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Poisonwood Bible Major Works Data Sheet AP Literature and Composition 1st Period Title of Work: Crime and

Punishment Author: Dostoevsky Date of Publication: 1866 Genre: Fiction Thriller Characteristics of the Genre: Dostoevsky employs tension and psychological measures to create suspense throughout the novel.

Historical Information about the Period of Publication:

Biographical Information about the Author:

The book was written prior to the Russian Revolution. Russia is still under the control of the tsar. Crime and Punishments only real references to the outside world include mentioning nihilism.

Plot Summary

The main character is Raskolnikov. He is arrogant and self centered, and resides in the city of St. Petersburg. He slowly builds up the courage to kill a woman, and thinks of himself as too good to get in trouble for what he has done. Slowly, the guilt eats away at Raskolnikov, who realizes that he is not impervious to guilt. He begins to feel suspicious that everyone around him knows what he has done. Raskolnikov as a character is distanced from his friends and family and tends not to interact with anyone socially. He does meet a man named Marmeladov in a tavern, and escorts him home to his wife Katerina Ivanovna, but even this act is more of curiosity than of honest compassion. When taking Marmeladov home, Raskolnikov meets Sonya, his daughter who resorts to prostitution to support his family. Raskolnikov is attracted to her and believes he identifies with her because she has committed moral wrongs. He falls in love with her, but is caught by a detective for the murder of Alonya and her daughter, and is sent to Siberia for his crimes.

Despite this, Raskolnikov finds happiness in Siberia and believes he will be able to find a better understanding of himself there.

Description of Authors Style

Example that Demonstrates Style and Explanation:

Dostoevsky writes in third person omniscient and thus the readers are aware of Raskolnikovs thoughts and perspective.

He, like everyone, had heard that there were, especially in Petersburg, progressives of some sort, nihilists and so on, and, like many people, he exaggerated and distorted the significance of those words to an absurd degree.

Memorable Quotations

Quotation and Speaker

Significance

What was taking place in him was totally unfamiliar, new, sudden, never before experienced. Not that he understood it, but he sensed clearly, with all the power of sensation, that it was no longer possible for him to address these people in the police station, not only with heartfelt effusions, as he had just done, but in any way at all, and had they been his own brothers and sisters, and not police lieutenants, there would still have been no point in this addressing them, in whatever circumstances of life.-Part II, Chapter I

This is Raskolnikov s realization that his murders have completely isolated himself from everyone around him. His separation is complete and he is now truly alone.

The old woman was a mistake perhaps, but shes not the point! The old woman was merely sickness . . . I was in a hurry to step over . . . it wasnt a human being I killed, it was a principle! So I killed the principle, but I didnt step over, I stayed on this side . . . All I managed to do was kill. And I didnt even manage that, as it turns out . . . Part III, Chapter VI

Raskolnikov is anxious because he is an unsuccessful murderer. He is unable to dismiss the guilt and realizes that he is not the superman that he thought he was. .

Characters Name

Major Characters Role (What role Significance (Why does this person is this character have in the story?) significant to the story?) Protagonist He is the main character Provides maternal figure Engaged to Luzhin, how things were before the murder Spends all of his familys money, fathers Sonya Wife of Marmeladov Originally elite Daughter of Katerina, prostitute, teaches R about God, Convinces R to confess None Convinces himself that Dunya loves him and rumors are started Spreads rumors about Dunya, possibly murdered by S Takes care of R and fam. Falls in love wth Dunya

Character Triats

Raskolnikov

Troubled alienated and moody Worried and poor

Pulcheria

Mother

Dunya

Sister

Smart and proud

Marmeladov

Father

Irresponsible, drunk

Katerina

Mother

Crazy

Sonya

Love interest

Timid, shy, nervous

Polya, Kolka, Lenya Svidrigailov Ivaovich

Children of M Dunyas former employer

None Evil

Marfa Petranova

Ss wife

Kind

Razumikin

Raskolnikovs friend

Friendly, social, humble

Porfiry Petrovich Pytor Petrovich Luzhin

Related to Marfa Dunyas fiance

Rs antagonist Wants to marry Dunya because she is poor and humble; tries to frame R and shame Sonya Murdered by R and robbed Killed by R

Sly and cunning Arrogant and vain

Alonya Ivanova

Pawnbroker

Mean, hateful, rich, miser Dumb, honest

Lizaveta

Alonyas sister and Sonyas friend Luzhins roommate Rs doctor Servant Police official

Andrei Lebezyatnikov Zossimov Nastasya Petrovna Ilya Petrovich gunpowder Zamytov

Studied new philosophies Suspects R is mad Aids R when he is ill R confesses the murder to him Suspects R of murders after conversation in tavern Confesses to the murders

Self-centered Young, smart Kind, critical, nosy Hot-tempered

Junior Police Official

Nikolai Mikolka

Painter

Description of the Settings and the Mood the Settings Create:

Significance of the Opening Scene:

Takes place in St. Petersburg and Siberia in the mid 1860s. St. P was the economic capital of Russian and the majority of the novel takes place during summer. R sees St. P as a poverty stricken place full of vagrants and drunkards where he cannot be alone and peaceful. This is why he finds himself in Siberia.

The opening scene describes the setting, which is hot and on the verge of explosion. R scouts out Alonya.

Major Symbols, Motifs, Images

Significance of Ending/Closing Scene

The major symbols, motifs, and images are: -America -Nature versus the City -The cross -Lazarus -Illness

Crime and Punishment ends in Siberia where he is imprisoned for seven years. Dostoevsky hints at Rs acceptance of Christianity and R does not seem to repent but has a chance of living with Sonya after exile.

Possible Questions for Discussion:

1. Detail the idea of alienation throughout the story. 2. Discuss Raskolnikovs view of others in Russian society. 3. How do these two factors contribute to Raskolnikovs decision to commit his crime? 4. Describe how Raskolnikov comes to feel guilty and suspicious of others. 5. Why does Raskolnikov like Sonya? 6. How does Sonya help Raskolnikov grow as a person?

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