CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky’s Life
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October 30, 1821: Dostoevsky is born.
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1837: Dostoevsky is enrolled at St. Petersburg Engineering Academy; his mother dies; his father buys a small village.
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1843: Dostoevsky is commissioned in the Army Engineering Corps.
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1844: Dostoevsky resigns his commission and turns to journalism and literature.
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1846: Dostoevsky publishes his first novels, Poor Folk and The Double; he joins the Petrashevsky circle of reformers.
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1847: Serfs kill Dostoevsky’s father.
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1848: Karl Marx publishes The Communist Manifesto.
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1849: Dostoevsky is arrested for sedition (April 23); he is condemned to be shot (November 16); he receives a last-minute reprieve from the Czar Nicolas I (December
22); he is sent to a maximum security prison from 1850 to 1854; he is then sent to military exile in Siberia from 1854 to 1859.
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1853: Dostoevsky experiences a profound religious conversion.
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1855: Czar Nicolas I dies, and his son, Alexander II, becomes Czar.
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1857: Dostoevsky marries his first wife.
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1860: Dostoevsky returns to St. Petersburg.
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1861: Czar Alexander II frees the Serfs.
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1862: Dostoevsky travels in Europe; he has an affair with a young student, Apollinariya, whom he considers his intellectual equal.
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1864: Notes from the Underground is published; his first wife, Maria, and brother die.
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1865: Dostoevsky returns to Europe; the relationship with Appolinariya ends; he gambles away what little money he has; he begins writing Crime and Punishment, which
he eventually burns after returning to St. Petersburg.
1866: Dostoevsky rewrites Crime and Punishment in installments for a literary magazine; with the help of a young stenographer named Anna, he writes The Gambler,
which he finishes on October 30—his forty-fifth birthday.
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1867: Dostoevsky marries his stenographer, Anna, who is twenty-two at the time.
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1868: Dostoevsky’s daughter, Sofia, is born and dies within three months; The Idiot is published.
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1869: Dostoevsky’s daughter, Lyubov, is born.
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1871: Dostoevsky’s son, Fyodor, is born.
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1875: Dostoevsky’s so, Alexei (Alyosha), is born.
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1878: Alexei (Alyosha) dies.
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1881: Brothers Karamazov is finished; Dostoevsky dies following an epileptic seizure (February 19); Alexander II is assassinated (March 13).
Historical Background
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Dostoyevsky wrote Crime and Punishment during a tumultuous and
transitional time period in Russia. The novel is set in 19th century czarist
Russia when major social, political, and intellectual transformations were
taking place. While social and political uprisings were for the most part
suppressed by the czar, new philosophical ideas such as Utilitarianism,
Nihilism, and Nietzsche’s Ubermensch were taking root and threatening
the traditional views and values of Russian society, including those of
the Russian Orthodox church. Dostoyevsky wrote Crime and Punishment,
in part, as a reaction to some of these new, and possibly what he
perceived as dangerous, ideas.
Reacting to what he perceives as the mediocrity, injustice, and
intellectual cowardice of the society in which he lives, Raskolnikov
struggles with the new philosophical ideas outlined above. What are
Raskolnikov’s views regarding each philosophy? Through his thoughts
and actions, what do we discover about each philosophy? Is each
philosophy fundamentally flawed, or does Raskolnikov merely pervert
its intentions?
Values Exercise: Morality
1
(Worst)
Thief
Prostitute
Murderer
Gossip
Sadist
Alcoholic
Gambler
2
3
4
5
6
7
(Best)
Big-Picture Questions
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Are certain individuals “great”? If so, are these “great”
individuals “above the law”?
Does society produce criminals, or are criminals born?
Can murder ever be justified for the common good?
What is the worst possible crime? What is the worst possible
sin?
Are all criminals redeemable? Can all sinners atone for their
sins?
How can society best deal with criminals?
How can human beings effectively cope with a guilty
conscience?
Themes
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Salvation through repentance and suffering
Danger of alienation from society and the need for socialization
The duality of human nature
The squalor and wretchedness of urban life
Danger of Nihilism and disbelief
Danger of putting one’s faith in man and science, the Ubermensch,
instead of God
Love involves loyalty. For example, Sonia’s love and devotion to
Raskolnikov.
No one is above the common human experience of suffering, the
effects of one’s deeds, the law, and morality. For example,
Raskolnikov cannot escape the consequences (both legal and
moral) of his crime.
Setting, Symbolism, and Motifs
Analyze how Dostoevsky uses setting and symbolism to express conflict
and gauge the inner state of characters.
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Setting, Symbols, and Motifs
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Consider the physical setting, the temporal setting, the social setting, and the psychological setting
Consider the mircoculture and the macroculture
Homes and Apartments
City vs. Country
Poverty vs. Wealth
Water
Vegetation
Sun
Air
Earth
Dreams
Resurrection
The Cross
Characters
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Positive characters
The former Raskolnikov who believed in traditional religious and emotional forces
Negative characters
The new Raskolnikov who believes in rational egoism
The Four Humors
The Four Humors
Setting and Symbolism: Analyze how Dostoevsky uses setting and
symbolism to express conflict and gauge the inner state of characters.
Direct Reference/Quote
Interpretation
Character Names
See handout.
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=ZhuUubxlRkw

Raskolnikov vs. Raskolnikov
Cold, premeditated, insensitive
Warm, impulsive, generous
Important Philosophies: The –isms
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Egoism
Nihilism
Existentialism
Nietzsche’s Ubermensch
Utilitarianism
Egoism vs. Egotism
“Egoism.” Oxford Dictionaries. 2012. Oxford University Press. Web. 17 Aug. 2012.
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/egoism?region=us#m_en_us1243309
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The words egoism and egotism are frequently confused, as
though interchangeable, but there are distinctions worth
noting. Both words derive from Latin ego (‘I’), the first-person
singular pronoun.
Egotism, the more commonly used term , denotes an
excessive sense of self-importance, too-frequent use of the
word ‘I,’ and general arrogance and boastfulness.
Egoism, a more subtle term , is perhaps best left to ethicists,
for whom it denotes a view or theory of moral behavior in
which self-interest is the root of moral conduct.
An egoist, then, might devote considerable attention to
introspection, but could be modest about it, whereas an
egotist would have an exaggerated sense of the importance
of his or her self-analysis, and would have to tell everyone.
Nihilism
Pratt, Alan. (3 May 2005). Nihilism. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved on 19 Nov. 2012 from
http://www.iep.utm.edu/nihilism/.
“Nihilism” comes from the Latin nihil, or nothing, which means not anything, that which does not
exist. It appears in the verb “annihilate,” meaning to bring to nothing, to destroy completely.
Early in the nineteenth century, Friedrich Jacobi used the word to negatively characterize
transcendental idealism. It only became popularized, however, after its appearance in Ivan
Turgenev’s novel Fathers and Sons (1862) where he used “nihilism” to describe the crude
scientism espoused by his character Bazarov who preaches a creed of total negation.
In Russia, nihilism became identified with a loosely organized revolutionary movement (18601917) that rejected the authority of the state, church, and family. In his early writing, anarchist
leader Mikhael Bakunin (1814-1876) composed the notorious entreaty still identified with
nihilism: “Let us put our trust in the eternal spirit which destroys and annihilates only because it
is the unsearchable and eternally creative source of all life–the passion for destruction is also a
creative passion!” (Reaction in Germany, 1842). The movement advocated a social arrangement
based on rationalism and materialism as the sole source of knowledge and individual freedom
as the highest goal. By rejecting man’s spiritual essence in favor of a solely materialistic one,
nihilists denounced God and religious authority as antithetical to freedom. The movement
eventually deteriorated into an ethos of subversion, destruction, and anarchy, and by the late
1870s, a nihilist was anyone associated with clandestine political groups advocating terrorism
and assassination.
Nihilism
Pratt, Alan. (3 May 2005). Nihilism. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved on 19 Nov. 2012 from
http://www.iep.utm.edu/nihilism/.
Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be
known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a
radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in
nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to
destroy. While few philosophers would claim to be nihilists, nihilism is most
often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche who argued that its corrosive effects
would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions
and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history. In the 20th century,
nihilistic themes–epistemological failure, value destruction, and cosmic
purposelessness–have preoccupied artists, social critics, and philosophers.
Mid-century, for example, the existentialists helped popularize tenets of
nihilism in their attempts to blunt its destructive potential. By the end of the
century, existential despair as a response to nihilism gave way to an attitude
of indifference, often associated with antifoundationalism*.
*Antifoundationalism is a philosophy that rejects the idea of a single unified whole in which everything is ultimately interrelated. An
antifoundation-alist believes that life is defined by personal experiences; therefore, a person's view of life is an ongoing self-corrective process
in which knowledge changes with time (from http://www.public.asu.edu/~jvanasu/Anti-Foundationalism.htm)
Existentialism
Crowell, Steven. “Existentialism.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 11 Oct. 2010. Web.
<http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/>.
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Neither the universe nor human life has any inherent or essential meaning; and absolute truth, absolute right, and
absolute wrong do not exist; therefore, human beings must create their own realities and truths, their own meaning.
Despite the apparent absurdity, uncertainty, and meaninglessness of the universe, the world, and human life, human
beings do have the capacity as well as the need to create meaningful lives for themselves, which can be done
through philosophical inquiry and a quest for moral purpose.
Human beings can rise above the absurd, uncertain, and meaningless world and provide meaning in their lives by
taking personal responsibility for their actions; by affirming the importance of human effort, honesty, and compassion;
by saying, “Yes!”
The universe is unfathomable—enigmatic, immeasurable, and incomprehensible.
Human beings must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of freewill without any certain knowledge of what is right
or wrong, good or bad.
According to Ernest Hemingway, “man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated” (from Old
Man and the Sea, p. 103).
According to Brian Idle, “Life is quite absurd/And death's the final word/You must always face the curtain with a
bow./(What have you got to lose?/You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing./What have you
lost? Nothing!)/Always look on the bright side of life” (from Monty Python’s The Life of Brian).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2Wx230gYJw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrdEMERq8MA
For Jean-Paul Sartre, a human being “is what it is not and is not what it is.”
Who am I? What am I? What do I stand for?
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For Jean-Paul Sartre, a human being “is what it is not and is not what it
is.” What does this quote mean? How does this quote relate to the video
clip from Jerry Maguire?
Jerry Maguire, Mission Statement (6:05)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSi4HHNOnd0
Jerry Maguire, Part 1 (12:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_jRZ5FIYt8
Jerry Maguire, Part 2 (12:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA6ArFp5xSw
Jerry Maguire, Part 3 (12:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=q2kxjl8M
nSc
Albert Camus’s “The Myth of Sisyphus”
Albert Camus’s “The Myth of Sisyphus@
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/00/pwi
llen1/lit/msysip.htm
 For Jean-Paul Sartre, a human being “is what it
is not and is not what it is.” What does this
quote mean? How does this quote relate to
“The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus?

“Invictus” (1875)
by William Ernest Henley, British Poet (1849-1903)
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
“Invictus” read by Morgan Freeman in
the movie Invictus (2009).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo
zhZHuAcCs
For Jean-Paul Sartre, a human
being “is what it is not and is not
what it is.” What does this quote
mean? How does this quote relate
to “Invictus” by William Henley?
Who am I? What am I? What do I stand for?
For Jean-Paul Sartre, a human being “is what it is
not and is not what it is.”
 What does this quote mean?
 How does this quote relate to the video clip from
Jerry Maguire, “Invictus” by William Henley, and
“The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus?
 By the way, this quote is an example of chiasmus.
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Nietzsche’s Ubermensch
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Handout
Courage and Greatness: “Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's
knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you
see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do”
(Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird).
A Few Good Men, Kaffee Melts Down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevDWRn-3-s
A Few Good Men, Final Scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=futzibYW0E
Batman Begins, “It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that
defines you” (1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-zNnq7kHMI
Batman Begins: “It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that
defines you” (2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQr6GrgSPnw
Utilitarianism
“The History of Utilitarianism,” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, @
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/utilitarianism-history/
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Utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the
action that produces the most good. There are many ways to spell out this general
claim. One thing to note is that the theory is a form of consequentialism: the right
action is understood entirely in terms of consequences produced. What
distinguishes utilitarianism from egoism has to do with the scope of the relevant
consequences. On the utilitarian view one ought to maximize the overall good —
that is, consider the good of others as well as one's own good.
The Classical Utilitarians, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, identified the
good with pleasure, so, like Epicurus, were hedonists about value. They also held
that we ought to maximize the good, that is, bring about “the greatest amount of
good for the greatest number.”
Utilitarianism is also distinguished by impartiality and agent-neutrality. Everyone's
happiness counts the same. When one maximizes the good, it is the good
impartially considered. My good counts for no more than anyone else's good.
Further, the reason I have to promote the overall good is the same reason anyone
else has to so promote the good. It is not peculiar to me.
All of these features of this approach to moral evaluation and/or moral decisionmaking have proven to be somewhat controversial and subsequent controversies
have led to changes in the Classical version of the theory.
Part One: Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Describe Raskolnikov’s relationship with Marmeladov (pp. 10-27).
What does it reveal about his personality?
Describe Raskolnikov’s reaction to his mother’s letter regarding
Dounia’s engagement (pp. 41-47). What does it reveal about his
personality?—Watch and discuss.
Describe Raskolnikov’s dream (pp. 57-62). What might it
symbolize?
Summarize the conversation Raskolnikov overhears in the tavern
(pp. 66-69). What does his reaction to it reveal about his
personality?
Compare Raskolnikov’s actions and reactions on pages 26-27 and
pages 51-52. How do these actions and reactions reveal his split
personality?
What is Raskolnikov’s motive for murder? Defend your answer with
specific evidence from the text. Cite page numbers.
Part Two: Questions
What does Raskolnikov do with the stolen purse that is in his pocket? What
question does he ask himself about the purse? What does this suggest about his
motive? (ch. 2, pp. 111-112)
Razumihin:
1.
2.
a.
What type of person is Razumihin? (ch. 2, pp. 114-115; ch. 3, p.124, 127)
b.
What is the significance of the new clothes Razumihin purchases for
Razkolnikov? (ch. 3, pp. 131-133)
Analysis of the murder:
3.
a.
b.
4.
5.
6.
Who is accused of committing the murder? (ch. 4, pp. 136-140)
What does Zossimov think about the murder? (ch. 4, pp. 141-144)
What is the nature of the debate between Luzhin, Razumihin, and Raskolnikov?
What is significant about it? (ch. 5, pp. 149-151, 152-154)—Watch and discuss.
What is the nature of the debate between Raskolnikov and Zametov? What is
significant about it? (ch. 6, pp. 162-167)—Watch and discuss.
What happens to Marmeladov, how does Rasolnikov react, and what does
Raskolnikov’s reaction suggest about Raskolnikov? (ch. 7, pp. 176-195)
Harvard bar scene in Good Will Hunting and the debate between
Luzhin, Razumihin, and Razumihin in Crime and Punishment
How does the debate scene between Luzhin,
Razumihin, and Raskolnikov (ch. 5, pp. 149-151,
152-154) compare with the following scene from
Good Will Hunting?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnZ0Y4rvz6E
Which character is similar to Luzhin? Which character is
similar to Razumihin? Which character is similar to
Raskolnikov?
Part Three: Discussion Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
How is Razumihin’s “fate sealed”? (206)
What does Luzhin request in his letter? What is the tone of his letter? (219220)
What does Raskolnikov admit to doing with the money that his mother sent to
him? What tone does he take? (227-228)
What is the nature and tone of the discussion between Dounia and
Raskolnikov? What is ironic about it? (231-234)
Describe the person who follows Sonia. Who might he be? (245)
In chapter five, Razumihin, Porfiry, and Raskolnikov debate the nature of
crime. Summarize each character’s philosophy regarding crime. Which one
do you agree with most? Which one do you agree with least? (256-265)—
Watch and discuss.
What is troubling Raskolnikov about his crime, the murder? (274-275)
Who inquires about Raskolnikov, and what does he tell Raskolnikov when
Raskolnikov confronts him? (271-273)
What is the symbolic significance of Raskolnikov dream? (276-278)
Who arrives at Raskolniov’s apartment? (278)
Part Four: Discussion Points
1.
2.
3.
Svidrigailov:
a. Why has Svidrigailov come to visit Raskolnikov? (279, 290)
b. Summarize Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov’s conversation about ghosts. Does Raskolinkov believe in ghosts and
the afterlife? Why or why not? What are your thoughts on the subject? (287-288)
c. During their conversation, Svidrigailov continuously hints that he and Raskolvikov are alike. How are they
alike?
Luzhin:
a. What is the gossip that Luzhin shares regarding Svidrigailov? What is his motive for sharing it? (296-298)
b. How does Luzhin try to slander Raskolnikov? (302)
c. How does Luzhin try to control Dounia? What are the results? (304)
d. How does Luzhin feel about Raskolnikov at the end of part four, chapter three? Why does he feel this way?
What does this feeling foreshadow? (305)
e. What makes Dounia “essential” to Luzhin? (306)
f. After reading pages 305-307, do you feel any sympathy toward Luzhin?
Razumihin:
a.
b.
4.
5.
Why is Razumihin “delighted”? (307)
Explain what “passed between” Raskolnikov and Razumihin at the conclusion of part four, chapter three. (312-313)
Raskolnikov goes to visit Sonia in part four, chapter four. Summarize their conversation and discuss its significance.
What does it reveal about both Raskolnikov and Sonia?—Watch and discuss.
Raskolnikov goes to see Porfiry in part four, chapter five. Summarize their conversation and discuss its
significance. What two ironic “twists of fate” occur in part four, chapter six?—Watch and discuss.
How do the following scenes compare to the scene that occurs
between Raskolnikov and Sonia in part four, chapter four?
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
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The Dark Knight: Joker’s Interrogation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnOLhXmhkyA&fea
ture=player_detailpage
The Dark Knight: Joker’s Social Experiment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4GAQtGtd_0
The Dark Knight: Final Joker Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eroRVQJLjo
Atonement and Redemption
NPR Staff. “A Mother Tries To Atone For A Deadly
Hate Crime.” NPR Morning Edition. 17 Aug. 2012.
Web. 17 Aug. 2012.
http://www.npr.org/2012/08/17/158926181/amurder-a-secret-and-a-mothers-attempt-to-atone
Part Five: Discussion Points
1.
2.
3.
How does Luzhin slander Sonia? What is his
motive? What are the results? (386-392; 396-398)
When Raskolnikov confesses to Sonia, what reason
does he give for committing the murders? What is
Sonia’s reply to Raskolnikov’s confession? (403418)—Watch and discuss.
What does Svidrigailov promise to do? What is
his motive? (431-432)
Symbolism
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Lazarus
Crosses: wood, copper, crossroads
Numbers
3
5
7
Part Six: Discussion Points
1.
2.
3.
The effects of the murder:
a. What is the motive for Nikolay’s confession? (449) Does one need to “suffer”?
b. What is Porfiry’s analysis of the motive behind the murder? (450-451)
c. What is Porfiry’s advice to Raskolnikov? Should Raskolnikov follow it? (454-455)
d. How is Raskolnikov’s situation similar to Dimmesdale’s in The Scarlet Letter, Proctor’s situation in The Crucible, and
Captain Whitaker’s situation in Flight? Why does he need to suffer? Why won’t he run away? Why must he ultimately
confess? (454-456)
Svidrigailov:
a. What does Raskolnikov vow to do to Svidrigailov? Why? (458-459)
b. To whom is Svidrigailov engaged? Explain the circumstances surrounding the engagement. (474-475)
c. What happens between Svidrigailov and Dounia? Why does she lay down the pistol? Why does he stop his pursuit
of her? (481-492)
d. What does Svidrigailov do to redeem himself? (476-477, 494-495, 496-497)
e. What are the two dreams Svidrigailov has before he shoots himself? What do they suggest about him? (499-506)
Raskolnikov’s confession:
a. When Raskolnikov confesses to Dounia, what is his attitude regarding his crime? What does this suggest about him?
What might Dostoyevsky be suggesting about the cause of crime/sin? (511-512)
b. What does Raskolnikov do before going to the police station to confess his crime? How do people react? Who
follows him? What might Dostoyevsky be suggesting about the cause of crime/sin and how one can redeem oneself?
(520-521)
c. Why does Raskolnikov walk out of the police station before ultimately confessing? Why does he return to confess?
Murder, Manslaughter, or Mentally Ill?
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First Degree
Second Degree
Third Degree
Voluntary Manslaughter
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Guilty but Mentally Ill
Question: Of what crimes should Raskolnikov be convicted?
Victims: Pawnbroker—Alyona Ivanovna; her sister—Lizaveta
Nature vs. Nurture
Speigel, Alex. “Would Judge Give Psychopath
With Genetic Defect Lighter Sentence?” NPR
Morning Edition. 17. Aug. 2012. Web. 17 Aug.
2012.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/17/158
944525/would-judge-give-psychopath-with-geneticdefect-lighter-sentence
Epilogue: Discussion Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What is Raskolnikov’s sentence? Why was he given it?
Do you agree with it? (529)
How does Raskolnikov’s situation compare with the
philosophy of the transcendentalists, especially
Thoreau’s experience on Walden Pond? (530, 534,
535-536)
Prior to his hospitalization, what evidence suggests that
Raskolnikov is unrepentant? (536)
What causes Raskolnikov to have a change of spirit?
(538)
How long does Rasolnikov remain in the hospital? Why
is this significant? (538)
How is Raskolnikov ultimately saved? (540-542)
Are all criminals redeemable? Can all sinners atone for their sins?
Roy, Sandip. “From a Calcutta Prison to the Classical
Stage.” National Public Radio. 27 Nov. 2012. Web.
27 Nov. 2012.
http://www.npr.org/2012/11/27/163016950/from
-a-calcutta-prison-to-the-classical-stage
Values Exercise: Morality
1
(Worst)
Thief
Prostitute
Murderer
Gossip
Sadist
Alcoholic
Gambler
2
3
4
5
6
7
(Best)
Extension and Enrichment
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Read “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Camus and compare to
Raskolnikov’s views expressed on pages 533 and 535.
Read the articles about Leopold and Loeb. How does Raskolnikov
compare to both Leopold and Loeb?
Watch Hitchcock’s Rope. How does it compare with the Leopold-Loeb
case? How does it compare with Crime and Punishment?
Read your the excerpt from Dante’s Inferno. How does Dante’s
Inferno compare with Crime and Punishment? Create a map of
Dante’s Hell and place characters from Crime and Punishment in their
respective Circles of Hell. For example, if Raskolnikov were similar
to Dante making the journey through Hell, who would be Virgil?
Who would be Beatrice?
Research a philosophy (an –ism) and discuss how that philosophy is
illustrated in the novel.
Reading Assignments
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Based on the chapter you were assigned for each section:
Write one multiple-choice question based on your reading.
 Research something of interest from the reading. Bookmark the
passage with a sticky note, make a copy of the material you
researched, and write a paragraph summary of the passage
and what the research suggests about it.
 Find three passages that support one of the big-picture
questions; bookmark them with sticky notes; and then write a
paragraph identifying the big-picture question, citing each
direct reference, and explaining how each direct reference
supports the big-picture question.
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Be prepared to discuss the reading guide questions.