AP English Literature Exam Prep

Epistolary

Story told through letters

Media Res

Middle of the story

Framed story

Story within a story

Stream of consciousness

Inner thoughts as actions

Why does Raskolnikov commit the murders?

To test a theory that murder is justifiable if it serves other people.

Who is Sonia Marmeladova, and what does she convince Raskolnikov to do?

She is a girl forced into prostitution by poverty who convinces Raskolnikov to confess his crimes.

What happens to Raskolnikov after he confesses?

He is imprisoned in Siberia and begins a path to redemption.

What does the axe Raskolnikov uses to murder the pawnbroker symbolize?

It symbolizes Raskolnikov's attempt to feel less personally responsible for the murder, as he believes the tool will do the work for him.

What does the cross Sonia gives Raskolnikov symbolize?

A guide to a life without guilt, achieved by accepting punishment.

What does the yellow ticket that Sonia carries symbolize?

It characterizes her as selfless, as she became a prostitute to help her family.

What does water, particularly the riverbank where Raskolnikov and Sonia sit, symbolize?

Rebirth and cleansing after Raskolnikov owns his consequences.

How does water relate to Svidrigailov, a corrupt character?

He has an aversion to, avoiding rebirth, cleansing

How is money a symbol in the novel, as seen when Raskolnikov throws a coin into the water after murdering the pawnbroker for money?

Money symbolizes that in an oppressive society, it can drive people to violence, and senseless violence.

What is the significance of Raskolnikov's quote, “Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart”?

It reveals his belief that sadness is inherent to intelligence, which contributes to his desire to kill.

What story does Sonia read to Raskolnikov, and why is it an important allegory?

The story of Lazarus, which is an allegory for Raskolnikov's life as a "living death" who will later redeem himself.

How does Raskolnikov's quote about conscience and punishment foreshadow the end of his internal conflict?

It foreshadows that his emotional turmoil will be his punishment, and he eventually chooses imprisonment over that suffering.

How does the setting of St. Petersburg contribute to the novel's themes?

The city's poverty, filth, and moral decay contribute to Raskolnikov's mental state, and it reflects his internal battle with his own humanity.

What is a FOIL Character?

a character whose purpose is to accentuate or highlight certain qualities or characteristics of another character, typically the protagonist, by providing a strong contrast

Layered Complexity

A character who is a kind doctor but also an avid painter and a devoted father. These roles add dimension and realism to the character but do not necessarily conflict.

Contradictory Complexity

A character who preaches pacifism but consistently acts with intense aggression when provoked. This forces the reader to wonder if their pacifism is genuine or a facade, highlighting internal conflict.

Paradoxical Complexity

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet says, "I must be cruel, only to be kind". On the surface, "cruel" and "kind" are opposites. However, the deeper truth is that harsh actions are sometimes necessary for a greater, benevolent purpose in the long run.

What is Captain Walton seeking? Why

He is seeking friendship because it’s very desolate on the way to the North Pole and the people he is traveling with, he cannot find relatability in

Why does Walton describe his interests in books and poetry?

Walton was unable to read and study the books and voyages in his uncles library as a kid. Upon reading them, the desire to be recognized as a skilled writer grew.