Part III: Chapters 1 - 3

These last few chapters seem to have been the most light-hearted portion of the story, thus far. That is probably so, because this part of the piece is dedicated primarily to Raskolnikov’s foil, Razumikhin. His overwhelming affections toward Dunya are portrayed almost as him being naive. Regardless, a shift to focus on a character other than Raskolnikov, who continues to suffer from fainting spells which one can only assume are brought on by his guilt. An important part did occur in this book, however, as Zossimov becomes the first character to label Raskolnikov as mentally ill, which I happen to agree with. Another aspect that seemed to be different in this portion of the novel was how Dunya was portrayed. In the earlier parts of the book, Dunya was made out to be an airhead concerned only about her future based upon Raskolnikov’s reaction to her engagement. In reality, Dunya seems to be quite level-headed making a plot to prove that her fiancé is truly in love with her. This deviation from what Raskolnikov stated earlier in the book further confirms that Raskolnikov is most likely mentally insane as he is incapable of seeing what is going on around him in an accurate fashion. I cannot help but be reminded of my psychology class as I continue this novel. Raskolnikov’s blatant disregard for everyone around him combined with his incessant hallucinations lead me to believe that he may be suffering from schizophrenia. Specifically, Rakolnikov had not seen any of his family members for several years until this point in the book. Unlike a rational person would, Raskolnikov greats them harshly criticizing his sister for getting married without his consent. My pre-mature diagnosis alternates between this and pure narcissism. Raskolnikov seems virtually disgusted with the entire society around him, when it is him, in reality that has committed a crime more heinous that any of them. It is ironic that Rakolnikov expresses such disapproval with those around him despite their continual efforts to help him return to a normal mental state when all of his friends and family have more than enough of a right to disown him for how he is treating him, yet they continue their efforts. I can imagine that Raskolnikov is unconsciously doing this in order to make him self feel less guilty for the murder he has committed. One can tell, however, that Raskolnikov’s emotions are actually starting to break through the wall of consciousness that he has been so zealously trying to conceal. Raskolnikov’s fainting at his sister’s comment about not having killed anyone shows how truly fearful he is for future as it appears only a matter of time before somebody connects his deteriorating mental status and bizarre behavior with the crime.

Comment on Wendell's Post

       I agree with Wendall when he says that because he had tried to help out his old friend Marmeladov to the best of his ability, that he no longer feels guilty, and that he will now be a new, carefree, person. Knowing the unstableness in Raskolnikovs life, I dont think that this "guiltless" feeling will last for long. He even told Sonya, Marmeladov's daughter, not to worry because he would now work and provide for her and the rest of her family so that they would be able to live. I think that he also said this to make himself feel like a better person, as if this nice act would cancel out the terrible murder he committed before. But Raskolnikov doesn't even leave his house, let alone work, so I have no idea how he will provide for this family when he cant even look out of provide for himself. He will soon realize that he hasn't done much at all, and the murder will continue to come back and haunt him.

 

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.