Dostoyevsky’s novel Crime and punishment was written during a period of new ideals and philosophies. It is a strong representation of Dostoyevsky’s views on religion and philosophy. But it also offers insight into how criminals think. Rodion Ruskolnikov (the main character) is the story’s protagonist. The novel shows the sad young man’s struggle to overcome his egotistical ideas and follows the path through his mental hell. Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Purgement moralizes about evil and good vying to control the human soul and warns against “rationalizing” thinking.
One of the main themes in the novel is the rejection and support for organized religions, as well as the philosophies existentialism, nihilism. Dostoyevsky vigorously opposes the new philosophical systems, which emphasize the physical world, the absence or code of morality, and the individual’s complete freedom of choice. The novel is a reflection of Dostoyevsky’s belief in universal and inalienable ethics. He describes the inner turmoil an elitist would experience if he tried to break commonly held ethical standards. It is shown that ideas that elevate or individualize men are able to cause moral turmoil, and no logic can ever be trusted enough to support them. The novel’s protagonist, Raskolnikov is an impoverished student who has a strong superiority problem. Frustrated and alone the young man contemplates his greatness and hates the old, decrepit pawnbroker he views as a “louse on humanity”. The intellectual considers that he is greater than any other man. He decides to test this theory by asking “terrible, violent and fantastic questions” to the old lady. He murders her but also has to take an “innocent” second life. This is a terrible outcome that he didn’t anticipate and his inner feelings of aversion are constant. His theory goes sour, leaving him with a life of emotional turmoil, physical illness, and no hope for redemption.
One central idea in the novel is the Christian and religious belief that good and bad are constantly fighting for control over the soul. The metaphorical struggle the protagonist is engaged in within his mind illustrates this idea. The author makes it clear that our natural instinct is to help others, and that Raskolnikov gave away most of his money to the less fortunate. However, rationalization of goodness is actually a sin. Although the young man can justify the killing of the elderly woman with the logic thoughts he so desperately desires, he is actually only justified by his own selfishness. Dostoyevsky describes the horrendous moral chaos that Raskolnikov goes through, and the punishment it results in.
Raskolnikov’s flawed logic is rooted in the idea of the “extraordinary person”, the man he believes he is. Raskolnikov aspires to be more human than the ordinary man, to transcend everyday life’s demands. He concludes there is no God and no universal moral code. This allows him to create his own moral laws. Average man, who is subject to the dictates of society, is “under his control.” A normal man would be guilty of doing a terrible deed to attain a great goal. The extraordinary man would not hesitate to do the worst. But he eventually discovers that he’s no smarter and no better than the rest. He cannot get rid of his guilt or feel good about himself. Although he sees his failing, he refuses to accept that he is a failure. He persists in resisting his lower status by justifying his thoughts about murder.
Raskolnikov’s pride and superiority first causes this alienation. He is so superior that he doesn’t feel able to relate to people. Following the murders, he feels isolated and pushes people, such as his sister, mother, and police officers, farther away.
He realizes in the end that self-induced alienation is not sustainable and must either confess or go mad.
Raskolnikov is the main character in the story, but there are also other key characters who influence the plot. Razumikhin acts as a foil to Raskolnikov. He shows the reader how despite living in stressful conditions, he is still a cheerful person and isn’t forced to take on any crime. Svidrigailov who is often seen as the villain of this novel, serves to illustrate what an immoral existence can do. It can be a wasteful life, unloved, and drive one to commit suicide. Svidrigailov also used to justify his crimes once, but he cannot anymore rationalize what he did and is completely empty. He is the Raskolnikov that he would have become if not for his crimes. Raskolnikov finally finds redemption through Sonya, the heroine who stands for total good and love. The young woman prostitutes herself to save her family. However, she does this with complete humility. Raskolnikov mistakenly believes he is looking for her as a fellow criminal, but soon discovers they have very different personalities. Although they both commit sins, Raskolnikov attempts only to justify his actions as “for greater good”. Sonya, however, is not able to deny that her actions are sinful. The reader is then made to realize that Sonya is a perfect Christian, willing to sacrifice herself to save others. Raskolnikov will be saved by her eventual love. She convinces him not to lie to her, but to admit to his sins and to save himself. As a symbol, she hands him the cross of Christ to strengthen his confession. She offers him complete forgiveness for his sins, much like Jesus. Her love saves Raskolnikov from the wrath of God by the time she visits him in prison.
Crime and Punishment (FydorDostoyevsky) is an iconic piece of world literature. This work aims to convey the author’s concerns about morality and convince him that ideas that defy Christianity, like existentialism and neonism, can lead to anarchy and uncontrolled moral chaos. Dostoyevsky also believes that no human morals on earth are above God’s morals. Dostoyevsky was disturbed by the rise in murders and the westization of his country. Crime and Punishment was written by him to illustrate the interconnectedness of elitism and atheism. Raskolnikov’s internal punishment is the final example to show the consequences of total freedom at all costs.
