Crime and Punishment Part I Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the setting of the story?

St. Petersburg, Russia; a prison in Siberia; 1860s

What was the date of first publication of the novel?

1866

What point of view does the story use?

third-person omniscient

Who is the protagonist of the story?

Raskolnikov Signup and view all the answers

Who is Raskolnikov's sister?

Dounia Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Raskolnikov's mother?

Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov Signup and view all the answers

Who is the miserly pawnbroker and murder victim?

Alyona Ivanovna Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Alyona's subservient sister?

Lizaveta Ivanovna Signup and view all the answers

Who does Raskolnikov meet in a tavern?

Marmeladov Signup and view all the answers

Who is Marmeladov's wife?

Katerina Ivanovna Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Marmeladov's daughter?

Sonia Signup and view all the answers

Who cares for Raskolnikov when he is ill?

Nastasya Petrovna Signup and view all the answers

Who ruled Russia from 1825-1855?

Tsar Nicholas I Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a sparsely populated region in Russia?

Siberia Signup and view all the answers

Who was one of the most influential socialist leaders?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

What is socialism?

a system in which the primary means of production and distribution are owned, managed, or controlled by the government Signup and view all the answers

Who are the heads of government departments in Russia?

People's Commissars Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a Utopian Socialist?

an extreme, visionary idealist who believes socialism will affect an ideal society with justice and equality for all citizens Signup and view all the answers

What is utilitarianism?

theory of morality that associates the rightness of an act with its consequences and actions are good if they are useful Signup and view all the answers

What does nihilism mean?

from Latin word meaning 'nothing'; rejection of established beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Who is Razumi?

Raskolnikov's loyal friend from the university Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dounia's fiancé?

Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin Signup and view all the answers

Who is Zossimov?

doctor who treats Raskolnikov during his illness Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ilya Petrovitch?

the 'explosive' assistant police chief Signup and view all the answers

Who is Zametov?

assistant police clerk; suspects Raskolnikov Signup and view all the answers

Who is Nikodim Fomitch?

police captain Signup and view all the answers

Who is Porfiry Petrovitch?

head of Investigation Department; Raskolnikov's primary antagonist Signup and view all the answers

Who confesses to the murders?

Nikolay Signup and view all the answers

Who is Svidrigailov?

Dounia's debauched former employer with a questionable past Signup and view all the answers

Who is Lebeziatnikov?

young man with whom Luzhin is staying, expounds philosophy of nihilism, accused of beating Katerina Ivanovna, is honest and not very smart Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Part I from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment with these flashcards covering Chapters 1-7. Explore the setting, publication date, narrative perspective, and character details to deepen your understanding of this classic novel.