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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 Raskolnikov do on his return from the police station?

3. Who is Raskolnikov surprised to hear Sonia was friends with?

4. What does Porfiry do when he suspects someone?

5. How much money does Raskolnikov say Svidrigaylov has offered Dunya?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Raskolnikov arranges to meet Porfiry?

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

3. What influence do you think Sonia and Porfiry are having on Raskolnikov?

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

5. How seriously is Raskelnikov thinking about his unnamed idea?

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

7. Why do you think Dunya chooses her brother over her fiance Luzhin?

8. In what way is Raskolnikov beginning to question himself and his theories?

9. What does Sonia symbolize to Raskolnikov?

10. What do you think it says about Razumikhin that he is so close to guessing the truth of the murder?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Raskolnikov wanders around St. Petersburg, he feels tremendous guilt for his crime. What is it about Raskolnikov's character that prevents him from overcoming his guilt? Describe what kind of character could overcome such guilt and move on with their lives? What do you think would of happened to Raskolnikov if he did not confess?

Essay Topic 2

Dialogue plays an important part in the novel and one chapter consists of just a dialogue between Raskolnikov and Porfiry. Using example from the novel discuss the important part dialogue plays in the following areas.

1) Character development.

2) Plot development

3) The development of the novel's themes.

In what way do you think dialogue can be overused?

Essay Topic 3

The painter Nicolas falsely confesses to the old lady's murder. What meaning do you think Nicolas's character brings to the novel? In what way do think Nicolas's social standing contributes to his false confession? What do think would have happened to Nicholas if he were found guilty? Do you think his punishment would of been more severe than Raskolnikov's?

(see the answer keys)

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