Alex's Reaction

            In Part II, chapter 4 of Crime and Punishment, we learn that Razumikhin has been trying to clear the name of a painter who been charged for the murders of Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanova. Coincidentally, the man was working in an empty apartment next to the pawnbrokers and was in possession of jewelry that had been pawned to the old woman. I thought that the idea of blaming someone else for Raskolnikov’s actions added an interesting twist to the story’s plot for a couple of reasons. First, Raskolnikov is a dishonest man who does not take responsibility for his actions without having a justified excuse. I think that punishing someone else for his heinous crimes will make Raskolnikov believe that he can get away with more wrongdoings. However, I also think that holding someone else responsible for the murders will greatly increase Raskolnikov’s sense of guilt, further leading to the collapse of his character. On another note, I feel like the story is really starting to unfold and I like where it is headed. I think that some of the other characters are starting to suspect a connection between Raskolnikov and the murders. Razumikhin seems to be growing especially suspicious of Raskolnikov, stating, “he takes no interest in anything, he does not respond to anything except one point on which he seems excited--that's the murder." In addition, it appears that Raskolnikov is losing what little sanity he had left. In a conversation with an inspector leading the murder investigation, Raskolnikov jokes that he knows an abundance of information regarding the murders. Although Raskolnikov is clearly a conflicted character with an internal struggle between right and wrong, I was still dumbfounded by this conversation. Seriously, what kind of murderer does this!? He practically confessed to the police, while simultaneously trying not get caught. It makes no sense. Clearly, his mental health is on a rapid decline.

-Alex