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

2. What details does Porfiry mention about Raskolnikov's recent behavior?

3. What does Porfiry do when he suspects someone?

4. What does Raskolnikov tell Zamyotov?

5. Why does Luzhin say he wants to marry a poor woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the first chapter say about Raskolnikov's character?

2. How does Raskolnikov feel after the murder?

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

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

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

6. What do you think the horse symbolizes in Raskolnikov's dream?

7. How do you think the people in Raskolnikov's dream relate to his current situation?

8. Why is Nicolas suspected of the murder?

9. What does Sonia symbolize to Raskolnikov?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Raskolnikov tries justifying his crime with his superior man theory, claiming, "power belongs to those who take it"

1) What are the underlying principles of the superior man theory? Does it take its ideas from any ideas that surfaced during the mid-nineteenth century? Why do you think this idea was such an issue during the mid-nineteenth century?

2) What do you think Dostoevsky opinions are on the theory? In what way does he voice these opinions?

Essay Topic 2

Crime and Punishment is translated into English from the Russian. How much meaning do you think a novel loses through translation? What aspects of the novel do you think would be the most difficult to express in English? In what way do you think a translator tries to overcome these difficulties?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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