Topic from blog
post on 2/ 23/14:
“The
third idea for a thesis that I had was to discuss Rodia’s alienation from
society. His alienation from society stems from both the environment that he is
in (the city of Petersburg), which is surrounded by poverty and described
thoroughly as being dirty and inhabited by those who are very low on the social
hierarchy. Also his alienation from society stems from his superiority complex,
which leaves him unable to relate to those who he is surrounded with. After he
has committed the murder his alienation only grows more due to his
psychological torment due to his intense guilt which leaves him even more
incapable of creating and keeping up with those who are trying to help him.”
Thesis Statement:
Raskolnikov, due to
social, environmental and psychological aspects that are expressed within in
the novel, had become alienated from society. This alienation stems from the
environment of St. Petersburg, which was inhabited by those whom he considers
far more inferior then himself, and from psychological aspects such as his
superiority complex and growing guilt.
Outline:
I.
Brief background of Dostoyevsky
a.
Early view of the world was
shaped by his experiences with social injustices
i. At
26 became active in socialist circles, mainly against the institution of
serfdom
ii. His
political opinions were influenced by his experiences as a young boy
1.
His father was murdered by his
own serfs
2.
In Aril 1849 he was arrested
for his participation in a group that illegally printed and distributed social
propaganda
a.
8 months in prison
b.
Then sentenced to death
i. Execution
was only a show
ii. Was
used as a way to punish the prisoners psychologically
3. He later struggled with
poverty, epilepsy, and an addiction to gambling
II.
Historical importance behind
the setting (St. Petersburg)
a.
Tsar Alexander II of Russia
i. Reforms
by him causes some twenty three million serfs (Russian peasants own by
landowners) to be emancipated
ii. Good
thing but constituted major restructuring of Russian society
iii. Cause
of much chaos and turmoil
b.
St. Petersburg
i. Capitol
of Russia
ii. Major
economic center
iii. Crime
and Punishment focuses on grimmer and poorer aspects of St. Petersburg in 1860s
III. Support
for thesis
a.
Environmental aspect
i. The
continuous vivid descriptions made by Rodia of the city of St. Petersburg
1.
Through his eyes, we see the
city to be infested with drunkards, molesters, and other vile creatures so to
speak
2.
Poverty is everywhere in this
city
a.
Both of these factors play a
huge role in his alienation because of his superiority complex.
b.
He finds all those who inhabit
the city alongside him to be inferior to him and he constantly looks down upon
them
ii. Weather
1.
Most of the novel is set during
the summer
2.
Constantly being told that the
weather is ridiculously hot.
a.
Weather affects people’s
emotional and psychological state
i. Raises
temperaments in people (causing over aggression, acts of violence, etc.)
ii. Usually
causes a spike in crime specifically n a certain area if the weather is
extremely warm
1.
The excruciatingly warm weather
that was mentioned in the novel most likely played a huge role in both Rodia’s
decision to commit the murder
2.
It also could have played a
role in him choosing to perform it in such an aggressive manner
3.
The weather also, in a literary
perspective, adds to the suspense that Dostoyevsky was trying to build
throughout the novel
b.
Psychological aspect
i. Superiority
complex
1.
It is evident that he carries
this air of superiority with him whenever he goes
2.
He finds all those who inhabit
the city of St. Petersburg to be inferior to him even when he himself is
characterized in the same class as them on the social hierarchy
a.
His alienations stems from this
because due to his air of superiority, he was unwilling to make any connections
with those who live in the city alongside him
b.
Also he is unwilling to create
and sustain healthy relationships with those who are trying to help him
i. He
pushes away Dunia, his mother, and his best friend as they try to help him both
before the murders and after
ii. Before
the murders he was unwilling to accept job offers from his friends and was
reluctant to receive help from his family
ii. Guilt
1.
Shortly after the murder occurs
we see that Rodia begins to be psychologically tormented by the murders
2.
His guilt only grows more
intense as the novel continues, thus causing him to separate from society even
more
a.
He is unable to hold
conversations without sounding like a lunatic
b.
This alienation increases along
with his guilt to the point where he completely removes himself from his family
and friends when it comes near to him confessing
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