Synopsis Of ' Book I '

Raskolnikov’s brusque affectation eventually yields to his predilection for salvation and redemption. He ultimately comes to the realization that he is not worthy of being “extraordinary” because of the crippling guilt that followed his murder of the pawnbroker. Raskolnikov reflects upon the implications of his crime on his psyche, “I murdered myself, not her! I crushed myself once for all,

Raskolnikov is a character based solely on dualities even his name, meaning schism, supports the fact of being split. He believes strongly in the fact that people are either ordinary or extraordinary and that he is the later. Raskolnikov is constantly dealing with being pulled between two separate forms of himself, the idea of crime, and finding peace with himself.

Raskolnikov’s reaction to his mother’s letter highlights his self-pride, as he refuses to believe that Dunya, his sister, is marrying Mr. Luzhin because she loves him, convincing

Dostoevsky sets Raskolnikov upon a path of most resistance to moving on with his life. When Raskolnikov confesses his transgression of the law to Sonia Marmeladova, he feels a small weight lifted off of his shoulders, which in turn helps him to think about the future with a clearer vision than he had before. Sonia is represented as someone who is loving understanding in order to offset the characteristics of the new Raskolnikov, “Suffer and expiate your sins by it, that’s what you must do” (361). He and Sonia represent two halves of society's way of dealing with the past, present, and future. In life, people will either accept what they have done and try to move past the situation that is holding them back, or they will continue to struggle with what they have done and will take most of their life trying to accept the consequences. As a character, Raskolnikov is tied so close to his past and the sins that he committed, that until he met Sonia he was not able to see clearly in the slightest. Sonia is what Raskolnikov must become in order to proceed throughout the rest of his

On the other hand, Raskolnikov’s instinct and desire to be part of society continues to appear within the domination of his reasoning personality for a brief moment, each time revealing the existence and reality of humanity. In the attempt to fight his guilt, Raskolnikov instinctively walks into the path of redemption and occasionally connect with humanity to compensate for his crime. To accomplish this, Raskolnikov uses almost all his money during his random walks around town to give to a street singer and a woman getting abused. Raskolnikov’s decision to give these two women money symbolizes his atonement and repentance for the two women whom he kills. This reveals his sympathetic character for those who are poor and more importantly shows

Due to the difficulties within the society of St. Petersburg, the protagonist, Raskolnikov, in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, suffers from physical and mental episodes because of his depraved actions of murdering the impious pawnbroker and sister. Raskolnikov justifies his murder of the pawnbroker Alyona by claiming she was a “plague” to civilization. In this manner, however, Raskolnikov ends up murdering the innocent, brutalized, half sister of Alyona, Lizaveta. The success and feelings of accomplishment remain short lived because Raskolnikov comprehends the faults within his murders. Through the course of the novel, the crime seems to be the fundamental failure stopping Raskolnikov from succeeding. Raskolnikov’s consciousness appears once the Christ-like figure, Sonya, a prostitute, presents to him the affection, affectability, and inner serenity to help him admit to the murders. Raskolnikov only finds comfort in admitting to his wrongdoings because guilt overpowers him.

During this whole passage, there is a constant internal monologue going in Raskolnikov’s head. He is always questioning what he is doing, second guessing if he should do what he came there for. He is always very cautious in what he does, and talks to himself to convince him that it is the right thing to do. This also presents the issue that he may be mentally ill, with something such as schizophrenia or hallucinations.

Life is not easy, which Fyodor Dostoevsky makes very clear in his novel Crime and Punishment. In life, you encounter people that you find admirable. People who persevere, making tough decisions even though they may not be easy, or benefit themselves in any way. Those are the Razumikhins, and Sonyas of our world. Honorable (sometimes to a fault), willing to sacrifice themselves to help those they love. They embody what virtue theory followers believe. Unfortunately, you will also encounter people who are not wonderful. There are awful, disgusting people that take advantage and exert their power over others. Those are the Luzhins and the Svidrigailovs of the world. People like them will not hesitate to use their wealth or power to bend those they wish to take advantage of, forcing others to submit to their will. Ruining people, or making others feel terrible about themselves, or taking what they think they are entitled to because they believe it is their right. These are the type of people that display features of ethical egoism. Raskolnikov finds himself constantly drifting between these two extremes. He may do something good, then when it causes more trouble than he intended, he berates himself instead. Raskolnikov is a very conflicted character, and after murdering Alyona, and her sister Lizaveta with his axe he became even more conflicted. In a way, Raskolnikov kind of represents the everyday person (if you forget about murdering two people with an axe). The everyday

Raskolnikov was a man on a mission in this story. Why might I say this because of the way in which he sought out to kill something. The pawnbroker may have been his outlook to kill that thing but by killing her did he really get anywhere. He says that he only killed “a louse, a useless, loathsome,... -a louse”(pg.381) he says this as a way to try and cover up things that he has going on inside him in his real-life. Before he sought to kill he took to himself as a extraordinary

Raskolnikov is so opposed to Dounia’s marriage to Luzhin because he simply feels that it is for his sake that Dounia is marrying him. Luzhin is a man who is established and already has his own wealth but he is already forty-five. Although he is somewhat arrogant he has a pleasing appearance and is still attractive according to Raskolnikov’s mother (35-41). He is so revolting because he gave Dounia only a day to accept or decline his proposal because of his rather busy schedule.

As Raskolinikov is walking thought the streets of St. Petersburg and encounters a drunk, young woman, Dostoevsky takes advantage of this situation to add a layer of complexity to Raskolinikov’s character. The sudden change in Raskolinikov’s mentality of how to care for the young woman makes it possible for Dostoevsky to use tone, point of view, and diction to explain how Raskolinikov is conflicted on his views about helping others.

In multiple locations within the novel, Raskolnikov alluded to the concept that he felt as if he had very little control of the direction in which his life was proceeding. At one point, prior to entering his victim’s apartment, Raskolnikov thought that “he suddenly felt with his whole being that he no longer had any freedom either of mind or of will, and that everything had been suddenly and finally decided (Dostoevsky 62).” This fate that Raskolnikov continuously recognized and experienced was revealed to readers by Dostoevsky through the strategic utilization of light and dark imagery as well as a significant, religious allegory. In relation to the specific imagery, Raskolnikov appeared to be lead by light towards performing altruistic deeds,

Even when Raskolnikov was asleep he received painful messages of others who were suffering, just as he was. In one particular instance, before the double-murder, Raskolnikov is brought back to the poverty he suffered throughout his childhood. He once again feels a great empathy toward the suffered, but this time

A disorder that captures the essence of how Raskolnikov is, is schizophrenia. He has irregular sleeping patterns, and sometimes doesn’t wake up for several days. One of the major key factors in this disorder is the unorganized and contradicting thoughts that go on inside Raskolnikov’s mind. “Thoughts were spinning like a whirlwind in Raskolnikov’s head” (Dostoevsky 254). When he makes a rash decision, he argues back and forth in his mind as to whether he should do something or not.

One of the most peculiar traits about Raskolnikov is that despite him murdering two people, he still has moments during the novel when he helps others. One would not expect generosity to be present in a man with a superiority complex, yet at times he can be found donating the last of his kopecks even when, he himself, desperately needs them. At times, this duality can be confusing to the reader because it seems as if there are two Raskolnikov's. Which one then, is the true Raskolnikov? Despite Raskolnikov’s attempt to set himself above the common man, he cannot deny his true nature, as shown when he saves a young girl from the malicious intentions of an older man.