Crime and Punishment Parts 5, 6 and Epilogue

1. Dostoevsky uses Lebezyatnikov as another way to talk about his own opinion on the ideas of such “progressives” (376). His argument against the ideas of progressives is intensified with Lebezyatnikov because his actions don’t seem to be congruent with his stances. Lebezyatnikov’s treatment of Katerina Ivanovna and Sonya do not comply with his ideas of free love and the equality of women. Dostoevsky does not agree with the progressive “‘younger generation’” (378) as he characterizes Lebezyatnikov as belonging to “[a] varied legion of semi-literate half wits”(378). Clearly Dostoevsky is not fond of these people. Progressive ideas can be beneficial when actually acted upon. Perhaps he is not arguing that the ideas themselves are bad but that the people who “vulgarize them” (378) are the reason why these ideas make no actual progress.
2. Surprisingly when he confesses she does not react with fear or judgement but her reaction is strangely compassionate. She “[flings] herself on his neck and [holds] him tightly in her arms” (424) and he is shocked. The mercy that she shows him is God-like. Raskolnikov's exclamation "I killed myself, not the old crone!"(430) reestablishes the concept of death through sin and exemplifies the idea that he feels he has lost his life and his soul through his sin, which is a religious ideal. Sonya answers him saying "Accept suffering and redeem yourself by it." In this scene Sonya becomes, more clearly than before, a Christ-figure for Raskolnikov. He comes to her seeking salvation. Rodya tells her, "That's why I came, because I'm wicked."(428) He comes to her for help and seeking to shift his burden onto her. Jesus came to save sinners, by taking upon himself the burdens of mankind. Her incomprehensible...

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...ompletely and genuinely. Raskolnikov ‘s soul is no longer under the weight of his crime and he is finally able to embrace her love and give love in return.
2. “He had to tell her who had killed Lizaveta. He knew the terrible suffering it would be to him and as it were, brushed away the thought of it.” (422)
He knows that by confessing he would be admitting to himself that he is not extraordinary and to him dealing with that suffering is much more difficult than the suffering he endures without telling.

3. “On the contrary, you’ll have to answer, gentlemen, for violently obstructing the course of justice”(417)
a. It’s not fair because even though Sonya is vindicated from Luzhin’s accusations he doesn’t suffer any consequences. If Sonya had been found guilty there would have been a much stronger punishment. However with Luzhin, the matter is just brushed over.