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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Raskolnikov want to tell Sonia?

2. What does Raskolnikov accuse Dunya of doing?

3. Why did Luzhin want to marry Dunya so much?

4. What does Raskolnikov present to the old lady to pawn?

5. What is Zamyotov's position in the police force?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Raskolnikov think of his sister's fiance Luzhin?

2. In way can the reader sympathize with Raskolnikov?

3. How does Raskolnikov hide his guilt?

4. Why is Nicolas suspected of the murder?

5. What do you think Raskolnikov's dream means at the beginning of this chapter?

6. What do you think Raskolnikov's dream in this chapter represents?

7. Why is chapter six such an important scene in the novel?

8. In what way have Raskolnikov and Porfiry switched roles in chapter five?

9. Why do you think Dunya and Mrs. Raskolnikov are not so pleasant to Luzhin in chapter 2?

10. In what way does Porfiry suggest Raskolnikov has made a mistake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is full of coincidences and fateful meetings. For example, Raskolnikov walks into the same bar where the inspector in charge of the murder case is having a drink. Take one of the coincidences in the book and discuss in what way do you think it contributes to the novel's psychological elements.

Essay Topic 2

The novel is set in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

1) What meaning does St. Petersburg bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in St. Petersburg?

2) How different do you think today's St. Petersburg is to the St. Petersburg in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's St. Petersburg?

3) How do you think the interior settings of the novel contribute to the novel's dark atmosphere?

Essay Topic 3

Raskolnikov states that the masses "are inferior men" who are "conservative, respectable and docile". Examine this statement in relation to Raskolnikov's character. Why do you think Raskolnikov is reacting against the masses? Do you think he believes what he says?

(see the answer keys)

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