Gabe's reaction to Alex's response part 3 ch 4-6

I believe that both Madie and Alex brought up some very interesting points regarding these next few chapters. I think Alex was completely correct by saying that the central conflict was Raskolnikov's inner sense of guilt and intense anxiety over getting caught. I disagree with her statement saying that Raskolnikov is becoming more careless. I think that there is just more and more evidence that is progressively showing up throughout the story that it is only a matter of time before he gets caught. I do not think there is much left that Raskolnikov can do to protect himself from being exposed as the murderer he is. Alex feels shocked that Raskolnikov published his article, "On Crime," in the newspaper, and I can relate to her. I find it ridiculous that even someone as mentally unstable as Raskolnikov could be ignorant enough to publish an article like that right as he is plotting a murder. If his strange reactions to every day conversation topics and uneasiness in general did not give it away to the others, then this book most certainly instigated and almost seals any doubt, at least for some characters who are not naiive enough to fall for his lies. Alex and I both are intrigued by Porfiry's reaction towards Raskolnikov and his article. He appears to be the first character who truly suspects Raskolnikov to be the murderer, and both Raskolnikov and Razumikhin sense it.

-Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabe's reaction to Part 3 ch 4-6

These next three chapters are a lot more eventful and exciting than the previous three. People are finally beginning to suspect Raskolnikov of his murders, and judging by his past actions he will not be able to disguise himself for much longer. Raskolnikov attempts to hide his insecurities through ridiculous and obnoxious outbursts of laughter that are clearly insincere. After building up more stress from reliving the terrible act in his head, he once again contemplates on whether or not it was time to confess, but quickly regains his composure. Raskolnikov shows his uneasiness again when having to face Porfiry Petrovich. He is clearly paranoid as he immediately suspects that Porfiry is beginning to believe that he is a suspect. The dream that Raskolnikov has later that night is important and symbolic. The fact that he relives the crime in his dream shows that it is still consuming his subconscious, but I believe that Alyona's laughter resembles her revenge, and that she will in fact "get the last laugh." I also believe that Raskolnikov's article "The Crime" is important as it provides us with the evidence that we need to comfortable assume that Raskolnikov believes that he is above others -- that he is "superman," which therefore gives him the right to murder whoever he wants. I find this ironic because Superman is known to use his superhuman powers for good, while Raskolnikov, even if he did have superhuman powers, uses them for evil. I am excited to see how Raskolnikov will attempt to remove himself from this situation or if he will crack under the pressure and turn himself in.

-Gabriel Magalhaes

Madie's Reaction to Alex

I think that Alex and I are in accordance regarding our opinions on these last few chapters. Raskolnikov is becoming more careless in trying to hide his guilt, and he is not doing a very good job anymore. We both agree that "On Crime" was a key point in this chapter. It not only shows Raskolnikov's justification for his crimes, but, as Alex pointed out, allows others to begin to point fingers more easily at him. He opened up an opportunity for suspicions to be confirmed. The article shows that he feels people have the right to murder others, therefore why could he not be the murderer if he believes this. I think that this article will hurt him a lot. I thought that Alex's comment that Porfiry Petrovich "saw it as a piece of psychological evidence that pointed to Raskolnikov’s guilt." was interesting. Porfiry was certainly curious about the article, and seemed more suspicious of Raskolnikov after discussing it. I can see how the article could be used as psychological evidence against Raskolnikov, he had the mens rea (guilty mind) behind the crime as well. I am intrigued to see how the novel continues.


- Madie

Alex's Response to Madie

Madie and I share a similar opinion in regard to Raskolnikov’s behavior in Part III, Chapters 4-6. In accordance to Madie’s statement that she begins to see “the cracks in his armor getting bigger” throughout these chapters, I too believe that Raskolnikov’s unavoidable sense of guilt causes him to drop hints and reveal things that should be kept secret if he were to remain free from being caught. We both acknowledge that other characters are starting to notice Raskolnikov’s intense anxiety and mood-swings every time the murders are mentioned. After reading Madie’s reaction, I agree with her idea that Raskolnikov is practically at his breaking point. In my opinion, Raskolnikov gets closer and closer to confession with each and every chapter. In addition, Madie and I both agree that Raskolnikov probably identifies himself as one of the extraordinary, superior people that he discusses in his article “On Crime.” While I completely disagree with Raskolnikov’s reasoning, the article definitely gave me insight on Raskolnikov’s justification for committing the murders. Like Madie said, Raskolnikov believed he had the right to take the lives of two innocent people, an idea that I find sickening. Moreover, I also believe that Raskolnikov’s nightmare at the end of Chapter 6 is symbolic for his belief that he may not be superior to others. Thus, indicating his notion that committing the murders was wrong on his part. When Raskolnikov awakens from his troubled sleep, he recognizes the figure of a strange man in his room, and I am excited to see what this stranger has in store for Raskolnikov. 

Alex

Alex's reaction to Part 3, Ch. 4-6

Chapters 4-6 of Part III are both interesting and suspenseful. In these chapters of Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky continues to elaborate on Raskolnikov’s inner conflicts and how they impact his character. The central conflict in the novel deals with Raskolnikov’s unavoidable sense of guilt and intense anxiety over getting caught. As the novel progresses, Raskolnikov continues to become more careless when it comes to protecting himself from being identified as the murderer. It becomes increasingly evident to the reader that other characters are starting to suspect that Raskolnikov was somehow involved with the murders of the Ivanova sisters. What I found most interesting in these chapters was Raskolnikov’s article “On Crime.” This article, which was published in a magazine, details Raskolnikov’s thoughts on murder. “On Crime” argues Raskolnikov’s opinion that some extraordinary people are better than the others, and this superiority gives them the right to commit murder in addition other crimes. As I read about this article, my mouth dropped. I was in complete shock that even someone as mentally deranged as Raskolnikov could be stupid enough to publish something like this, especially if he is trying to hide the fact that he is the real murderer. “On Crime” definitely draws attention to Raskolnikov’s involvement with the crimes. The article displays the immoral and corrupt side of Raskolnikov’s personality, making it easy for others to point fingers when hypothesizing whom the true killer is. I was especially interested in Porfiry Petrovich’s reaction to the article because he saw it as a piece of psychological evidence that pointed to Raskolnikov’s guilt. I expect Raskolnikov will commit more idiotic actions making his guilt more apparent, and I look forward to finding out what they are.

Alex

Madie's Reaction P.3 Ch. 4-6

These last three chapters were very enthralling. Once again we are faced with Raskolnikov's struggle against his own conscious, and throughout these chapters I began to see the cracks in his armor get bigger. Now, everyone is beginning to notice Raskolnikovs apparent anxiety when the murder is mentioned. Raskolnikov is struggling with the pressure of suspicion and the desire to confess. I think that he will eventually have to have a mental breakdown, because he is almost at a breaking point. This is shown through his sporadic emotions and lack of control over them - laughing strangely as he enters Porfiry's house, and his strange dream at the end of chapter six. However, for the first time really I got a sense of Raskolnikov's reasoning and justification for the murder through his article "On Crime." It was not only that he despised Alyona Ivanova, but that he believed he was better than her therefore he held the right to kill her. I think that Raskolnikov might have believed this when he was planning and committing the murder, but I think he is beginning to see that is not true. I think that he is beginning to doubt that he was right in killing her. The nightmare I think was symbolic of that. Raskolnikov tries again and again to kill Alyona but she just laughs at him, as if he was not "extraordinary" enough to commit the crime as he believed he was. I am interested to see who the strange man is in his room and what he brings to the story.


- Madie 

Alex's reaction to Madie Part III

It is easy to conclude that Madie and I basically agree on everything in the first three chapters of Part III of Crime and Punishment. We were both unpleased with the fact that Dostoyevsky did not use these chapters to continue elaborating on the murder of the Ivanova sisters and Raskolnikov’s internal punishments that result. However, despite the idea that this digression in the story did not appeal to either Madie or myself, we both agree that this deviation in the story complements Dostoyevsky’s writing style because it heightens the suspense in an already intense story. This made me excited to keep reading because I am now looking forward to the coming events in the next few chapters of the novel. Moreover, Madie and I share the same opinion that Razumhikin’s love interest in Dunya will not please Raskolnikov. I thought Madie brought up an interesting point when she stated her belief that if Razumikhin pursues his infatuation with Dunya even further, it will add to the anxiety and pressure that Raskolnikov already has from the murder. Furthermore, Madie and I concur that Raskolnikov’s guilt is extremely noticeable. As his overwhelming sense of guilt intensifies, Raskolnikov becomes even worse at hiding his true feelings. From fainting at the moment the murders are mentioned to practically confessing to the detective, it is clear that Raskolnikov is becoming possessed by his guilt.

-Alex