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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 Svidrigaylov say is the secret to seduction?

2. What is Porfiry not satisfied with?

3. What does Svidrigaylov give Sonia enough to do?

4. What does Raskolnikov worry about?

5. Where does Svidrigaylov go after his meeting with Sonia?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do you think chapter two means in context of the novel?

3. In what ways does Porfiry show what perceptive detective he is?

4. What does Chapter four show about Svidrigaylov's character?

5. Why do you think Luzhin sets up Sonia?

6. Do you think Raskolnikov has finally accepted his guilt?

7. What do you think Dunya represented to Svidgaylov?

8. Why is making a public confession so difficult for Raskolnikov?

9. How does Dostoevsky portray Raskolnikov's conflicting emotions in chapter four?

10. How does Luzhin use his wealth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Crime and Punishment is a psychological drama.

1) Using examples from the book describe what you think are the main elements of a psychological drama.

2) In what way is Raskolnikov a typical character from a psychological drama? Are there any similar characters in contemporary psychological dramas?

3) What influence do you think Crime and Punishment has had on the psychological novel?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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