Madie's Response P.4 Ch.4

Like Alex said, this chapter has been quite important in revealing Raskolnikov's character. His meeting with Sonia seems to show him how he misses his family. Also, I agree with her that Raskolnikov identifies with Sonia because perhaps in his mind, they have both sinned; him with the murder, and her being a prostitute. The story about Lazarus that Sonia reads to him, seems not only to have significance to her but also to him. I liked how Alex said Raskolnikov really seeks resurrection. However, I believe it is a resurrection of his own conscience and goodness that he seeks. Like Alex said, his actions have destroyed his life and his own self. I think that this might even show that he regrets his actions. Or perhaps more that he want's to escape them. Either way, he seems to be drawn to the story. I also liked what Gabe said, how Raskolnikov's time is running out, especially when he talked about Svidrigaliov listening at the door. He brought up a good point also that Raskolnikov will not be able to change his character now, "[sealing] his own fate". I agree with both Alex and Gabe that Raskolnikov will soon be found either guilty and charged with the murder, or as Alex suggested, he will confess.


Madie

gabe's response to Alex's reaction Part 4 Ch 4

I agree with Alex that this chapter was essential as a further revelation to Raskolnikov's character. Raskolnikov's meeting with Sonya demonstrated similar qualities between them and they had somewhat of a connection. I find it interesting out Alex pointed out that this connection may have been a product of the fact that they are both sinners, and I agree with this statement. Both Raskolinkov and Sonya want to support their family any way that they can. Unfortunately, Sonya resorts to prostitution to do so. I agree with Alex when she said that Raskolnikov has a deranged sense of judgement because he seems to think that they are both on the same level of sin, even though he is a sociopathic murderer and she is a prostitute working to bring some form of income to her family in times of financial distress. Alex's analysis of Lazarus's story is very in depth, and I think it as accurate as it can be. The only reason why the author would include this portion must have been for the reader to make the comparison between Lazarus and Raskolnikov. I believe the significance of the resurrection in Raskolnikov's life is most likely how he wants to start life over and not have the overwhelming weight of of the guilt he carries from his crimes to be lifted off of him. Finally, I agree with Alex that the only way for Raskolnikov to achieve this "resurrection" is to end up confessing. I am curious to see whether he ends up doing this or being accused by others, but either way it is evident that it is only a matter of time until his physical punishment occurs.

-Gabriel Magalhaes

Madie's Response to Alex

I thought that Alex's reaction was very insightful and I agree with most parts. I thought that her description of the Lazarus story was quite interesting because I did not know that he was resurrected. I now see why Raskolnikov would have such a personal attachment to this story. As Alex said, he wants to be "resurrected" and start over in his life. He does not want to keep all of this guilt an he wants to be free again. Like Lararus he strives to become resurrected in order to re-live his life perhaps without the sins of his past. I also liked Alex's statement that Raskolnikov considered himself an equal to Sonya because in his mind they were the same; sinners. I agree with her that Raskolnikov's sense of right and wrong is definitely slight skewed if he puts prostitution for family support in the same category as murder.

I share Alex's intrigue into what will happen next, and agree with her that Raskolnikov will end up confessing at some point.


- Madie

Alex's response to Madie

Madie brought up an interesting point by discussing the contrast between Sonya and Raskolnikov’s faith in religion. While Sonya believes that God will ultimately protect her family and ensure their well being, Raskolnikov believes that both he and Sonya are going to hell due to the sins they committed. She and I both agree that it is interesting how Raskolnikov compares himself to Sonya. I really liked how Madie stated that this led Raskolnikov to find “a sort of refuge in Sonya's bedroom.” I also liked how Madie stated that Raskolnikov’s feelings of a connection between Sonya and himself may be the result of their shared family values. This was an interesting point because I immediately assumed that this connection stemmed from the fact that they are both sinners. Moreover, Madie and I are both curious to see if Raskolnikov will soon confess. His constant dropping of hints about who committed the murders is making both of us suspenseful and excited for what we will read next. I am also curious to find out more about Svidrigailov’s character. At this point in the novel, he has been portrayed as a very mysterious man with unclear motives. However, I personally think that Svidrigailov knows more about Raskolnikov’s situation than Dostoevsky wants us to believe. I think that Svidrigailov is seeking revenge on Raskolnikov for not allowing him to be with Dunya, and he is doing this by finding out whether or not Raskolnikov actually committed the murders so he can turn him into the police. At this point, I cannot really tell if Raskolnikov will have the chance to confess before he is caught by the police. However, I am extremely convinced that the authorities will find out sooner or later.  

Alex

Raskolnikov's guilt

-Alex

Madie's Reaction

This chapter was very interesting. The entire chapter involves Raskolnikovs meeting with Sonya (Marmeladov's daughter) and their conversation. During their conversation, Sonya's distress on her family's financial situation becomes even more clear. Here we find out that Sonya, is so desperate to believe everything will be alright that she places her faith in religion, saying that God will ultimately protect her family and ensure their well-being. This contrasts Raskolnikov's general attitude and so it is intriguing that he is finding, a sort of refuge in Sonya's bedroom. He seems to relate to her on some level, perhaps since she is a prostitute he feels that she has also done something immoral, and thus they share something. Or it might be that he shares her values for family. Whatever the case may be, he seems to share something with her. Further, the story of Lazarus from the Bible seemed to move both of them. I am not sure fully what the story was about or why it effected them so strongly, but both of them seemed to be quite moved by Sonya's reading of it. By the end of the chapter, the plot slips back to Raskolnikov and the murder, when he tells Sonya that she will soon learn who committed the murders. This is an obvious foreshadowing of his confession to come, however Svidrigailov is also eavesdropping from the door! I don't think this will be good for Raskolnikov. He is hinting that he knows who did it, and now Svidrigailov knows that he knows. I am intrigued to see if Raskolnikov confesses or if perhaps Svidrigailov will accuse him before he can.

- Madie

Gabe's response to Part 4 Ch. 4 reactions

I believe that both Madie brought up important issues to be discussed regarding this chapter. Madie appropriately contrasts Sonya's faith in God and her disparity to restore her families finances through her selfless yet degrading deeds, and Raskolnikov's past evil that he is attempting to run away from. I think it was clever how Madie said that the reason why Raskolnikov was in Sonya's room was because it felt like a refuge from all the bad in his life. I agree with Madie that Raskolnikov sees some of himself in Sonya because of her impurity and sinful lifestyle, despite her compassionate intentions. I disagree with the fact that Raskolnikov is focussing on the idea that their similarity is that they both care for family; I think it is more likely that he sees impurity in both of them. I agree that the story of Lazarus probably foreshadows their destiny, which is why they become so emotional and intrigued in the story. I also agree with Madie that Svidrigailov eavesdropping at the door when Raskolnikov tells Sonya that she will soon know the murderer will be no good news for Raskolnikov. I agree that this shows that Raskolnikov is bound to be caught any time now, but judging from his past actions I do not think that he has the audacity and courage to own up to his crime and confess on his own will. I think it is more likely that Svidrigailov will have something to do with him being caught, whether he traps Raskolnikov into admitting it or informs the authorities of this overheard conversation.

-Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabe's reaction to Part 4 Ch 4

This chapter provides us with further insight into Raskolnikov and Sonya's emotions. With the progression of each chapter, it is clear that Raskolnikov is in fact going through a change in character, for the better. However, i still believe its too late for Raskolnikov and that this will not change the fact that his fate is sealed and he is in some way, destined to be doomed. It is also clear that everyone is beginning to turn on Raskolnikov. Sonya was even petrified at the sight of him, and only after conversing for a while did she begin to calm down. The story from the bible that Sonya reads also foreshadows both their fate and provides each of them with a sense of security as it resembles their lives. Raskolnikov is gradually becoming more compassionate and Sonya can also relate the story to her own life. Raskolnikov eventually informs Sonya of his decision to leave and invites her to join him. This is because he believes that despite their significant differences in personalities (her selflessness and will to sacrifice herself for her loved ones as opposed to Raskolnikov's selfish and hostile actions), there are similarities between them. Both of them destroyed the life of a human being -- Raskolnikov murdered two women and Sonya ruined her life by prostituting herself to support her family, symbolically ending her own life. At the end of their conversation, Raskolnikov hints that she will soon find out who murdered Lizaveta. Throughout this entire conversation, Svidrigailov was eavesdropping next door. The events in this chapter illustrate that there is not much time left until Raskolnikov comes clean and confesses or is caught.

-Gabriel Magalhaes

Alex's Reaction to Part 4, Chapter 4

Raskolnikov’s meeting with Sonia (Marmeladov’s daughter) in this chapter revealed a lot about his character. I think that Raskolnikov, who just recently left his mother and sister, realized that without his family, he has nothing. I also think that Raskolnikov sees a similarity between Sonia and himself because they are both sinners. Raskolnikov’s deranged sense of right and wrong is apparent in this chapter because he believes that being a murderer is no worse than being a prostitute, despite the fact that Sonia has turned to prostitution to support her family.

The significance of the Lazarus story to Raskolnikov’s character is extremely evident.  Through this story, Dostoyevsky reveals that like Lazarus, Raskolnikov wants to be resurrected. There is a clear similarity between Raskolnikov and Lazarus given the fact that Raskolnikov destroyed his current life when he murdered the Ivanova sisters. In my opinion, Raskolnikov will not feel at ease with himself until he confesses for the crime. Therefore, confession may be Raskolnikov’s only chance of finding redemption and having another chance in life.

- Alex