free booknotes online

Help / FAQ


printable study guide online download notes summary


<- Previous | First | Next ->
FREE Barron's Booknotes-Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky-Free
Table of Contents | Message Board | Printable Version | MonkeyNotes

CHAPTER 2

Raskolnikov is the main subject of conversation in this chapter, but he never appears. You discover what Razumikhin, editing discreetly, tells Raskolnikov's mother and sister about him and what they have noticed themselves.

Razumikhin has begun the day in a fit of depression because he feels he has disgraced himself by being so presumptuous and "disgusting" with Raskolnikov's sister and mother. Despite his worst fears, however, he is greeted enthusiastically at the hotel and treated as a dear and trusted friend. While he tries to spare the women's feelings, he is direct and honest about Raskolnikov. It would be hard to find a clearer analysis of the problem than his: "It is as if he had two separate personalities, each dominating him alternately." On the good side, Raskolnikov can be warm and generous. But the bad side seems to have the upper hand. He is depressed, hypochondriacal, cold, unfeeling, egotistical, and self-centered. This explanation probably confirms our own observations, and it articulates Dostoevsky's interest in dual, or double, personalities.

Dunya, grateful for his honesty, suggests that perhaps what her brother needs is a woman's love. But Razumikhin isn't sure that would work either, because he isn't sure Raskolnikov is capable of loving anyone.


Pulcheria Alexandrovna admits that he has always been difficult. Capricious and cranky are the words she uses. She is distraught and she admits she has always been afraid he might do things no one else would think of. A recent example was his inexplicable engagement to the landlady's daughter. Razumikhin has no explanation for that interlude, except to say the girl was "plain... sickly... and odd." Raskolnikov's mother is honest enough to say she'd been glad the girl died.

The conversation then turns to Luzhin. Razumikhin admits that Raskolnikov was rude to the man. This time he doesn't use illness as an excuse. And he admits he is ashamed of his own behavior.

But Raskolnikov and Razumikhin's assessment of Luzhin's character is about to be reinforced. The women show Razumikhin a letter in which Luzhin demands that Raskolnikov not be present when he makes his much delayed visit that evening. Worse, you can recognize a deliberate lie. The letter describes Raskolnikov giving away his twenty-five roubles to "a notoriously ill-conducted female... on the pretext of funeral expenses." You know perfectly well what really happened.

NOTE:

Once again, Dostoevsky has given you more information than any of the characters have. He expects you to use it to draw your own conclusions about Luzhin.

As the confused women prepare to meet Raskolnikov again, they are slightly better prepared to cope with him. And you have a little more information with which to figure out what he will do next.

Table of Contents | Message Board | Printable Version | MonkeyNotes


<- Previous | First | Next ->
FREE Barron's Booknotes-Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky-Free

Google
Web
PinkMonkey

Google
  Web PinkMonkey.com   
Google
  Web Search Our Message Boards   

All Contents Copyright © PinkMonkey.com
All rights reserved. Further Distribution Is Strictly Prohibited.


About Us
 | Advertising | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Home Page
This page was last updated: 11/11/2023 11:47:56 PM