iridiumsphere t1_itx2bng wrote on October 26, 2022 at 10:49 PM

My own thoughts.... I have no sources to cite.

I think an important thing to remember about Raskolnikov is that this book is written about the fallen aristrocracy. These people are not descendants of serfs. They are descendants of the nobility. Their poverty isn't as shocking as the fact that THEY are poor. Part of the context of the book is that it's written after a lot of turmoil which gave former serfs more rights, and reduced the hereditary power of the aristocracy. Not incidentally, that actually increased the power of the centralized autocracy....
Remember what a big deal is made out of the poor, suffering, well educated characters? They are meant for better things, and it was felt that the readers (well educated, literate, people) would empathize more with poor people who were 'like them.'

vineviper t1_ityxtof wrote on October 27, 2022 at 10:02 AM

Yes they are the poor of the upper class. Just like governesses who are seen as fallen bc they have to work to support themselves. When you read about the conditions of the working poor it become a different story. People who are only able to rent a bed during the day and work nightshifts. Families of 5-10 living in single rooms without running water etc.