Madie's Reaction

I thought that these chapters were interesting. First, we learn who the man was in Raskolnikov's room. Svidrigailov is now introduced as another character, proclaiming his love for Dunya. However, he does so in a strange and odd way, that even Raskolnikov questions his sanity. Svidrigailov I think will be an important character but I'm not sure how yet. There is something kind of mysterious about him, like not everything is revealed about him yet. Secondly, by chapter three Raskolnikov does something that switches his character around completely. He begins to show compassion for his sister and mother by distancing himself from them. He wants to leave them as long as they are being taken care of, and supported. I think that this is a turning point for Raskolnikov because the only reason he would do that is because he cares about them and does not want them to be associated with him if he were to confess or be found guilty of the murder. Up until now, Raskolnikov has been depicted as a selfish and self aborbed person, believing that he had the right to commit the murder and so forth. However, now he sees that his actions not only affect him but perhaps it could affect those who he cares about or who care about him. This also brings up the question, now that he is deciding to distance himself from his family, is he deciding to confess soon? His anxiety is obviously increasing, but is it enough to make him crack under the pressure and tell someone that he committed the murder?
I am intrigued to see where the novel goes.


- Madie