mea505
11-20-2008, 03:40 PM
In Chapter Two, we see that Raskolnikov meets Marmeladov in the Tavern. Marmeladov is a government official who is also a drunkard, dressed in tattered clothing, as he recently threw his uniform away. Although he is drunk, he has an air of dignity and one of education; and despite the many jeers from the other patrons in the Tavern, he continues to tell Raskolnikov his own life story. Married to a proud woman of a noble background (Katerina Ivanovna), he is scared to go home, as he has squandered all of his money (and her earnings) on the booze. The narrator tells us that Katerina married Marmeladov out of pure desperation following a terrible first marriage as well as her own disinheritance.
Recently, Marmeladov managed to regain employment as a member of the civil service, which raised his wife's hope; however, because of a five day drunkard stupor, he has recently (also) lost his job, and therefore, again, he is afraid to go home -- at least alone.
After Marmeladov does arrive home -- he brought his "new-found friend" with him, his wife grabs him about the hair, and drags him into the small apartment. It is also suggested that his wife is ill as well as agitated -- even before the arrival of her husband. This is most likely due to the financial problems they face, along with having three children in a small abode.
Question: What does Marmeladov represent to the author, and to the main character, Raskolnikov? Marmeladov is an interesting, paradoxical figure, in that he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions even though he does acknowledge that his own behavior is most likely the root of his family's problems. But, why is this important to the story?
Question:Does Marmeladov's suffering constitute a major sub-plot for the novel? Why?
Recently, Marmeladov managed to regain employment as a member of the civil service, which raised his wife's hope; however, because of a five day drunkard stupor, he has recently (also) lost his job, and therefore, again, he is afraid to go home -- at least alone.
After Marmeladov does arrive home -- he brought his "new-found friend" with him, his wife grabs him about the hair, and drags him into the small apartment. It is also suggested that his wife is ill as well as agitated -- even before the arrival of her husband. This is most likely due to the financial problems they face, along with having three children in a small abode.
Question: What does Marmeladov represent to the author, and to the main character, Raskolnikov? Marmeladov is an interesting, paradoxical figure, in that he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions even though he does acknowledge that his own behavior is most likely the root of his family's problems. But, why is this important to the story?
Question:Does Marmeladov's suffering constitute a major sub-plot for the novel? Why?