Svidrigailov Foil

In the novel Crime and Punishment the author, Fyodor Dostoevsky, places each of the main characters specifically to serve as a foil for Raskolnikov, the protagonist. The meaning of Raskolnikov’s name is split which serves as parallel to his split personality. Sonia serves as just one of many foils to his personality. Sonia is the part of his personality that is remorseful and ashamed of the crime he has committed. Another part of Raskolnikov’s character can be seen in Svidrigailov. Svidrigailov is the part that is immoral and corrupt.

After killing Lizaveta, Raskolnikov feels a sense of guilt and disappointment. He begins to realize maybe he is not above society, and that he is not the great savior he believes he is. Sonia has betrayed

and destroyed herself according to Raskolnikov, and this is why he turns to Sonia for guidance and help. “And your worst sin is that you have destroyed yourself and betrayed yourself for nothing” said Raskolnikov to Sonia (Dostoevsky 321). At this point in the novel the foil between both characters becomes apparent. Similar to how Sonia destroyed herself, Raskolnikov also destroyed himself when he murdered Lizaveta. In Raskolnikov’s eyes he believes that Lizaveta had value and did not deserve to die which is why he destroyed himself. Raskolnikov goes on to say “Let us go together I’ve come to you, we are both accursed, let us go our way together!” (Dostoevsky 328). As part of Sonia’s role in guiding Raskolnikov, she challenges his nihilistic view. Raskolnikov thinks to himself questioning her faith “What held her up—surely not depravity” (Dostoevsky 322). Sonia says “What should I be without God” (Dostoevsky 322). In Sonia’s eyes without God she would a prostitute and a sinner, but because she has confessed her sins and they have been absolved she is not.
Svidrigailov is a despicable man that has treated people awfully, and then there is Raskolnikov who has also treated women with similar disrespect.

Svidrigailov has been suspected to have chase after and take advantage of women. Svidrigailov goes as far as saying “That in my own house I persecuted a defenceless girl and ‘insulted her with my infamous proposals” (Dostoevsky 279). He has also been suspected of raping another innocent and defenseless girl, and the abuse goes so far that she ends up hanging herself. The narrator states “ … and with this woman Svidrigaïlov had for a long while close and mysterious relations. She had a relation, a niece I believe, living with her, a deaf and dumb girl of fifteen, or perhaps not more than fourteen … one day the girl was found hanging in the garret” (Dostoevsky 297). Svidrigailov justifies his actions by believing that the deaf girl is inferior to him and his reproductive person. Much like how Raskolnikov justifies his actions in killing the pawnbroker as she was inferior and had no value.Then the most terrible suspicions is of how Svidrigailov murdered his wife and his servant. The rumors suggest that the servant Philip who died of ill treatment and the Marfa was beaten to death. Raskolnikov has murdered innocent people just like Svidrigailov. Svidrigailov states in a conversation “I, too, am a man et nihil humanum …(Dostoevsky 279). Both characters have the same view on nihilism and treat people poorly, and which also why

Svidrigailov is a foil for Raskolnikov even though Raskolnikov is questioning his beliefs.
Sonia is the remorseful side of Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov is the immoral side. While Raskolnikov has not repented his sin he is still remorseful much like Sonia is of her own sins. Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov both believe their actions are morally ok because the women they took hurt were invaluable and worthless. Together both characters are one potion to Raskolnikov’s many personalities exemplifying the foil in this novel.