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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. Why does Raskolnikov threaten to kill Svidrigaylov?

2. Who visits Raskolnikov in this chapter?

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

4. How long has Raskolnikov served so far in prison?

5. Who does Mrs. Marmaladov give place of honor?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Mrs. Marmaladov different to Raskolnikov?

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

3. Why do you think Luzhin sets up Sonia?

4. How does Luzhin use his wealth?

5. How does Raskolnikov finally find salvation?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes in the novel and describe how Dostoevsky expresses each theme in the book. What do you think the themes say about his opinions as a writer and intellectual?

Essay Topic 3

The main themes in the novel are crime, poverty and justice. Take one of these themes and discuss how Dostoevsky expresses them in the book? Why do you think these themes were important concerns in nineteenth century Russia?

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