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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 Raskolnikov worry about?

2. What does Luzhin tell Sonia he will help her to get?

3. Who has followed him to Siberia?

4. Where does Raskolnikov go to when Sonia leaves?

5. How much does Luzhin say Sonia has stolen?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Luzhin use his wealth?

2. In what ways are Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov similar?

3. Why do you think Luzhin is so angry at Raskolnikov?

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

5. How does Luzhin make Sonia look guilty?

6. How does Raskolnikov view a public confession?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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