Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoevsky
Use the following questions to guide your reading of the text. You do NOT need to answer
these questions on a separate sheet of paper, but the text is difficult and these questions will
be helpful for both basic comprehension and larger themes. ALSO, these questions
MIGHT guide your annotations! We will collect your book at the beginning of the year and
look for how you annotate—what you underline and your comments in the margins. IF we
find out that you used an older sibling’s book, you MUST show your own annotations or
take a zero for the assignment.
Part I
1. Describe in detail Raskolnikov’s living conditions. Include details about his room and the
area of St Petersburg.
2. What can environmental factors like Raskolnikov’s living conditions do to one’s mind?
3. Describe Raskolnikov’s looks, personality, and intelligence.
4. Describe the pawnbroker. Include a description of her personality and her looks. Is she
described in sympathetic or unsympathetic terms?
5. How are the descriptions for the pawnbroker and Raskolnikov ironic? What point is
Dostoevsky making in their descriptions?
6. Describe Marmeladov and his family.
7. Is Marmeladov to be pitied or despised?
8. Describe Katerina Ivanova’s background and her personality.
9. Describe Sonya.
10. Reread pages 29 & 30. Natasya tells Raskolnikov two important pieces of information.
Explain.
11. What was Raskolnikov’s former occupation, and why isn’t he engaged in it now.
12. Describe Raskolnikov’s mother Pulkheria.
13. Describe Dunya.
14. Describe Marfa Petrovna.
15. Describe Mr. Svidrigaylov.
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16. Describe Peter Petrovich (Luzhin).
17. How does Raskolnikov feel about Dunya’s proposed marriage to Luzhin? Explain why he
compares Dunya’s proposed marriage to Sonya’s prostitution.
18. Does Raskolnikov love his family? How can you tell?
19. Reread page 45. Explain why Marmeladov’s question from the day before came back to
Raskolnikov. “Do you understand, my dear sir, do you understand what it means when there is
no longer anywhere to go?... For it is necessary that every man have at least somewhere to go…”
20. Describe the incident with the young girl on the street and Raskolnikov’s reaction to her on
pages 46-50.
21. Describe Razumikhin.
Dreams play a major role in the novel. They are tied to events in reality, especially violent ones.
Dostoevsky was the first novelist to use dreams to show the mental and emotional turmoil of
characters.
22. Describe Raskolnikov’s dream on pages 54-59. How is this dream symbolic?
23. Describe Raskolnikov’s mental state after the dream.
24. On page 62, why does Raskolnikov walk “like a man condemned to death.””
25. On pages 63-66, Raskolnikov overhears a conversation between a young student and an
officer. Explain the conversation and the effect it has on Raskolnikov.
26. What preparations does Raskolnikov make for the murder?
27. What last minute details went wrong in preparation for the murder?
28. Reread page 73. Explain how luck was on Raskolnikov’s side.
29. Describe how Raskolnikov murders the pawnbroker.
30. Describe the murder of Lizaveta.
31. Explain the quote on page 80. “- the thought that he had fallen into madness and was unable
at that moment either to reason or to protect himself…”
32. Explain in detail how Raskolnikov was able to get away and out of the pawnbroker’s
apartment without being seen.
33. How was luck on his side?
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Part II
1. Look back to the ending of Part I on pages 70-1; 85-86. Explain Raskolnikov’s theory as to
why most crimes are so easily discovered.
2. THUS, does Raskolnikov react the way he theorized that he would? (see pg. 7) Explain
3. Psychiatrist point out the effects of guilt can be paranoia, isolation, physical illness, obsession
with the act itself, and loss of interest in everything else. Give examples of each of the above
behaviors for Raskolnikov.
4. Psychiatrists also point out that many people who feel guilty also feel compelled to confess.
Does this apply to Raskolnikov?
5. Explain what Raskolnikov does with the spoils of his crime?
6. Was robbery Raskolnikov’s motive? Explain.
7. Raskolnikov is summoned to the police department. Explain why. Point out all the ironies in
his visit there.
8. Dostoevsky spent five years in Siberia for writing politically subversive articles against the
Tsar; he understood suffering. Dostoevsky believed, like the Greeks, that one gains knowledge
through suffering. Is Raskolnikov suffering?
9. Why does Raskolnikov go to Razumikhin’s apartment and how does he behave there?
10. Explain Raskolnikov’s dream. Explain Nastasya’s ironic statement, “It’s the blood.”
11. Raskolnikov has become increasingly alienated form everyone. Describe his behavior.
12. What qualities of a good friend does Razumikhin possess, and how does he show his
concern?
13. Explain what Raskolnikov’s wild ravings reveal about him.
14. What is the only subject that Raskolnikov shows interest?
15. Why does Razumikhin feel that Mikolay is not the murderer?
16. What does Razumikhin’s theory about crime reveal about him?
17. How does Pytor Petrovich behave in his interview with Raskolnikov?
18. Explain Luzhin’s philosophy of life. (pages 148-151)
19. In your opinion, what qualities does Dostoevsky seem to value and despise in people?
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20. Reread page 158. What are Raskolnikov’s thoughts on life and death?
21. Why does Raskolnikov go to the tavern where he encounters Zametov?
22. Explain Raskolnikov’s behavior with Zametov at the bar. Who provokes the conversation
about the murder?
23. Based upon his behavior at the bar, what other personality traits of Raskolnikov surface?
24. Raskolnikov returns to the pawnbroker’s apartment. Explain what takes place.
25. Explain the accident of Marmeladov and Raskolnikov’s reaction.
26. What do Katerina Ivanovna’s reactions to Marmeladov’s death say about her character?
27. Discuss the incongruity of Sonya’s description and her actions on pages 182-185.
28. On page 186 Raskolnikov is described as, “He went down slowly, unhurriedly, all in a
fever…This sensation might be likened to the sensation of a man condemned to death who is
suddenly and unexpectedly granted a pardon.” What has brought about this change in feelings?
No quote necessary
29. Reread the paragraph on page 188 that starts with “Enough! He said resolutely and
solemnly. Explain this paragraph. No quote necessary
30. Reread the paragraph on page 191 that starts with “ Listen, Razumikhin,’ Raskolnikov
started to say. . . Explain this paragraph. No quote necessary
Part III
1. What personality traits does Dunya share with her brother Raskolnikov.
2. Explain how Razumikhin is both alike and different than Raskolnikov.
3. Describe Pulkheria. What kind of mother is she?
4. What does Luzhin’s letter reveal about his personality?
5. Explain what Zosimov believes is the nature of Raskolnikov’s sickness.
6. Reread page 224 stating with “ ‘What?’ He went to see you during the night, too?” Explain
what happens in this passage. No quote necessary.
7. Point out the duality of thought in Raskolnikov in regards to Dunya’s marriage.
8. Explain the significance of Raskolnikov’s reaction to his mother.
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9. Explain the ultimatum that Raskolnikov presents Dunya with. Is it fair?
10. Describe the family’s reaction to Sonya. How does Dunya react to her mother’s comments
about Sonya?
11. How is the stranger (Svidrigaylov) who is new to St. Petersburg described, and where does
live?
12. From a strategic standpoint, why are the playful actions of Raskolnikov and Razumikhin
upon entering Porfiry’s room effective?
13. How is Porfiry described in a somewhat contradictory way? Does Porfiry seem like a
formidable opponent at first?
*14. Discuss the main points of Raskolnikov’s article on crime as published in the
Periodical Review. Reread pages 258-261.
15. Why does Raskolnikov go to see Porfiry, and explain Raskolnikov’s reaction to him?
16. What does the fact that Porfiry has studied Raskolnikov’s article reveal to both Raskolnikov
and the reader?
17. Explain how Porfiry questions Raskolnikov. It is the traditional police interrogation manner?
18. Where is Porfiry being sarcastic in his discussion of Raskolnikov’s theory?
19. What result is Porfiry’s friendly disposition likely to provoke in a criminal?
20. When does Porfiry’s lighthearted manner give way to a deadly serious question?
21. Is Raskolnikov a suspect?
22. Why does Porfiry ask Raskolnikov if he believes in Lazarus rising form the dead?
*23. Reread page 264. Explain Raskolnikov’s theory regarding crime and
punishment.
24. Explain the trap that Porfiry sets up for Raskolnikov on pages 265.
25. How does Razumikhin’s reaction to Porfiry’s question about the painters further describe his
character?
26. Reread pages 274-275. Explain how Raskolnikov is starting to look at his actions in relation
to his theory.
27. Discuss the significance of Raskolnikov’s dream about the beating of an old woman.
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