Crime and Punishment - Week 3 (Part 2, Chapters 5 - 7)

[Gem , Moderator]

Week 3 Part 2, Chapters 5 - 7

1) In Chapter 5 we meet Luzhin who Raskolnikov takes an immediate dislike to. When Raskolnikov accuses him of trying to make Dunya feel indebted to him, Luzhin protests that Raskolnikov's mother has misrepresented him. At this point, Raskolnikov threatens to "send him flying downstairs" if he ever mentions his mother again and orders him to "go to hell." What does Luzhin's protest tell you about him?

2) In this week's read, like last week's, we see Raskolnikov giving away money. This man can't afford to pay his rent or even eat and yet he continues to spread what little "wealth" he has around. Why do you think he is doing this?

3) Raskolnikov is offended when Zametov suggests that the murderer was inexperienced and rather inept. And to prove to himself that Zametov is wrong, Raskolnikov presents the exact description of how he hid the stolen property. Even though Raskolnikov is horrified at his own actions he is still resentful that others would find fault with it. Does this make sense to you?

4) Have you noticed Raskolnikov's intellectual side is always deliberate while his emotional responses are spontaneous? How do you think this has affected his actions to date? How do you think this will affect his actions going forward?

5) After Marmeladov dies, Raskolnikov makes the statement "I am all over covered with blood." What does this say about him and his state of mind?

6) Why, do you think, Raskolnikov faints when he sees his mother and sister?

[Detlef]

I am not quite sure what to make of the Luzhin character at this point. He feels entitled to the poor sister, but does not really offer any help!? We have to see how it goes. Raskolnikov‘s response is really one of desperation. He thinks he needs to be the head of the family, but he really is not.
He is very much torn and psychologically inept to really think straight at this point. I think he faints at the sight of his mother and sister because he really does not know what to do at this point. I might be wrong, but he is so enamored with the actual deed, that he can’t get his mind off it, he needs to process it, but he can’t. The blood of Marmeladov makes him think of his crime. That he really has covered himself in blood committing the crime. He is close to suicide, but does not commit it after all. A real interesting psychological study!

[Hedi]

Detlef wrote: "I am not quite sure what to make of the Luzhin character at this point. He feels entitled to the poor sister, but does not really offer any help!? We have to see how it goes. Raskolnikov‘s response..."

I agree with you regarding his fainting in front of his mother and sister. I think he faints as he has not expected them and feels somehow ashamed that they have to find him in that condition. He is in the end the head of the family, but he cannot fulfill that position.

I have finished the chapters, but have not had the time to collect my thoughts yet in order to post all of them. I will do that in the next couple of days or so.

[Ana]

Raskolnikov is definitely a pseudo intellectual. He thinks he is so much better and smarter than everyone else. That’s why he gets offended when someone criticizes his amateur crime. He knows the criticism is valid which is why he gets mad - he should be mad at himself. He obviously planned it - it was completely premeditated. He didn’t just want to rob the old lady, he went to her house with the intent to kill her. And after all that he stole the smallest items and left all the money behind. Very clear evidence that he’s not as smart at he thinks he is.

His whole behavior is very entitled in my opinion.
He believes he deserves a better life but is not willing to work hard for it. He is incapable of finishing what he starts - he dropped out of school, stopped giving lessons, stopped paying rent. He couldn’t even commit a crime well.

I see the death of his drinking companion as karma - he killed 2 people and now his friend is dead - and the blood is on his hands. He offered to pay the doctor with his stolen money but it was hopeless. He then promises to help the family out of guilt and to make himself feel better for his own crime.

I don’t like how Raskolnikov gives away money. In this instance it’s definitely a nice gesture - to help the widow and all the children. However, he is in no position to help others, he’s still behind on his rent and he should be making plans to support himself and his own family.
That’s why he faints when he sees his sister and mother - he’s ashamed of himself.

[Emmeline]

A great and interesting section. The part that really struck me was the old lady throwing herself into the river right beside Raskolnikov, only to be plucked out before she can drown. That to me seemed like a symbol of the horror and degradation of this life for the poor, that they can't even get out of it by suicide. I've not read Dostoevsky before though so I may be totally wrong.

Another electrifying scene was the death of Marmeladov. Pathetic all round. His poor consumptive wife raging and hacking out a lung, the useless hypocritical priest preaching forgiveness, the children in rags and no shoes, the prostituted daughter and impoverished wife forced to offer forgiveness... and then Raskolnikov giving them a huge amount of money -- which would be a nice gesture if it weren't his mother's money borrowed against her pension!