Every Damsel needs a Romantic Hero to Sweep her off her Feet.
So I've been putting off this required blog post for an unreasonably long time.
I think vacation got to me and until the reality of school hit again today school was out of the question for the whole week.. plus the fact that I prepared myself for vacation a couple days before the break actually started didn't help me get my work done ahead of time since it's a give in, being the natural procrastinator that I am, that I wouldn't do it any time over vacation until the night before school. And lookie this, it's even a day LATER than my usual procrastinator self.
Any ways, I'm stalling.
Svidrigailov's surprise visit to Roskolnikov gives him the wrong first impression. He comes off very blunt and straight forward with a rude air about him. He tells Raskolnikov, without beating around the bush, that he presents himself for two reasons, even having the nerve to make assumptions: "I fancy you won't refuse me a little help in a certain project of mine that touches directly on the intersts of your dear sister... Because of certain prejudices, she wouldn't even admit me into her yard by myself...But with your help...". From accounts told by Dunia and her mother, Svidrigailov had ruined Dunia's pride and reputation, therefore giving both the characters and the reader alike a sense of distrust for Svidrigailov. Personally, Svidrigailov seemed like some kind of perv, and him showing up under such mysterious cercumstances made him seem like a stalker. Instead of being sketchy, Svidrigailov shows a sense of modesty by trying to put him and Roskolnikov on the same level of understanding. He tries to create a friendly atmosphere between the two as opposed to the tension that Raskolnikov stirs up.
As the conversation goes on between the two characters, Svidrigailov states the idea of whether or not he is "the monster or the victim". In the reader's sense, he would be the monster, but he argues his case that he only followed through with his "disgraceful" actions with the motivation to find mutual happiness for the both of them. Being rejected by a woman, it would seem a man's pride would be injured. Especially with the characters throughout the novel. Pride seems to be a key flaw with many characters, but Svidrigailov doesn't follow this trend. Instead of pursuing Dunia out of revenge or "cursing" her, he seeks her out and offers his money in the form of an apology: "I make this proposal without any calculation. You may beleive it or not.... Since I'm genuinly sorry, I'd really like.. simply to do her some good. Buying someone off would usually seem like a bribe, especially since it is known that Dunia isn't well off, but he offers it with a sense of kindness. He does it to relieve himself from the guilt, but in the end he gets nothing in return.
The one chapter of conversation between Svidrigailov and Roskolvikov is one of the most interesing chapters. Svidrigailov becomes an admirable character, putting his shady first impression aside. Although he is offering money as a guilt payment, he does it wanting good for Dunia, not for her love or thanks in return. He accepts her rejection with understanding and gives her a sense of space. He turns out to be a Romantic Hero, trying to save his Damsel in Distress even with her rejection and (understandable) unthankfullness of his actions.
-Rae
I think vacation got to me and until the reality of school hit again today school was out of the question for the whole week.. plus the fact that I prepared myself for vacation a couple days before the break actually started didn't help me get my work done ahead of time since it's a give in, being the natural procrastinator that I am, that I wouldn't do it any time over vacation until the night before school. And lookie this, it's even a day LATER than my usual procrastinator self.
Any ways, I'm stalling.
Svidrigailov's surprise visit to Roskolnikov gives him the wrong first impression. He comes off very blunt and straight forward with a rude air about him. He tells Raskolnikov, without beating around the bush, that he presents himself for two reasons, even having the nerve to make assumptions: "I fancy you won't refuse me a little help in a certain project of mine that touches directly on the intersts of your dear sister... Because of certain prejudices, she wouldn't even admit me into her yard by myself...But with your help...". From accounts told by Dunia and her mother, Svidrigailov had ruined Dunia's pride and reputation, therefore giving both the characters and the reader alike a sense of distrust for Svidrigailov. Personally, Svidrigailov seemed like some kind of perv, and him showing up under such mysterious cercumstances made him seem like a stalker. Instead of being sketchy, Svidrigailov shows a sense of modesty by trying to put him and Roskolnikov on the same level of understanding. He tries to create a friendly atmosphere between the two as opposed to the tension that Raskolnikov stirs up.
As the conversation goes on between the two characters, Svidrigailov states the idea of whether or not he is "the monster or the victim". In the reader's sense, he would be the monster, but he argues his case that he only followed through with his "disgraceful" actions with the motivation to find mutual happiness for the both of them. Being rejected by a woman, it would seem a man's pride would be injured. Especially with the characters throughout the novel. Pride seems to be a key flaw with many characters, but Svidrigailov doesn't follow this trend. Instead of pursuing Dunia out of revenge or "cursing" her, he seeks her out and offers his money in the form of an apology: "I make this proposal without any calculation. You may beleive it or not.... Since I'm genuinly sorry, I'd really like.. simply to do her some good. Buying someone off would usually seem like a bribe, especially since it is known that Dunia isn't well off, but he offers it with a sense of kindness. He does it to relieve himself from the guilt, but in the end he gets nothing in return.
The one chapter of conversation between Svidrigailov and Roskolvikov is one of the most interesing chapters. Svidrigailov becomes an admirable character, putting his shady first impression aside. Although he is offering money as a guilt payment, he does it wanting good for Dunia, not for her love or thanks in return. He accepts her rejection with understanding and gives her a sense of space. He turns out to be a Romantic Hero, trying to save his Damsel in Distress even with her rejection and (understandable) unthankfullness of his actions.
-Rae
posted by sobereyedconclusions at
9:00 PM
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