Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov (Rodja, Rodenka, Rodka)-poor “student”, protagonist; murders Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna in cold blood; mentally ill-constantly struggling internally (and externally because of it); only real relationship with Sonia; in the end, he turns himself in and falls in love
Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov*-Raskolnikov’s mother, constantly worrying about her son, and sending him money-doesn’t accept that he is a murderer and falls ill, later dies without seeing Raskolnikov again
Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov (Dounia, Dunya, Dunechka)-Raskolnikov’s sister-very similar; breaks off her engagement with Luzhin for family-sacrificial; blackmailed and later threatened by Svidrigailov, but fights back and wins; marries Razumihin …show more content…
Both Dounia and Sonia are religious and symbolize strength and purity, while Raskolnikov is not and symbolizes insanity and depravity. Through this theme Dostoyevsky’s book shows popular thoughts on religion of the time period. (249-262)
In Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, another major theme is justice or moral righteousness, as seen through the character Raskolnikov and his theory of “ordinary and extraordinary men”. Dostoyevsky’s book challenges readers to question the societal norms of morality and decorum. (106-114)
In Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, a third final theme is suffering–both internal and external. Every single character in the novel experiences some sort of suffering, whether Raskolnikov’s internal battle of morality or Katerina’s external fight against consumption. Dostoyevsky’s novel addresses this state and condition of human suffering in life. (52-60, 332-343)
SYMBOLS AND …show more content…
Although Raskolnikov himself is not the narrator, we learn his thoughts and feelings through the extensive use of inner monologue, or him talking to himself, which goes to further emphasize his unstable state of mind.
Crime and Punishment is told entirely in past tense, giving the reader the feeling that he/she is looking back on an event in vain–unable to do anything despite knowing what is about to happen, which builds dramatic irony.
The book was originally published piece-by-piece in monthly installments of The Russian Messenger, a well-known newspaper, which allowed the story to be unraveled slowly, building up suspense and tension.
ADDRESS AT LEAST ONE SIGNIFICANT CRITICAL PROBLEM/QUESTION THAT YOU SAW IN THE TEXT
One significant problem that I saw in Crime and Punishment was poverty. Throughout the novel and its characters, poverty and its effects can be seen everywhere you look. Dostoyevsky uses poverty to address the current social situations of the time as well as provide a motive and reason for familiar importance and self sacrifice–major pillars of his
Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov*-Raskolnikov’s mother, constantly worrying about her son, and sending him money-doesn’t accept that he is a murderer and falls ill, later dies without seeing Raskolnikov again
Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov (Dounia, Dunya, Dunechka)-Raskolnikov’s sister-very similar; breaks off her engagement with Luzhin for family-sacrificial; blackmailed and later threatened by Svidrigailov, but fights back and wins; marries Razumihin …show more content…
Both Dounia and Sonia are religious and symbolize strength and purity, while Raskolnikov is not and symbolizes insanity and depravity. Through this theme Dostoyevsky’s book shows popular thoughts on religion of the time period. (249-262)
In Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, another major theme is justice or moral righteousness, as seen through the character Raskolnikov and his theory of “ordinary and extraordinary men”. Dostoyevsky’s book challenges readers to question the societal norms of morality and decorum. (106-114)
In Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, a third final theme is suffering–both internal and external. Every single character in the novel experiences some sort of suffering, whether Raskolnikov’s internal battle of morality or Katerina’s external fight against consumption. Dostoyevsky’s novel addresses this state and condition of human suffering in life. (52-60, 332-343)
SYMBOLS AND …show more content…
Although Raskolnikov himself is not the narrator, we learn his thoughts and feelings through the extensive use of inner monologue, or him talking to himself, which goes to further emphasize his unstable state of mind.
Crime and Punishment is told entirely in past tense, giving the reader the feeling that he/she is looking back on an event in vain–unable to do anything despite knowing what is about to happen, which builds dramatic irony.
The book was originally published piece-by-piece in monthly installments of The Russian Messenger, a well-known newspaper, which allowed the story to be unraveled slowly, building up suspense and tension.
ADDRESS AT LEAST ONE SIGNIFICANT CRITICAL PROBLEM/QUESTION THAT YOU SAW IN THE TEXT
One significant problem that I saw in Crime and Punishment was poverty. Throughout the novel and its characters, poverty and its effects can be seen everywhere you look. Dostoyevsky uses poverty to address the current social situations of the time as well as provide a motive and reason for familiar importance and self sacrifice–major pillars of his