The Harsh Reality: Crime and Punishment Essay

Raskolnikov expresses belief that some people are above the law. In fact, he published an article which established that some “extraordinary” people have the right to “step over certain obstacles”. Raskolnikov believes himself to be one of these extraordinary people. He wonders what it would be like if Napoleon, for example, had played by the rules. Would he have made such an impact on the world? It is this very utilitarian belief that drives Raskolnikov to kill Alyona Ivanovna, and consequently her sister Lizaveta as well. He believes that the pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna is a louse, “a useless, nasty, pernicious louse.” By ridding the world of Alyona, he thinks he is helping many others.

Keeping this in mind, it comes as no surprise that Raskolnikov would feel utterly abhorred when Svidrigaïlov refers to them as “birds of a feather”(p.340; Part 4, Chapter 1). While Svidrigaïlov is rather keen of their shared similarities, such as their status as murderers, Raskolnikov willingly fails to realize these associations. Raskolnikov’s better side objects to the hedonistic behavior of Svidrigaïlov, decrying him as a man of the most abject nature. The dramatic irony lies in the fact that Raskolnikov desires to be an “extraordinary” man, the very epitome of Svidrigaïlov, a man he holds in no high regard. Despite their superficial variances and dissidences, Raskolnikov had slowly rendered himself into a facsimile of the man he detested, Svidrigaïlov. Although both men, whether knowingly or unknowingly, desire to transcend above the ordinary masses, it is only a matter of time before self-realization indicates the folly of their ways.

The central theme of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky deals with conformity’s role in society. Dostoyevsky uses conformity to make Raskolnikov mentally ill and eventually turn himself in to face the punishment for his crimes. Religion influences every character in the book, but none more ardently than Raskolnikov. Understanding religion’s role as a force for conformity in Crime and Punishment provides a powerful insight into character motives and, furthermore, philosophical influences.

    This is how Raskolnikov is able to commit his crime: his intellectual side ignores his conscience and is able to commit the crime in a rational and orderly way. It is his dual character that serves as his punishment. One side of him is able to commit the murders, so the other must bear the punishment. He is tortured by the cruelty in mankind, and yet he himself is able to repeat it.

First, let me introduce you to the main character himself otherwise known as the murderer in this story. Raskolnikov is the main protagonist of the novel, making the story in his point of view. He is very alienated from society due to his

As stated that the definition of Marxism, it says that one goes from a capitalist government, to a socialist government, and ultimately a classless society with communism.   Here,  this novel stands to be a perfect example of a rise to communism, and the rise of a proletariat. With this, a Marxist theory would begin to see Raskolnikov as a version of the proletariat, or common man, in charge of a violent overthrow.  It is believed by Marxist theorists that the proletariat goes through various stages of development. In the beginning they struggle against the bourgeois, then this metamorphosizes itself into suffering, and the finally through the growth of the masses, victory arises for the common man.  The goal of the Marxist man is to violently overthrow capitalism.  Even though Raskolnikov does not conduct a violent overthrow of the government, he comes together in the same way, by violently killing what he sees as a leach on society.  Raskolnikov battles his emotions and morality because of the murder of the pawnbroker and therefore suffers because of it.  Though Porfiry and Sonia partake in him finding his salvation, it is ultimately Raskolnikov himself that realizes that by accepting his sins he overcomes his emotions and finds redemption.  When “suddenly it was as if something lifted him and flung him down at her feet. He wept and embraced her knees”,

When Raskolnikov was a student he enjoyed the debate and human contact, but also strived for acceptance. He had a dual nature to himself, which could be characterized by his cold intelligence, which separated him from society, and his compassionate side. After Raskolnikov murdered Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna

Although, Raskolnikov tries to hold on to his morality, he starts to develop a concept of Ubermensch in his mind. Raskolnikov justifies his future actions by many reasonings. Not only would the death of the pawnbroker bring him wealth but everyone would benefit from her death. In this quote, Raskolnikov overhears this conversation about wanting the pawnbrokers. This further convinced Raskolnikov that everyone including him would appreciate her death. Additionally, Raskolnikov explained the theory of Ubermensch. The concept of a individual being extraordinary by having the possibility to go above the law without guilt. He wanted to test this concept to see if he is an ubermensch. Raskolnikov character shows in the novel the wrong and insufition

Being the protagonist in Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov is subject to most ridicule and analysis for his moral ambiguity and outlandish views. After reading about his dreadful murder of Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna, many come to the conclusion that Raskolnikov is purely evil. His lack of guilt and belief of justification for his crime surely points readers in this direction. Raskolnikov remains convinced that he is superior and that it was his duty to kill such a worthless person. Although some may view this as evilness, others may perceive it as downright ignorant. His atypical way of thinking doesn’t necessarily make him evil, but that is how some comprehend it. At certain points in the story, we see Raskolnikov not as a deranged man, but instead as a compassionate human being. After the murder, we see him carrying out various charitable acts, perhaps as an attempt to atone for his unforgivable crime. For example, we see some good in him when he gives Sonya’s family twenty rubbles after Marmeladov passes on. We also see this when he attempts to rescue a drunk girl from a man by giving her money for a taxi. As much as Raskolnikov expresses that he was justified in his actions, through his mental and physical illnesses it is apparent that he feels some guilt about it. This guilt makes him seem at least a little bit more human. For these reasons, when all is said and done, it is difficult to determine

There is debate over whether Raskolnikov actually has a reason to kill Alyona, who works at the pawn shop, or not. Those who believe he has no reason believe he has a mental disease. That is the only other logical representation. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov, in some points, does not even believe in himself enough to commit this crime. " ...come to regard this 'hideous' dream as an exploit to be attempted, although he

Raskolnikov murders an old pawnbroker woman for seemingly no reason at all. His sister and mother move to St. Petersburg following his sister's engagement to a man whom Raskolnikov was extremely displeased. Raskolnikov undergoes severe mental trauma, and falls ill after the

First of all, moral nihilism states that morality does not exist and Raskolnikov shows his lack in morality when committing and justifying the murder, yet Dostoyevsky uses the theme of nihilism to prove that even people like Raskolnikov have morals. For example, when Raskolnikov begins to justify the murder he states, “One death, and a hundred lives in exchange – it's simple arithmetic! Besides, what value has the life of that sickly, stupid, ill−natured old woman in the balance of existence!” (58). Thus, Raskolnikov believes that killing Alyona Ivanovna is completely justified since he sees her as a horrible person, yet Raskolnikov also kills Lizaveta who was just an innocent bystander and still seemed to so no remorse at first.

Raskolnikov is alway on high alert as he is afraid he will get caught, and he even gets to the point of lying to himself. Therefore, by doing this Raskolnikov thinks it is the truth and will do anything that he wants within his reason. In the book Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Raskolnikov's desire to murder someone caused him to use utilitarianism. This utilitarianism is used when Raskolnikov thinks some things are right such as; killing, planning out murder, hiding the truth, and manipulating. First, Raskolnikov shows signs of using utilitarianism when he plans and kills Alyona Ivanovna.

From declaring he wanted to become a Napoleon to wishing for financial independence to murdering for his own sake, he rattles off various motives, showing his obsessive rationalization (394-397). By presenting his conflicting intentions, Dostoevsky exhibits the chaos within Raskolnikov’s mind.

As Raskolnikov’s shame takes over him, his mental health gradually deteriorates, despite his previous belief that he held enough intellectual and emotional