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
Sunday, December 2, 2012
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
-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
-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
Saturday, November 17, 2012
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