Alex's 3rd 500 Words

    Raskolnikov’s guilt stemming from the murders of Lizaveta and the Pawnbroker, deems to be unbearable physically and emotionally. Guilt is a natural cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes that he or she has compromised his or her own standards of conduct or has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. Although guilt is usually associated with feelings of regret, Raskolnikov does not show any signs of regret for his actions. The crimes seem to have been a mishap in communication between his conscience and his body. Raskolnikov  takes responsibility for the crimes committed at the start of the book. He grows a desire or need of self-inflicted punishment, for the purpose of relieving the burden and giving him a sense of closure or retribution for his actions. He drives himself into isolation, which only serves to intensify his inner sense of self-condemnation. The novel depicts the struggle of the human psyche against guilt. This struggle shows just how prone one is to physical and mental deterioration when confronted with the tremendous burden of guilt. Raskolnikov is not able to withstand the effects of guilt; physically nor emotionally. His internal drive to serve the consequences for his actions, ease him into a mental inner loop of thought and worry. He becomes jailed in his own mind, where expectations for his rightful or deserved punishment become increasingly strict. His room is his jail cell as well as his mind. The internal struggle to keep this abominable secret proves stronger than his emotional capacity. Other than mental isolation, Raskolnikov physically barricades himself from the world. He avoids social encounters at all costs and eventually becomes unable to participate in any kind of social activity. Anyone who tries to help Raskolnikov becomes the enemy- the world itself is the enemy. The unbalance of physical and emotional forces reaches its peak during this period of intense rejection and isolation. Raskolnikov merely relies on the help of others, which he refuses. However, he is unable to function or survive in society without it. 

Isa's 3rd 500 Post

Like any “tragic flaw”, Raskolnikov’s excessive hubris eventually leads to his downfall. One of the deeper consequences due to his pride is the isolation that Raskolnikov subjects himself to. He has effectively driven away the “beloved’’ in his life. Only Sonja seems to still believe in him, and that is only on the promise of his surrender. Once boastful and sure of himself, Raskolnikov now lives in constant paranoia and fear of his imminent capture.  It is fairly ironic that such a prideful man has morphed into the weaker individual; exactly the type of man he despises. His rejection of support has led him to a diminished state.

“Dreams are the royal roads to the unconscious.” Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is noted for the importance he placed on dreams. If one were to apply Freud’s methods to Raskolnikov, then Raskolnikov’s complex character could be deciphered. The reader greets and says Farwell to Raskolnikov with his first and last dream. The two trances contrast the differences in mind set as time goes on.    In the prison infirmary, Raskolnikov dreamt of an apocalyptic world where a plague swept across the nations. A select few are able to survive while the majority of the world parish at the hands of this infection. Superficially, one could say that the survivors represent the superior men that deserve and have found a way to survive amongst filth. But the countless deaths that occur also symbolize the repressed guilt that is only shown unconsciously, for Raskolnikov’s pride masks any remorse while awake.  Raskolnikov could easily be transferring himself as the actual illness. It is men like himself that infects society and kills those that are weaker.  It is interesting to note that Raskolnikov never gives an explicit reason for his so called superiority.  It is simply that he is born so gifted. The lack of explanation could be an actual ignorance. Raskolnikov himself has no explanation but his pride does not allow him to think of such a thing. 

Keri's 3rd 500 words for her term paper

 Dostoyevsky demonstrates in "Crime and Punishment" that guilt can result in heavy drinking since the person's mental stability is not necessarily in check after having committed a crime. The guilt he feels after his crime makes Raskolnikov feel as if he needs to drink and sleep to make himself forget about what he did and the repercussions that come with it.
Guilt has been shown to cause such behavior. It makes sense in human nature since people tend to use defense mechanisms to make themselves feel better about whatever it is they did.  This can, oftentimes,  change a person's behavior. Drinking oftentimes makes people forget about their daily lives so it is often used as a kind of defense mechanism. Another kind of defense mechanism used would be cautious behavior. They can comfort themselves in the fact that they are not doing anything illegal in the current moment. In this way, when someone has done something wrong, it is oftentimes transparent from an aerial perspective whether that be through heavy drinking or extremely cautious behavior. 
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. He essentially overcompensates which could also be seen as a defense mechanism. This would be called repression. Raskolnikov represses his feelings by sleeping and falling unconscious. In this way, guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, depression and other emotions of this sort can also cause repression in that a person sleeps constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, it was obvious to me and all readers that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt. This reiterates how transparent guilt can be. 
In a similar way, guilt can cause a fever like that seen in "Crime and Punishment". It can also cause more severe illnesses. This is due to the amygdala which is the part of the brain that associates emotions with occurrences in a person's life. The amygdala makes it possible for a person to know while they feel a certain way. As a result of this, a person can know that they feel this way due to an exact circumstance that occurred. 
Guilt can also affect a person physically. An example of this would be avoiding direct eye contact with someone. Another example is Raskolnikov's fever mentioned above. All of these instances represent defense mechanisms and how they work to relieve from people the guilt they feel. 

Ryan Pearson Part 3

Dostoyevsky also uses the prevalent abuse of alcohol to illustrate the unhappiness and despair that permeated St. Petersburg in the mid-nineteenth century. Many of the characters drink daily and suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol is used as an escape from reality and is introduced into the story by Dostoyevsky as a social commentary about the troubled and harsh reality of life in St. Petersburg. Dostoyevsky implies that alcohol is one of the main causes of misery and suffering in St. Petersburg and indeed alcohol permeates many of the story lines. For example, several of the important scenes take place in or around crowded and dirty taverns.  Raskolnikov, himself, often frequents local drinking pubs and much of the story line is developed in these places. Raskolnikov meets Marmeladov the father of Sonia and husband of Katerina at a tavern at the beginning of the novel. Marmaladev is an alcoholic whose drinking problem is wrecking his family and himself, and, in the end, leads to his death, either accidentally or intentionally—this is unclear. Also, during a visit to a different pub, Raskolnikov overhears a student talking about Alyona Ivanov, the pawnbroker, and how society would be better off if she was dead. The idea to kill Alyona and is seemingly hatched in this bar and the murder of Alyona and her sister is central to the plot, the demise of Raskolnikov and the events that unfold in the novel. Interestingly, Raskolnikov does not drink, but despises those who do. Even at the funeral of Marmeladov, Katarina ironically spends much of the money Raskolnikov gives her to buy alcohol for the guests, even though alcohol is the main cause for the death of her husband and the demise of her family. Dostoyevsky brilliantly uses alcohol in Crime and Punishment to symbolize the suffering of those living in St. Petersburg and the weakness and vulnerability of man.

Dostoyevsky uses two distinct character studies to illustrate the path of mankind and to provide a commentary on life in St. Petersburg. First, he develops the feelings of day-to-day futility, lack of purpose and hopelessness in Raskolnikov, Marmeladov, and Katarina, to show how their impoverished lives lead them to a path of isolation and unhappiness, and consequently, bad decisions. In contrast, in characters such as Sonya, Razumikhin and Dunya, Dostoyevky illustrates that those who do not succumb to poverty or hopelessness but rely on devotion to family, friends and faith to guide their choices live life filled with compassion and a better sense of morality.  Dostoyevsky effectively uses these two distinct character types to develop the story line in Crime and Punishment.

Ryan Pearson

Alex's 2nd 500 words

     Raskolnikov’s external need to escape the guilt-ridden memory of his crime proves impossible even in his self-imposed isolation. The definition of guilt, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is the “responsibility for a crime or for doing something bad or wrong”/ “a bad feeling caused by knowing or thinking that you have done something bad or wrong”. Throughout the course of the novel, the initial guilt experienced by Raskolnikov is intensified as he undergoes the internal and external conflicts of his psyche. Raskolnikov’s inability to face society with a guilty conscience makes it impossible for him to interact with people to the point where his guilt leads him to unconsciously want to be found out so he can relieve himself of the burden. The internal forces which facilitate his need to confess and relieve the guilt are his self-accusatory thoughts, his fear and want of consequence and punishment. Raskolnikov is aware of his inevitable fate with his society’s judicial system. Consequence becomes something to look forward to when the guilt becomes too much to contain. 

     The external force of the state’s laws against murder is the preventative force. Exile is not a pleasant option for Raskolnikov, however it is his only option if he wishes to confront the guilt that unhealthily consumes him. Knowing his inevitable fate is what initially prevents him from wanting to address the police directly as well as his guilty conscience. Even in the confined space between the walls of his apartment, Raskolnikov finds it almost impossible to reach his socially deprived mind and work up the courage to confront the external forces that are driving him to insanity. Although his conscience is very much aware of the gravity of his situation, the conflict between his wanting to relieve the guilt and his fear in confronting state officials about his actions comprises the major internal struggle that Raskolnikov experiences in the novel. 

Alex's 1st 500 words

     Dostoyevsky proves in the novel Crime and Punishment that mental stability rests on internal and external forces being in harmony with each other and cannot exist either in rejection or isolation. The constant conflict between internal and external forces are what drive Raskolnikov to the brink of insanity. Equilibrium is essentially what the human body relies on most in regards to mental stability. When one overpowers the other is when homeostasis is compromised as well as the balance of the human psyche. 

     Mental stability, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is “the quality or state of someone who is emotionally or mentally healthy.” Drawing upon contemporary psychological definitions and instances from the novel, I will argue that it rests on both external and internal forces being in harmony. Raskolnikov loses his sense of self through this unbalance and is therefore unable to function in civilized society. Internal forces such as his conscience, self-judgement, paranoia, over-thinking, rejection and rebellion against morally acceptable behavior are jeopardized and sometimes appear to come back to the character in abrupt intervals throughout the novel. Rakolnikov is never consistently aware of his internal capabilities throughout any portion of the novel because of the opposing external forces that act upon the internal and contradict it. Social, judicial, moral and cultural influences impact Raskolnikov’s abilities to perform simple tasks that provide minimal emotional effort. The pressures of civilized society seem to be too much for Raskolnikov. This huge conflict is what destabilizes and ultimately destroys Raskolnikov’s mental and emotional well-being. 

Isa's 2nd 500 Words

Raskolnikov’s pride is a part of a vicious cycle. His own delusions hinder his ability to grow and instead feed his self-importance. The regulations he has set for himself, those of a superior man, enable him to disassociate with the brutality of his actions. By adhering to the rigid guidelines, he never fully comprehends the extent of his doings.  Without this self-awareness, his pride is forced to emerge as his forefront characteristic and controls different aspects of his life.

Almost every individual is prideful. But through the novel, it is proven that pride became Raskolnikov’s downfall. His high self-regard impedes his emotional tethers. Raskolnikov has a strong familial presence around him. His mother and sister love him though he continually alienates himself. His human connections are limited due to the esteem to which he holds himself at. It is ambiguous whether Raskolnikov disregards others due to self-importance or the thought that dependence is weak. But it is very probable that the lack of stable love in his life could be due to a latent belief that he does not require help, leading to a constant isolation. His relationship with Sonja is enigmatic; he confesses he loves her, but only while incarcerated. After all that has occurred, it is difficult to judge whether Raskolnikov is genuine, or even capable of sincerity. Even more telling is his relationship with Razhumin. Razhumin seems to be the antithesis of Raskolnikov. He is accepting, loyal and understanding. And though he continually offers his support, Raskolnikov constantly rejects it. In fact, he mocks the man. Friendship with Raskolnikov will never be conventional or even healthy because his pride does not allow for a two sided relationship.

‘Pride and self-confidence were growing in him every moment; with each succeeding moment he was no longer the man he had been a moment before. What special thing was it however, that so turned him around?” (172) Raskolnikov’s esteem has begun to tamper dangerous outcomes. His self-confidence now efficiently thwarts any desire to turn himself in. Raskolnikov would hesitate with a life of freedom vs. incarceration. He knows prison guarantees some peace of mind, but he also recognizes the alternative. As time goes on, his psychosis develops further as does his pride. Delusions lead him to believe he can now escape the law and escape repercussions of what he has committed. His interactions with Porfiry feed his arrogance and the dangerous cat-and-mouse between the two entertains Raskolnikov. Now engaged is this “duel” with the investigator, confessing morphs further into the “weaker” option.

 

Ryan Pearson Term Paper Part 2

           The hot and stifling climate referred to by Dostoyevsky throughout the novel also effectively illustrates the oppressive atmosphere which existed during the mid-nineteenth century. The miserable environment and stifling weather conditions symbolize the constant suffering in St. Petersburg and serve as a constant reminder of the uncomfortable existence of the Russian population during this time.  These constant references provide the reader with a somewhat realistic impression of life during this period. For example, throughout the novel Dostoyevsky references the stickiness and humidity prevalent day-to- day and the bad “odor” that fills the city. Similarly, he writes about the crowdedness and dirtiness of St. Petersburg. This theme permeates the book and operates as a constant reminder of unhappiness and despair. The imagery conveys the personal struggle and sense of hopelessness experienced by so many lower socio-economic Russians struggling to survive.  It also is a brilliant use of foreshadowing by Dostoyevsky which helps him illustrate the inescapable desperateness of some of the main characters in the story including Raskolnikov, Marmeladov and his wife Katerina. 

The inability to escape St. Petersburg and its weather symbolizes the inability to escape reality, and contributes to the demise of many of the novel’s characters. Marmeladov uses alcohol to avoid his responsibilities and life, which ultimately contributes to his death. His wife Katarina fares no better. She suffers from illness which she cannot escape.  She lashes out physically and emotionally to those closest to her: her children and her husband. She drives Sonya to a path of prostitution as a way to provide money to Katarina and her family.  She dies from her sickness, which, similar to the oppressive climate and harsh life, she is unable to escape. The disorder, bedlam and oppressive environment contribute to and parallel Raskolnikov’s disturbed state of mind.  In fact, it is only at the conclusion of the story when Raskolnikov is sent to a prison in Siberia that he is able to escape the “prison” of St. Petersburg and release some of his anger and troubled mind.

In addition, Dostoyevsky uses prevalent social problems in St. Petersburg, including high unemployment and poverty, to develop the theme of the novel and to support the actions of many of the characters.  Most of the characters in the story have no money. Poverty binds these characters together in many ways although their financial struggle also leads to poor decision-making and ill-advised conduct. The social and financial injustices revealed in Crime and Punishment are detailed in the actions of many of the characters including Raskolnikov, his sister Dunia, and Sonia. 

Raskolnikov lives in a state of agitation that fuels his thoughts and clouds his judgment. His impoverished life and his need for money lead him to the home of Alyona Ivanovna, the pawnbroker.  He develops a lingering disdain for her and her treatment of others.  He concludes that life would be better without her and creates a plan to kill her. Raskolnikov executes his plan and kills Alyona and her pitiful sister Lizaveta, who shows up before he is able to flee from the scene of murder. His sister Dunia follows a different path. She agrees to marry Peter Luchin solely for financial stability. The contemplated marriage is seemingly loveless but filled with conveniences and ulterior reasons by both Dunia and Luchin.

Ryan Pearson

Keri's second 500 words for her term paper

 Dostoyevsky demonstrates in "Crime and Punishment" that guilt can have a debilitating effect on a person's mental stability through Raskolnikov's journey after having committed his crime. The guilt he feels after his crime goes to show how debilitating guilt is.
Guilt is an emotion that occurs when a person believes that they have violated a moral standard that they themselves believe in. This emotion can, oftentimes, restrict freedom and/or change a person's behavior. People tend to act cautiously when they are guilty. When someone has done something wrong, it is oftentimes transparent from an aerial perspective.
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. Guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, Depression and other emotions of this sort can cause a person to sleep constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, tt was obvious to me that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt. This reiterates how transparent guilt can be. 
Guilt can cause a fever like that seen in "Crime and Punishment". It can also cause more severe illnesses. This is due to the amygdala which is the part of the brain that associates emotions with occurrences in a person's life. The amygdala makes it possible for a person to know while they feel a certain way. As a result of this, a person can know that they feel this way due to an exact circumstance that occurred. 
Guilt can also affect a person physically. An example of this would be avoiding direct eye contact with someone. Another example is Raskolnikov's fever mentioned above. 
In turn, people may wonder if it is even possible to redeem oneself from guilt. It is possible to free oneself of this guilt and to change. After some time has gone by and punishments have been administered, it is possible to become a better person. One just needs to learn from their mistakes and truly make an active effort to change their morals and ideals. 

Isa's Comment on Ryan

Ryan,
Your introductory paragraph was excellent. I felt that you provided the right amount of general information about Russia while still reminding the reader the relevance of the topic. You set it up nicely so that the rhythm of was not interrupted when you began your first paragraph. I think that the research aspect of this paper is excellent, but I do feel that you are missing a little bit of analysis, or your own interpretation rather than just details from the novel. Other than that, I think you have written a great beginning and I look forward to reading more.

Isa's Term Paper first 500 words

The seven cardinal sins are the following; lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.  Each one contributes to the demise of an individual. Pride is defined as a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements. And this often fatal flaw has been written into many of literature’s complicated characters; Oedipus, Macbeth, King Claudius etc.  Crime and Punishment is a composition that denotes the fragility of the human psyche and the consequences of one’s actions. But the protagonist’s pride and zealous self-belief contribute to his catastrophic downfall. While pride can be positive, more often than not, pride only leads to false delusions of grandeur. Raskolnikov is severely hindered it is impossible for Raskolnikov to undergo any change as his pride cripples his emotional growth.

Raskolnikov could be described as a somewhat enigmatic character. His sudden shifts from a rambling mad man to coherence often polarize the reader. Mental illness is never explicitly spoken, but as the novel progresses, Raskolnikov’s emotional stability decreases. Like his mental state, Raskolnikov’s motive for murder remains unclear. Reasons such as cruelty, insanity, money and even boredom could have led the killing spree. But Raskolnikov’s enduring pride begins to rear its head. Raskolnikov is under the belief that he is a “superior man”. He believes himself to be extraordinary and thus impervious.  A select few of the society have the privilege to rise above others and the laws that smaller men have created. Raskolnikov’s own insecurities could have created such delusions. Similar to the Napoleon Complex, Raskolnikov’s own shortcomings are manifesting themselves as “extraordinary qualities.” Though living in squalid conditions and financially unsecure, he is under the distinct belief that notion that he is above others and rules do not apply to men of his nature. And it his very pride that inhibits any self-awareness. His inability to speak of failure or weakness destroys any chance of repent or integrity. Raskolnikov’s arrogance could also explain the murders he committed; if he is such a extraordinary man, than wouldn’t something as “sensational” as murder prove his ability?

Raskolnikov’s aversion to weakness is huge. He sneers at shortcomings and believes that he, nor any other superior man, should have. But beneath that, Raskolnikov hides a deep, almost pathological self-loathing. Perceiving this as a unspeakable flaw , Raskolnikov rationalizes with the belief that he must “overcome” this hate. His gruesome dream of the beaten horse seemed to have been a wakeup call for Raskolnikov. His own disgust at the dream is palpable. But does the pain of the horse, or his own “weak” reaction to the horse drive his disgust? Is he ashamed of himself for a perceived feminine reaction? Immediately after, Raskolnikov decides to kill two women. His pride was hurt after his dream; he was ashamed that such a reaction came from him. To prove his superiority was intact, he proceeded to kill two defenseless women. His pride provides him with the rationale that the superior man shouldn’t feel guilt for killing the meeker.   

Keri's Comment

Ryan,
Your introductory paragraph was very thorough and was ultimately amazing. I felt that you provided the correct amount of biography about Russia while still reminding the reader of  how relevant the topic is. You set it up nicely so that it was rhythmic and it was not interrupted when you began your first paragraph. I think that the research aspect of this paper is diligently done, but I do feel that you lacked in analysis  or your own interpretation rather than just details from the novel. Other than that, I think you have written a great beginning and I look forward to reading more.

Keri's first 500 words of her research paper

 Dostoyevsky illustrates in "Crime and Punishment" that guilt can have a damaging effect on mental stability through Raskolnikov's journey after having committed his crime.
 What is the formal definition of Guilt and what effects can it have on people? Guilt is an emotion that occurs when a person believes that they have violated a moral standard that they themselves believe in. This emotion can, oftentimes, restrict freedom and/or change a person's behavior. People tend to act cautiously when they are guilty.
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. Guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, Depression and other emotions of this sort can cause a person to sleep constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, It was obvious to me that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt.
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. 
 Guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, Depression and other emotions of this sort can cause a person to sleep constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, It was obvious to me that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt. Raskolnikov was constantly in an unconscious state. 
Guilt can cause a fever like that seen in "Crime and Punishment". It can also cause more severe illnesses. This is due to the amygdala which is the part of the brain that associates emotions with occurrences in a person's life. 
Guilt can affect a person physically. An example of this would be avoiding direct eye contact with someone. 
  Guilt can cause a fever like that seen in "Crime and Punishment". It can also cause more severe illnesses.  This is due to the amygdala which is the part of the brain that associates emotions with occurrences in a person's life. 
 Yes, it is possible to free oneself of this guilt and to change. After some time has gone by and punishments have been administered, it is possible to become a better person.

Ryan Pearson's Comment

Hi- so since no one has been able to post yet and I have to move to other work, I will just have to move on. I would be happy to read your papers thus far at another time. I am sure you are all hard at work right now so I hope that the papers turn out well and you finish soon and get some rest before yet another week of very enjoyable essay writing and practice test taking! See you tomorrow!

Ryan Pearson

Ryan Pearson Term Paper Part 1

The nineteenth century was a turbulent time in Russia and in St. Petersburg particularly.  Russian society was largely divided with the overwhelming majority comprised of the lower working class who struggled daily to survive and who were clearly dissatisfied with their status in life.  Indeed, the poverty they endured and the oppressive atmosphere of their daily life was constant.  Fyodor Dostoyevsky successfully conveys the tone and mood abundant in St. Petersburg in the 1860’s in the literary novel, Crime and Punishment.  The setting of the novel, the rampant oppressive and stifling atmosphere in the mid-nineteenth century is St. Petersburg is critical to the development of the novel. Dostoyevsky effectively outlines and incorporates the disharmony and disconnect of the Russian impoverished class overflowing in St. Petersburg in many elements of the story and in the daily existence and in the actions of the main character Raskolinkov.  The oppressive living conditions, the stifling climate, high unemployment, rampant alcoholism and a general day-to-day sense of futility are effectively used by Dostoyevsky to illustrate the suffering of the working society and to link the city’s problems to Raskolnikov’s actions.

To begin with, the deplorable living conditions in St. Petersburg, Russia during the 1860’s that Dostoyevsky writes about and effectively incorporates into the novel Crime and Punishment serve as a constant reminder to the reader of the depressing and gloomy existence of the large majority living in the city during that time. Images of squalor and poverty emerge from the pages of the novel. References to the filth of the city, the shabby buildings, the dirty taverns peeling paint, windowless bedrooms provide detail and realism to the story which help set the tone for the sequence of events which unfold. Raskolnikov’s living conditions are prison-like: small, cramped, five or six feet in length, wedged in the top of a seemingly old and decrepit building. His furniture is old and tattered.  His “home,” while appalling, is comparable if not superior to many of the other characters in the story.  The Marmaladov family lives in much worse conditions, without bedding or basic necessities for survival. The children are sick, hungry, dirty and emotionally and even physically tortured. Sonia, who becomes a prostitute to help her family exist, lives in squalor in an irregular shaped barn like room with low ceilings and almost no furniture, filled “with every sign of poverty.” The environment is one which understandably influences the weak to give up and often surrender to ill-advised ideas and bad decisions. Dostoyevksy effectively uses the theme of poverty in many aspects of the novel to set the stage for Raskolnikov’s criminal actions and others choices in the story.  Indeed, the deplorable and hopeless existence of day to day life for the lower socioeconomic class in St. Petersburg is an important component of the novel’s setting and helps to connect the gloom, hopelessness and despair felt and experienced by Raskolnikov and many of the other characters in Crime and Punishment.

Ryan Pearson