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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. How does Mrs. Marmaladov attempt to show Sonia's innocence?

2. What did Svidrigaylov's wife permit him to do?

3. Whose heart does Razumikhin say Raskolnikov has broken?

4. What does Svidrigaylov say is the secret to seduction?

5. Who does Razumikin say he discusses the murder with?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Svidrigaylov's character?

2. In what way does Raskolnikov's confession sound different to what he had earlier claimed to think?

3. How is Mrs. Marmaladov different to Raskolnikov?

4. In what way does Dostoevsky show Dunya to be different to her brother?

5. Why do you think Dostoevsky distances the reader from Raskolnikov?

6. How does Luzhin make Sonia look guilty?

7. In what way does Svidrigaylov's suicide confirm to the reader the complexity of his character?

8. How does Raskolnikov finally find salvation?

9. How do you think not confessing to the murder will affect Raskolnikov?

10. In the epilogue how does Dostoevsky distance the reader from Raskolnikov?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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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