In the first part of the novel, Raskolnikov remains undecided if he can kill the pawn owner. Why do you think that he ultimately decides to take action and commit the crime? Do you believe that Raskolnikov believes the Utilitarian argument that the soldiers put forth at the pub? Or, is this a crime which is colored by pride and driven by Raskolnikov’s desire to prove that he is indeed an übermench?

The reaction paper should be more than an exposition of your love/hate relationship with the reading. It should have an analysis of the readings in conjunction with your thoughts and feelings about the material.