“The heat in the streets was stifling. The stuffiness, the jostling crowds, the bricks and mortar, scaffolding and dust everywhere, and that particular summer stench so familiar to everyone who cannot get away from St. Petersburg into the country” (Dostoevsky 2).
In the beginning of the novel, Raskolnikov begins to describe St. Petersburg, which is the setting of the novel. This description is not only included to convey a better understanding of the novel, but also to show a cause to why Raskolnikov feels the way he does at this moment in the novel. Raskolnikov gets described as a confused and weak person who is unaware of his surroundings. Due to the intensive heat and the matter of skipping his meals, Raskolnikov begins to debilitate because of heat exhaustion and a lack of nourishment. The stuffiness is a cause for his confusion and unconsciousness of surroundings because the society is almost airless, which can cause the brain to malfunction leading to a confused state.
“It was disordered and untidily strew with various tattered children’s garments. A torn sheet was stretched across the corner at the back of the room. The bed was probably behind it. There was nothing in the room but two chairs and a sofa covered with ragged oilcloth, with an old deal kitchen
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He has already described to Raskolnikov the condition his family is under. When Raskolnikov brings Marmeladov home, the story becomes a reality to Raskolnikov. As he was listening to the story, there is no way of telling if it is astute or not. Actually seeing and describing the setting of Marmeladov’s home and family made Raskolnikov ascertain that this family is indigent because of Marmeladov. This reality changes the way Raskolnikov view Marmeladov. He first sees him as a man who needs help, but now he sees him as a scoundrel. He comes to pity Marmeladov because he can’t help his drinking problem to fix his family's