Part VI - Chapter II Quiz — Crime and Punishment

Why does Porfiry Petrovitch visit Raskolnikov at the beginning of Part VI, Chapter II?

• To arrest him for the murders
• To apologize for his previous behavior and have an open conversation
• To inform him that Nikolay has been convicted
• To deliver a summons to appear in court

Which of the following did NOT contribute to Porfiry's initial suspicion of Raskolnikov?

• Raskolnikov's article on the "extraordinary man" theory
• Raskolnikov's fainting at the police station
• A letter found in the pawnbroker's apartment
• Raskolnikov's remarks to Zamyotov at the Crystal Palace

Why does Porfiry say he does not believe Nikolay's confession?

• Nikolay has a solid alibi for the time of the murders
• Nikolay is a childlike Old Believer who embraces suffering and is ignorant of key details
• Another witness saw Nikolay elsewhere during the crime
• Physical evidence proves Nikolay was not at the scene

What does Porfiry mean when he uses the German word "umsonst"?

• With certainty
• In vain; for nothing
• In secret
• With great effort

How does Raskolnikov initially respond when Porfiry directly says "You are the murderer"?

• He laughs scornfully and demands proof
• He leaps up, sits back down, and whispers a denial like a frightened child
• He immediately confesses to the crime
• He threatens Porfiry and orders him to leave

What does Porfiry promise Raskolnikov if he confesses voluntarily?

• Complete immunity from prosecution
• That the confession will appear as a surprise, presenting the crime as an aberration to reduce his sentence
• That Sonya will be protected from legal trouble
• That the case will be permanently sealed from public record

What metaphor does Porfiry use to describe Raskolnikov's potential for redemption?

• "Be the river and all will follow your current"
• "Be the sun and all will see you"
• "Be the mountain and none will move you"
• "Be the flame and darkness will retreat"

What is Porfiry's final unusual request to Raskolnikov before leaving?

• That Raskolnikov not speak to Sonya about their conversation
• That if Raskolnikov considers suicide, he leave a note mentioning the stone where the stolen goods are hidden
• That Raskolnikov destroy his article on extraordinary men
• That Raskolnikov avoid contact with Razumihin

Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

In the chapter, Porfiry says he is "waiting from hour to hour for him to come and abjure his evidence." What does "abjure" mean?

• To confirm and strengthen
• To formally renounce or retract
• To elaborate upon in detail
• To present in a court of law

Porfiry tells Raskolnikov not to be afraid of "the great expiation before you." What does "expiation" mean?

• A journey into exile
• The act of making amends for guilt or wrongdoing
• A public trial or hearing
• An explanation of one's motives

The narrator says Porfiry's earlier words "had sounded so like a recantation." What is a "recantation"?

• A dramatic performance or speech
• A formal withdrawal of a previous statement or belief
• A detailed summary of events
• An expression of deep sympathy