Discuss the first time that Sonya walked into the room in Part Three Chapter IV. We've discussed Dostoyevsky's impressive ability to describe the setting to the reader. How did he develop this scene? What tactics (imagery, diction, tone, sentence structure) did he use to convey the change of the atmosphere upon the entrance of Sonya? How did each person react to her?
Discuss the first time that Sonya walked into the room in Part Three Chapter IV. We've discussed Dostoyevsky's impressive ability to describe the setting to the reader. How did he develop this scene? What tactics (imagery, diction, tone, sentence structure) did he use to convey the change of the atmosphere upon the entrance of Sonya? How did each person react to her?
In chapter 4, part 3, of Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky goes into detail to describe Sonia's entrance into the room. He describes that a "young girl walked into the room, looking timidly around her." (pg. 225) As a result, "everyone turned towards her with surprise and curiosity." (pg. 226-227) Dostoevsky then uses the literary element of imagery to vividly describe Sonia's appearance as "she was wearing a very plain indoor dress and a shabby old fashioned hat.." (pg. 226) She also had a "thin, very thin, pale little face, rather irregular and angular, with a sharp little nose and chin." (pg. 228) With Sonia's entrance into the room, everything changes. The atmosphere lightens up as Raskolnikov is not bitter but very accepting of the events that are taking place as he asks Sonia to "please sit down" (pg. 226) so he can talk to Sonia.
When Sonia entered into the room she encounters everyone present in the room. She encounters Razumikhin, who "had been sitting on one of Raskolnikov's three chairs" and "got up to allow her to enter." (pg. 226) With Razumikhin's actions, this shows his respect for her as this is ironic because Sonia is a prostitute and ladies that are involved in this activity are not respected. Sonia then encounters Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov "felt suddenly sorry for her." (pg. 226) Sonia's timid actions changes Raskolnikov's behavior. Raskolnikov is opening towards Sonia as he "hurriedly motioned her [Sonia] to Razumikhin's chair." (pg. 226) Raskolnikov introduces Sonia to his mother. Sonia "looked at the two ladies and dropped her eyes." (pg. 227) In reaction to this, Pulcheria Alexandrovna "glanced at Sonia and screwed up her eyes a little." (pg. 227) Because of Dostoevksy's choice of words with Sonia's dialogue, readers are able to feel sorry for the poor girl as Dunia begins to feel sorry for her as well. Sonia tells Raskolnikov that he "gave us everything yesterday." (pg. 228) At this moment "a light was in Dunia's eyes, and even Pulcheria Alexandrovna looked kindly at Sonia." ( Pg. 228) Dunia then gives Sonia "an attentive, courteous bow." (pg. 229) Sonia in return, "gave a hurried, frightened curtsy." (pg. 229) Dunia and Pulcheria now feel more comfortable about Sonia.
Because of the entrance of Sonia into the room, everything changes. I believe that whenever Sonia enters anywhere into the novel, there will be an immediate mood/tone and atmosphere change.
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Laurel Bell
4/2/2013 12:24:45 pm
Discuss the first time that Sonya walked into the room in Part Three Chapter IV. We've discussed Dostoyevsky's impressive ability to describe the setting to the reader. How did he develop this scene? What tactics (imagery, diction, tone, sentence structure) did he use to convey the change of the atmosphere upon the entrance of Sonya? How did each person react to her?
The moment Sonia entered the room, it was as if the angels had begun to sing. Just kidding! But it was incredibly astonishing. Through Dostoevsky's brilliant use of imagery, the omnipresent dark and dismal tone instantly began to melt away. The atmosphere shifted towards that of innocence and purity. Despite her "yellow ticket," Sonia was depicted as a "modestly and poorly-dressed young girl." (pg. 226) She was the complete contrast of a flamboyant and promiscuous prostitute, being "completely overwhelmed with shyness." (pg. 226) One could not help but feel tremendous sympathy for she and her circumstances.
Each character reacted in their own distinct way. Razumikhin did not waver from his usual friendly demeanor. He greeted her with great respect and "got up to allow her to enter." (pg. 226) Pulcheria Alexandrovna, due to the description within Peter Petrovich's letter, had already formed her own opinion of Sonia. At first glance, she "screwed up her eyes a little" (pg. 227) in condemnation. But in talking with Dunia later on, she admitted that she could "scarcely sit still" (pg. 230), because she consciously knew she had no right to judge Sonia's actions. Dunia was the complete contrast. She understood the vast importance of Sonia to Raskolnikov and reacted in a reverent manner to her appearance, giving "an attentive, courteous bow." (pg. 229)
Raskolnikov's reaction was of the most absolute significance. It displayed that he was capable of sincere and compassionate emotions, and her appearance left him "extremely astonished." (pg. 226) Her innocence and vulnerable nature instantly "sent a pang to his heart." (pg. 226) She was unlike anyone he had ever encountered and he desperately wanted to preserve her dignity and succumb her terrors. She was a genuine human being and even the thought of her sitting on his bed "was a little too intimate." (pg. 226)
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Hulsey
4/4/2013 02:26:47 am
EXACTLY.
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Molly Williams
4/7/2013 11:19:32 am
Dostoyevsky's imagery throughout the whole book is outstanding, but at this moment in the book, when Sonia enters the room, his imagery very much stands out, at least to me it did. Because it was like he really wanted the reader to feel what the characters are feeling, and to picture it exactly as he did to get the perfect visual of what Sonia and Raskolnikov’s first impression did to one another. When we first ‘met’ Sonia, all we knew was she was sleeping around, but in this section of the book we captured her innocence and the true person Sonia really was. She was like a little child you just wanted to hold, she was so sweet! And from first impression, that is not what anyone imagined. And the fact that Raskolnikov saw through to her true personality as well, altered how we pictured him to be, because he wasn’t just a people hating psychopath if he could see purity in a young women with the “yellow ticket”. Even Dunia could not keep her nasty thoughts of Sonia as much as she tried, because Sonia (has an awesome super power) changes Dunias idea of her and proves her innocence just by looking into her eyes. Dostoyevsky’s idea was to show the strong impact that Sonia had on Raskolnikov, and the detailed imagery he used really helped one understand the shift in the novel.
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Clara Grace
4/8/2013 01:45:05 pm
“At that moment the door was softly opened, and a young girl walked into the room, looking timidly around her. Everyone turned towards her with surprise and curiosity.” (pg. 225-226) Dostoyevsky begins the chapter with this description. The scene before this one set a mood of agitation and hurriedness, with Raskolnikov arguing with his mother and sister over Dunia’s engagement. However, at this critical moment when Sonia enters, the tone changes drastically. A sense of innocence and incorruptibility fans out throughout the room. I imagine it to be like a sunrise; Sonia shedding light and hope into the darkly set room. Raskolnikov saw Sonia for “the first time [at] night” (pg. 226) and did not notice her because that is not where she belonged. Sonia’s appearance isn’t even that of a night walker at this time. She is “modestly and poorly-dressed,” (pg. 226) with a countenance that conveys that “almost like a child, in fact, with a modest and refined manner.” (pg. 226) Sonia has “blue eyes” (pg. 228) and a figure that “[looks] almost like a little girl- almost like a child.” (pg. 228) This imagery communicates to the reader the pureness and humbleness that is truly Sonia’s character. She doesn’t need “such clothing” (pg. 226) that befits the other yellow ticket holders to be noticed.
Dostoyevsky utilizes a complex, choppy sentence structure with choice diction so that the words reflect the actions shown by Sonia. Her awkwardness and “state of confusion” (pg. 226) are transmitted through the sentence length variation. Sonia even “[stammers] and [ceases] speaking” (pg. 227) because she feels that she isn’t worthy of the presence of the room. The universal theme of not belonging is portrayed by this and thus allowing the reader to sympathize and connect with Sonia. The entrance of Sonia has an effect on each of the characters in the room. Razumikhin hurriedly rises to “allow her to enter” (pg. 226) then moves to give her a seat. He is just like his regular gentleman self, yet he is interested in Sonia because Dunia is interested. Dunia “gazed gravely and intently into the poor girl’s face, and scrutinized her, perplexed.” (pg. 227) Dunia, while being a kind person, isn’t a perfect human and studies Sonia. Based off of what Luzhin said, Dunia quickly forms her own opinion of Sonia, eventually having a “light in her eyes” (pg. 228) at the sight of Sonia. This contradicts the image portrayed by Luzhin, allowing Dunia to gain an immense amount of respect for Sonia, even giving “Sonia an attentive, courteous bow.” (pg. 229) Pulcheria’s assumption of Sonia also changes. She “looked kindly at Sonia” (pg. 228) after having seen the sweet and kind nature of her. Also, Raskolnikov’s reaction to Sonia helped assist both Pulcheria and Dunia’s change of mind.
Poor Raskolnikov, he was doomed from the beginning. Raskolnikov was “extremely astonished, and he too was confused.” (pg. 226) All at once, Luhzin’s words rush through his mind and he is instantly reminded of Sonia’s lifestyle. However, Sonia’s looks of humiliation make him feel sorry for her, sending “a pang to his heart” (pg. 226) and instantly causes a great curiosity in Raskolnikov. Sonia is what softens Raskolnikov, and it isn't even by his choice. It is a natural occurrence and there isn’t anything he could do to prevent it. He first offers her a place on his sofa which he uses as a bed, but then he offers here a seat in a chair. Raskolnikov feels that he owes Sonia more respect and doesn't want her to be reminded of the great sacrifice she has chosen. At this moment, Raskolnikov’s existential outlook is broken. He now has a purpose, a saving grace, to be hopeful for.
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Zachary Howard
4/8/2013 02:36:43 pm
First of all I would like to say " I know this is very late its 12:04 4/9/2013 I'm Sorry"
Well Ms. Sofia Semionovna Marmeladov. As she entered into the book in page 225 Dostoevsky uses imagery to start the scene off. He states that "THE door was softly opened" this adjective "Softly" gives the reader the sense that no doubt this person that is entering this scene is an important and rounded character. Then he also states "looking timidly around her." which can imply that Sonya was unaware of what she just walked into. (her pureness) He also continues to imply that she has this pureness to her page 226 " now she was modestly......face."
Also with the coming of Sonya, Dostoevsky also changes the way his main character Raskolnikov feels and thinks. Raskolnikov gets this kind of sympathy in his heart "it sent a pang to his heart". See you know when you see that one person that you just like so much and you just change what your doing at that time. That is how Raskolnikov felt. Doing this Raskolnikov even gives her is homeboy's chair "he hurriedly motioned her to Razumkihin's chair" Also as she entered into the plot of "Crime and Punishment" Dunia and Pulcheria starts to cast stones on her " and scrutinized her"
Raskolnikov becomes a little overly talkative.(something he don't like others doing).
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Grammar Nazi
4/9/2013 08:11:24 am
"Softly" is an adverb, not an adjective.
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Hulsey
4/9/2013 09:03:36 am
Okay, fess up, who called out a fellow AP-er without properly identifying their name?? If you don't tell, the guilt will tell for you tomorrow during 3rd period, Raskolnikov.