Monday, February 27, 2012

Pulcheria Alexandrovna: Purpose?


Throughout the novel, we come across many different characters, each representing a theme, are a foil of Raskolnikov in some way, and serve a purpose to understanding the novel. We have discussed some of these purposes in class. For example, Razumikhin shows the loveable, friendly side that Raskolnikov could achieve if Raskolnikov had money. Sonya, the religious, meek woman character, saves Raskolnikov with religion and eventually makes him a part of society with his inability to part from her. Dunya, Raskolnikov’s sister, is very intelligent and similar to Raskolnikov in many ways, however, Dunya is able to show compassion to her family and other people while Raskolnikov can not.

Although all of the mentioned characters play an essential role in the novel, I could not pinpoint why Raskolnikov’s mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, was part of the novel. She seems to have a purpose in the beginning when she writes Raskolnikov a letter explaining that Dunya has agreed to marry Luzhin in order to help Raskolnikov with his money problems. She reappears later after Razumikhin has committed the two murders but never really brings anything new to the novel except for concern for Razumikhin. Razumikhin seems to easily dismiss his mother and sister with out ever looking back.

My thought is that Pulcheria and his sister are there to ground Razumikhin to reality. Razumikhin goes in and out of reality throughout the book and by easily dismissing his sister and mother he tries to get rid of any part of his life that connects him to society, and further, reality. Do you agree? What other reasons do you think Pulcheria is a part of the novel? 

6 comments:

  1. I believe that one of the reasons Raskolnikov received a chance to redemption was that he had so many people around loving him. His mother is one of these people who cared about him, but she is also praying for him. Right before Rodion turns himself in, during his talk with his mother, he asks her to pray for him. I thought this moment had a very important symbolism: Raskolnikov is loved and people are praying for his forgiveness so he is more likely to renew his life than Svidrigailov, for instance, who is alone, unloved and has no connection to God.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is a really good point. Especially considering the fact that we have talked a lot in class about how religion is the most important thing according to Dostoyevsky.

      Delete
  2. I had thought of Pulcheria as a character that existed to represent an older generation of Russia. In her letter to Raskolnikov she shares opinions of Luzhin that seem outdated and very preoccupied with helping to settle Dunya's marriage, especially in comparison with her son's independent city life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting! I never thought of it in this way. Perhaps she also represents the more traditional Russian woman.

      Delete
  3. This is an interesting post, Kate. I also like Iulia and Susanna's thoughts. I would add that Pulcheria adds some dimension to the role of women/female characters in the novel. She is an older woman with some depth and goodness to her. The other female characters are either young and extremely good (Dunya, Sonya) or old and and wretched. Pulcheria represents something between the two.

    Also, Iulia, I agree that her love for Raskolnikov is very important to the story and his eventual salvation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is a great point. It's interesting to have a female character that can't be described with such black and white terms (good or bad).

      Delete