Crime and Punishment

This book was so long I feel that there is a lot to talk about so I'll just hit the main points. First, St. Petersburg as an environment: hot, miserable, poor, dirty, and often cramped. This might have shaped Raskolnikov because this extra pressure on his already deteriorating mental state might have pushed him over the edge once and for all, although i have no proof of this. Also, the environment in terms of what event occurred during the book may have really affected Rasky. From the meeting with Marmelodov, and the death by trampling of him, to the shady meetings with Svidrigalov and Porfry have certainly affected Rasky's decisions. Not to mention the problems with Donya and his mother that really affected Rasky. I think the most notable people who influenced Rasky were Raz and Sonya. Because Rasky loved these people in his life they really affected him. Also, their beliefs most closely mirrored what Rasky wanted to be. Sonya's purity and Raz's honesty affected when and how he confessed.

The most notable environmental influence was the destitution of Sonya's life which cause her to sell herself on the street for her family. A connection which was made early in the book, and was later proven that Sonya was indeed a good person and was not fallen because of her forced "profession" to save her family.

Katrina’s childhood was the only one mentioned (other than the children’s) and is obvious because of the impact it had on her life later. Because she was raised as aristocracy, she never allows herself to be shamed by her lifestyle. She also puts up the fight against her landlady because of her respect of herself that Katrina truly believes she deserves.

Henry IV Part 1

In Henry IV: Part 1 there was an emphasis on the father son relationships between the King and Hal, the fantasy relationship the King hold with Hotspur, the King/Prince and their country, and somewhat of a relationship between Falstaff and Hal. As a part of life, relationships define who we are. I think the most important relationship to Hal, was the one with his father. This relationship defined how he should act. For example, as the prince, he needs to behave well, and be "princely." The defiance against his father puts Hal with the pub crawlers, a lowly group who's only purpose to Hal, is to have sinful fun. However, as seen when the play progresses, is that Hal never loses his sense of honor, or view of the bigger picture. While not acting on those beliefs while friends with Falstaff, his character never changed, only his decision to change his actions. Those actions were decided when the King confronted him about his dishonorable actions and Hal stating his regret. This event changed Hal's attitude toward being a prince, much as a parent’s disapproval for bad grades who change a student's attitude toward schoolwork.
I also noticed how Falstaff's environment changed his though processes; failing, however, to change his behavior. Falstaff was probably raised poor, and from this became the stealing, thieving pub crawler he is. This way of living delights him in its sinfulness, but he never tries to say he wants anything different. However, as he confronts obstacles in his life, he voices his thoughts which parallels his behavior. For example, his honor speech, ultimately convinces him honor is nothing but air, and should be taken as such. This reality which Falstaff discovers does nothing but encourage his hedonistic behavior because there is no honor in the world.

Oedipus Rex

In Oedipus Rex, he was raised as the son a king, which allowed him to be the father as ruler figure of Thebes and Cornith. He was also raised to be live Merope was his mother, which allowed him to marry his real mother. Also, being raised as the son of a king, he was taught honor and integrity which he displayed through his ordeal in the tragedy. Oedipus's honor best exemplifies my big question.