is mentally unstable. Ironically I was watching Law and Order this weekend and a mentally unstable character was accused of murder and was quoting Crime and Punishment. One perspective of the show was that mentally ill people should be forced to take medication as a safety procedure for the public. Another is that being mentally ill is all about perspective. The only reason we know if we are “normal” is if someone tells us we are. Basically, the reason of others determines if we trust our own reason. In psychology metal sickness is centered around being able to categorize the issue with a set of symptoms, and make people “better” with drugs or psychotherapy that fit that category. It’s interesting to think that there is not much difference in the “good and bad” drugs. Both are just ways to manipulate people’s brains. In anthropology you can really see how mental stability is all about your perspective, because in a sense we are all brainwashed. It connects back to the institutions because the institutions inject the ideas of these criteria we use for mental stability. For example, shamans in certain societies do what we would call, having a bad trip and going absolutely psycho. However, they believe they are communicating with the spirit world. In their society, they are doctors and healers and praised. In our society they would be put in a mental hospital. It just proves that our standards for mental stability are not human absolute truths about humanity and the mind. It simply means that in different societies, certain individuals are marginalized for not fitting into guidelines. 

Perhaps Raskolnikov’s reason for stealing was purely economic and the guilt and fighting within himself was what made him crazy.  Something that makes readers think that he had a mental breakdown is the suggestion that in his past he was like the rest of us. The expensive top had and the fact he used to be a student is intriguing because we still don’t know what caused this contrast in character. I think he still fights within himself between being honest and protecting his life. Later it will probably be reviled what made him “tick”.

Comment on Wendell

       I dont not particularly agree with Wendells comment on Luzhin. From what we have read about him we still do not know if he is actually a bad guy. We aren't exactly sure if he is a great guy either, but we have seen that he has made an effort to speak to Raskolnikov and get his approval because he knows that would mean so much to his fiancé. Luzhin has also never treated Raskolnikov's sister poorly thus far. She has never mentioned that she was unhappy with him or of any harm he has caused to her. So I think Raskolnikov is just over exaggerating and making a big deal out of this. Ultimately, I think Raskolnikov is acting very selfish. His sister is trying really hard to get her brother to approve of the marriage, and he continues to bring her down and tell her what a horrible idea this whole marriage is. Raskolnikovs pride and jealousy is getting to the best of him. Luzhin is a hardworking man who has made a lot of money and is now helping support Raskolnikovs own family. I think this angers Raskolnikov because he isn't even able to protect and support his own family in that manner, and since Luzhin can, Raskolnikov acts out on him and openly hates him because he is too prideful to admit that Luzhin is helping out his family and he cant.

Part III:Raskolnikov Recovers?

The opening line of chapter III is that Raskolnikov has recovered gives us the false hope that Raskolnikov's sketchy behavior will stop. If Raskolnikov had truly recovered, wouldn't the book have ended? It still shocks me how sly Raskolnikov can be. Everyone's happiness that Raskolnikov has recovered is based off of a lie. He fakes his progression and his mental stability so he would no longer have to be watched like a hawk by Razumikhin.
The first step Raskolnikov takes to his fake recovery is by apologizing to both Zossimov and Razumikhin. He apologizes for them having to take care of him day in and day out. Secondly, he apologizes to his mother and sister for kicking them out of his apartment when they only wanted to make sure he was alright. Later, he explains how he really had spent the money they had given him. At this point, I started to make a connection between Dunya and Sonya. The two women had given themselves up to allow their family to succeed, one by marrying into wealth and the other by prostitution. Even after he confesses how he spent the money and his apologies, Raskolnikov continues to be disrespectful to his family. He begs Dunya not to continue with the marriage because it is not what a "respectable" woman would do. As Dunya stands up for herself by stating she is "guilty of no ones death." With this comment, Raskolnikov faints. How has he recovered if he still faints at the slightest mention of the murder? How does his family and friends not realize that he still has not recovered? Even after he faints, Razumikhin disregards it and decides to see Porify with Raskolnikov. When Raskolnikov and Razumikhin go to visit Porify, Raskolnikov starts to become paranoid if Porify knew about his visit to the crime scene and for starts to think about confessing.
In chapters three and four we start to learn more about Sonya. Despite her current situation, she tries to do everything she possibly can to help her family. When she walks in to invite Raskolnikov to the funeral, she is shocked by his lack his of money and rightfully so. If someone had given me a good amount of money to help my family I would think that person was from a wealthy family.