When a person struggles with extraordinary events or stress, it can feel as if there is no way out. Set in nineteenth-century St. Petersburg, Russia, Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment dramatizes the importance of faith through the different worlds of the murderer Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, and the prostitute, Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladov (Sonya) who are both searching for forgiveness for their actions. The novel focuses on the struggles of impoverished citizens and the pains of mental illness. Both characters endure sin in an attempt to better their lives; Sonya works to make money to support her family while Raskolnikov searches for a way to prove that he is considered to be the “higher power”. Sonya is forced into prostitution in order …show more content…
to provide for her family while Raskolnikov murders of a “louse” of an old woman. The two characters take different approaches towards repenting for their sins: Sonya is able to see past her sins to the salvation of God, while Raskolnikov is trapped within his own mental estrangement. Sonya believes God alone can provide them with the strength to find forgiveness while Raskolnikov does not find appreciation for religion until the last moments of the novel. Dostoevsky utilizes Sonya as an a symbol of purity in order for Raskolnikov to find a larger power and find redemption for his crimes through acceptance; Dostoevsky demonstrates that the only way to find peace is through the adoption of faith through exemplifying the ramifications of immorality. Raskolnikov experiences a sense of envy towards Sonya due to the fact she is able to overcome her disgraceful prostitution and find faith. Dostoevsky uses the story of the raising of Lazarus as a motif throughout the novel to demonstrate how Sonya was able to become “resurrected” towards a new life, despite her sins. As Sonya reads the story of Lazarus to Raskolnikov, he experiences a religious awakening, and suddenly understand the power God has over the common person. Religion acts as a sacred device for Sonya, making it “painful” for her “to betray and unveil all that was her own” (Dostoevsky 326). Raskolnikov forcing her to read this story leaves Sonya vulnerable to his peremptory demands. But, as she proceeds with the Biblical story she begins to feel a sense of “rapturous excitement” (326). This overwhelming confidence and enjoyment she experiences while reading this story demonstrates the way religion acts as an outlet from her apprehensive lifestyle, allowing her to break through and be powerful. As Raskolnikov asks Sonya if she often attends church, she replies, “‘N-no,”(324) due to the fact she is not allowed in the church because of her prostitution. Sonya stuttering her reply to Raskolnikov demonstrates what an immense amount of embarrassment she feels towards not being able to be fully live out her faith to God. Her devotion to religion despite being looked down upon in the Christian world demonstrates what an important role religion plays in her life. The New Testament that Sonya reads is meaningful to her due to the fact it was passed down from Lizaveta Ivanova, sister to the pawnbroker, Alyona whom Raskolnikov also killed Originally, Raskolnikov had planned on killing Lizaveta's sister Alyona, the old "louse" of a pawnbroker alone; however, when Lizaveta walks in, Raskolnikov has no choice but to kill her as well. Much like Sonya, Lizaveta was known as a meek, timorous woman who has found hope through God and his Biblical stories. After Raskolnikov’s rebirth, he asks for Sonya’s book of Gospels though “he had not even opened it” (550) and the book remains under his pillow. Throughout the novel, Sonya’s only way to hold onto Lizaveta and her faith is through the Gospels, but Sonya comes to the realization that Raskolnikov is in greater need of the books than herself. Sonya acts as a moral outlet to Raskolnikov as Lizaveta did to her. Although Raskolnikov does not read the Gospels, they give him a connection to Sonya who allowed him to find faith all along. Raskolnikov experiences a life of helplessness and confinement, unable to accept that there are more powerful beings than himself; through the story of Lazarus, Sonya is capable of convincing Raskolnikov to find forgiveness in his sins. Dostoevsky implements the shift in Raskolnikov’s past life to a new, sullen lifestyle through his iniquitous murder. Though the “past life” of Raskolnikov is not revealed to the reader, his mother, Pulcheria, asks if he still “believes in the mercy of our Creator and our Redeemer” (79); implying that he previously believed in the higher power of God. Before Raskolnikov commits the act of murder, he is categorized as an average citizen of St. Petersburg, who is deep in poverty and looking for more in his life. However, his solidarity from the rest of the world allows him to consider the idea that he has a substantial power over the common folk. The evening Raskolnikov murders Alyona, the “useless” (416) pawnbroker, there is an automatic change in Raskolnikov’s mindset towards faith. Prior to the act of killing, Dostoevsky juxtaposes the way Raskolnikov “flung the crosses” Alyona had on her body, going back “this time taking the axe with him” (150). Placing the two items side by side automatically distinguishes the way he abandons his faith to retain the ideal that he is the higher power. Throughout the novel, Raskolnikov is frequently seen rejecting crosses or any connection towards religion in attempts to distance himself from the idea that he is one with everyday people. Similarly, as Raskolnikov is participating in the act of murder he constantly shouts “Good God!” (116) in disbelief of what he is doing (though he does not stop). Dostoevsky emphasizes the irony within this statement as Raskolnikov is killing his morals while also praising God. The detachment between the Raskolnikov’s emotions and his actions displays the conflicting thoughts within his head; torn between his conscience and subconscious mindset as he subconsciously calls out to God for help. As Raskolnikov kills Alyona, he kills his morals along with her. Dostoevsky emphasizes Raskolnikov crying out to God as he is committing an immoral act as a way to demonstrate the disconnect between Raskolnikov and a larger power. Raskolnikov has the ideal that it takes an “extraordinary” person to be capable of killing; a type of person he considers himself to be. He believes the only way to prove this theory is to truly commit the act, though afterwards he felt a “simple horror and loathing of what he had done” (154). This involuntary sense of fear that overcomes Raskolnikov is the moment he begins to experience utter suffering for what he had done, explicating he is not one of the “extraordinary” people. Raskolnikov’s pernicious thoughts result in him killing his morals in order to place himself above the rest of humanity. As Raskolnikov’s darkness overpowers his mental state, Sonya acts as a light through his sin.
The contrast within Raskolnikov creates and inner duality where he is torn between good and evil. On one hand, Raskolnikov believes that he is equal to that of Napoleon. He believes intelligence puts him on a higher level than those around him, while the fact he is impoverished lowers his status. For example, he believes he is able to justify his murders due to the fact “it was not a human being” he killed but merely “a principle” (274). Raskolnikov’s thought process dehumanizes Alyona due to the fact he does not consider her a person, simply an idea. He believes that he killed the principle" that he is an average person to prove that he is above the law and therefore above average. On the other hand, Raskolnikov is frequently seen committing unselfish acts, such as handing out money to those in need, despite not having money of his own. He is later noted to have saved two children from a burning building, demonstrating a conflicting aspect within Raskolnikov; he is aware of the divide between good and evil and and chooses evil when he decides to kill the pawnbroker, Alyona, in order to prove his superiority over the rest of society. After the murder, Raskolnikov lives in a conflicting mental state where he is seen contradicting himself, specifically when he considers kill him himself to end his sufferings. As he walks along the Neva River, he recollects how he, “wanted to end it …show more content…
there…” (517). Although Raskolnikov becomes so disconnected from the world and believes the only way out is suicide, Sonya gives him hope that through love and faith he is able to live a life of fulfilment. Raskolnikov’s solitary lifestyle attributes to a large influence on his mental state, noted particularly when he explains to Sonya, “if you remain alone, you’ll lose your mind, like me” (329). He is aware of the impact being alone has on one’s mental stability. Raskolnikov takes his first step towards redemption when he chooses to confess his crime to Sonya. His confession creates an automatic connection between the two, and allows her to guide him towards a better lifestyle. By confessing, Raskolnikov is able to break away from his inner duality and come to accept the fact he is no more than an average human. Sonya acts as a symbol of purity towards Raskolnikov and exemplifies he must confide in her in order to find redemption for his sins. While experiencing life in the real world outside of the jail cell Raskolnikov had mentally and physically been living in, he realizes that there is hope for him.
When sent to prison for eight years, Raskolnikov believes he has succumbed to the higher powers, leaving him feeling helpless. He considers himself to be “infinitely unhappy” (326) with no hope of living a worthwhile life. As Raskolnikov is doing work for the prison and allowed outdoors, he is overwhelmed by the beauty of Siberia surrounding him. Dostoevsky juxtaposes the beautiful setting of Siberia to the treacherous conditions of St. Petersburg in order to display the impact on Raskolnikov’s mental state. While Raskolnikov was trapped inside the prison, Sonya’s visits became “a necessity to him” (542); though when experiencing the essence of Siberia, he comes to terms with the consequences of his actions. Instantaneously, a change comes over Raskolnikov whereas he realizes that, “with what infinite love he would now repay all her [Sonya’s] sufferings”(550). Raskolnikov undergoes an immense amount of love towards Sonya and comes to the realization that their love and faith will be able to repent their sins. This dramatic shift in Raskolnikov demonstrates what a powerful impact Sonya’s constant persuasion has on him. Though Raskolnikov commits his immoral acts for his own personal benefit, Sonya is able to forgive him and ensure he can overcome what he has done. Raskolnikov asks Sonya to take his hand in
marriage, causing, “a full resurrection into a new life” because “they were renewed by love” (471). Sonya was able to repent her sins by finding hope in God, while on the other hand Raskolnikov was “renewed by love”, and consequently allowing him to find faith in God as well. When Raskolnikov comes to accept his new life with Sonya, he becomes one with Lazarus who was resurrected by something larger than man. Through this scene, Dostoevsky demonstrates the ideal that even those who have committed the most horrific, selfish crimes are able to find hope in order to free themselves from mental terrors. Between the purity of the world around him and Sonya’s righteousness, Raskolnikov has the capability to become resurrected and conquer his sufferings. Sonya embodies the idea that there is need of a higher power in order to deter from previous sins. After committing the murder, Raskolnikov concludes that he is superior to those around him. Despite Sonya’s prostitution, she is able to find security through the faith of God. She acts as the light through Raskolnikov’s darkness of suffering. He came to accept the alienated lifestyle he had obtained over time, and made the first step towards human connection through his confession with Sonya. He must let go of his sufferings in order to provide hope towards their relationship. It is not until Raskolnikov is surrounded by a pure setting of Siberia that he becomes resurrected to a new life. Similar to Lazarus, after treacherous suffering, Raskolnikov was able to find faith within a higher power to live a fulfilled life. Whether this higher power is Sonya, allowing Raskolnikov to find love and human connection or his refinding the importance within God; he was able to overcome the mental torment he had been trapped in to live a life consumed with opportunity.While many people are able to find redemption through faith, others may find it through those they love. Ultimately, what matters is one's ability to overcome suffering and live a fulfilling life.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, originally published in 1866, tells the story of a young man who commits a crime to prove his superiority to the societal system around him, then suffers mental, emotional, and physical anguish until he admits to his crimes. Dostoevsky uses biblical allusions from The New Testament throughout the novel, which play a major role in character development. These allusions are made evident to the reader through characters and the situations they were involved in, especially in the main characters, Raskolnikov and Sonia, through the depictions created by Dostoevsky for characterization throughout the book. Consequently, Dostoevsky incorporated these allusions by developing two major archetypal characters,
Raskolnikov is obsessed with his “superman theory”. He is constantly trying to prove that he is part of the 10% of extraordinary people in the world. He wants to become an eminent figure such as Napoleon. At first he believed that the murders he committed would make him part of this elite class. Once he realized that he had made mistakes during the crime he began to question his theory. After much frustration he decided to go to the scene of the crime. This gave him a rush that made him feel invincible. He believed that this would prove if, or if not he was “super”. Once he realized that he wasn’t part of this class, he suffered a mental breakdown. This pushed him to confess his crime to Sonya. She helped him rationalize his crime and admit his guilt. The outcome of this conversation was that it helped him admit his fate.
However, it soon emerges that he, despite the physical nature of his situation, has a very active mind. To reveal whether he is of a special "breed" of humans, he finds it necessary to kill, and the unfortunate subjects of his experiment are an old pawnbroker and her sister. After the murders, Raskolnikov is subject to a series of mental and emotional changes, eventually leading to his confession and, later, his arrest, trial and eight-year prison sentence.
The main character in Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov, has nihilistic ideas, which ultimately lead to his own suffering. Raskolnikov, an impoverished student, conceives of himself as being an extraordinary man who has the right to commit any crime. He believes that as an extraordinary man that he is beyond good and evil. Since he does not believe in God, he cannot accept any moral laws. To prove his theory, he murders an old pawnbroker and her step sister. Besides, he rationalizes that he has done society a favor by getting rid of the evil pawnbroker who would cheat people. Immediately after the murders, he begins to suffer emotionally. Raskolnikiv “[feels] a terrible disorder within himself. He [is] afraid of losing his control…” (Dostoevsky 95). He becomes ill and lies in his room in a semi-conscious state. As soon as he is well and can walk again, he goes out and reads about the crime in all the newspapers of the last few days. The sheer mention of the murder...
Although the novel begins by focusing on the crime itself, the majority of the book discusses Raskolnikov's struggle through denial and redemption after the murder has been committed. His own "greatness" leads to his denial of God, and his attempt to suppress his conscience causes insanity and sickness. However these negative consequences force him to acknowledge his rectitude and realize his need for confession.
From the moment when Raskalnikov murders the old woman, his personality begins to change drastically. Dostoevsky challenges the reader to understand the madness which ensues by first demonstrating that the ideas and convictions to which Raskalnikov clung died along with the women. While the reader struggles with this realization, Dostoevsky incorporates the Biblical legend of Lazarus as a symbolic mirror for Raskalnikov's mind. By connecting the two, the reader encounters the foreshadowing of a rebirth of morals and beliefs, though what form this may assume remains cryptic. As references to Lazarus continue to occur, the feeling of parallelism increases in intensity. Just as Raskalnikov slowly struggled through madness, Lazarus lay dying of a terrible disease. When Lazarus eventually dies, Raskalnikov mimes this by teetering on the edge of insanity, the death of the mind. Eventually Sonya begins to pull Raskalnikov back to reality by relieving a portion of his guilt. As his Christ figure, she accomplishes this by providing the moral and spiritual sturdiness which Raskalnikov lost after his debasement during the murders. Sonya affects him not by active manipulation, but via her basic character, just as Christ personified his beliefs through the manner in which he lived his life. No matter what Raskalnikov says or does to her, she accepts it and looks to God to forgive him, just as Jesus does in the Bible. This eventually convinces Raskalnikov that what he did was in fact a crime and that he must repent for it and"seek atonement".
The character’s suffering is thrown in the readers face right from the beginning. Raskolnikov’s suffering has two apparent layers, “he was crushed by poverty, but the anxieties of his position had of late ceased to weigh upon him” (1). It seems that the suffering caused from his current state of mind is so great that he does not even feel the suffering caused by his poverty. Throughout Crime and Punishment Raskolnikov’s main point of suffering is caused by his inability to let others know of the crime he has committed and as a result he alienates himself from those who show him compassion (156). As the novel progresses he decides to tell Sonia because expressing his crimes would alleviate some of the suffering, however, her morals encompass the idea that it is inconceivable to “go on living” without suffering and “expiation” (416). At this confession, the reader is presented with a righteous character (probably the most) that does not judge Raskolnikov for what he has done but instead sympathizes and tells him that turning himself in and bearing the consequences will relieve him of the suffering caused mentally.
Dostoevsky was made aware of the problems with Nihilistic ideas while he was exiled in Siberia. Crime and Punishment was Dostoevsky’s first attempt at a psychological analysis of a person’s inner struggles to rationalize this radicalism. Raskolnikov represents that intelligentsia and is being used by Dostoevsky to portray and warn against succumbing to these ideals. Dostoevsky uses Raskolnikov’s life to illustrate the implications and applications of this Nihilist to the public and then expands upon it in Demons.
Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg is a large, uncaring city which fosters a western style of individualism. As Peter Lowe notes, “The city is crowded, but there is no communality in its crowds, no sense of being part of some greater ‘whole.’” Mrs. Raskolnikov initially notices a change in her son marked by his current state of desperate depression, but she fails to realize the full extent of these changes, even after he is convicted for the murder. The conditions and influences are also noticed by Raskolnikov’s mother who comments on the heat and the enclosed environment which is present throughout the city. When visiting Raskolnikov, she exclaims "I'm sure...
One of the aspects of Crime and Punishment that stands out is that it is much more than a simple crime story. It is in fact a great study of the mind of a murder. Raskolnikov is a terrifying but sympathetic main character precisely because he is just twisted enough, just ill enough, for the reader to believe anyone is capable of such atrocities. The jumping off point for Raskolnikov is his idea of extraordinary and ordinary people. Looking at his theory and applying it as a tool for analysis of Raskolnikov himself leads not only to a deeper understanding of this idea but also of Raskolnikov. It also explains to some degree how seemingly benign ideas can lead a believer to do unspeakable things.
It is apparent that the love between Sonia and Raskolnikov plays a crucial role in Crime and Punishment, pushing Raskolnikov in a direction he otherwise would not have gone. Dostoevsky uses their relationship as a tool to develop the philosophical themes in the novel and prompt profound changes in Raskolnikov’s character. Through their love, Dostoevsky demonstrates the importance of human relationships in finding and maintaining happiness. He also seeks to condemn nihilism and disprove the idea that one cannot make one’s own meaning in life by having Raskolnikov adopt Christian existentialism and find his purpose through Sonia.
Raskolnikov, in Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment, is a complex character difficult to understand. He believes himself superior to the rest of humanity, and therefore he believes he has the right to commit murder. After he kills Alena Ivanovna, an old pawnbroker, Raskolnikov discovers his supposed superiority has cut him off from other people. He exists in a self-created alienation from the world around him. Raskolnikov mearly drifts through life, unable to participate in it anymore. It is only through Sonya that Raskolnikov is able to gradually regain his connection to humanity; she helps him to understand that, although he cannot be superior to others, she loves him regardless. Although he finds it difficult to reject his theory that certain individuals may commit acts not permitted ordinary people, Raskolnikov does accept that he is not such an individual, that he is ordinary. Through this realization and Sonya's love for him he finds the strength to confess to his crime and accept responsibility for it; this allows him to slowly began to rejoin the world around him.
Raskolnikov commits his initial crime out of arrogance. "The old hag is nothing.... I killed not a human being," he says. (245) Raskolnikov feels that he has justification for killing the pawn broker. He thinks that the woman has no reason to live. He believes that the woman is less than a human, and that he is a superior being. Raskolnikov thinks that he has a right to kill.
Raskolnikov kills the pawnbroker ,Alena Ivanovna, not for the money or the valuables she had in her apartment.The reasoning behind Raskolnikov wanting to kill Alena is because she is immoral, who cheats the poor and considers her as a creature. She would brutally beat and abuse her step-sister, and pressure her do all the dirty work for her. After killing Alyona Ivanovna, Raskolnikov steals her possessions. Instead of selling the items , Raskolnikov hides the objects under a rock. Raskolnikov reasons this murder was for the greater good for the people, because Alyona’s money could go to help the people of the town. Raskolnikov knew no one would have the strength or means to get rid of “this creature” referring to Alyona Ivanovna. Raskolnikov thoug...
Due to his murder, he had no concern or care for anyone. By killing two women and taking their lives away how could Raskolnikov possess sincere feelings for anyone? Raskolnikov’s lack of care influences how he views his family: “I hate them, I feel a physical hatred for them” (276). Raskolnikov has entirely lost love. If he has deep hatred towards those people most dear to him, then he must greatly lack love. But by Sonia’s actions, Raskolnikov is able to once again feel love. Sonia genuinely loves him. When confessing about the murder, Raskolnikov learns “how great [is] her love for him” (417). He begins to understand how Sonia feels and this realization strikes remorse in him. He becomes upset with himself because “he had made her more miserable” (420). Here Raskolnikov is concerned about Sonia. Earlier Raskolnikov had no feelings for anyone, but now he begins to regret his actions and feels bad about making her cry. Sonia’s deep love for him radiates off of herself and affects Raskolnikov which makes him feel compassion towards her. He begins to understand Sonia’s feelings and intentions even more when he returns for her cross: “ Raskolnikov at that moment felt and knew once for all that Sonia was with him forever and would follow him to the ends of the earth” (521). Raskolnikov recognizes how true and perpetual Sonia’s love and concern for him is and will be. Her love gives him hope for a bright future and thus he starts