"The Chess Players" Book Three Chapter Five We were assigned a chapter of Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky had to find major motifs in the chapter.

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The Written Word: When something is written, be it by hand, typed, or printed, it becomes tangible evidence. It carries more weight than that which is given by word of mouth. Dostoyevsky's use of the written word in this chapter shows the avoidable. Porfiry knew that Raskolnikov was a client of Alonia's b/c "Both items, the ring and the watch, were at her place, wrapped up in the same sheet of paper on which your [Raskolnikov's] name was clearly written in pencil." (pg 250) That solidifies the connection between him and Alonia. Since "the old witch wrote down the date in pencil" (pg 253) there were also dates, such that, if Raskolnikov ever tried to take back his statements there was undeniable evidence. His article, about the extraordinary man, also in print and signed (pg 255-258) is further undeniable proof of his views. Some things simply cannot be escaped.

Alcohol: Alcohol has been a continuous motif through out the novel, but serving different purposes in its symbolism. In this chapter, it is the recurring excuse for things said and things discovered. Porfiry tells Raskolnikov of the "Six of them arguing in one room! And tanked up on punch, at that." (pg 254). It was in that state that crime as "a protest against the abnormal social order" (pg 253) was discussed. The idea sounds crazy- ludicrous, so Pomfiry excuses it with their drunkenness. It was only a little earlier that, in response to Raskolnikov and Razumikhin's irritation at his interrogation, Porfiry excuses his actions because he's "got a hangover from your party my friend." (pg 253). As long as there is something to blame, it can be excused...

Volume: Volume in the room is a good representation of the level of comfort. Raskolnikov's variation from forcing himself...