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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. Why does Raskolnikov want to visit Sonia?

2. Why does Raskolnikov threaten to kill Svidrigaylov?

3. How does Svidrigaylov say he flattered Dunya?

4. What does Raskolnikov think makes him a failure and a criminal?

5. What happens when Raskolnikov looks into Sonia's eyes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Dostoevsky still create suspense even as he winds down his story?

2. Why do you think Luzhin is so angry at Raskolnikov?

3. How does Raskolnikov finally find salvation?

4. How does Luzhin use his wealth?

5. How does Dostoevsky portray Raskolnikov's conflicting emotions in chapter four?

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

7. In what ways does Porfiry show what perceptive detective he is?

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

9. In what way does Raskolnikov's confession sound different to what he had earlier claimed to think?

10. In what ways are Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov similar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Raskolnikov tries justifying his crime with his superior man theory, claiming, "power belongs to those who take it"

1) What are the underlying principles of the superior man theory? Does it take its ideas from any ideas that surfaced during the mid-nineteenth century? Why do you think this idea was such an issue during the mid-nineteenth century?

2) What do you think Dostoevsky opinions are on the theory? In what way does he voice these opinions?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes in the novel and describe how Dostoevsky expresses each theme in the book. What do you think the themes say about his opinions as a writer and intellectual?

Essay Topic 3

Money plays an important part in this book and the characters that have little money have miserable lives. Choose one character from the book and discuss his hers relationship with money.

1) What does money mean to them? To what length will they go to get money?

2) Does money make the happy? What do you think would happen to the character if he or she did not have money?

(see the answer keys)

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