Crime and Punishment Questions

Thu Hien Pham

Bland

AP English Literature and Composition

28 January 2015

Crime and Punishment Questions

1. Discuss Raskolnikov’s state of mind in 1.1. At the beginning, we discover that the main character’s personality is proud, contemptuous, and emotionally detached. His characteristics create an emotionally complicated relationship with people and society in general. The book opens with him contemplating some type of desperate deed that most likely has to do with money (since he has not paid rent in quite a while). Raskolnikov seems to be in a somewhat delirious state of mind that makes him think about committing such a crime like he is now. At the end of 1.1, he goes to get a drink in the tavern. This tavern is filthy and therefore represents the beginning of his gradual descent into malice.

2. Discuss the development of Raskolnikov’s dual character as it begins to unfold in 1.2. His dual character is unfolded when he meets the government official in the tavern name Marmeladov. Marmekadov tells Raskolnikov of his once great life before he drank himself into squalor. After seeing the filthy state of the family and being told that Sonya had to prostitute herself to support the family, Raskolnikov left a little money with them. This shows his compassionate side. However, right after, his proudness is then seen when he brags the the family will be a little better off tomorrow because of his money.

3. Discuss Raskolnikov’s compassionate nature as revealed in 1.3. Raskolnikov’s compassionate nature is shown when he does not allow his sister to marry Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin just for the sake of him. He does not want her to sacrifice herself just for his sake (not thinking that she might want a better life for herself too). This compassion matches the one he has for Sonya when he discovers that she has to sell herself for money, sacrificing herself like his sister is going to by marrying.

4. Discuss Raskolnikov’s humanistic nature as shown in...