CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Characterization: Split Traits and Foils
Partner activity
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Partner up with someone who chose a different character
than you
Fill in each other’s opposing character and character traits
Do not discuss anything! Place an “x” on the continuum to
illustrate where you think the character falls
Share your textual evidence and discuss your findings
Discuss:
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Compare your views on the tensions evident in the character’s
personality and actions: Did you place the character similarly on
the continuum? What does this say about you and/or the
character?
Do you agree with the split character traits?
1) Go back to your original group and
report out your findings 2) Then discuss:
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How has this character study contributed to your
overall understanding of Crime and Punishment ?
There is only one Raskolnikov in this novel, but many
characters are similarly "split." What themes might
Dostoevsky be reinforcing by populating his novel
with those driven by conflicting impulses?
What more do we learn about Raskolnikov’s
character by considering the supporting cast?
How does this affect your reading of the novel?
Minor characters (supporting cast)
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What is their purpose? One is to serve as:
 Literary
Foils:
 foil
characters contrast with another one another in order to
highlight various features of that other character's
personality by throwing these characteristics into sharper
focus
 sometimes the foil characters balance each other (together
they would be a well-rounded character)
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Foils are measured in physical, mental, and
emotional traits
Traditional foil roles in literature
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Traditional literary foil roles:
 Protagonist
/ Antagonist
 Villain / Hero
 Guide, Mentor, Leader, Teacher / Follower, Student
 Hero / Sidekick (partner)
 Siblings
 Husband / Wife
 Friends
Crime and Punishment foils:
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Unusual in literature: foil trio
 Sonia
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/ Dounia / Lizaveta
What are some of the foil relationships in C and P?
 Raskolnikov
 ???
/ Svidrigailov
Read the character foils handout…
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There are seven foil types identified on this handout
 Indicate
a foil relationship from C & P that corresponds
to each foil type