David Peraj Journals Crime and Punishment

Journal #1
I have begun to read Crime and Punishment and so far the book has been a little slow. The main character Raskolinkov, who is a former student, has developed feelings of isolation toward other people. He spends most of his time trying to figure out how to pay for his rent and needs to survive. To do this he had pawned his sister’s ring and father’s watch. However he receives the money from Alyona who gives him little. Throughout the story Raskolinov expresses feelings of hypocrisy and confusion. His hypocrisy is due to every time he gives what little money he has he regrets it and states that he never should have cared. His personality and opinions toward other characters are one that I have rarely read as he makes the constant effort to not interact with anyone.
However toward the end of part 1 Raskolinov commits murder of Alyona and her sister. He appears hesitant but finally commits the act in order to gain money. Though his actions caused Raskolinov to kill her sister so there would be no witnesses. The end of part one has the most suspense, action, and keeps the reader guessing as to whether or not Raskolinov can commit and get away with murder.

Journal #2
The novel transitions from the crime of Raskonikov planning and killing Alyona to his dilemma with himself in whether or not to confess the crime of murder. Due to his constant turmoil he is left sick and weak, he is constantly angry and suffers from excessive faints. Raskolnikovs attitude is one of selfishness as he is places his anger toward everyone and somehow deems himself superior which allowed him to committed murder. Sadly Raskolnikov does not appear to be the superior person he thought himself and suffers extensively from the murder. His emotions take a hold of him as he will constantly change based on what is said by the people around him. Since Raskonikov has a hatred of people he cannot restrain himself by constantly becoming agitated and letting his emotions get the better of him.
The characters of Dunya and Razumikhin appear to be opposites of Raskolnikov as Dunya is confronted with constant obstacles and yet maintains her confidence and intellect. Dunya greatly contrasts Raskolnikov as she analyzes what is best as opposed to Raskolnikovs constant outbursts and pushing everyone further and further. She posses the strength of character Raskolnikov had believed he himself had and that is why he eventually succumbed to the anxiety of his crime.

Journal #3
The ending of “Crime and Punishment” is somewhat expected and at the same time lacking. In part 6, Raskolnikov gains strength not by himself but by gaining it from Sonya. However he falters very quickly but she is there to manage to enable him to confess. At his trial Raskonikov is given a lesser sentence due to not knowing how much money he stole and Porfiry Petrovich does not state anything about Raskolnikovs guilt to his crime. It is interesting to see that part 6 and the epilogue appear to be conflicting at times. Raskolnikov still maintains his isolationism from the other prisoners and even has an ambiguous relationship with Sonya. Through his constant turmoil through the book and what appears as his emotions finally coming to a rest we see Raskolnikov revert back to his previous ways of thinking to the point of driving Sonya somewhat away.
I feel the ending was supposed to show Raskolnikov being redeemed as halfway. Though he confesses he still holds on that the reason for the confession was a mistake and not guilt. Raskolnikovs character is very ambiguous as there are points where he is shown to have human interaction with Sonya and yet he seems to believe himself better than others in some form or another. The Epilogue seems to leave Raskolnikovs character in the middle of being truly redeemed or having not changed in the slightest. It should have shown that his character had truly changed in which he understands that he is not above all others and has to accept his humanity regardless of his beliefs toward others.