Thank you for such detailed explanations. Perhaps Raskolnikov could not declare himself a murderer to the world until he could confess to someone who would not heap judgement on him, that someone being Sonya. Unconditional love does amazing things. This carrying of a wretched secret reminds me of Rev. Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter hiding the fact he is the father of Pearl, and what that secret does to him. ( Although it has been 50 plus years since I read it.)
I agree completely, Paula! I find the similarities of the effect of secret sin on Dimmesdale and Roskolnikov striking. Hester Pryne paid for her sin daily, but it was Dimmesdale who endured a tortured soul.
Evidence suggests Dostoevsky read "The Scarlet Letter." While its influence is more apparent in "The Brothers Karamazov," themes of mystery and secrecy are present here as well. Raskolnikov differs from the main heroine of "The Scarlet Letter," who never repents for her sins. Their transgressions vary in severity—murder being far graver than adultery. Yet, their journeys and struggles with reality bear some resemblance, though with distinct nuances.
You already know I'm not religious, so I'll say what I like about religion in this chapter, for a change. I like that Sonya has something to help her through her very difficult life. I like that she chooses to help Rodion when nobody else would, and that she shows him that the answer is not to fix things by force, but to be loving and compassionate. I'm glad Rodion has met her, although I wish she had never met him.
"Man earns happiness through suffering" is something I can't wrap my head around. I mean, I can, I grew up listening to this kind of stuff, I just reject it with all my being. How these poor people have to look forward to happiness in the next life because they were denied it on earth is heartbreaking to me. But I won't go into that.
And I won't go into mental illness either, I'll just say this: I think Rodion is very troubled, lonely, depressed, but I don't think he's Napolen - not because he's a coward like he says. Because he killed someone and even in his addled mind he's wrecked by remorse. Napoleon killed millions and never regretted it, his only regret was being defeated in the end.
Why do we think Rodion was so angry? And do we really think him dropping out of school and locking himself in one tiny room was just wickedness or laziness?
Raskolnikov is certainly not Napoleon, and even if he were a complete sociopath indifferent to others' lives, he wouldn't become Napoleon—dictators are fundamentally different. It's about power. Killing a poor old woman doesn't grant power; he would've needed to assassinate the Emperor to seize power. Only then might his murders have gone unpunished, as they do for rulers of countries.
Raskolnikov is likely furious that his theory is hollow. I believe he dropped out of the University and became isolated due to his fiancée's death. Though expelled for non-payment, he had stopped working to pay fees. The text hints that his fiancée was incredibly close to him—someone with whom he could discuss everything, who understood him completely. This probably explains why he didn't leave the cramped room rented to him by his deceased fiancée's mother. This place was theirs together, a reminder of her. It was then that he began writing his article about murder, pondered it for months in isolation, and ultimately decided to commit the act. From an outside perspective, his theory seems a process of self-destruction; he's in deep depression.
Oh, I completely forgot about his fiancée! Yes, that death could have affected him immensely. I felt sorry for him when he basically called himself a loser for dropping out of school and not being able to stay on top of things like Razumikhin does, he was obviously alone and deeply depressed. This book and main character are so strange, I feel bad for Rodion and I want him to get help, but whenever Sonya tries to help him I hate him for the way he treats her.
Razumikhin is also struggling financially. He, too, claims he lacks funds for university tuition and has temporarily dropped out. However, since our story unfolds in summer, the exact timing of his withdrawal remains unclear. Typically, tuition is due in winter and summer—the latter not yet concluded. Raskolnikov failed to pay in winter and hasn't studied for six months, while Razumikhin likely opted out of the autumn semester. But these details are ultimately inconsequential.
Despite sharing similar living conditions, Razumikhin maintains his optimism. He genuinely appears to be thriving and on top of the world. Plus, he's even met Dunya! 😅
Rodion, on the other hand, is inherently brusque. He fails to appreciate those close to him and speaks harshly to everyone.
Dana, I just want to tell you I absolutely love the work you are doing here! I didn't know the word образок before, and now I'm thinking Raskolnikov not even possessing an образок on top of a cross might in fact symbolize a certain безобразие while Sonya is сообразная. (To what, though?) Much thinking to do, and so fascinating.
Thank you, Hyun. I'm very glad that my articles are helpful.
The ideas about the образок are very interesting. It didn't occur to me - although these are indeed fitting lexical parallels. Raskolnikov is indeed without a cross - and, he is a disgrace (безобразие). And this disgrace is especially evident in his thoughts and words.
And Sonya herself can be an exemplar (образец). An example of true faith and love. 'Сообразный' (congruous) can also mean whole, i.e., there are no contradictions in Sonya herself, she is truly faithful. It could be so.
I am now thinking that the Wisdom (Sonya) accepts the Cross to give back (restore?) the Form (образ) to the humanity. This really is worth much discussion.
Thank you for such detailed explanations. Perhaps Raskolnikov could not declare himself a murderer to the world until he could confess to someone who would not heap judgement on him, that someone being Sonya. Unconditional love does amazing things. This carrying of a wretched secret reminds me of Rev. Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter hiding the fact he is the father of Pearl, and what that secret does to him. ( Although it has been 50 plus years since I read it.)
I agree completely, Paula! I find the similarities of the effect of secret sin on Dimmesdale and Roskolnikov striking. Hester Pryne paid for her sin daily, but it was Dimmesdale who endured a tortured soul.
Evidence suggests Dostoevsky read "The Scarlet Letter." While its influence is more apparent in "The Brothers Karamazov," themes of mystery and secrecy are present here as well. Raskolnikov differs from the main heroine of "The Scarlet Letter," who never repents for her sins. Their transgressions vary in severity—murder being far graver than adultery. Yet, their journeys and struggles with reality bear some resemblance, though with distinct nuances.
You already know I'm not religious, so I'll say what I like about religion in this chapter, for a change. I like that Sonya has something to help her through her very difficult life. I like that she chooses to help Rodion when nobody else would, and that she shows him that the answer is not to fix things by force, but to be loving and compassionate. I'm glad Rodion has met her, although I wish she had never met him.
"Man earns happiness through suffering" is something I can't wrap my head around. I mean, I can, I grew up listening to this kind of stuff, I just reject it with all my being. How these poor people have to look forward to happiness in the next life because they were denied it on earth is heartbreaking to me. But I won't go into that.
And I won't go into mental illness either, I'll just say this: I think Rodion is very troubled, lonely, depressed, but I don't think he's Napolen - not because he's a coward like he says. Because he killed someone and even in his addled mind he's wrecked by remorse. Napoleon killed millions and never regretted it, his only regret was being defeated in the end.
Why do we think Rodion was so angry? And do we really think him dropping out of school and locking himself in one tiny room was just wickedness or laziness?
Raskolnikov is certainly not Napoleon, and even if he were a complete sociopath indifferent to others' lives, he wouldn't become Napoleon—dictators are fundamentally different. It's about power. Killing a poor old woman doesn't grant power; he would've needed to assassinate the Emperor to seize power. Only then might his murders have gone unpunished, as they do for rulers of countries.
Raskolnikov is likely furious that his theory is hollow. I believe he dropped out of the University and became isolated due to his fiancée's death. Though expelled for non-payment, he had stopped working to pay fees. The text hints that his fiancée was incredibly close to him—someone with whom he could discuss everything, who understood him completely. This probably explains why he didn't leave the cramped room rented to him by his deceased fiancée's mother. This place was theirs together, a reminder of her. It was then that he began writing his article about murder, pondered it for months in isolation, and ultimately decided to commit the act. From an outside perspective, his theory seems a process of self-destruction; he's in deep depression.
Oh, I completely forgot about his fiancée! Yes, that death could have affected him immensely. I felt sorry for him when he basically called himself a loser for dropping out of school and not being able to stay on top of things like Razumikhin does, he was obviously alone and deeply depressed. This book and main character are so strange, I feel bad for Rodion and I want him to get help, but whenever Sonya tries to help him I hate him for the way he treats her.
Razumikhin is also struggling financially. He, too, claims he lacks funds for university tuition and has temporarily dropped out. However, since our story unfolds in summer, the exact timing of his withdrawal remains unclear. Typically, tuition is due in winter and summer—the latter not yet concluded. Raskolnikov failed to pay in winter and hasn't studied for six months, while Razumikhin likely opted out of the autumn semester. But these details are ultimately inconsequential.
Despite sharing similar living conditions, Razumikhin maintains his optimism. He genuinely appears to be thriving and on top of the world. Plus, he's even met Dunya! 😅
Rodion, on the other hand, is inherently brusque. He fails to appreciate those close to him and speaks harshly to everyone.
Dana, I just want to tell you I absolutely love the work you are doing here! I didn't know the word образок before, and now I'm thinking Raskolnikov not even possessing an образок on top of a cross might in fact symbolize a certain безобразие while Sonya is сообразная. (To what, though?) Much thinking to do, and so fascinating.
Thank you, Hyun. I'm very glad that my articles are helpful.
The ideas about the образок are very interesting. It didn't occur to me - although these are indeed fitting lexical parallels. Raskolnikov is indeed without a cross - and, he is a disgrace (безобразие). And this disgrace is especially evident in his thoughts and words.
And Sonya herself can be an exemplar (образец). An example of true faith and love. 'Сообразный' (congruous) can also mean whole, i.e., there are no contradictions in Sonya herself, she is truly faithful. It could be so.
This is an interesting finding.
I am now thinking that the Wisdom (Sonya) accepts the Cross to give back (restore?) the Form (образ) to the humanity. This really is worth much discussion.
This chapter made me want to immediately start a reread in order to trace all these connections through the novel! They are fascinating!!