Character List for Poster
PART I Questions
2. Do you agree that the narrative voice of Crime and Punishment eschews lyricism?
3. How does the dialogue in Crime and Punishment extract and magnify the confusion and uncertainty of his characters?
4. How does Dostoevsky establish Raskolnikov's mental state in Part I? What kind of mental state does he appear to be in?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES to Guide You
Visit this site on Dostoevsky to read more on the man and criticisms of his works.
Crime and Punishment Seminar
Seminar Handouts
PART III Questions
Chapter I
1. How does Dostoevsky create antipathy for Luzhin? (look at the narrative views of the mother, Raskolnikov, Luzhin and Razumihin -- I will be looking for examples from each character listed).
2. How is Razumihin a foil to Luzhin?
Chapter II
1. "In some plays, there are characters who comment upon the passing action and upon larger questions of life and duty in a peculiarly tolerant and fair-minded way. These semi-detached persons may be called "chorus-characters, because their comments seem, in the intention of the author, to reflect the ideal truth, somewhat as do the utterances of the chorus in Greek tragedies (From Falstaff and Other Shakespearean Topic by Albert H. Tolman).
Is Razumihin a chorus-character? Provide proof for your argument. You may want to make comparisons to King Lear (Kent).
Chapter III
1. Summarize Zossimov's definition of madness and normalacy? Use references to support your summary.
Chapter IV
1. Write your own question and answer.
Chapter V
1. Analyze the role of Profiry Petrovich. In your analysis examine his comments on Marxist philosophy especially in relation to crime and the crime in this novel.
2. Examine Profiry's conversation with Raskolnikov regarding his article, "On Crime" (p.259+). Can you think of other philosophers or politicians that espoused the same view as Raskolnikov? What do you think of his philosophy? Do you agree with Profiry or with Raskolnikov? Use examples from history and culture to support your answer. Don't be afraid of being specific!
Chapter VI
1. Summarize, with supports, Raskolnikov's view of the pawnbroker?
2. Examine and comment on Raskolnikov's conflicting view of women?
3. What is the purpose of Rasklonikov's dream?