Crime and Punishment
Reading Guide – Part I
Chapter 1
1.
Try to visualize Petersburg as Raskolnikov walks through the streets. Notice how much attention Dostoevsky
pays to specific details, i.e. number of steps, color of walls, wallpaper, etc.
2.
What is Raskolnikov’s history with the pawnbroker? How many times has he been there and what has been
exchanged?
3.
Think of several adjectives that you would use to describe Raskolnikov after reading Chapter 1.
Chapter 2
1.
Raskolnikov leaves the pawnbrokers and goes to a tavern where he meets and talks with Marmeladov. When
Dostoevsky began writing this novel, his intention was to write The Drunkard and Marmeladov and his family
were going to be the focus. Now the Marmeladov episode is a subplot until the two plots merge later on.
2.
Who are the members of the Marmeladov family? What is his history? What did you think of Sonya’s
sacrifice? How did you feel toward Katerina before the event? After the event? Did you notice any Biblical
allusions in this scene?
3.
What is your response to Marmeladov? Can you have any sympathy for him? Has Dostoevsky done a good job
of describing an alcoholic?
Chapter 3
1.
Pay close attention to the description of Raskolnikov’s room. How would you feel if you lived in such a place?
2.
What is Raskolnikov’s relationship with his landlady?
3.
Note on page 27 . . . “My dear Rodya” . . . begins a letter to Raskolnikov from his mother. Don’t give up—the
letter is 8 pages long. Pay particular attention to the people. Where is Raskolnikov’s father? Who is
Raskolnikov’s sister? Pay close attention to the “affair” with Svidrigaylov and the details with Dunya.
Svidrigailov is a major character in the novel and will be a foil to Raskolnikov. Listen closely to these details.
What kind of person is Marfa Petrovna – his wife? Who is Luzhin and why do you think Raskolnikov hates
him so much? Luzhin is also a major character – so pay attention to the details concerning him.
Chapter 4
1.
What is the connection Raskolnikov makes between Sonya and Dunya?
2.
Pay attention to this repeating pattern that develops and will be repeated: another young girl who is the victim
of an aggressive male. What does Raskolnikov call the man pursuing this girl? Why, since that isn’t his name?
How does Raskolnikov serve as a rescuer in this scene? But note his change of heart when he leaves? What
does this tell us about Raskolnikov?
3.
Who is Razumikhin? Razumikhin is another major character who is revealed bit by bit.
Chapter 5
1.
Raskolnikov decides not to go see Razumikhin. He says he’ll go after what? What is it?
2.
Then Raskolnikov sleeps under a bush and has his first dream. (Dream #1) The dream begins on page 48 – the
last paragraph. The dream ends at the bottom of page 53. Summarize what happens: who are the characters?
What role does Raskolnikov play in the dream? Is he an aggressor or a rescuer?
3.
When he awakes, he feels led to walk toward the Hay Market. What is that? Who is Lizaveta? What does he
learn about her being home tomorrow?
Chapter 6
1.
Look at the beginning of this chapter – it explains how Raskolnikov first heard about the pawnbroker and
Lizaveta. He remembers sitting in a tavern and overhearing a conversation that was similar to a “strange idea. .
. pecking at his brain like a chicken in the egg, and very, very much absorbed him.” (page 57) What is this
idea?
2.
Page 60 break – he sleeps all day and makes certain preparations for something. What? What are his
preparations?
3.
What does he observe happening in the building when he climbs to the 4 th floor where the pawnbroker lives?
Notice these details closely – they will be crucial later in the “detective” part of the novel.
Chapter 7
1.
Pay close attention to the double murder that occurs in this chapter. Note the events and the order they occur in.
Observe how Raskolnikov is able to escape even when the two men come to the apartment door. Who is at the
door?
2.
Raskolnikov does what with the ax? He returns home and falls to sleep.