Great review, you really convey the intense energy of that first section. The vivid picture of isolated, sophomoric, arrogance and self absorption drawn by many of dostoevsky's characters can be terrifying, especially in this age of almost routine school shooters and other young, lone wolf gunmen. But like your review of Notes reflected, there is also a costanza-like humor in these characters. Doesnt diminish the grave aspects to laugh at the bumbling side, too.
I love how Raskolnikov wanted to save Lizaveta from her sister and ended up being in a place where he was forced to kill her. In my eyes Lizaveta represents the branches that grow out of a path like the one Rodia takes. The lives affected by a crime like that. We see how far these branches go throughout the book and how many other innocent lives are affected. Alyona didn't deserve to die but Raskolnikov planned her murder, and people hated her. But Lizaveta was just there at the wrong time and was collateral damage.
I need a reread on this one. I have only read it one time and I was pretty young. I think it would hit and mean much different this time around. Will love to watch all your updates on this book.
I'm really enjoying this book, which I hope doesn't say something about me since it is so depressing and intense, lol. The first half has flown by and I'm trying to read it slow! I am glad you are reviewing this one. Your reviews make the story so clear!
why does he do it? i saw another commenter ask and berate you about the lack of discussion of his motives. but i thought you explained it well with your brief comparisons to the notes from underground. he does it because he thinks he's smarter than he is. Raskolnikov is a desperate midwit, he is aware of mistakes that criminals make yet completely folds when he commits the act. i thought you summarized it well!
Let's skip the rehash of the story and address the key question : why? Why does he do it? what are R' s aims and motivations? Why not just commit robbery instead of a inexplicable act of murderous violence? Why abandon his gains after the murder? Why is he tempted to betray himself? Why does he not know in advance the precise value and location of her wealth? Dostoyevsky quite deliberately presents us with a basically irrational motivation...and invites us to meditate upon it...it's the core question of the novel...Why? Grasp that and you have the root of the matter... please to address these queries in you next video...we already know the story...unless I misunderstood the term "read along"...all the best...
