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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. In what month does the story begin?

2. What does Raskolnikov kill the old lady with?

3. What kind of job does the old lady have?

4. What does Raskolnikov ask his family to do before he leaves?

5. What is the name of the doctor that visits Rashkolnikov?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Luzhin's letter put the women in a difficult position?

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

3. What does Sonia symbolize to Raskolnikov?

4. How does Raskolnikov hide his guilt?

5. How does Dostoevsky create so much drama in the murder scene?

6. Why is Nicolas suspected of the murder?

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

8. What is a magistrate in the context of this book?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Money plays an important part in this book and the characters that have little money have miserable lives. Choose one character from the book and discuss his hers relationship with money.

1) What does money mean to them? To what length will they go to get money?

2) Does money make the happy? What do you think would happen to the character if he or she did not have money?

Essay Topic 2

Porfiry is probably the cleverest character in the book and quickly works out Raskolnikov.

1) What do you think are Porfiry's goals? How does he achieve his goals?

2) In what way do you think Porfiry wins Raskolnikov's respect and ultimately his trust? Do you think that Porfiry has sympathy for Raskolnikov?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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