Crime and Punishment Group

Question:

sealeater
sealeater
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What is the significant event that brings about the plot?

What is the significant event/incident that brings about the plot?

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Posted by sealeater on Monday September 29, 2008 at 3:33 PM and tagged with crime and punishment, event, incident, plot.

Answers:

  1. eabettencourt
    eabettencourt Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Arguably the most significant event/incident in the entire novel is Raskolnikov's murder of the pawnbroker.  It certainly "brings about the plot," as it is the catalyst for Raskolnikov's spiraling illness, both physical and, perhaps, mental, as he desperately tries to convince himself that he is, indeed, a "superman":  one who, due to superiority, can take any action he likes without consequences.

    Of course, there are other important events and incidents in the text, but the actual, titular crime is the most significant.

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    Posted by eabettencourt on Tuesday September 30, 2008 at 1:43 PM