So we don’t learn of the circumstances of his fiancée’s death? (Sorry if I missed that detail somewhere) Did that cause or contribute to his current state of mind? I assume Raskolnikov was not at fault for her death, but at this point I wouldn’t be shocked.
She died of an illness, typhus. It was mentioned in passing earlier. But we don't know the specific circumstances; typhus has to be contracted somehow, and whether Rodion also had it but survived is not mentioned. Typhus is an infectious disease, transmitted through food and everything related to digestion, in general. And if they lived together or nearby then, the chance of infection is very high. In the next chapter, there will be a bit more about her, but that's all we learn.
I don’t have my book on me, so I may jump back in with additional observations, here are a few quick thoughts. I feel like these chapters that are told from within Rodion’s psyche are a good palate cleanser, but I’m ready to dive back into the darkness.
I actually sympathized with Rodion’s mother’s feelings about his engagement. Now, I may not (I hope) go as far as to be grateful for death, but I certainly understand the “better a heartbreak than certain disaster” mentality. It’s tough to read the writing on the wall and yet have to watch your children make their own choices…hoping to just be there for them when the pieces need picked up. That letting go is rough!
I loved the dream sequence. It reminded me of the dream that Tevya makes up to change his wife’s mind about who their daughter should marry. This is exactly how I imagined it: https://images.app.goo.gl/4aGMcHVewPdTkHnL7
Raskolnikov's mother never mentioned what she disliked about Rodion's fiancée. How was she any worse than Luzhin ( with Dunya's engagement)? It seems she wanted a wealthy bride for Rodion. What truly bothers me is Raskolnikov's mother's reaction—she was so relieved by the fiancée's death because it meant her son wouldn't marry her, despite never having met her. Apparently, no one is good enough for her son. And being alone in a cramped little room is, of course, better. It’s a shame we can't read the story of what happened with Rodion a year and a half ago.
It was very nice to start the chapter with Razumikhin being self reflective and acknowledging his poor behavior and deciding to change. It is the first step to transformation. It is not clear if Raskolnikov will ever be so introspective. (We shall see if Razumikhin keeps up the good work!)
I just knew you’d find lots of interesting things to say about this chapter. The idea of the landlady’s being Rodya’s soul externalised is interesting. It’s got me thinking about a couple of fantasy series that I was discussing yesterday, with the theme of externalising one’s trauma so that one is no longer ‘complete’ and can never heal. One character goes on to commit a violation. It’s such an interesting idea you’ve come up with.
Thank you for mentioning Raskolnikov's mother, next chapter it gets even more obvious that she's not a great person (I went ahead and read two). She always sounds more concerned with how her son's actions put *her* in a state, doesn't she seem awfully self-centered? Dunya is very different from her mother I think, and more intelligent too. She's the only one at least trying to be diplomatic about Raskolnikov's fiancée. Great observation about him maybe being genuinely in love with her, it hadn't occurred to me! Her description as "sickly and... peculiar" makes me picture what we'd call a goth girl today, someone with a bit of a morbid personality that would attract a weird guy like Rodion.
Razumikhin is back to reason, but doesn't it seem Dostevsky is arguing that being drunk and honest is better than being sober and unnaturally polite? Now they're all going round in circles about the two elephants in the room, Raskolnikov's mental state and Avdotya's very unfortunate marriage. Maybe Raskolnikov is like a permanent drunk now, no longer able to play along with the rules of society.
Did people use the word "hypochondriac" differently back then? Why would they equate it to violence?
So we don’t learn of the circumstances of his fiancée’s death? (Sorry if I missed that detail somewhere) Did that cause or contribute to his current state of mind? I assume Raskolnikov was not at fault for her death, but at this point I wouldn’t be shocked.
She died of an illness, typhus. It was mentioned in passing earlier. But we don't know the specific circumstances; typhus has to be contracted somehow, and whether Rodion also had it but survived is not mentioned. Typhus is an infectious disease, transmitted through food and everything related to digestion, in general. And if they lived together or nearby then, the chance of infection is very high. In the next chapter, there will be a bit more about her, but that's all we learn.
I don’t have my book on me, so I may jump back in with additional observations, here are a few quick thoughts. I feel like these chapters that are told from within Rodion’s psyche are a good palate cleanser, but I’m ready to dive back into the darkness.
I actually sympathized with Rodion’s mother’s feelings about his engagement. Now, I may not (I hope) go as far as to be grateful for death, but I certainly understand the “better a heartbreak than certain disaster” mentality. It’s tough to read the writing on the wall and yet have to watch your children make their own choices…hoping to just be there for them when the pieces need picked up. That letting go is rough!
I loved the dream sequence. It reminded me of the dream that Tevya makes up to change his wife’s mind about who their daughter should marry. This is exactly how I imagined it: https://images.app.goo.gl/4aGMcHVewPdTkHnL7
Excellent illustration! 🔥
Raskolnikov's mother never mentioned what she disliked about Rodion's fiancée. How was she any worse than Luzhin ( with Dunya's engagement)? It seems she wanted a wealthy bride for Rodion. What truly bothers me is Raskolnikov's mother's reaction—she was so relieved by the fiancée's death because it meant her son wouldn't marry her, despite never having met her. Apparently, no one is good enough for her son. And being alone in a cramped little room is, of course, better. It’s a shame we can't read the story of what happened with Rodion a year and a half ago.
Money is the key to mom wants in future spouses. It was the times they lived in.
Oh! I WISH Dostoevsky had written a prequel!!!
*NOT Told from Rodion’s pus he
It was very nice to start the chapter with Razumikhin being self reflective and acknowledging his poor behavior and deciding to change. It is the first step to transformation. It is not clear if Raskolnikov will ever be so introspective. (We shall see if Razumikhin keeps up the good work!)
I just knew you’d find lots of interesting things to say about this chapter. The idea of the landlady’s being Rodya’s soul externalised is interesting. It’s got me thinking about a couple of fantasy series that I was discussing yesterday, with the theme of externalising one’s trauma so that one is no longer ‘complete’ and can never heal. One character goes on to commit a violation. It’s such an interesting idea you’ve come up with.
Thanks for the shoutout too!
Thank you for mentioning Raskolnikov's mother, next chapter it gets even more obvious that she's not a great person (I went ahead and read two). She always sounds more concerned with how her son's actions put *her* in a state, doesn't she seem awfully self-centered? Dunya is very different from her mother I think, and more intelligent too. She's the only one at least trying to be diplomatic about Raskolnikov's fiancée. Great observation about him maybe being genuinely in love with her, it hadn't occurred to me! Her description as "sickly and... peculiar" makes me picture what we'd call a goth girl today, someone with a bit of a morbid personality that would attract a weird guy like Rodion.
Razumikhin is back to reason, but doesn't it seem Dostevsky is arguing that being drunk and honest is better than being sober and unnaturally polite? Now they're all going round in circles about the two elephants in the room, Raskolnikov's mental state and Avdotya's very unfortunate marriage. Maybe Raskolnikov is like a permanent drunk now, no longer able to play along with the rules of society.
Did people use the word "hypochondriac" differently back then? Why would they equate it to violence?
By the way Dana, your journal entry is especially brilliant this time. The little door opening!