Social Boundaries In Dostoevsky's Crime And Puni

Raskolnikov is the quintessential modern man who places his faith in a radical idea. He believes that the only way for him to express his identity is by breaking established boundaries. According to Immanuel Kaunt, boundaries are set in place in order to bring a person happiness when they are followed. Boundaries do not constrict a man’s self-identity rather they help to form it. It is not necessary to break boundaries in order to establish one’s own self-identity. In Crime and Punishment all major characters break either moral, legal or social boundaries throughout the book. The consequences they face show that breaking boundaries is not necessary in shaping one’s own identity.
Legal boundaries are put in place to protect people from harm. When these boundaries are broken the consequences are harmful. In Crime and Punishment Raskolnikov breaks legal boundaries and reap the consequences. Raskolnikov believes that in order to shape his identity and be the extra ordinary man that he must save others from hurt by killing the land lady. “A hundred, a thousand, good actions and promising beginnings

might be forwarded and directed aright by the money that the old woman destines for a monastery; hundreds, perhaps thousands, of existences might be set on the right path, scores of families saved from beggary, from decay, from ruin and corruption, from the lock hospitals – and all with her money (pg.56)!” He wants to form an identity of being someone above the law and he thinks that the only way he can do this is by breaking a legal boundary and killing the the land lady. By breaking this boundary Raskolnikov faces many consequences. He becomes sick, “he lay in a fever, delirious and sometimes half-conscious (pg.99).” Raskolnikov also suffers psychological consequences. “My head seems to be spinning worse than ever, and my thoughts with it…He was conscious of terrible inner confusion. He was afraid of losing command of himself (pg.81).”
Moral Boundaries are set in order to maintain happiness when followed. When these boundaries are denied and broken they do not form your self-identity instead they destroy your identity. Svidrigalov wants to cross moral boundaries by marrying a 16 year old girl because he longs for innocence. “and you know, she has a little face like Raphael Madona’s…(pg.406).” Svidrigalov wants to form an identity of being an extraordinary man and someone who is above the law. His identity is in one thing which is fulfilling his sexual desires. Svidrigalov feels that in order to shape his identity he must cross moral boundaries. Svidrigalov crosses moral boundaries when he tries to rape Dunya. “Svidrigalov remained standing in his place, facing her from the opposite side of the room. He had succeeded in regaining control of himself, at least outwardly. But his face was still pale and the mocking smile had not left it (pg.418).” Svidrigalov is desperately trying to form his identity. He wants people to see him as evil because that is how he truly sees the world. He feels that if he breaks this moral boundary that he will be seen the way that he wants too. However, his true identity shows when he finally realizes that Dunya does not love him. Instead of acting in disregard he cares so much that he ends his own life. Breaking the moral boundary could not shape his identity instead it killed him.
Social boundaries are put in place in order to provide a guideline of the appropriate way to act in society.

Sonya feels the need to break social boundaries in order to save her family. She thinks that by breaking social boundaries she will be her family’s savior. Her family needs money and Sonya knows that her mom is counting on her to help provide for them. “Then she takes comfort again. She pins all her faith on you; she says that you will help her…(pg.269).” Sonya breaks social boundaries by becoming a prostitute. Sonya breaks social boundaries when she becomes a prostitute. Sonya faces social consequences because of what she did for her family. By breaking this boundary Sonya did not form for herself her true identity instead she formed and identity that was not who she really was. By breaking a boundary, she was not able to form her true

identity.
Crime and Punishment showed that breaking boundaries does not form one’s true self-identity instead it forms an untrue identity. Boundaries are put in place to help people thrive and when these boundaries are broken negative consequences are inevitable. People need not to break boundaries to from their identity.