Madie's Reaction Part 4 Chapter 5

Here Raskolnikov comes even closer to admitting to the murder. At the beginning of the chapter, Raskolnikov meets with Porfiry at the police office to claim his pawned goods, however it doesn't go very well. The whole time, Porfiry tells Raskolnikov how he knows many things about the murderer all of which point to Raskolnikov. Porifiry seems to almost egg him on to see if he can get a reaction to confirm his suspicions. In this case, Porfiry is successful. Raskolnikov becomes enraged, saying that Porfiry should either accuse him or let it go. This is exactly what Profiry was looking for to confirm that Raskolnikov is indeed the murderer. Raskolnikov became incredibly close to confessing to the murder and he is showing all signs of guilt throughout their conversation. Although he is silent during the beginning, his iritation and his outburst are strong pieces of evidence that Porfiry can use. Raskolnikov is venturing closer and closer to a confession or an accusation. I believe that Porfiry will later convict Raskolnikov and he will have witnesses he could call (like Svidrigailiov) who have heard convincing evidence proving him guilty. There is too much evidence that goes against Raskolnikov's innocence, and too many people who could attest to it to let him stay unconvicted or unaccused.



Madie

Gabe's reaction to Part 4 ch. 5

This chapter is exciting because the story is finally at a definite turning point. No longer is everyone clueless about who committed the murder. After Svidrigailov overhears Raskolnikov's conversation with Sonya, Raskolnikov stops by the police station to claim his pawned possessions. Porfiry appears to be suspicious during this conversation - as if he already knew that Raskolnikov was the murderer. I find it clever how he drops subtle hints that he knows that Raskolnikov is the murder. He does this by pointing out several characteristics that they already know about the murderer, all which resemble Raskolnikov. For the first time in this book, Raskolnikov lashes out and accuses Porfiry of accusing him of the murders. During the heated discussion, Porfiry attempts to calm down Raskolnikov, but it is pretty obvious at this point that this action has confirmed Porfiry's suspicion. Raskolnikov's behavior was careless, but this was already foreshadowed as he has become increasingly careless throughout the story. It was only a matter of time until he gave himself away. Although he didn't literally confess, his wild attitude after being accused is pretty much a confession as it shows how much guilt is built inside of him. At this point in the story it is hard to tell whether Raskolnikov will be accused and found guilty or if he will end up confessing and not putting up a fight, but either way I am sure that Raskolnikov will in fact be convicted for his murders.

-Gabriel Magalhaes

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