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In Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and
Punishment, Raskolnikov is faced with the dilemma of
confessing to two savage murders in defiance to his
theory of a "superman", a man whose superior
intellect and eventual goal are reason enough to use
any measure needed in the accomplishment of that
goal. Determined to prove himself superior,
Raskolnikov attempts to refrain from doing his
immoral obligation of confessing to the crime. This
inner struggle is further pronounced by the anxiety
felt by Raskolnikov, and the psychological pain he
experiences affirms the novel's theme of redemption
though suffering.
In Crime and Punishment, the inner conflict is
introduced when Raskolnikov murders a decrepit
pawnbroker and her daughter. Raskolnikov, who
rationalized since the world disliked the pawnbroker
her death would be a blessing, makes several errors
in killing the woman. These errors, which included
half closing the door to the victim's room, nearly
getting caught twice, and shoddy concealment of his
tracks, are in strict contrast to Raskolnikov's grand
idea of himself being a superman, Raskolnikov felt
that the police were incompetent and the only reason
criminals got caught was because they were stupid,
having regressed mentally during their actions.
Raskolnikov, with his purported superior intellect,
should therefore have no trouble eluding the police.
Therefore, Raskolnikov felt torn between his guilty
conscious and his determination to prove himself
superior to other men.
The struggle within Raskolnikov resulted in severe
inner turmoil. Owning only one pair of socks,
Raskolnikov was mortified by the sight of the blood
on them. Raskolnikov became delusional, imagining the
beating of his landlady. His anxiety and fear became
so great that he went into seclusion for a period of
four days. This reaction of "laying low" was
countered by an emotional visit to the police station
on an unrelated matter. Raskolnikov becomes weary of
everyone, and longs to tell of his deeds, repeatedly
starting to say something, but never quite able to
finish. Spiraling towards insanity, Raskolnikov must
also deal with the guilt of having his mother and
sister know of his dastardly actions. The relief
Raskolnikov feels is evident in the books tone after
he confesses. He is much more relaxed and
appreciative of what he has. This change shows
Raskolnikov was experiencing great strife.
Raskolnikov suffered immensely, as described above.
In his mind he relived his actions over and over
again. The aforementioned change in the book's tone
reflects Raskolnikov's redemption through the
suffering. Cast away to Siberia for eight years, he
maintains a high optimism for the good and clothing
his given. Having long contemplated whether or not to
turn himself in, the relief he felt when finally
doing so was great. Symbolically, when Raskolnikov
takes up religion while in exile, he becomes Christ
in that through his suffering, redemption was
achieved; not for the world, but for himself.
Raskolnikov's redemption and salvation through Christ
are clearly evident in the novel. Raskolnikov
acknowledged his mortal status (he was not a
superman) and was able to come to grips with the
evils he had done. The crime, his punishment, and all
the anguish in between, surely show how through
suffering, personal salvation can occur.
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