Crime and Punishment: Part 3

For tomorrow, read the rest of part II of Crime & Punishment (chapters
4-7, approx pgs. 111-165). Blog about the novel and the idea of
redemption. Do you think that people can be redeemed or not? If someone
does something terrible, then what do they have to do to atone? You might
also want to consider why you feel the way you do in regard to this issue.
Parents? Teachers? Literature? Friends? Religion? TV? What influences your
values?

A deal I'm willing to strike: if everyone in the entire class has blogged
thoughtfully by the time I check your blogs (during my planning period,
around 10am), then there will be no reading quiz. However, if only one
person does not blog then there will be a quiz. Cool?


Rodya apparently thinks he has redeemed himself. I don't understand how he has the audacity to think like that and his rationalization as to why he considers he is is so enraging. He should be consumed with guilt! He doesn't deserve to walk alongside society and act so pompous after such an act! Does he not feel sorrow anymore? How can he be so bold as to talk directly to the detective about the murder and even return to the scene of the murder (why do so many murderers like to return anyway? To view their work? That is just so sick)? 


People can be redeemed relative to the severity of their crime. Petty ones that don't necessarily affect anyone in a serious manner or only yourself is redeemable if you are truly, sincerely, and genuinely feel sorry and regretful. Now, for murders and robbers, oh how i despise them (considering they're murdering and robbing innocent people)... they can never redeem themselves. There is no atonement for them. I value justice more than mercy. They were (obviously) aware they were going to kill and rob someone; it's rational to think of the consequences! I don't care if you truly, sincerely, and genuinely feel sorry and regret; it's not going to bring the dead back to life. You can be tortured for all eternity. People like Albert Fish deserve more than torture, I want them to experience the worst pain possible... and still be alive. Yeah, I'm cruel. But did you know what that man did? He raped, killed, and ate the children he abducted. Even more enraging, he wrote letters to the victim's parents describing vividly how he did those things to them. Put yourself in the parents' shoes. I will never forgive that man, but killing him would be too easy. I want him to experience what my child went through. He should be one of those amputated prisoners in the basement from The Road.  


Reader-response theory (sort of), haha. I'm influenced by everyone I've met, the things I've watched, my experiences, and the stories I've read. Parents? That's too personal. Let's just say that some merciful and kind people are just too merciful and kind. Teachers? I think it's a crime to waste even a second of my young life and I won't be able to get it back. Also, let's just say that I don't like most teachers and I love very few. Literature? Oh yeah, that plays a pivotal role in influencing me. Friends? Somewhat. Religion? Also quite a bit. TV? Dexter would be one, haha. White Collar? Fringe? Lie to Me? There's a lot of things that influences my values, but I'm too tired today to rant about it (just imagine how much I would have written!). 


Oh and yeah, you! Remember that girl who told you to and I quote "don't (yeah) touch me!" and "don't (yeah) look at me!" during the fire drll? She's must be very mysophobic and subconscious about her appearance... I don't like her.