Quotes From The Handmaid's Tale '

"For beggary a man is not chased out of human society with a stick, he is swept out with a broom" Pg. 10 This quote represents humiliation and human interaction. When people beg and put themselves at the feet of others it’s looked down upon and then when someone is poor but doesn't put themselves out there they are swept away and also feel as if they don't exist to the world. The human society going on in the book is full of poverty and peasants were recently emancipated during the Renaissance. This metaphor relates to the people in the story because they were literally getting swept out of May place because like Raskolnikov they probably could not afford rent.

“It was a different matter when he met with acquaintances or with former fellow

students, whom, indeed, he disliked meeting at any time” Pg. 10

In Chapter 3 we learn that Raskolnikov must be a student since he sometimes ran into his old classmates. He did not enjoy these encounters.

"It seemed to him strange and monstrous that he could have slept in such forgetfulness from the previous day and had done nothing, had prepared nothing yet..." Pg. 56 A reading style I have picked up on was the narrator, which I assume is Raskolnikov, changes tenses. I also picked up on how Dostoevsky gives Raskolnikov background story by explaining what is going on in Rodya’s head and by him justifying his actions. On one hand, I’m confused what is going on but on the other hand I’m just waiting for the book to start making sense and to not just get characters back stories and what Raskolnikov thinks of them. All of the Russian names are hard to not mix up which is also frustrating.

"But at last he lost all control and had the face to make Dounia an open and shameful proposal, promising her all sorts of inducements and offering, besides, to throw up everything and take her to another estate of his, or even abroad."Pg. 62
I found it strong of Dounia because during times of poverty one has to make decisions to help themselves and their family over many push and pull factors. For example this remind me of the book Their Eyes Were Watching God and how she would stay with men who treated her poorly because that's how she had to survive for the time being. Dounia however doesn't have a great sense of character.
Pyotr made a very genomes offer.

I think that he chose Dounia because she was so young and beautiful. Since he has so much to offer he will think that she owes him and will keep them together even if there is no real love.

"There was a sort of haughty pride and reserve about him, as though he were keeping something to himself."Pg. 100

Raskolnikov is old friends with Razumihin. Ever since the university. I can tell just by this sentence why they were both friends. They both have that” loneristic” quality. When I meet people, who armed outgoing and hospitable I think about what their home and work loves must be like. The fact that this guy was "haughty" and "reserved" tells me that there must be from a wealthy family where he learned that he is above everyone else.

"When he had happened to imagine all this beforehand, he had sometimes thought that he would be very much afraid. But he was not very much afraid now, was not afraid at all, indeed. His mind was even occupied by irrelevant matters, but by nothing for long" Pg 140

Although he says in plain text that be was of very afraid, the sentences to follow it talking about how he was occupied by irrelevant matters comes across to me as being nervous. Being scatter minded is one trait of nerves and he probably didn't think that he was afraid because he wasn't facing reality. On page 158/957 it says "It seemed like a dream

indeed"

"Raskolnikov stood keeping tight hold of the axe. He was in a sort of delirium. He was even making ready to fight when they should come in. While they were knocking and talking together, the idea several times occurred to him to end it all at once and shout to them through the door." Pg162
During this suspenseful scene Dostoevsky explained the first homicide. This scene was significant because it was the actual time that Rodya tested himself. I think that he wanted to commit the murder not just to better society but also to prove to himself that he could do it. Raskolnikov believes that he is above the law and that he is an extraordinary man. This reminded me of The Picture of Dorian Gray because in the introduction it described Raskolnikov as someone who was better looking and educated which made him believe he was above most people including his family.

“I was going to Vassilyevsky Ostrov, to Razumihin.”
“Razumihin was one of his old comrades at the university. It was remarkable that Raskolnikov had hardly any friends at the university; he kept aloof from everyone, went to see no one, and did not welcome anyone who came to see him, and indeed everyone soon gave him up.”
Pg 100/ 967
Raskolnikov is an introverted character. This far into the book I haven’t quite figured him out yet. He at first wanted to better the society but then he withdrew his thoughts and actions and would make errors. The fact that he only really had one real friend proves that he doesn’t let people in and is an obscure character. I’m a little confused on why Rodya is so poor even though he went to college. I’m not sure if there’s something I missed or if during the Russian Renaissance the majority of people were doomed to poverty and a depressing life.

“Here Raskolnikov broke into a nervous laugh right in Zametov’s face. The latter drew back, more amazed than offended.
‘Foo? How strange you are!’ Zametov repeated very seriously.
‘I can’t help thinking you are still delirious’
295/967
Zametov reassured me that I was not the only one thinking that Raskolnikov is insane. Throughout this book I’ve felt as if I couldn’t understand his actions and I can’t predict what Rodya’s next move will be. At one moment I think he is cool and staying low key but then he talks to someone and everything that comes out his mouth makes him seem unstable and like he’s got no clue what to do until other people reassure him or give him an idea that he takes as a challenge.

“You are marrying Luzhin for my sake. But I won’t accept the sacrifice. And so write a letter before tomorrow, to reuse him... Let me read it in the morning and that will be the end of it”
‘That I can’t do!’ the girl cried, offended, ‘what right has you…’
‘Dounia, you are hasty, too, be quiet, tomorrow… Don’t you see....?’
The mother interposed in dismay.
356/967
During this scene you can see that Raskolnikov is not close to his family but when he finds out what they are doing and how Dounia is marrying someone for their wealth to help out Raskolnikov he does not have a good reaction. Although he is showing that he cares about Dounia he isn’t looking at it from the perspective of the family. This connects to Their Eyes Were Watching God when the mom sends Janie to marry the old farmer because she knows that he will take care of her. Luzhin like Logan Killicks are a lot older than Dounia and Janie.

“In his article all men are divided into ‘ordinary’ and ‘extraordinary.’ Ordinary men have to live in submission, have no right to transgress the law, because, don’t you see, they are ordinary. But extraordinary men have a right to commit any crime and to transgress the law in any way, just because they are extraordinary.”
465/967

During this scene Raskolnikov was hinting that he was an extraordinary man and that he could be above the law. His conscience is also making him so guilty and this is another way he reinsures himself that he is not guilty. I was surprised that Raskolnikov took the time to sit down and write a letter to the newspaper. Raskolnikov is a very reflective character.

“And, by the way, do you believe in ghosts?’
…
“Marfa Petrovna is please to visit me… She has been three times. I saw her first on the very day of the funeral, an hour after she was buried. It was the day before I left to come here. The second time was the day before yesterday… The third time was two hours ago in the room where I am staying. I was alone”
511/967
I recognize a pattern that Raskolnikov is not mentally stable. He is hallucinating about Marfa. At this time Svidrigalov thinks that Raskolnikov is ill. This might be foreshadowing that he is starting to notice that what he did isn’t right and that he is in a dark place.

“I feel ill; I am not at peace …. I will come afterwards; I will come of myself… when it’s possible.”
“Don’t inquire about me. When I can, I’ll come back but now if you love me, give me up…else I shall to hate you. I feel it …. Good-bye”
558/967
Raskolnikov is coming out to his family that he leaving but does not tell them any information. He wants to remove himself from his family so that they do not get drug down with him. I believe it was easier for him to give them up than to open up to them. Considering that he was talking to his family he could have not told them the news so harshly. He obviously is losing touch with his rationality.