Comparing Women In Dostoevsky's Crime And Puni

“Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.” (Dostoevsky, Kindle Used) The novel Crime and Punishment expresses the superiority of men and the superman theory. The character Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov (“Rodya,” “Rodka”) believes he is superior to all. His murder plot evolves throughout the story and highlights his motives and belief that the women he kills are worthless and dehumanizes their very essence of life.. The women are submissive to the males in their lives and take many risks in order to save their families. Women such as Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladov(Sonya), Katerina Ivanovna Marmeladov, and Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov(Dunya) explicate the true meaning of sacrifices and suffering

The suffering and submission occurs prominently in the character Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov, the sister of Raskolnikov. (“Dunya,” “Dunechka”) “No, it’s my fault most of all! I was tempted by his money, but I swear, brother—I never imagined he could be such an untrustworthy man!”(Dostoevsky) Raskolnikov and Dunya’s relationship has a deep connection. They rely and respect each other greatly. This relationship is not, however, the most influential of her existence in this novel. Dunya is bound by a arranged marriage to Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin, to escape poverty. “[Raskolnikov] For one she [Dunya] loves, for one she adores, she will sell herself”(Dostoevsky) Luzhin is obsessed with Dunya and will do anything to make her subservient to him. “[Dunya] I intend to be loyal in rendering all that he expects of me”(Dostoevsky) Once breaking the marriage vows to Luzhin, Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov attempts to make Dunya love him. Although the death of his wife, Marfa Petrovna, made Svidrigailov more generous, his threatening presence offends both Dunya and Raskolnikov. Svidrigailov attempts to rape Dunya and to tell her about her brother's murders. She accuses him of murdering his own wife. Dunya attempts to shoot him for protection from his sexual assault. Overcoming forced relationships, Dunya eventually took control of her life and met a man she could equally love and trust. That man is Dmitri Prokofych Razumikhin, his name originates from the Russian word razum which means “reason” or “intelligence” . Dunya and Razumikhin’s love, and Razumikhin love and respect for Raskolnikov, creates a stable relationship between Razumikhin and Dunya. She overcomes her submissive behaviors for true happiness and