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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 does Raskolnikov owe money to?

2. What does Raskolnikov accuse Dunya of doing?

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

4. Who has been charged with the murders?

5. What does Raskolnikov's mother compare his room to?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Why is Nicolas suspected of the murder?

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

7. What does the letter show about Raskolnikov's relationship with his family?

8. Why do you think Raskolnikov leaves the room so abruptly in chapter three?

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

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

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

Raskolnikov often contradicts himself and eventually it leads to his downfall. In what way does Raskolnikov contradict himself? What do you think it says about his character that he does contradict himself? Do you think he contradicts himself less as the novel goes on? If so why?

Essay Topic 3

Dostoevsky introduces Svidrigaylov quite late into the novel. Examine Svidigaylov's character.

1) What do you think are the aims and conflicts of Svidrgaylov's character?

2) Why do you think Dostoevsky introduces Svidrigaylov into the story? What difference do you think he makes to the story?

3) What affect do you think his suicide has on the other characters? Does it change their outlook?

(see the answer keys)

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