Denise Perez --] Crime and Punishment - Journal # 2

9/7/11

Crime and Punishment - Journal # 2

Quite a lot has happened so far. My character analysis of Raskolnikov was, gravely very right. Although I was a little shocked that he murdered both the pawnbroker and her sister. I suspected Raskolnikov was off, but not that off. (-: I was also a little disturbed as well how the book says he killed them both without hesitation. I guess that’s why it is very dangerous to hate someone, as Raskolnikov did, and to entertain the thought of their demise.
After awhile, things will start to happen that’ll coax you into committing whatever evil you’re thinking of. Which we can see was happening to Raskolnikov when he kept thinking about killing the pawnbroker. There is also the introduction of Raskolnikov’s best friend Razumikhin. He seems to really care for our main character, despite his current bitter attitude, and helps him out a great deal so far.
Raskolnikov’s sister, Dunya, seems to really care for him as well, and sounds like a sweet, kind woman to risk her own happiness for the sake of Raskolnikov possibly gaining his life back. Dunya’s fiance Luzhin, despite my hope of him being presented in the story as a gentleman who genuinly loves Dunya, is a real trouble maker and seems to very pompous in attitude. I find it almost sad at the state in which Raskolnikov is now, (though I do commend him on his correct guess on Luzhin’s true nature), and I wonder if his end in the book will be an unpleasant one. He always has a very negative aura residing above him now, and I’m not sure who he is anymore. I don't even think Raskolnikov recognizes himself either at this point, having already committing the crime of killing two innocent people in cold-blood.


Crime and Punishment- Journal # 3

I’m glad that the book ended on a sort of, happy note. Raskolnikov finally does the right thing in confessing to the murders, where justice is served, also with the help of Sonya, Porfiry Petrovich, Razumikhin, (and Raskolnikov’s landlady? (-: ) he receives a “light punishment”. Although, I believe that Sonya’s chracter played an even bigger role towards the end of the story, by pushing Raskolnikov to admit his crimes, and to lead him on the right path to Christianity (or peace in repentance for his sins. ) It was truly touching to read about how Sonya became so dedicated to Raskolnikov(despite his often selfish nature), and to witness their love for each other grow.
Dunya’s marriage to Razumikhin became a happy moment for me as well while reading the last part of ‘Crime and Punishment’, seeing all the hardship she had to go through with dismissing Luzhin, and fighting off Svidrigailov in the apartment, Dunya deserved to finally be with the one she actually loved. This book was truly not what I had expected it to be and greatly consider it to be a classic. Although the it takes a generally long pace, it is rewarding to read, and teaches you a lot about the value of life through the tragic deaths of some of the characters in the story. For example. the death of Katrina Ivanovna, really shows how dangerous a thing it is to have a starvation for wealth and to rely on money to make you happy in life.
Overall, ‘Crime and Punishment’ became a very memorable read for me and highly suggest it for other readers determined to increase their level of reading and writing skills.