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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Svidrigaylov secretly visiting?

2. Who does Svidrigaylov think about in his hotel room?

3. Why is Sonia disturbed by Raskolnikev's attitude?

4. What does Sonia say is God's domain?

5. Who never recovered from the shock of Raskolnikov's confession?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov's confession is the miracle that Svidrigaylov claims?

2. In what way does Dostoevsky show Dunya to be different to her brother?

3. How does Luzhin use his wealth?

4. What effect does Svidrigaylov death have on Raskolnikov?

5. How is Mrs. Marmaladov different to Raskolnikov?

6. In the epilogue how does Dostoevsky distance the reader from Raskolnikov?

7. What do you think chapter two means in context of the novel?

8. Why is making a public confession so difficult for Raskolnikov?

9. How do you think not confessing to the murder will affect Raskolnikov?

10. Why do you think Dostoevsky distances the reader from Raskolnikov?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Raskolnikov wanders around St. Petersburg, he feels tremendous guilt for his crime. What is it about Raskolnikov's character that prevents him from overcoming his guilt? Describe what kind of character could overcome such guilt and move on with their lives? What do you think would of happened to Raskolnikov if he did not confess?

Essay Topic 2

It seems that the goals for many of the character, particularly the women, is to get married, even if they do not love he person they are marrying. Why do you think marriage was so important in the mid-nineteenth century? What were the benefits of marriage for men? What were the benefits for women? How do you think society viewed people who were not married?

Essay Topic 3

Dostoevsky represents family as an important, even essential part of Russian life. In what way does Raskolnikov's family help him when they arrive in St. Petersburg? Do you think that Raskolnikov would of committed the murder if his family had been in closer contact? In what way are the characters such as Luzhin with no family different to the characters with a family?

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