Crime and Punishment

[apstudent]

How does Raskilnov's Superman theory contribute to his actions and how, if at all does this theory contribute to Raskilnov's existential nature?

[Admin]

Horrible book...

Rasko thought he was all powerful and he killed an old women to prove it. He didn't think he was vulnerable, he thought he was god with the power over life and death.

An essay comparing him to the DC snipers would be interesting.

[apstudent]

I did not like the book's content necesarilly, but I did like the way in which Dostoevesky gives the reader a glimpse into the thought process of a criminal mind. I thank you for your reply, but how if at all is this linked to existentialism?

[Admin]

If you look at definitions of the word (http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/) I think its pretty obvious.

Man is utterly free to make his own choices, he is not bound by rules set by god or man. Killing an old woman was for Raskolnikov the ultimate expression of his freedom because he flaunted all of the rules, and mores, of society.

I'm assuming you don't know what "mores" (mor ays) means, I didn't hear that word until college. It is a sociological term (http://www.ualr.edu/~jdrobson/norms.htm).

I really can't believe I'm giving advice on this book, I sat through lectures on it and took tests on it but I quit reading after 160 or so pages because the rambling of Raskolnikov was driving me insane.

[Robert E Lee]

I happen to LOVE Crime and Punishment!

Yes, the admin is correct; Raskolnikov spat in the face of religion and convention and ended up suffering for it.

[apstudent]

Thanks for your replies. This will give me a good starting point for my research paper.

[apstudent]

I was looking for the textual evidence supporting Raskalinov's theory of an extrodinary man and I could not find anything. If anyone could possibly tell me what chapter it is in or even if it appears before or after the murder, it would be much appreciated.

[imthefoolonthehill]

apstudent: what grade are you reading Crime and Punishment in?

[Koa]

I'm currently reading it for the second time, and once i'll have fnished i'll be ready fo a discussion! (i don't remember many details from the first time i read it, and i'm taking much longer this time...busier, lazier ;))

[MarsMonster]

was he just weak, or is the world a bad place? that is more or less what made me read the book. should he have fought or were his actions expected? at what point do people give up on the world? and (easier question) at what point does the world give up on them?