Please post the notes you took for today's Socratic seminar. Please write the chapter numbers that we covered in today's discussion.
Also, if you would like to express an idea that you didn't get a chance to share in class today, please add a comment.
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I found the fearful dream that Raskolnikov (Raskov) had in the fifth chapter to be very interesting. The idea that circulated around the discussion in the room about every person or entity in a dream is some aspect of the dreamer. If this is the case, I believe the female horse that is being horribly beaten represents the old pawn lady foreshadowing her brutal death that Raskov carries out reluctantly after the dream. Raskov's tendency to step up to the plate (when he runs up to Mikolka, the horse beater, and when he intervenes between the drunk girl and the older man in the street) is a virtuous characteristic. However, his father suppressed this attribute, which I believe led to his misconduct later in life.
Also, I found an interesting motive of why Raskov might be committing the murder. The reason behind the murder is not monetarily motivated but it is out of love.
Although this may sound odd at first, it is the love for Raskov's sister, Duonia, that overall justifies Raskov's plan to kill the pawn lady. Because of the letter that Raskov’s mother sent, Raskov is aware of the engagement plans between Dounia and Luzhin. Although Luzhin offers a way for the family to benefit economically, Raskov believes that the cons outweigh the pro. Luzhin appears to be an old codger that might abuse Dounia. Raskov is afraid of this possibility because he has recently witnessed a story outlining the possible outcomes of this sort or relationship (Sonia and Marmeledov). This example of the repercussions makes Raskov distraught and angry with him being left out of the decision-making process. Raskov would like the money but would not do it to jeopardize his sister whom he loves dearly.
In one aspect, Raskov is killing the pawn lady in order to "earn" money so Dounia does not have to "sacrifice" herself to Luzhin. Raskov believes if he can demonstrate to his sister and mother that he has an abundance of money, Dounia will not have to marry Luzhin, avoiding the chance of an abusive relationship.
Raskov is a mentally disturbed individual. He has overall good intentions, but I believe he might assume too much. He assumes from his mother's letter that Luzhin is a bad man because his mother wrote a non-complimentary statement about Luzhin. This assumption, I think, pressures Raskov into committing the murder.
Sorry these took so long... my computer at home isn't working and this is my first off hour since the discussion so ya...
So the main part of the discussion was Raskolnikov and just finding out who he was and how he got to where is was. The opening question was why does he want to commit a crime? Is it part of his internal conflict? Who is he planning to kill? It seems, after seeing how he is questioning himself, that he is new to crime and not sure if he wants to commit the crime. It seems like he is mentally unstable and maybe some kind of schizophrenic or bipolar.
The question was brought up, "Is the anything good about Raskolnikov?" He has a very negative personality and even when his personality starts to become positive, the negative side prevails. Two positive things about him are that he is very intelligent and intellectual, and he loves and respects his family. He and his family are crushed by poverty, but his abilities in math and science hopefully will be able to help him out of that slump.
Next, we talked about Marmelodov. Marmelodov has a very low sense of responsibility shown in the story that he told to Raskalnikov. Both of these men in the book so far seem o be striving for a certain goal, but they are both their own hindrances. Is Marmelodov the future image of Raskolnikov? Along the topic of Marmelodov, the topic or someone effected by poverty and someone who is a beggar. Someone who is poverty stricken can be noble, Someone who is a beggar usually is not noble. Also, Marmelodov delivers a really long speech to Raskolnikov which was strange because he is this random drunk man that delivers a beautiful speech and seems to almost be a reverend figure.
Notes Part I Chapters 4-7
The discussion commenced by elucidating Raskolnikov's impulsive behavior and how he ostensibly is plagued by indecision. Someone questioned whether or not Raskolnikov is in fact bipolar.
The class came to a consensus that the dream of the slaughter mare symbolized Raskolnikov's future murder. Makovsky then asseverated that perhaps Raskolnikov is personified in all of his dreams.
The next topic of discussion was the contrasting, almost antithesis aspects of the two murders. One was blunt, in hot blood; the other sharp, in the irrational cold blood. The first was calculated, the second a passionate gesticulation.
Finally, the class questioned why Raskolnikov can be driven to murder in order to obtain finances, however when his sister offers him money, he declines.
Notes Part 2 Chapters 1 - 3
The Seminar began with the question of why Raskolnikov may be feeling so lazy and restricted. Most agreed that Raskolnikov is feeling that his poverty confides him, creating the feeling that he is blocked in or crammed. That is why he also feels the need to escape the confiding walls of his room. He is in a state of desperation because when he is not cooped up in his room, he must be outside walking around or just relaxing. He feels depressed and fails to see and interact with many people outside or inside; he is stuck in his mental state.
Raskolnikov trails off into an odd train of thought. He states how nice to have the refreshing water around, but he wonders why people tend to dwell where the water is nasty and dirty. We thought that Raskolnikov feels oppressed in the city, like he does when he is confined to his apartment.
Its ironic how Raskolnikov wants to improve the city and society, by giving out money and helping those who need it, yet he kills people. Therefore increasing the crime and danger within his neighborhood.
Also it is odd how Raskolnikov wants money so badly but when he is offered a job or money, he declines. We believe that he does not want to look as a beggar and also that he respects the people that are offering him money and a job. Due to his respect he feels that he is obligated to turn the money down because he does not want to take things from them. Raskolnikov seems to be lazy, pitiful, and not motivated because he will not take the job that is offered to him. He is a brilliant boy and he feels that he deserves a higher standard job, especially compared to the one offered. Some people believed that he wanted to find his own way, but I just think that he is stubborn and will not do anything that he does not want to.
Relation of floor levels to those of the characters? Ritz lives on level 5 compared to all others who live on level 4. There is belief that the higher-level floor you were on the wealthier you were. This is also a parallel to Ritz because he aids and cares for Raskolnikov when he is ill. There seems to be resemblance between the two but they appear to be opposites. Raskolnikov is seems to want to rise to the top while immediately. While Ritz wants to do hard work and be rewarded for that hard work by an increase in status or salary.
In Chapter Three, Part Three, Raskolnikov presents a mood that the reader hasn't been able to experience from him so far in the book. Surprisingly, Raskolnikov is not as delirious as he was towards the beginning of the novel. He actually makes some sense when he talks to his mother and his sister and even the doctor and Razhumikin.
Raskolnikov responds to Zossimov's suggestion to improve his mental state by getting his life together, "Yes, yes; you are perfectly right... I will make haste and return to the university: and then everything will go smoothly..." This comment shows how Raskolnikov is coming out of his debauched mental state. He shows signs of motivation now, with a sense of direction in his life. Later, he thanks Zossimov for all his help and quite honorably thanks Razhumikin for his friendly assistance. These unexpected events led me to believe that Raskolnikov had really been sick from something and he just needed some rest, like Zossimov prescribed, instead of a false illness imagined and pretended by Raskolnikov.
However, once Raskolnikov found out about Luzhin's letter his progress began to recede back to that of a couple of days ago. Irritation is presumably the cause of Raskolnikov's illness and delirium. Whenever he is in a state of content, he doesn't show many signs of madness but when he is irritated, in this case by Luzhin, his symptoms of insanity arise.
“It is me or Luzhin. If I am a scoundrel, you must not be. One is enough. If you marry Luzhin, I cease at once to look on you as a sister.” Here, Dounia is left miserably with and ultimatum Raskolnikov set down for her. This raises my suspicions of Raskolnikov's love for his sister. What kind of brother would make his sister decide on such a basis as this? If you ask me, Raskolnikov is not making his sister feel good about herself, which is most likely his intent; instead he is causing her stress and internal frustration. I wonder where Raskolnikov’s sense will go in the next three or so Parts.
Notes Part 3 Chapters 5-7
We began talking about Svidrigailov's wife, Marfa Petrovna, who was beat to death, whose husband most likely beat her to death, though we don't know why. We encounter a description of him on page 257 as he follows Raskolnikov, as well as another description of him (we believe it's him) following Dounia.
We discussed the superman theory of ordinary vs. extraordinary men. Raskolnikov follows the path of breaking laws in order to transcend them. One question we had was, "what goals do these supermen have in mind for the general population or the world"? If Raskolnikov seems himself as extraordinary, how is he trying toward this goal? We discussed how he could possibly be brining everyone on a same level or perhaps that this is the author's social commentary that the superhumans should help the poor. Also, we thought how it's interesting that Rask needs to kill to better society when leaving some $ is what makes all the difference.
Zossimov and Porfiry are the types of characters that highlight the author's socialist commentary. This along with aristocracy, and dictatorship are slightly sprinkled in with pre-communist thoughts.
Concerning Razhumihin and Rask, their attitudes during the conversation with Porfiry show that through education they are the same, but their attitudes and the way they handle situations are very different. Raz is very anti-progressive, while Rask's actions contrast this view.
One question we had was "how is Rask helping society if all he did was hide the money?"
After Svid discovers him, Rask realizes he can't kill one person without suffering and regretting. He realizes he really isn't extraordinary, he's as vile/petty as the woman he killed.
We discussed the motif of eyes. Sonia's eyes described her innocent character and with Porfiry's eye's winking, the reader could see through the deceptiveness in his talks. Regarding Biblical Allusions, Sonia's innocence was likened to that of a "little child". (If I remember correctly) Jesus believes if children have been prevented from going to him, the people who prevent them shouldn't be born.
Water was another important motif in that the dirty and polluted water illustrated how Rasks' thoughts were helter-skelter; the connection between his mental state was defined by the clarity of the water. We found it interesting that he never drank water to quench his thirst--always a mention of tea and alcohol, but never of water.
One of the conclusions I’ve come to is Raskolnikov is afraid of his destiny. He is afraid of what the ideal situation will compel him to do. He does not want to become “chance’s victim”. As a class we relatively concluded that chance/surprise/destiny all tie in somehow and we really don’t know how much control we have over each, taking Godly power into ones own hands.
We discussed how alcohol is the catalyst for things people wouldn’t normally say or do. It brings out their subconscious desires and relaxes their inhibitions.
It is interesting how Rask says he believes in God but doesn’t follow the religion—he kills, and drinks, and lies… We were able to get a little more insight into this with Lazarus’ story
Settings were important because they paralleled Rask state of mind—he was closed in his room, the streets were like shut up rooms and he couldn’t find a place to think
The tiny cupboard was symbolic of poverty, cramped and stricken with suffocation.
Christian Louboutin Shoes also used the single,Brian
atwood pumps long earring with some of his evening gowns to great effect. Gloves are back, if
only just for evenings.
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