Gabe's response to Part IV, chapter VI

Alex brings up some interesting points regarding Part IV chapter VI. It is obvious that Raskolnikov is guilty throughout the investigation. He is uneasy, defensive, and unstable and is clearly about to give in and confess to the crimes. Just when Raskolnikov is about to confess, Nikolai comes and confesses to committing the murders and Porfiry has trouble believing him because of his strong suspicion of Raskolnikov. I agree with Alex that this perfect timing was ironic because it appeared as if Raskolnikov was about to turn himself in right there and then, and also because Porfiry was confident that he had all the reason to believe that Raskolnikov was guilty. I agree that the way that Porfiry's accusations were phrased and the intensity of the interrogation was instigating Raskolnikov's desire to confess. We both agree that the conveniency of NIkolai's perfectly timed entrance and the fact that he confessed was confusing and does not make any sense at this point in the novel. It is also true that this confession adds to the complexity of the novel, and prolongs the suspense. It seems as if every time Raskolnikov is about to get caught, he is given another chance to run away from his problems instead of confessing. Alex brings up an interesting question that is difficult to answer at this point of the story. We do not yet know whether Raskolnikov will use this chance he has been given to run away or if he will finally confess or be caught somehow. I also think that Alex's observation is completely accurate by stating that Raskolnikov is struggling between his will to confess and his feeling of invincibility that prevents him from doing so.

-Gabriel