Alex on Isa's and Keri's Themes

Isa:

Although insanity is definitely an emphasized theme in the novel, I would not use it as an excuse for Raskolnikov when he committed the murders. Initially, Raskolnikov did not portray characteristics of mental insanity. I think this became clear to us after the murders. 

Raskolnikov’s motives for the murders were never defined. One could say that there was no motive and that is was due to his pride. Raskolnikov always felt this need to have control over people, perhaps this was his way of taking control. 

Poverty could have very well been Raskolnikov’s motive for the murders, however this contradicts your original statement about it being his pride. The novel never mentions money involving Raskolnikov thereafter. I am leaning more towards the motive being his pride. 

Alcoholism is definitely an issue in the novel. I like the point you made about Raskolnikov never being drunk in the novel despite his clearly delusional behavior. 

(I think your themes are broad, therefore easy to expand upon. I also like that you posed very important controversial questions that can be researched and easily answered throughout your term paper.)

Keri: 

I used guilt too as one of my themes. It is definitely very broad and apparent throughout the entire novel, so it would be easy to reference to. I like the reference you made to the mind and the body being directly connected. 

Redemption is definitely seen at the end of the novel when Raskolnikov officially turns himself in and goes to Siberia. Although redemption is seen within his own mind, it was not enough, he demanded justice in society as well. 

I do not feel like family is a strong theme in the novel. Although you are right, Raskolnikov’s family does not leave, he however, does. There is no stability within his family whatsoever, in fact it is almost as if he feels Sonia’s family is more a family to him that his own. 

I think indifference might also be a weak theme because Raskolnikov does care about that others think of him. He might not care about physical appearance, however, he cares about what others say about him in regards to the murders. His paranoia definitely does not come as a result of indifference about what others think about him. 

Alex's 4 Themes

Some themes relevant in Crime and Punishment include: 

1. Guilt

Guilt is defined as “the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.” It makes the guilty person feel inadequate and angry at those he perceives as judging him. So on top of the crime Raskolnikov committed, he also has to carry the burden of hating who he is in society. Guilt can be strong enough to ostracize you from civilized society and companionship. Guilt was never mentioned directly in the novel, however, considering Raskolnikov’s physiological reactions to the murders, this theme is present throughout the entirety of the book. Paranoia, isolation and mental distress come into play due to his fear of getting caught, his inability to work/think/converse with people and the psychological consequences of the murders. 

2. Retribution/Justice

Consequence comes as a direct result of having committed a crime or offense. To face retribution is something Raskolnikov fears, but there is something within him which makes him feel like it is inevitable and that he cannot escape it. It is almost as if justice is enforced within the laws of a society no matter how much someone tries to keep it a secret. Sometimes the mind itself can be the worse judge, as seen in the mind of Raskolnikov who mercilessly judges himself. He almost does not need to get arrested, his mind is his prison and the judge, the jury and the jailer are all firmly planted in his psyche. 

3. Isolation

Guilt and the fact that he has not faced the consequences for what he did cause Raskolnikov to isolate himself from friends and family. His room is his jail cell. Since he told no one about the crimes, he feels the need to hide himself along with his secret in fear that it might slip out. He finds his secret so abominable that he has to remove himself from regular life. It is almost as if Raskolnikov is infected with a disease (his secret), therefore he does not deserve to go out and be free. Technically, Raskolnikov has convinced himself that he is not worthy of leading a normal life and has sentenced himself to prison. 

4. Human Psyche

The whole novel is an interplay of the psychological movement of someone who has to deal with horrible guilt caused by withholding a secret. The novel is an experimentation of extremes: Can a man survive the torture instilled upon by his own mind? The answer is no. Man must face the consequences for his actions, whether it is within himself or in society’s judicial system. The author in this novel is showing just how fragile mental stability and health can be and how interdependent these two concepts are.

Isa on Keri's themes

Keri,
Of the 4 themes, my two favorites are guilt and family. Guilt is a great theme to choose just because it is so rampant throughout the novel. What so interesting is that you could write the question if Raskolnikov actually does feel guilt or is it simply fear? Is this character even capable of guilt?
You could also choose family because family is essential for this character's development. Even though he is such a cold man, Raskolkiov shows deliberate affection and concern for his family. Even Sonya becomes his pseudo-family signaling that he likes to be "needed."
Though the other two themes could be applicable, I think they would be harder to write about for a 2000 word research paper.

Isa's comment on Ryan's themes

Ryan,
I find all 4 of your themes very well thought out and original. Of the 4, my two favorites are number one and number two. I think the first one is great because you would have a lot to talk about. I remember you writing about the setting numerous times in your blog posts, and you obviously noticed a comparison from the beginning. The gloomy setting is the perfect backdrop for a miserable life, and that is certainly what Raskolnikov had.
I think the 2nd one is also great because it is much broader than just the book. You could tie both the setting of the novel, and the political setting of the era. The low atmosphere of the book's setting could be explained by Russia's problems as a whole at the time. This influenced the small Russian town which influenced Raskolnikov, much like a chain reaction.
The other two themes are also very good, but I think they would be more difficult to write about. I think the connections are less, and therefore not as easy to fill 2000 words on.

Isa's 4 possible themes

Four possible themes in Crime and Punishment are:
Insanity- Roskinolikov's delusional thought processes and obviously, the murder he commits tells the reader that the character is mentally incapacitated. But what is interesting about this character is he almost seems to shift between stable cohesiveness and completely crazy behavior. One could argue that he is in fact a psychopathic lunatic or just a man who has never been emotionally stable.  Does this show that "insanity" is really just situational? Though the prosecutors say he is mentally unstable, he himself never explicity states he is crazy. He wonders if he is... which in my opinion, shows he was cohesive and healthy enough to understand the insanity of his actions. Was Raskolnikov insane; is that why he killed the two women, or is that simply an excuse?
Pride- Raskolnikov's motive for his murders was always confusing. Was it lunacy? For money? For fun? What is clear was his very apparent pride. Raskolnikov's  belief that certain men are superior to others, and that succumbing to anything is weakness demonstrates his immense pride that ultimately would never change. Many main character often undergoes a change at the end of novels. On the contrary, in the epilogue it is very clearly seen that Raskolnikov never gave up on his belief that certain men are above the law, and have the privilege to due what they please.... if that is murder, then so be it. Male pride can often overrule rational thought, and that was the case with Raskolnikov.
Poverty- IF anything were a clear sign of why Raskolnikov killed the two women, it would be poverty. After all, he was very poor and living in squalid conditions. But then he would turn around and give money to the drunk girl on the street. And he didn't seem to show much concern about the landlady's money in the end. So why then? Did Raskolnikov actually care about money? Was he sane enough to care? Money has a very interesting context within the story. The women earn by either prostitution or cleaning, and many of the men are naturally rich. Does money once again cause a gender segregation? Does money rule this Russian society?
Alcohol- Alcohol is seen in almost every scene of the novel. Whether drunkenness, or a simple glass of wine, alcohol seems to be a major character. It brings the question; do these people use alcohol as a means to survive? I use survive in such a way to suggest day to day activities. Is the mundane of this society represented through alcohol? It's also interesting to note that Raskolnikov, arguably the least sane, is never seen intoxicated. Constrastly, some of the more "proper" members are downing the drinks. Does Dostoyevsky write this distinction on purpose? And why is alcohol so common, so accepted?

Ryan Pearson on Isa's Themes

Isa,

All four of your themes are broad enough to have no issue in being able to expand to fit the minimum paper length. You ask good questions in your descriptions of the topics. Of the four, I think it would be most interesting to write on insanity. You could explore your thoughts on why you believe Raskolnikov killed the pawnbroker’s sister, etc. Your second best option would be pride. This topic allows for extensive debate on your opinion of his attitude and actions. Your final two possible themes seem weaker to me. I can’t find as much to expand on in them and think you would have a hard time writing a long enough paper without fluffing it too much.

Ryan Pearson 

Keri's comment to Isa

Isa,
I agree that Insanity is definitely a viable theme. I think it accurately describes Raskolnikov's demeanor. To answer your question,  I do think that insanity is situational. I think this is a very strong theme.
I also agree that Pride is a great theme. I think that Raskolnikov's pride often kept him from making the correct decision. I feel as though our research papers would be lacking if we did not mention this in some form.
I think the first two themes aforementioned are stronger than the last two. I think that they are on point but I feel like more can be talked about in regards to the other two.

Keri's comment to Ryan

Ryan,
Although I really like all of the themes you chose, there are a few that stand out over the others. I liked your second one the best because I think that it compares two entities that not many people would put together upon first reading the novel. I think that this theme is one that the author snuck in there thinking that not many people would pick up on it.
I think that the third one can be interpreted similarly. Both of these themes deal with Russian life and attitudes toward it. Therefore, I think that both of these topics should just be put together under the umbrella of one theme. Generally, I just like the second topic better because I believe that the third one can fit in with it.
In my opinion, the other two are weaker. I feel like much more could be written about the others.

Ryan Pearson on Keri's Themes

Keri,

Of your four potential themes, the one I find will be easiest to write on is guilt. There is plenty to talk about in it- from the initial sickness to the long-term. You could talk about the differences in the way Raskolnikov details his surroundings and does certain things. My next choice would be a discussion on the prevalence of family. Personally, I think it might be easier if you extended the theme to compare the dynamic found in Raskolnikov’s family to Sonia’s. Redemption and indifference feel like the weaker to, to me. I think there is less substance to those two. Redemption could almost be tied into the discussion of guilt if you chose that route.

            Ryan Pearson

Keri Potential Themes

There are more than four themes that I think could work for a research paper on this novel but here are the most evident four:
1) Guilt
Upon first reading this book and really getting into the plot line, this was the first theme that came to my  mind. After Raskolnikov first commits the murder, he immediately feels horrible. He instantly tries to cover his tracks. Not even a few days later, he drives himself ill. The first thought I had upon reading this was that this illness was a direct result of the guilt he felt after committing his crime. It makes sense since the brain and body are connected and emotions can affect people physically. I just kept noticing this recurring idea of guilt and I think that a research paper would be lacking if guilt was not mentioned in some shape or form.
2) Redemption
Although redemption is similar to guilt, they are two completely different entities. Guilt is the act of regretting something that has been done but redemption is the act of doing something to absolve this regret. Since Raskolnikov constantly feels this guilt, it is only natural for him to want to free himself of guilt. Even though nothing was explicitly said about redemption, Raskolnikov's madness implied that he needed it.
3) Family
There is a recurring theme of family in this novel. It seems as though Raskolnikov's family never leaves. They never stop needing him involved in familial affairs. Raskolnikov's mother corresponds with Raskolnikov and asks him for advice. Once Raskolnikov's family visits him, it seems that Raskolnikov becomes less adverse to confessing. I do not think that this is a coincidence.
4) Indifference
In the first scene of the novel, Raskolnikov says that he does not care what others think of him. He does not even care what he looks like. I think that this care-free personality is what may have caused him to commit his crime in the first place. This lack of thinking through actions seems to blame.

Ryan Pearson Potential Themes

Term Paper Potential Themes:

1.     How the setting of Crime and Punishment affects the story’s plot

a.     The setting of the story is an important element for the story and provides the underlying theme, evident throughout the novel. The book has an overarching tone of gloom and despair. Alcoholism is rampant, as is unemployment. During this time period, the 1860s, in real life, St. Petersburg was a thriving economic center in Russia, yet Dostoyevsky outlines the bad in every quality of it. He talks of the city as unusually hot, almost as if always on the verge of eruption and climax. 

2.     How Raskolnikov’s outlook on life and personal psyche mirrored the ideals and philosophy of Russians during the time period

a.     Alexander II of Russia ruled during the time period detailed in Crime and Punishment. Russia was in need of much reform. The gap between the noble and lower classes was huge and caused many problems. The serfs were treated horribly; the legal system and educational system needed to be changed. In 1861, Russia abandoned serfdom, meaning that nearly 23 million people gained freedom and were able to exist on their own without needing to get consent to marry, own property, or own a business. This was a welcomed change, however it left many on their own to fend for themselves for the first time.

3.     How Dostoevsky uses the characters in the book and the conditions in St. Petersburg to make a commentary on Russian life during that period

a.     The book is full of prostitutes, abusive parents, poverty, and corruption. Having also read Notes From The Underground, I noticed that this story is not the only one in which Dostoyevsky describes how oppressive the conditions of living in St. Petersburg were. He, himself, grew up in in Moscow and used his personal experiences to detail the severity of the deplorable conditions.

4.     Character analysis of Raskolnikov, Dunya, and Sonia: their similarities and differences

a.     The three main characters in the novel share similar humble and complicated backgrounds, yet each of them take their experiences and use them in different ways. Raskolnikov isolates himself from others and believes he can pass judgment on everyone. Raskonikov’s sister Dunya chooses to work as a maid for a creepy and perverted man. Even when his wife spreads terrible rumors about her, Dunya remains proud and good spirited, and rises above the strife. Similarly, she agrees to marry Peter Luzhin for many reasons including, and perhaps most importantly, because it would benefit her family and brother. Young and innocent Sonia goes to the extreme to support her family by selling her body in prostitution. She is chastised and looked down upon by society, yet she remains stoic, pious, and considerate, never outwardly complaining about her terrible situation or family turmoil.

Ryan Pearson

Alex's Final C&P Post

     Crime and Punishment was a punishment. As a high school student and contemporary American reader, I felt that this novel seemed dated. The novel was written over 150 years ago by a Russian author. I could tell the book was translated because of the way the setting was described, Raskolnikov’s thought process, the foreignness, the difficulty to follow the names of the characters, the density of the plot, the non-action, and the cruelty and destitution belonging to a peasant era. 

     The length of the novel is appropriate considering the psychological torture that Raskolnikov endures, however, it was painful to read because I felt like the novel kept going in circles. I would find myself analyzing Raskolnikov’s day to day behavior to discover if his character felt any regret for the murders. It was not regret that he felt, however, it was the torment from having to hide his secret. From exposing his secret, even if it was just to Sonia, he felt some sense of relief. This goes to show that someone so out of touch with reality can somehow still form a connection and trust another person. The point I am trying to make is that no one can truly disconnect from society. As much as Raskolnikov shuttered himself in his room and alienated everybody, he still retained enough humanity to feel the deep guilt necessary to almost lose his mind. This led him to eventually turn himself in, like Ryan said, “503 pages later.” 

     What was Dostoevsky trying to explore through this character? I believe he wanted to demonstrate the poor capacity which the mind possesses to remain neutral in the face of guilt, crime, paranoia, isolation and physical weakness. Even though this character was angry and tried to push away all social regard for decency, laws and a sense of right and wrong, he was not able to succeed and his mind imploded to the brink of madness. 

Isa's 2/16/14 Post

I have to say, after such a drawn out novel, and the constant torture that Raskolnikov goes through, his long awaited murder confession was disappointingly anti-climactic. But maybe that was the point. After all, murders are often committed in a moment of insanity, and animalistic instinct. Murders that come from jealousy, or crazed love are even said to be called passion killings. But what comes after is what truly is chilling. There is no "excitement", if one could call it, in facing the mistakes that have ultimately cost you your life. So I think Dostoyevsky built up that confession to such a point and then let it simply fall versus crash down to demonstrate the quiet finality of life's outcomes.

The epilogue I felt was sort of random but necessary for this novel. The novel would have almost worked just as well if it ended on such a stark note. But the epilogue does provide some satisfaction for the reader. Raskolnikov could be seen as changed yet completely the same at the time of his ordeal. His true love for Sonya was actually sort of rushed for me though I'm sure it was meant to be touching. I did not really believe that this character went through a complete 180 and now accepts this woman as his equal especially when he is in such a state. His 'love' for her, I think, is just a result of the prison he is in and the desperation to connect to anyone. I think this because of his confession that he doesn't really see what he did as a reflection of him, but simply an error in his judgment. Its fairly obvious that his pride will always be his number one. Sorry Sonya. As a whole, this novel was painful to read, not only for the length but also Raskolnikov. His tortured self was pitiful but also unsettling. The glimpse into a "temporarily" insane man was chilling, which I think is a testament to Dostoyevsky's writing.

Ryan Pearson 2/16/14

Well, it took 503 pages for Raskolnikov to confess. 503 pages! To get to that point there was a lot of rambling and character studies, and of course, plenty of commentary of daily life in bleak and oppressive St. Petersburg. I am thrilled that the novel is finally over and while there were a couple of shining moments, in my opinion, the story could have been summed up in 200 pages or less. Interestingly, I think that the activity that occurred up to page 503 took place over a three-day period (or maybe up to a week)—anyone agree? Few highlights if you can call them that:  Svidrigailov was one depraved and sick man—of course he had the hots for Dunia and of course he used everything he could to try to manipulate her to come back to him to protect her brother? Did anyone else get the feeling that in addition to sleeping with the help (with the approval of his wife) he was also a pedophile? It was no loss when he took his own life in the book—his time had come. Sonia and Dunia were of course standout characters who remained loyal to Raskolnikov until the end.  While they were different in many ways, they both possessed an abundance of kindness and goodness and probably most importantly, they both understood the difference between right and wrong. I did find it odd that Sonia moved to Siberia to visit and be with Raskolnikov—very hokey.  Raskolnikov—definitely a sick guy, although Dostoevsky did a nice job of revealing his inner torment and struggle—strangely, he eventually found peace while in Siberia and his hardened and tormented inner soul was unleashed in the epilogue. To me, that part was creepy. The writer, in the end, actually tried to make you feel sorry for him and feel happiness that he found love and a new beginning with Sonia. Some of the low points—the cat and mouse game with the detectives—way too long and detailed. The constant detail about Raskolnikov and his internal struggle—too long and too often. The amount of death and despair exhibited throughout the book—look how many people died in the span of a few days and how circular or coincidental was the story?  And how many different knights in shining armor surfaced, no matter how depraved and sick they were?  I could go on and on about the book but I won’t.  Let me just say that I guess I am glad I read it, although it was incredibly long and painful. I now know I am not a big fan of books translated from Russian—too hard to follow and too time intensive to understand the story and the characters.  I am so thankful that this is the last bog post on the plot of this book!

Ryan Pearson