Comparing Crime And Punishment And Albert Camus

The love interest is one of the most important characters in any narrative. While they aren't always key players in the plot, they usually cause the protagonist to develop character either directly, by character interacting, or indirectly, by providing a goal. Fyodor Dostoevsky and Albert Camus show this in their respectful novels Crime and Punishment and The Stranger. In Crime and Punishment, the love interest is the poor Catholic prostitute, Sonia. In The Stranger it is the sprite-like Marie Cardona. While they both may have some obvious differences in characterizations and function, they both add to the theme by affecting the protagonist. Their presences in their novels are irreplaceable and both are important parts of the works. Sonia

Firstly, she sees herself as a means to and end. She became a prostitute to help her family and supports them on her small income. Sonia also proves her devotion to Raskolnikov by following him to Siberia. After the jury convicts him, they sentence Raskolnikov to serve 8 years in a Siberian work camp. In that time, Sonia moves to Siberia as well and starts her life over with him. Sonia doesn't promote dishonesty in the novel. She frequently tells Raskolnikov to confess his crime after he tells her. Sonia is also quite serious for her age. She isn't shown to smile or laugh much, nor does she seek personal pleasure anytime in the novel. Lastly, she is very Catholic. She keeps a bible in her bedroom and reads it for Raskolnikov when he ask. She believes Raskolnikov should confess solely to save his immortal soul. Her religion is the cornerstone of her choices. It guides her through her development. The combination of these characteristics makes her into a type of Mother Mary. She does everything for the good of others and her only goal in life is to see others prosper. Marie Cardona on the other hand is more of the young disposable

Sonia has no way to become affluent or well-educated since she is a carded prostitute. Furthermore, the Catholic Church was very powerful in Moscow at the time. Her occupation would have caused her even more problems. While Marie has more freedom, she lives in a time where women weren't suppose to delight in their sexuality. The Stranger is set in the early 20th century. Women were expected stay at home and stay virginal until marriage. Her disobedience to the social norm partially lead to the conviction of Meursault. Neither of the women seem too in love with their protagonist. Raskolnikov to Sonia, is a lost soul in need of saving. She seems to only follow him to make sure he stays on a righteous path. This seems to be the only reason they stay in their relationship. Meursault is more of a medium for her to get what she wants. She wants to be a wife or, in some readings, to be rich. Meursault has inheritance coming his way and is passive, an easy target for her. Lastly, both are younger and more beautiful than most other characters in their novels. This adds a level of naivety to both characters, putting them in a position of even less