Friday, January 31, 2014

Raskolnikov still resonates with Texas prison inmates

Check out Maurice Chammah's story in Texas Monthly, "When prisoners read Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment,' it's pretty powerful."
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 7:10 PM
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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Raskolnikov rationalized killing this pawnbroker." That's what the book was about.

We need to be careful that we don't use rationalization and other thought distortions in our zeal to justify the criminal (who we identify with and whose side we reflexively take).

2/02/2014 10:37:00 AM
Gritsforbreakfast said...

@10:37, you're a shallow soul, indeed, or perhaps just poorly educated. Have you ever read the friggin' book?! It's about how Raskolnikov's rationalizations fall apart, his guilt and remorse drive him mad, and despite his eventual confession, his internal torment becomes more torturous, even, than his incarceration in a Siberian prison camp.

Perhaps you need to be careful not to comment on subjects that reveal your abject ignorance.

2/02/2014 10:50:00 AM
Anonymous said...

Narcissism entails a grandiose, inflated self-image and desire for power, coupled with a sense of entitlement and lack of regard for others. Not much time or energy is wasted on guilt or remorse.

2/02/2014 03:33:00 PM
Gritsforbreakfast said...

@3:33/10:37, I'm pretty sure Dostoevsky had a better grasp on the dynamic than you. Why don't you read the book and then comment?

2/02/2014 07:12:00 PM
Anonymous said...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crime/

2/04/2014 10:57:00 AM
Anonymous said...

For Anonymous @3:33 & 10:37, here's the free summary of the book, above.

A quote from the book that summarizes the main point:

"...5. '...How it happened he himself did not know, but suddenly it was as if something lifted him and flung him down at her feet. He wept and embraced her knees. For the first moment she was terribly frightened, and her whole face went numb. She jumped up and looked at him, trembling. But all at once, in that same moment, she understood everything. Infinite happiness lit up in her eyes; she understood, and for her there was no longer any doubt that he loved her, loved her infinitely, and that at last the moment had come. . . .'

This quotation comes from the Epilogue, at the climactic moment in which Sonya finally realizes that Raskolnikov truly loves her. The significance is both personal and public, since by showing that he loves a particular person, Raskolnikov demonstrates that he is willing to take his place as a member of society once again. The tears that Raskolnikov sheds represent his remorse over his sins and, perhaps, his joy in realizing that Sonya, the lone individual with whom he has enjoyed a meaningful relationship, loves him. It is only when he realizes that he truly cares for another person that Raskolnikov is finally able to break his alienation from humanity and begin to sincerely repent for his crimes. This newfound love injects his life with fresh meaning and, one can argue, releases him from the bond of his destructive nihilism...."

The lesson being learned by the prisoners is that it is our capacity to love and be loved that redeems us. Also, It is our capacity to show mercy (even if only for ourselves at times) that makes us human.

2/04/2014 11:17:00 AM
Anonymous said...

These prisoners are just like Raskolnikov--overcome with remorse for what they did. Yeah, right.

2/04/2014 08:12:00 PM
Anonymous said...

@Anonymous 4 February 8:12 PM: They may or may not be remorseful. Some may be falsely accused and imprisoned and have no need for remorse. However, it is not for you to play judge. I personally am happy to see them at least have the opportunity to redeem themselves. I acknowledge that it may be wasted on some, but if it helps a single man or woman return to the world and live a productive and lawful life then it is worth it.

2/08/2014 11:37:00 AM

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