I'm curious to see what "team" Razumikhin and Zosimov end up on, especially as things start to unfold. It seems like they're taking pity on Raskolnikov with some level of caring, but I don't seem them as potential friends or defenders. As far as recognizing Luzhin or not, I took it as more of he's living in two "worlds" and in the context of "fugitive world" anyone from "family drama world" might seem out of place at first. PS I love the drawing of everyone in the room--it reminds me of the Marx Brothers scene where people kept piling into a ship's stateroom ( https://youtu.be/rCyR113uZ_o )
Wow, I love your comparison of the crowded room scene to the Marx Brothers'! It's a brilliant visual analogy that captures the chaotic and almost comical nature of so many characters crammed into one space. And in the film, they're in a ship's cabin too, just like how they describe Raskolnikov's room. So many parallels!
The idea of him living in two "worlds" - the "fugitive world" and the "family drama world" - is fascinating. We'll have to see how he behaves when he meets his mother and sister. Perhaps there will be more nuances about these two worlds then.
Chapter five is especially interesting. All the characters are so vivid in my mind, especially Razumikhin and Luzhin, who is just as snobbish and selfish as Rodion's mom suggested. His rants about biblical cloaks sounded like trickle down economics according to Ayn Rand, it was weirdly satisfying when Raskolnikov told him to f*** off. In a sense our Rodion is right, you can't expect others to be nice to you if you won't be nice to them, selfishness is a two-way street. He's once again villain and victim, he's fallen from the upper classes and is now wallowing in hell, a strange champions to the misfits that Luzhin is helping create. Razumikhin is shocked by his rudeness because he still plays by the rules. There are no rules left for Raskolnikov.
I can see that Razumikhin has not bad intentions, but I still don't like him, ahahah. As the good doctor said, he's a nosy busybody. He enjoys being right and proving how smart he is, I think.
Thank you Dana for pointing out the "false bottom"! It's like we accept all the people fitting in that small room because we low-key know that the room is actually a stage and the 4th wall is down to let us look in.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Chapter 5, Ellie!
I agree that the vivid portrayal of characters like Razumikhin and Luzhin adds depth to the narrative. Luzhin's snobbery and selfishness, as you pointed out, are indeed reflective of Rodion's mother's description. The comparison of his biblical cloak rants to Ayn Rand's philosophy is an interesting modern parallel! - I'm not very familiar with Ayn Rand's work, could you tell me more about it or suggest an article? I'm very interested.
Indeed, Razumikhin can be irritating. However, I believe this is part of Dostoevsky's strategy. We begin to identify with Raskolnikov and empathize with him more than other characters because he's the protagonist. It's similar to TV series where the main character is morally ambiguous—like a mafia boss or Walter White in Breaking Bad. Despite their flaws, we find ourselves rooting for them to succeed and evade justice.
I suppose the easiest way to start with Ayn Rand is wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand and I'll leave it at that, my judgment of her is not very favorable.
Razuminkhov and Zossemov notice his only interest is the murder. I will be seeking clues to see if this develops further.
At the beginning of the book I asked myself what was the difference between Raskolnov and the tsar, as the tsar kills or sentences many to hard labor in Siberia. I think, now, the difference is that Raskolnikov is greatly tormented by his deed which leaves a crack open for redemption. The tsar is never portrayed as being tormented by his deeds.
An interesting comparison - between Raskolnikov and the tsar, of course. Considering that tsars are allowed to do many things that ordinary people cannot. But Rodion, in a sense, wanted to be an Emperor, Napoleon. So I think this idea will develop further in the future, we will learn Rodion's thoughts on this matter.
- Dostoyevsky’s description of clothing is amazing, so much detail.
- Razumihin has an uncanny ability to surmise what the criminal was up to.
- I guess you had to live during those times to understand “…as curled hair usually does, by inevitably suggesting a German on his wedding-day.”
- The Russian proverb ‘Catch several hares and you won’t catch one’ reminds me of the Thai proverb, "catching fish with two hands", that is, each hand trying to catch a fish. Not easy.
Yes, their hairstyles are exquisite. It's hard for me to imagine what he was curling there and how it looked on his head. And why he did it, like a German before a wedding. It suggests that Luzhin had a strange understanding of fashion in general - with his lilac gloves...
—
Thank you for the example of proverbs. It's generally interesting how they differ across countries, as this thought is likely common to many.
I know, in English there's this version: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
I cannot find your request for questions, my apologies. I do have one, now that you have mentioned Rodin wanting to be Napoleon. In Simon Haisell’s slow read of War and Peace, Napoleon is now approaching Moscow. We have now read many chapters on his theory of Great Men and do they cause events. Would he and Dostoevsky have similar opinions? Is this story about FD’s Great Men Theory?
Such wonderful chapters! Last week I went back to work after a delicious summer break, and this week students returned, so I’m trying to remember how to pack my “real life” into a few evening hours. This work gig is killing my slow reading time! 💀
Every time Raskolnikov becomes entranced by the dirty yellow wallpaper, I can’t help but be reminded of the short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman called “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Both protagonists seemingly experience bouts of insanity…beautifully echoed in the peeling yellow wallpaper of their rooms.
"You're lying, there's no pragmatism," Razumikhin latched on. "Pragmatism is hard to acquire, it doesn't fall from the sky for free. And we've been out of practice with any kind of business for almost two hundred years... Ideas may be floating around," he turned to Pyotr Petrovich, "and there's a desire for good, though it's childish; and you can even find honesty, despite the fact that swindlers have swarmed in here in droves, but there's still no pragmatism! Pragmatism wears boots."
The translation lacks precision. The Russian word "delovitost'" has no direct English equivalent, but "pragmatism" or "efficiency" comes closer. The discussion centers on the absence of effective, productive actions. People dream and desire to act, but fail to do so. The "almost 200 years" reference points to Peter I's reforms, which steered Russia towards a European developmental path. Dostoevsky, speaking through Razumikhin, criticizes this shift, arguing it distanced Russians from genuine pursuits. New reforms and laws emerged, serving only as obstacles. Consequently, nothing gets done. The idiom "Pragmatism wears boots" suggests that truly effective or positive actions are exceedingly rare.
I'm curious to see what "team" Razumikhin and Zosimov end up on, especially as things start to unfold. It seems like they're taking pity on Raskolnikov with some level of caring, but I don't seem them as potential friends or defenders. As far as recognizing Luzhin or not, I took it as more of he's living in two "worlds" and in the context of "fugitive world" anyone from "family drama world" might seem out of place at first. PS I love the drawing of everyone in the room--it reminds me of the Marx Brothers scene where people kept piling into a ship's stateroom ( https://youtu.be/rCyR113uZ_o )
Wow, I love your comparison of the crowded room scene to the Marx Brothers'! It's a brilliant visual analogy that captures the chaotic and almost comical nature of so many characters crammed into one space. And in the film, they're in a ship's cabin too, just like how they describe Raskolnikov's room. So many parallels!
The idea of him living in two "worlds" - the "fugitive world" and the "family drama world" - is fascinating. We'll have to see how he behaves when he meets his mother and sister. Perhaps there will be more nuances about these two worlds then.
Chapter five is especially interesting. All the characters are so vivid in my mind, especially Razumikhin and Luzhin, who is just as snobbish and selfish as Rodion's mom suggested. His rants about biblical cloaks sounded like trickle down economics according to Ayn Rand, it was weirdly satisfying when Raskolnikov told him to f*** off. In a sense our Rodion is right, you can't expect others to be nice to you if you won't be nice to them, selfishness is a two-way street. He's once again villain and victim, he's fallen from the upper classes and is now wallowing in hell, a strange champions to the misfits that Luzhin is helping create. Razumikhin is shocked by his rudeness because he still plays by the rules. There are no rules left for Raskolnikov.
I can see that Razumikhin has not bad intentions, but I still don't like him, ahahah. As the good doctor said, he's a nosy busybody. He enjoys being right and proving how smart he is, I think.
Thank you Dana for pointing out the "false bottom"! It's like we accept all the people fitting in that small room because we low-key know that the room is actually a stage and the 4th wall is down to let us look in.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Chapter 5, Ellie!
I agree that the vivid portrayal of characters like Razumikhin and Luzhin adds depth to the narrative. Luzhin's snobbery and selfishness, as you pointed out, are indeed reflective of Rodion's mother's description. The comparison of his biblical cloak rants to Ayn Rand's philosophy is an interesting modern parallel! - I'm not very familiar with Ayn Rand's work, could you tell me more about it or suggest an article? I'm very interested.
Indeed, Razumikhin can be irritating. However, I believe this is part of Dostoevsky's strategy. We begin to identify with Raskolnikov and empathize with him more than other characters because he's the protagonist. It's similar to TV series where the main character is morally ambiguous—like a mafia boss or Walter White in Breaking Bad. Despite their flaws, we find ourselves rooting for them to succeed and evade justice.
I suppose the easiest way to start with Ayn Rand is wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand and I'll leave it at that, my judgment of her is not very favorable.
I agree, not very favorable.
Razuminkhov and Zossemov notice his only interest is the murder. I will be seeking clues to see if this develops further.
At the beginning of the book I asked myself what was the difference between Raskolnov and the tsar, as the tsar kills or sentences many to hard labor in Siberia. I think, now, the difference is that Raskolnikov is greatly tormented by his deed which leaves a crack open for redemption. The tsar is never portrayed as being tormented by his deeds.
An interesting comparison - between Raskolnikov and the tsar, of course. Considering that tsars are allowed to do many things that ordinary people cannot. But Rodion, in a sense, wanted to be an Emperor, Napoleon. So I think this idea will develop further in the future, we will learn Rodion's thoughts on this matter.
I missed Rodin wanting to be Napoleon. That puts a difference nuance on the story.
- Dostoyevsky’s description of clothing is amazing, so much detail.
- Razumihin has an uncanny ability to surmise what the criminal was up to.
- I guess you had to live during those times to understand “…as curled hair usually does, by inevitably suggesting a German on his wedding-day.”
- The Russian proverb ‘Catch several hares and you won’t catch one’ reminds me of the Thai proverb, "catching fish with two hands", that is, each hand trying to catch a fish. Not easy.
Yes, their hairstyles are exquisite. It's hard for me to imagine what he was curling there and how it looked on his head. And why he did it, like a German before a wedding. It suggests that Luzhin had a strange understanding of fashion in general - with his lilac gloves...
—
Thank you for the example of proverbs. It's generally interesting how they differ across countries, as this thought is likely common to many.
I know, in English there's this version: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Razumikhin seems a Russian Sherlock Holmes.
I cannot find your request for questions, my apologies. I do have one, now that you have mentioned Rodin wanting to be Napoleon. In Simon Haisell’s slow read of War and Peace, Napoleon is now approaching Moscow. We have now read many chapters on his theory of Great Men and do they cause events. Would he and Dostoevsky have similar opinions? Is this story about FD’s Great Men Theory?
Raskolnikov himself will talk about Napoleon in detail, let's discuss it thoroughly there. This is around chapter 3.5.
Such wonderful chapters! Last week I went back to work after a delicious summer break, and this week students returned, so I’m trying to remember how to pack my “real life” into a few evening hours. This work gig is killing my slow reading time! 💀
Every time Raskolnikov becomes entranced by the dirty yellow wallpaper, I can’t help but be reminded of the short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman called “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Both protagonists seemingly experience bouts of insanity…beautifully echoed in the peeling yellow wallpaper of their rooms.
Good luck at work! 🤞🏻 The school year has already started for some, I thought it usually begins in autumn.
I haven't read this short story, thank you for the reference, I want to read it now.
It’s so good. It sticks with me the way some of Shirley Jackson’s stories do.
Once upon a time we used to start back to school in Autumn. 😭
What was Razumikhin’s riff on practicality about?
Are you referring to this speech?
"You're lying, there's no pragmatism," Razumikhin latched on. "Pragmatism is hard to acquire, it doesn't fall from the sky for free. And we've been out of practice with any kind of business for almost two hundred years... Ideas may be floating around," he turned to Pyotr Petrovich, "and there's a desire for good, though it's childish; and you can even find honesty, despite the fact that swindlers have swarmed in here in droves, but there's still no pragmatism! Pragmatism wears boots."
If not, could you please provide the quote?
Yes. Online translation uses the word “practicality.”
The translation lacks precision. The Russian word "delovitost'" has no direct English equivalent, but "pragmatism" or "efficiency" comes closer. The discussion centers on the absence of effective, productive actions. People dream and desire to act, but fail to do so. The "almost 200 years" reference points to Peter I's reforms, which steered Russia towards a European developmental path. Dostoevsky, speaking through Razumikhin, criticizes this shift, arguing it distanced Russians from genuine pursuits. New reforms and laws emerged, serving only as obstacles. Consequently, nothing gets done. The idiom "Pragmatism wears boots" suggests that truly effective or positive actions are exceedingly rare.