Crime And Punishment 7 Essay, Research Paper

“Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave…”

In Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky guides his readers through the mind of an axe murderer. Believing himself to be above common law and common man, Raskolnikov proclaims himself “extraordinary.” To prove to the world that he is someone special, he commits a murder, not expecting punishment. By Part VI, however, Raskolnikov seeks redemption, realizing it is the only way he can have a relationship with Sonia. To do this he must first overcome his pride and confess.

Raskolnikov’s pride plays an important part in the novel. His struggle to overcome pride, as well as his inner struggle of deception, leave Raskolnikov in emotional turmoil. “A great many men of genius have not hesitated in wrongdoing,” and so Raskolnikov “[fancies] that he [is] a genius too” (500). In fact, he murders “an old hag” (457), otherwise known as Alena Ivanovna, a pawnbroker, to make society a better place (223). Soon, however, his actions start to haunt him. While Raskolnikov never considers himself guilty of a wrongdoing, Sonia, Dunya, and his mother know the truth. When he first confesses to Sonia, Svidrigailov overhears them talking and uses the information to his advantage. He tells Dounia that “[Raskolnikov] made a full confession to [Sonia]” (498). It devastates her to discover her brother is a murderer. From there Raskolnikov’s mother “heard [Dounia] talking in her sleep” and “understands at least half of it already” (526). Both Sonia and Dounia urge Raskolnikov to confess. He goes for a long walk

and decides he “[wants] to end it all” (526). After careful deliberation, however, Raskolnikov finally decides against suicide. He would only be escaping punishment, and his pride cannot allow that.

Raskolnikov’s pride is a major theme in Crime and Punishment. It if had not been for pride, he would not have felt the need to kill in the first place. The story reaches a turning point in Part VI, Chapter Five. Raskolnikov finally realizes the only way to redemption is to confess. He first asks Dounia “to forgive [him] if he is guilty” (528). Raskolnikov’s confession will not be from the heart, as he still does not believe he he has committed any wrongdoings. He is convinced he murdered the pawnbroker for the good of society. However, he seeks redemption to please Sonia, and confession is the way to redemption. He goes into the police station and “[drops] on a chair, [keeping] his eyes fixed on Ilya Petrovitch” (541) He first drinks some water, trying to find his voice. At last he gets past his pride and confesses. Raskolnikov is sentences to eight years in Siberia. He begins to find redemption, overcome his pride, and realizes he is not extraordinary after all.

Work Cited

Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Trans. Constance Garnett, New York: P F Collier and Son Company, 1917.