Lazarus Figurative Language Quotes

1. Symbols
• “Holy Fools” – Ch. 4- Sonia and Lizaveta, oxymoron of being righteous, saintly yet foolish; symbolize self-sacrifice, blind faith
• “Sickness and Delirium”- Ch. 5 Raskolnikov’s guilt previously symbolized by blood, now is symbolized by sickness and delirium; Porfiry Petrovich indirectly accuses Raskolnikov of crime by accusing him of spreading his “illness” and of being “sick” and “delirious”
• The Bible/Story of Lazarus- ties back to the “holy fools”; the story of Lazarus symbolizes Sonia and Lizaveta’s beliefs that religion will compensate them for their sacrifice and servitude (they hope to be resurrected by God, like Lazarus was); bible is obviously religion
2. Language
• Hyperbole/Allusion-
Ch.2 Pg.299 “There is a line in everything which it is dangerous to overstep; and when it has been overstepped, there is no return. Significance: The quote connects to the book as a whole specifically the character Raskolnikov. Also, in general the author has the message that once an action is completed there is no turning back. This seems to be a reoccurring concept throughout the novel. Peter Petrovich at this point is irritable with Raskolnikov and expresses his feeling to dounia. He has reason to believe that Raskolnikov is speaking poorly of him behind his back.

2. Ch.5 Pg.344 “What is it, to run away! A mere formality; that’s not the main thing; no, he won’t run away on me by a low of nature, even if he has somewhere to run to.”

Signifigance: When Dostoevsky is saying “law of nature” he is specifically speaking of Raskolnikov’s guilt and how he can’t escape it. This quote is said by Porify Petrovitch to explain that Raskolnikov’s guilt humanizes him and proves that Porify Petrovitch is a possible
He discusses the psychological methods by which he hopes to catch the murderer. He includes observations about the “youth” and “intelligence” of his suspect that are pointed directly at Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov, though agitated, stays quiet. But after a while, he bursts out wildly, accusing the official of suspecting him and challenging Porfiry either to accuse him outright or to let him be.

Important Characters
• Raskonikov is beginning to think he is going to be caught. When questioned by Porfiry Petrovich he gets denfensive and looks guilty. In his conversation with Sonia he says she will find out who killed her friend soon.
• Porfiry Petrovich - He is in charge of investigating the murders. Porfiry Petrovich understanding of criminal psychology and is aware of Raskolnikov’s mental state. So far, He is Raskolnikov’s primary enemy.
• Sonya is quiet, timid, and easily embarrassed. She is also extremely devout and devoted to her family. Her sacrifice of prostituting herself for the sake of her family’s poverty shows her