Rodion Raskolnikov Quotes

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The most conspicuous example of such a character is Sonia Semyonovna Marmeladov, breaking social norms in that she is the breadwinner of her family. Sonia is a prostitute, relinquishing her dignity and bodily autonomy for the sake of saving her poverty-stricken family from starvation and a shameful life of beggary. Sonia’s father is a relentless alcoholic, drinking away money needed for food, whose wife tries to save him and their family from his vices by furious beatings. While Sonia sins through her prostitution, she is actually the most virtuous and moral character in the novel (Mercer). She is deeply religious, having the New Testament memorized, as evident when she reads the story of the rising of Lazarus to Rodion Raskolnikov. She …show more content…

Raskolnikov predicts that poverty may force Sonia’s sister Polenka into prostitution as well to alleviate the suffering of the Marmeladov family. Despite the righteousness of Sonia’s sacrifice, society commonly looks down upon Sonia due to her source of income. Raskolnikov’s sister, Dounia, is willing to sacrifice more than her body, however. Dounia agrees to a heartless marriage to a cold, wealthy man for financial benefit so that she may help get her deeply cared for brother back on his feet. Though Dounia never admits to her intentions, Raskolnikov sees right through her, saying, “...for herself, for her comfort, to save her life she would not sell herself, but for someone else she is doing it! For one she loves, for one she adores, she will sell herself!...for her brother, for her mother, she will sell herself! She will sell everything!” (Dostoevsky 39). Raskolnikov compares Dounia’s sacrifice with Sonia’s, claiming that Dounia will be no happier and no more righteous in marrying for money than in living a life of prostitution. Dounia receives harsh vituperation from her brother due to …show more content…

Women in general within the novel stand as a representation for economics. Women throughout Crime and Punishment are repeatedly attacked and slandered for their financial standings. Raskolnikov murders the pawnbroker for having stable financial grounding and cheating him out of fair pawnings, feeling financially powerless. He expresses while at Alyona’s house that he wishes to leave her curt interactions behind but has no other place to turn. Raskolnikov’s perception of Alyona’s superior monetary value leads readers to believe that she is very wealthy. In contrast, however, Alyona’s “rags” are described as “completely worn out and yellow with age” (Phillips). Dounia’s sacrifice of freedom is all due to economic vulnerability. If her family were well off, she would have no desire whatsoever to marry Luzhin. Marfa Petrovna holds power over Svidrigailov due to her wealth; this wealth also incurs the wrath of Svidrigailov’s abuse, eventually causing her allowance of Svidrigailov to control the estate and finances. When a woman kindly gives Raskolnikov money, thinking him to be a beggar, he is offended and throws the needed-money into the river. Sonia’s poverty also allows for her attacks by Luzhin and even Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov is poverty stricken, but financial vulnerability does not impact a man in the same way as a woman. While the women’s lives revolve around finding

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