Crime and Punishment Part I Flashcards

Setting and Background

• Set in St. Petersburg, Russia during the 1860s, pivotal era reflecting social upheaval.
• First published in 1866, marking a significant entry in Russian literature.

Narrative Perspective

• Utilizes third-person omniscient point of view, allowing an in-depth exploration of characters' thoughts and motivations.

Main Characters

• Raskolnikov: Central figure, 23 years old, intelligent yet impoverished, commits murder of Alyona Ivanovna; a former student contemplating moral philosophies.
• Dounia: Raskolnikov’s devoted sister, demonstrates intelligence and compassion, prepared to marry for financial security.
• Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov: Devoted mother, willing to sacrifice Dounia’s happiness for Raskolnikov's well-being.
• Alyona Ivanovna: The miserly pawnbroker, symbolizing societal greed and exploitation; murder victim.
• Lizaveta Ivanovna: Alyona’s innocent sister, also a victim of Raskolnikov’s crime.
• Marmeladov: A tragic figure met in a tavern, aware of his alcoholism’s impact on family; represents societal decay.
• Katerina Ivanovna: Marmeladov’s dying wife, proud of her aristocratic roots despite her suffering.
• Sonia: Marmeladov's deeply religious daughter, forced into prostitution to save her family, exemplifying self-sacrifice.

Supporting Characters

• Nastasya Petrovna: Raskolnikov’s landlady's cook, cares for him during illness, showcasing compassion amidst hardship.
• Razumi: Loyal friend from university, providing a connection to Raskolnikov’s past.
• Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin: Dounia’s fiancé, representational of societal propriety; petty government official.
• Zossimov: Medical professional tending to Raskolnikov, symbolizing care in a corrupt society.
• Ilya Petrovitch: Assistant police chief known for volatile temperament, representing law enforcement's aggression.
• Zametov: Assistant police clerk with suspicions towards Raskolnikov, denoting tension in investigation.
• Nikodim Fomitch & Porfiry Petrovitch: Figures of law, with Porfiry serving as Raskolnikov’s intellectual adversary.
• Nikolay: Painter who falsely confesses to the murders, highlighting issues of guilt and innocence.
• Svidrigailov: Dounia's former employer, embodies moral ambiguity and corruption.

Philosophical Themes

• Socialism: Government ownership of production and distribution, a key political context of the era.
• Utilitarianism: Philosophical theory linking morality to the consequences of actions; reflects Raskolnikov's internal struggle.
• Nihilism: Denial of established beliefs, reflecting the character's existential crises and societal disillusionment.
• Utopian Socialism: Advocates for an ideal society characterized by equality and justice, contrasting with the novel's grim realities.

Historical Context

• Tsar Nicholas I: Ruled from 1825-1855, enforced strict government control over media and education, laying a backdrop of oppression.
• Siberia: Vastly underpopulated region, signifying punishment and exile, crucial for contextualizing Raskolnikov's fate.

Notable Interactions

• Raskolnikov's interactions with characters like Marmeladov and Sonia unveil the moral decay in society and personal struggles.
• Tensions between Raskolnikov and police figures like Porfiry and Zametov illustrate the psychological game surrounding guilt and confession.