Isa's Reaction

 This section of the novel definitely picked up for me. While the now expected pain Raskolnikov endures is still in full effect, the sub plots have been developed enough to lend some dramatic tension into an otherwise dull read. Sonya seems to be actually improving Raskolnikov's state of mind. The meeting between the two reminded me that though Raskolnikov is a cold blooded murderer, he is still a human being who has acute but conflicted emotions. Their relationship is still "cordial", but I'm not sure if I want to see it go any further. I don't think he is nowhere near being mentally healthy enough for a romantic relationship.  His rejection of his mother and sister just further demonstrates how conflicted he really is. Its strange that he shuns the two people he has arguably been "protecting" throughout the entirety of the novel. Whether he is sparing himself pain or trying to spare his family pain is the question. Is this behavior once again selfish or does it have more altruistic motivations?

Porfiry is definitely going to become a very important character. His brief appearance thus far has established him as a very threatening character. Being a detective, my first thought was that he would be the one to uncover the truth about Raskolnikov. But then again I thought the truth would be uncovered much sooner in the novel....Speaking of, the decision to draw out Raskolnikov's evading the law is becoming a little too drawn out. The suspense of whether or not he would turn himself in is unfortunately long gone for me. At this point, I don't care at all what he decides to do. I'm not sure if this is a result of the pace of the novel or the just how  unsympathetic this character is turning out to be.

Alex's Post

     I started becoming very interested in Crime and Punishment after reading this section of the novel. The course of the novel has changed drastically. The novel’s focus is not solely on Raskolnikov’s condition anymore, it relies on other characters and the plot has thickened as a result. Although Raskolnikov seems to be doing better in regards to his overall mental health, he is still unable to differentiate his dreams from reality. Throughout this section of the novel, Raskolnikov finds himself questioning whether certain events were dreamt or if they really occurred. It is still unclear to me, as a reader, if the mysterious witness who appears at random moments in the novel is real or if perhaps he is a fragment of a dream; a recurring symbol of guilt for the murders committed earlier in the book. Razumihin seems to take on a new role in Crime and Punishment. He seems to be Raskolnikov’s defender and the new provider and protector of the family, ultimately taking Raskolnikov’s position in the family. Raskolnikov has gained the ability to communicate with others, however, this ability to communicate leads him nowhere since no one will believe his murder confession. 

     I find it interesting that Lizaveta is rarely mentioned in the novel in comparison to the pawnbroker. It is as if Lizaveta’s murder had almost no effect on Raskolnikov. He compares her to Sonia’s character in regards to their inability to fight back. In some ways I feel like Raskolnikov is able to identify with these characters and this is the reason for him trying to become closer to them and to understand them. He finds himself unable to fight back, unable to seek justice for his crimes because of his illness that seems to hold him back. 

     I am unsure who Svidrigailov is and why this character is so interested in Dounia. He seems emotionally unstable and there are accusations against him from his past that lead me to believe he is a violent man. 

     As the reading deepens, we get a better sense of who Luzhin really is; his priorities, his intentions. Although he is practically kicked out of the family, I feel like his stubborn character will return to get what he has already claimed- Dounia. In other words, he will return with a vengeance, perhaps against Raskolnikov. 

     Lastly, Raskolnikov’s encounter with Porfiry shocked me. Instead of considering Raskolnikov as a suspect to the murders, Porfiry wants to become his friend. A series of rants leads Raskolnikov to fantasize about strangling the officer and he gets up and leaves. There is this literal barrier between Raskolnikov and justice. I am eager to see whether Raskolnikov will eventually break through this barrier and seek the justice he has longed for or if he will continue to carry out his punishment for his crime. 

Ryan Pearson's Response to Keri

Keri,

I agree that the book is too long. Apparently Dostoevsky had too much idle time while he was in prison, which I think explains the long and tedious passages. I think like Raskolnikov, he suffers from delusion and mental illness. Clearly his writing supports my theory. In any event, Russian writers are super difficult to follow and Dostoevsky is no exception. His long endless passages to me illustrate the unhappiness of the majority in Russia during this time period and the perpetual treadmill on which their life runs. 

I disagree with you about the book having any humor. I have found the entire read so far dark and depressing, which is probably exactly what Dostoevsky wanted to convey. 

It is apparent to me that Raskolnikov is contemplating confessing. I'm not sure how this will pick up the story but let's hope that it does. I also find it difficult for our group to read 2 books by the same author at the same time. What was Shap thinking? Anyone else agree? I am in Los Angeles until Tuesday; see you then.

Ryan Pearson

Keri's latest post

In the next part of "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Raskolnikov seems to be doing better than before. He is able to hold intellectual conversations and does not fall unconscious. I find it humorous that his condition worsened at first when his relatives came to visit him. However, it is hard to see if he has truly recovered in light of the rant he subjected Zametov and Porfiry Petrovich to. He claims that people are divided into the "ordinary" and the "extraordinary". Only the "extraordinary" commit crimes. I thought this was completely crazy. In my opinion, many innocent or "ordinary" people can be driven to commit a crime or do something of this nature if given a despicable situation. People are not divided into these categories and even if this were at all true, no one could possibly be conscious of it to know whether or not to commit a crime. The whole theory is deranged and it did not deserve almost five whole pages. I swear this book could be cut in half if the rants were not so long. Porfiry Petrovich comments back in intervals with these so called sarcastic remarks. Personally, I did not find them to be sarcastic or funny. The fight, or rather debate I guess, was just stupid.
I hate to say this but in general, this novel is starting to bother me. It is unnecessarily long for the lack of plot that it contains. Raskolnikov is constantly found in the same predicament as he was almost 200 pages before. It is always this constant battle between confessing and keeping his crime to himself. This is an interesting plot line but only for a much shorter amount of pages. There is only a certain amount of time that Dostoyevsky can use this plot line while keeping it interesting. 
Another aspect of the novel that continues to bother me are the names of the characters. I find that the names are so long and difficult to pronounce. This is so evident that it often detracts from the flow of the story. I would be reading the story and picturing it in my head while getting into it and then this ridiculous character name pops up in the midst and it just ruins it for me. If the mere names are not enough, they pop up so frequently and that just makes it worse. 
Overall, I am ready to finish this novel. 

Ryan Pearson's Post

The decision to read several chapters for this week’s posting while difficult and time intensive proved to be a better and more interesting read.  The reading revealed a very calculating side of Raskolnikov which unfolded during his plot to dissolve the engagement of his sister and Luchin. It is interesting to me that Raskolnikov has adopted a persona in which he has inserted his values and decisions for others.  For example, he decided that the life of the pawnbroker was expendable.  Similarly, he has concluded that the relationship between his sister and Duchin is expendable and sets out on his mission to make sure it that it is dissolved.  Further evidence of his internal struggle and torment are revealed throughout the next several chapters.  For example, when his sister mentioned that her impending marriage could be disastrous but that it is not as bad as committing a murder, he fainted.

The story picked up when Sonia went to see Raskolnikov and asked him to attend the funeral of her father.  Dostoeveky did a nice job of humanizing Sonia and Dunya. While quite different individuals, it is evident that both have an interest in trying to help their respective families.  I found the meeting between Raskinolkov and Petrovich when Raskolinov visited him to request his pawned items be returned showed a brazenness that I expect will not serve him well throughout the remainder of the book. At this point (if not before), Raskilnikov realized he was a suspect in the murder.  Equally strange to me was the visit by former employer of Dunya, Svidrigailov.  Why is he so interested in breaking up Dunya and Luchin and in giving her money?  Perhaps it is guilt or maybe he is obsessed with Dunya- either way, traveling to St. Petersburg, tracking down Raskolnikov, rationalizing his life journey and money offering to Dunya justifying his life and the offer of money was an unexpected twist and suspect.

Of course, the major event that this part of the book led to was the break-up of Dunya and Peter Luchin.  The break up was predictable and expected.   It gave a little momentum to the otherwise slow story.  I did not expect however that Raskolnkov would sever his relationship with his sister and mother.  This to me was a defining moment.  It seemed to me that Raskolnikov recognized his freedom may be short lived and in some way he was preparing for his arrest-anyone agree?

I find that Razkolnikov is an extremely complicated person and his inner torment, his ideas of what is right and wrong and his moral compass continue to direct the plot and how it unfolds.

I am still having trouble with the pace of the book and with the translation issue.  It has really slowed down my progress and enjoyment.  Dostoevsky does a strong job of developing a large group of motley and troubled souls, all of whom are trying to survive their mundane existence.  However, at this point, I prefer less character study and more action!

Ryan Pearson