Analysis Of Funeral Banquet By Fyodor Dostoyevsky

In this chapter Fyodor Dostoyevsky takes the reader into the mind of Pyotr Petrovich, the morning after his disastrous interview with Pulcheria and Avdotya. Having awakened after such a horrible night, Pyotr, has a brief period of reflection upon all of his wrong doings during the engagement. He curses himself for having been so parsimonious with his money. He believes that it is due to his lack of benevolence that the engagement went so awry. Upon his returning to the apartment Pyotr learns that he, along with Lebeziatnikov, Raskolnikov and Amalia, among others, have been invited to Marmeladov’s funeral banquet. This information presents Pyotr with an idea as he walks towards his room. Upon his entrance, Pyotr is met by the “half-animate abortion” …show more content…
Katerina Ivanovna has spared no expense for this funeral banquet, she has spent ten roubles of the twenty Raskolnikov has bestowed her with on the funeral feast, an enormous sum for such an event. Her reasoning for the large amount of money spent was based on the idea of “poor man’s pride” which compelled her to show others that she was not a person to be looked “down upon”. After this brief explanation of Katerina’s mentality, the reader is informed by the author that Amalia Ivanovna had been helping Katerina with the preparations. Amalia had provided Katerina with items such as linens, crockery and cutlery. Amalia Ivanovna having felt like she had worked well, as a result she decided to dawn a “black silk dress and a cap with new mourning ribbons”. All these things culminated together to give Amalia an air of pride. Having noticed this, Katerina quickly becomes resentful of Amalia. She feels as though Amalia thinks herself to be “better” than her and her family. Later on, the reader learns that very few of the invited lodgers had arrived for the meal, and those who did seemed only interested in eating, this greatly irritates Katerina. Eventually, Raskolnikov arrives to the joy of Katerina. She thanks him for coming and states that he is destined for an esteemed university job. Katerina begins to complain to Raskolnikov of Amalia’s snobbery. Sonya enters, bringing Pyotr’s apologies that he cannot attend. This pleases Katerina. Katerina continues to ridicule the guests. Later on she goes on to tell Raskolnikov about her plans once she receives Marmeladov’s government pension. She states that she will open a school for the daughters of “gentlemen”. Amalia having been ignored throughout the majority meal, makes a comment saying that Katerina must make sure the linens are clean at this proposed school for girls. Eventually a fight erupts between the two when Amalia demands payment for the rent. In an attempts