The image of Raskolnikov in the novel "Crime and Punishment"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

A deep philosophical message lies at the heart of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment. The image of Raskolnikov (the main character) is very complex and contradictory. Its whole essence unfolds gradually, from the first chapter to the last. Therefore, it would be more expedient to consider the formation and transformation of the image in parts of the novel.

Part one

In this part, which consists of seven chapters, we get to know the main character. At the very beginning of the work, the author describes the external characteristics of Rodion Romanovich. He is good-looking, thin and slender, dark blond, his height is above average, he has beautiful dark eyes. And here the emphasis is on the excessively distressed situation. Dostoevsky writes that Rodion is dressed in absolute rags, in which another person would be very ashamed to walk down the street.

Next, the initial image of Raskolnikov begins to take shape. He is obsessed with a crazy idea that completely swallowed him up. A man thinks about whether he can decide on a crime "for the good of mankind." And when Rodion began to doubt his decision, he went to the tavern, where his anxious thoughtsleft.

He meets Marmeladov, his wife and children. Rodion learns about his daughter Sonya, who went to the panel so that the family would not starve to death. A letter received from his mother, in which she writes about the situation with Dunya, infuriates him. These facts reinforce the idea of doing what was intended.

The image of Raskolnikov contrasts sharply with the image of his comrade Razumikhin. He is also in poverty, but he perceives the hardships of fate in a completely different way.

This part describes Rodion's dream, which is based on childhood memories. Here we see a little boy who sympathizes and empathizes with the horse killed by the owner. But the cute image of Raskolnikov the child, greatly upset by the death of the animal, dissipates like a dream. Before us appears a cold-blooded and carefully considering the murder of a man. At the moment of committing the villainy, he experiences dizziness, his hands become momentarily weak. However, he swings and kills the old woman, and then Lizaveta, who accidentally enters. After that, fear took over. With every minute, disgust grew in Rodion because of the crime committed.

Part Two

In this part, the image of Raskolnikov continues to take shape. He is insanely afraid of being suspected, and carefully hides the evidence. He is not interested in the stolen money. Rodion hates everything around and is annoyed that he deliberately went to such a vile and vile deed.

Beingat home, he starts to delirious. This continues for four days. When Razumikhin and Zosimov talk about the murder, Rodion gets even worse. The arrival of Luzhin further exacerbates his well-being. He remembers his sister and mother. Despite the general weakness, Rodion Raskolnikov (whose image is already emerging somewhat) boldly expresses everything that he thinks about this vile person.

The meeting and conversation with Zametov emphasize how Raskolnikov is tormented in his soul. As if in a fit, he makes the interlocutor think that he himself committed the murder. And then he asks very quietly: “But what if it was I who killed the old woman and Lizaveta?” Zametov does not take these words seriously, comparing Raskolnikov to a madman.

The main character thinks about suicide. He returns to the crime scene.

Rodion Raskolnikov sees Marmeladov crushed by horses. His image is revealed from another side. This is a kind and not greedy person. He is ready to give his last to help the family of the deceased, whom he barely knew. Rodion is not a believer, but now he asks Sonya to pray for him.

Part three

Raskolnikov meets his mother and sister. At first glance, it may seem that he is cold and unduly cruel to them. However, the thought of the crime committed does not leave him for a second. He is so tormented and begins to hate himself that it is unbearable for him to be with his “pure” and “bright” relatives. Therefore, the image of Raskolnikov (the essay is presented through the prism of all chapters) is very complexand self-contradictory.

He invites Sonya, introduces her to his mother and Dunya. Her humiliation amazes him, Rodion feels very sorry for the poor girl.

In this part, there is a conversation with investigator Porfiry Petrovich, in which Raskolnikov's theory is revealed. He is trying to prove that any sacrifice can be made for something great. According to him, people are divided into ordinary and extraordinary. He is the first to give such a definition: “louse”, or “trembling creature”. He compares the latter with Napoleon.

After returning home, Rodion is weakening again. He understands that his conscience does not allow him to forget about the murder. Raskolnikov decides that he himself is a "louse". All these thoughts and feelings complete the image of Rodion Raskolnikov.

Antipode

Another opposite of the main character is Svidrigailov. This is an overly mercenary, cunning, nasty person who is not here by chance. Raskolnikov immediately feels that this is an unpleasant person. But Svidrigailov seems strange to Rodion, since he does not know his main goal.

In this part, the image of Rodion Raskolnikov takes on new facets. He fights with all his might for the honor and dignity of his sister. Despite protests, he gets his way, and brings Luzhin to clean water. He is glad that his mother and Dunya are opening their eyes to this vile person, whom he immediately recognized.

A visit to Sonya was necessary for him, like air. He does not understand how this unfortunate girl won his trust. But Rodion decided that it was she who shouldlisten to him.

The interrogation of Porfiry Petrovich shows that Rodion can be quirky at the right moment. He does not confess to the crime he committed, and the investigator only has speculation, there are not enough facts.

Part five

We continue to consider the great work. The image of Raskolnikov is complemented by new colors. Rodion Romanovich comes to the wake to Katerina Ivanovna, where, through the fault of Luzhin, an absurd situation happens with Sonechka. Lebezyatnikov and Raskolnikov save an innocent girl who was slandered by this ignoble person.

Rodion Raskolnikov admits to Sonya that he committed the crime. The man again talks about his theory, which the girl is trying with all her might to understand. He asks himself a question: “Am I a trembling creature or have the right to…”. Sonya does not understand how he decided on this. The girl says that Rodion must atone for his guilt and accept suffering. However, Raskolnikov believes that he has nothing to repent of.

Complete opposites

And again, the figure of Raskolnikov is opposed by Svidrigailov. Disgusting deeds, the desire to possess Dunya at any cost is disgusting. Raskolnikov, despite the crime committed, seems much nobler and more honest. You can characterize him as a true astray or a very confused, doomed person.

Raskolnikov comes to his mother and says goodbye to her. A man finally tells her how much he loves her.

Sonya appeared in Rodion's life for a reason. It was she who convinced himcome with a confession. Raskolnikov comes to the station and surprises everyone with his sincere confession.

Epilogue

The final is striking in its suddenness. It would seem that everything is so clear: a crime is a punishment. However… Here is the transformation of the image that was announced at the beginning.

Raskolnikov received eight years of hard labor. Sonya followed him to Siberia, where she saw her lover at the prison gates on holidays.

He is very rude to the girl, but gradually gets used to her visits. Rodion falls ill from wounded pride. The offender blames himself for confessing. Raskolnikov repeatedly asks himself the question of why he did not commit suicide, like Svidrigailov. Rodion almost died at the hands of convicts. But it was not destiny for him to leave this world. Resurrection awaited him.

On the next date with Sonya, he realizes that he loves her. This is exactly the girl who was able to turn his inner world. Rodion is ready to wait another seven years of hard labor. Now he has someone to live for. Thanks to Sonya, he felt as if resurrected. And the convicts began to treat him differently. For a long time lay under his pillow a book from Sony - the Gospel. And now the thought flashed by: “How can her convictions not be mine now? Her feelings, her aspirations, at least….”

Conclusion

Each, of course, will write an essay on the topic “The Image of Raskolnikov” in his own way. But the attentive reader will not be able to miss the main idea. The external emphasis is on crime and subsequent punishment. And the whole novel is full of life situations andphilosophical reflections. The main characters of the book, like people in real life, contrast sharply with each other. Everyone has their own thoughts and experiences, their own destiny. A somewhat veiled idea is faith in God. Perhaps Raskolnikov would not have committed a crime if he had not thought only about his theory, but was guided by something higher.

And another idea that comes to the surface at the end of the novel is that love can resurrect a person's soul.