Thank you for your thorough analysis, Cams! I do agree that at the end of the chapter Raskolnikov thoughts seem to take a leap into something new. No more barriers, that means freedom. Freedom of thought and of actions. It opens up this whole new world in which anything is possible (both good and bad). I wonder if this will lead to some form of inner approval of the murder of the old lady.
I also wonder what Marmeladow's function is in the novel. At first he seems not much more than a very eccentric, grandiloquent (such a nice word) character – whose behaviour towards his wife and children is abominable and cruel, though maybe he can't really help himself – but is he also some kind of beacon for Raskolnikov? I think the 'speech' Marmeladow gives just before he and Raskolnikov leave (about the sinners coming to God and being forgiven because they are miserable sinners) might play an important role in the development of Raskolnikovs way of thinking. I'd be happy to hear other people's opinions on this.
Thank you for your thorough analysis, Cams! I do agree that at the end of the chapter Raskolnikov thoughts seem to take a leap into something new. No more barriers, that means freedom. Freedom of thought and of actions. It opens up this whole new world in which anything is possible (both good and bad). I wonder if this will lead to some form of inner approval of the murder of the old lady.
I also wonder what Marmeladow's function is in the novel. At first he seems not much more than a very eccentric, grandiloquent (such a nice word) character – whose behaviour towards his wife and children is abominable and cruel, though maybe he can't really help himself – but is he also some kind of beacon for Raskolnikov? I think the 'speech' Marmeladow gives just before he and Raskolnikov leave (about the sinners coming to God and being forgiven because they are miserable sinners) might play an important role in the development of Raskolnikovs way of thinking. I'd be happy to hear other people's opinions on this.