Comment on Alexia's Post

I agree with Alexia's opinion that the combination of Rodia's guilt and his writing this article further prove that he possesses a superiority complex. Rodia sees himself above humanity and society. He thinks of himself as a "superman" who is intellectually and physically superior to everybody around him. Due to this perspective of himself, Rodia justifies why he committed the murders: because he has the right to break any ethical or moral codes that society has instilled in it's people. The only thing I do not understand, is why is he like this? Too much love from his mother? That is the only possibility that I can think of. I honestly have no idea how to think of Rodia anymore. His emotional turmoil is exhausting to keep up with and now we have this whole article he wrote that basically tells us he thinks of himself as a God of some sort. The whole book is getting stranger and stranger with each page. Where and when did he even develop this theory of the "superman?" Why is this the first time we are hearing of it? I am not going to lie, it is quite a relief that we finally gain some insight into his erratic thoughts, but it is confusing and weird to read and think about at the same time. I like this book to a certain extent, but if Shap told us we did not have to read any further than we already have I would not be upset in the slightest.

Such a weird guy

I can honestly say that by reading these past couple of chapters, I have developed a better understanding of the book and I kind of enjoy reading it now. While I still think it is boring, repetitive, and slightly insane, the story is undeniably getting more and more interesting. What I liked about this week's reading is how Rodia's conflict with himself got stronger and more complicated. Since I as the reader know of the crimes he committed and what he has done since those crimes, I enjoy seeing him struggle with things. In no way do I want to see Rodia living his life perfectly content and free of all guilt whatsoever. While he is trying to get away away from Petrovich discovering his past, he is also on the verge of an emotional breakdown. In my opinion, the matter is not whether he is going to have one but WHEN he is going to have one because, it is quite obvious that it is going to occur at some point soon. Regardless of that, Rodia seems out of control of his own life. He has a strange obsession with wanting to confess which is making him act really odd. One moment he is completely "innocent" and normal and the next he is dangerously close to revealing himself for what he is. The ups and downs of his personality are really tiring and hard to keep track of sometimes, but I guess that is where I find the most entertainment in the book.
The best part about this week's reading was Rodia's article on the crime. We finally get some insight on his rationale for why he committed the crimes in the first place. Took him long enough to clue us in, right? The whole idea of Rodia seeing himself as a "superman" who is above the rest of society and has the right to violate moral codes is interesting. It proves that I was correct in my initial opinion of him: that he is an egomaniac who views himself above everybody else and does not feel the need to conform to society because he feels as if he can do whatever he wants. Petrovich and I are on the same page here in thinking that this article proves his guilt for the crimes. I really hope Petrovich figures everything out and Rodia goes to prison for the rest of his life. Another interesting thing about this chapter was Rodia's nightmare. It was weird and kind of cool at the same time. It showed how Raskolnikov views himself- that he is inadequate in living up to his theory of the "superman." He sees himself as mediocre and he does not know how to deal with it. Basically this chapter insinuated that Rodia's life is a contradiction and it left me more confused than ever.

Comment on Josh's Post (Alexia Barrios)

I find it interesting that you are questioning both his sanity and his insanity because it truly is hard to tell whether he is completely sane or completely insane because he jumps back and forth and demonstrates traits from both. I previously did not recognize the Napoleonic theme that you mentioning but I find what you have said about it to be very interesting.  Just like you I feel like a big event is waiting to happen and I am curious as to what it is going to be because the plot needs a little action or just something different to spice it up because it is getting hard to follow along. In order to save me from hating this book entirely I need something new and exciting to happen and I hope that Doesteovsky has written something further along that will do so. I have not gotten as far as you so I am unaware of who Svidrigaïlov is so I am curious to learn more about his character and why you believe he will be Rodia's next target. 

Joshua Cohen's Comment on Alexia's Post

            I like your interpretation that this new character that entered Raskolnikov’s room after his dream might just be a figment of his imagination as it lends an entirely new perspective on the novel. Perhaps this new character is just a part of his mind telling him certain things either to get him to become sane, or is pulling Raskolnikov further and further from sanity as his mental stability collapses. All I know is that if this is going to be Raskolnikov’s next target in his next murder, it would be interesting if this man is just a figment of his imagination as Raskolnikov would be chasing someone or something that does not exist. I feel like if this man is a figment of Raskolnikov’s mind, he might end up killing other people who he believes to be this man, or something similar to that. Yet I am unsure about the fact that the police actually suspect Raskolnikov due to his insanity because it seems that the police have openly stated that they do not suspect him, or at least Raskolnikov portrayed it as if they were not searching for him. Who knows, maybe they will eventually get around to arresting him just as he is about to reach some huge conclusion about his grand “theory” on murder.

"The Crime" (Alexia Barrios)

In Chapter 5 Part 3, Rodia’s Article The Crime is mentioned and discusses the rationale behind committing murder and the article definitely is a embodiment of Rodia’s personal beliefs on the subject. Porfiry brings up an interesting aspect of the articles that suggest, “that there are certain persons who can…that is, not precisely are able to, but have a perfect right to commit breaches of morality and crimes and that the law is not for them.” (246) This argument that certain people or “extraordinary men” (247) are above humanity and have the right to break the law and violate certain moral codes, such as murder is one that in my opinion proves once again that Rodia possess a superiority complex. He continually uses this rationale as justification for him committing murder. Interesting, Razumihkin, one who has previously shown to have a strong moral compass automatically rejects this notion while Rodia states that Porfiry has stated it “perhaps even perfectly” (247) and how it “gave him pleasure to admit this” (247). It proves that they are polar opposites when it comes to their morality.

As usual, the internal conflict that Rodia is experiencing intensifies, as he has to continue avoiding suspicion while dealing with his unpredictable emotions.  It is obvious in my opinion that the police suspect him as a suspect in the murder since Rodia has put himself in situations where he made the impression that he was the murderer.  These attempts were as if he was beginning for the police to discover his guilt and end his psychological torment, but as of right now he is still in the clear and on the road to getting away with murder. Rasumikhin, during a conversation with Rodia, admits “frankly that I (Rasumikhin) noticed it in them long ago, this idea.” (255) This idea being that Rodia was in fact that murderer, but then brushes it off based on how the police handled the conversation since they did not attempt to “hide their game” (255) when discussing the crime.

Rodia’s dream is an event that I also found to be very interesting. The fact that the murder occurred but the pawnbroker but “at every blow of the axe the laughter and whispering from the bedroom grew louder and the old woman was actually shaking with amusement.” (264) This was then followed by an stranger standing in the doorway watching him and leaving him to wonder “Is it still a dream?” (264) This leaves me to believe that Rodia again is having a mental breakdown as I am left unsure whether this stranger is a result of his fading mental state or an actual new character that will be further discussed as the plot continues.

Response To Joshua's Blog (Rachael Marks)

     I do not know how I fell so far behind but it is really sucking. Every time I go to read someone's blog it is full of spoilers. I only just found out that Dunia may be somewhat wanting to call off things with Peter. I am really unclear on how I am so far behind everyone. It makes it impossible to comment on your blogs. I guess I will have to just read a lot of it this week to try to catch up with you guys. But then, I suppose I can agree on some things. I know that something else is coming. Rodia might murder someone again, but I feel if he does he will be caught this time. I do not like this book, but I do not want to fall behind. So (sigh) I guess it is time for me to go sit down and read some more.

Continuing to Question Raskolnikov's Sanity Reaction on Part 3 Chapter 6, Part 4 Chapters 1-3

                After this week’s reading, I am left further questioning Raskolnikov’s sanity or insanity, there is no clear indication as to whether he is insane or he is fully sane. He seems to be sane enough to take the right actions to steer the conversation with Luzhin in a direction that would get Dounia to no longer want to marry him. Yet there are distinct parts where Raskolnikov cannot distinguish between what is dream and what is reality. It is because of this fact that I believe that a lot of what is occurring is happening inside of Raskolnikov’s head and we just do not know it.

            There is also the continuation of the Napoleonic theme that was present in the previous reading where Raskolnikov is trying to compare himself to Napoleon and how he killed tons of innocent lives for a purpose. Yet Raskolnikov feels less satisfied with the comparison when he realizes that he was even lower than the pawn broker and he begins to think of her death as more of a symbol of his ideas and an experiment of his principles towards murder. What freaks me out the most is the way that he acts as if this has failed in proving his point and then proceeds to go and talk to all of his close friends and family and begins to tell them that he will not be able to see them after meeting Svidrigaïlov and realizing that there is yet another force for him to defend his sister from.

            Personally I feel like he wrapping up all of his dealings and is starting to prepare for another big event like the beginning of the book. He is acting somewhat logically when he is making sure that everybody he has made connections with is going to be able to live without him. I have a feeling that once he realizes that he has wrapped up everything he is going to try to disappear and try to “prove” his theory on murder. If he is going to do that, it is clear that Raskolnikov’s first target will be Svidrigaïlov as he seems to be the central divisive force in Raskolnikov’s life as of now.  

Oh Great... Romance (Rachael Marks)

     I did say that I was excited about the feelings between Dunia and Rodia's friend, but I am going to take it back. It is really lame. Awfully so. It is like reading Atlas Shrugged again, with all of its crappy romance between Dangy and John Galt. Except now it is being written in Dostoevsky's style which makes it seem somewhat sillier.
     Another thing is the way these people talk. Do they have any filter? They just blurt out their entire thoughtstreams and everyone acts as if it is normal. It is like they are in a musical, singing songs that everyone can hear, but for some reason will not react to or acknowledge later. And then, there are tensions seeming to be built between Rodia and Sonia, the girl he was disgusted by. There are so many perspectives changing, so everything gets muddled, but it seemed to be that Rodia was entranced when Polenka ran to him saying that Sonia wanted to know more about him and see him again. These books we have read this year have had really weak takes on romance. It is as if they begin depending on romance to stir up some drama and plot. Now, I am not saying that Crime and Punishment would have been a better book without its romantic elements (as I have said for Atlas Shrugged), but they do lessen the obnoxious dragging along this book does. But honestly? Is this the way this story is going to save itself? Why do writers have to do that? It infuriates me that even in Dostoevsky's time writers were already injecting their novels with shitty romance.
     Of course, I do find this entertaining at times. This did bring out more of Dostoevsky's humor, especially with the quote "The minute I've taken you home, I'll pour a couple of bucketfuls of water over my head in the gutter here, and then I shall be alright..." Honestly I thought it was entertaining to read this in a much older book, but sadly that is the maximum amount of entertainment I have obtained from this book. Rodia's friend is an obnoxious, horny, drunk who seems like an idiot, yet he is supposed to be wiser than Peter. Him and Peter are two extremes. Peter is an asshole, but Rodia's friend is childish. Then Dunia, I have no clue what to make of her. The book does an awful job of putting anything into her. She seems so quiet and the way her name is always changing is obnoxious. But I am done with my rant for this weekend. Hopefully it proved to be more positive than my former rants.