Crime and Punishment Discussion Blog

As we discuss this most challenging, intriguing novel, you may have additional questions or comments you wish to add to this blog. We will also use this site to summarize class discussions, so if you are absent, you may read the blog to see what you missed or add additional comments/questions.

Chapter 1-3 Discussion:
1. Is Raskolnikov more upset about his personal situation of poverty or the
government creating this situation?
2. What is the role of women in this novel? Are they strong or victimized?
3. To what extent is Raskolnikov like Dorian Gray?
4. Marmeladov says, "Poverty is not a vice...but beggary is a vice." What is the
difference? Other translations use the word "destitution" rather than
"beggary." Again, what is the difference?
5. Alcoholism or drunkeness is a motif--not just physical, but emotional.
Roskolnikov seems like a drunken man after he reads his mother's letter.
Money is also a motif.
6. Why does the letter from Raskolnikov's mother create such a strong, negative
reaction?

Some additional thoughts:
--At the beginning of the novel Roskolnikov says, "It would be interesting to
know what men are most afraid of"(2). What do you think? What is Roskolnikov
most afraid of?
--At one point Roskolnikov's cook reprimands him for no longer teaching children
and he replies, "One can't go out to give lessons without boots"(29). Do you
agree?
--Is Roskolnikov a man of reason or religion?

Reading Fun in the Summertime

By way of introduction, please share some brief thoughts about what you read this summer. Include not only the literary novel you read for class, but also any other reading that you have done both literary and "commercial," both print and electronic. Please post your writing under "comments" by class time on Friday, August 19.