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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. Where does Raskolnikov go to when Sonia leaves?

2. What does Raskolnikov dream about?

3. What does Mrs. Marmaladov spend half of Raskolnikov's twenty rubles on?

4. Why does Raskolnikov threaten to kill Svidrigaylov?

5. What does Mrs Marmaladov find in her daughter's pockets?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Mrs. Marmaladov different to Raskolnikov?

2. How does Dostoevsky still create suspense even as he winds down his story?

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

4. How does Luzhin make Sonia look guilty?

5. Do you think Raskolnikov has to make a confession?

6. What effect does Svidrigaylov death have on Raskolnikov?

7. Do you think Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov's confession is the miracle that Svidrigaylov claims?

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

9. In what ways are Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov similar?

10. Describe Svidrigaylov's character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Raskolnikov and Sonia form a strong bond that Dostoevsky suggests will lead into a lasting relationship. What similarities do you think Sonia and Raskolnikov share? Why do you think Sonia is so important to Raskolnikov's character? What do you think would happen to Raskolnikov if Sonia did not try to help him?

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

The novel is set in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

1) What meaning does St. Petersburg bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in St. Petersburg?

2) How different do you think today's St. Petersburg is to the St. Petersburg in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's St. Petersburg?

3) How do you think the interior settings of the novel contribute to the novel's dark atmosphere?

(see the answer keys)

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