Crime And Punishment Duality

Throughout the novel Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, duality of man is continually present. Many of the characters demonstrate this characteristic including Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov. Dostoyevsky gives us a first person account of one of the most serious crimes that is murder, while constantly reminding us that everyone has two sides to their personality. This is evident when Raskolnikov murders the pawnbroker, in the end of the book when Raskolnikov turns himself in, and the way that Svidrigailov acts throughout the book. This duality helps to explain the actions carried out by many of the characters in the novel.

Raskolnikov’s very name is derived from a word meaning “to split.”(Dictionary.com) His two sides are constantly at war with one another, creating his own internal punishment.

As the book opens, it is discovered that Raskolnikov is in debt to his landlady, Alyona, to whom he owes several months worth of rent. He tries to avoid her at all costs, and vows to kill Alyona if he gets the chance. Prior to murdering the Alyona; however, Raskolnikov realizes that what he is doing is wrong, and is disgusted that he even came up with the idea. But

when he goes to the local pub, he overhears men talking about the pawnbroker and how worthless she is, thus reinforcing his idea. Raskolnikov has developed a philosophy similar to that of the Ubermensch theory of Friedrich Nietzsche. He feels that he is “extraordinary” and thus superior to the rest of the general population. He thinks that is is his duty to rid the world of louses like Alyona.

The second paragraph is about Raskolnikov’s two sides and how they affect his everyday life. In the beginning of the book, Raskolnikov tries to stop a young woman from going home with another man whom she does not know. He gives a police officer money to get her a cab, but then immediately stops caring for her wellbeing, thinking that the officer will just keep the money. This demonstrates how quickly Raskolnikov’s personality can change.

The third paragraph is about Raskolnikov’s values. Although Raskolnikov had committed some heinous crimes, he seems to have a specific set of moral values. He wants to help society, and feels that he can do this by murdering the pawnbroker, and thus spreading the wealth that she has been hoarding. Another example of his split personality is when he has thoughts of murdering his landlord, yet he is afraid of encountering her. This can be seen when he says "…better to creep downstairs softly as a cat and slip out unnoticed" (Dostoevsky 3-6).

Svidrigailov is also a great representation of the motif that is duality.

Throughout the novel, Svidrigailov continuously commits crimes, some of which being rape, abuse, and defrauding others. Svidrigailov, however, has another side to him. He is constantly donating to charities, as well as giving money to families in need, including that of his fiancee. Throughout the book, Svidrigailov experiences conflicting emotions. It seems that he can’t control his actions, and he tries to justify his wrongdoings with money. This duality may also be seen at the very end of the book when he is faced with the decision upon whether or not to commit suicide. When Svidrigailov encounters Dounia, he gives her the chance to shoot him, most likely because he does not think he is able to do it

himself.

This duality of man is present within everyone. Raskolnikov’s punishment for his crime was merely the inner conflict that he had between right and wrong. He is constantly tormented by his inability to deal with his emotions and his desire for forgiveness. It is evident, however, from this inner conflict that whatever he does is with good intentions as he wants to help society as a whole.