I’ve been rereading Crime and Punishment lately, and I’m curious about how Dostoevsky delves into the moral struggles of Raskolnikov. What really struck me this time around is how the theme of guilt gradually builds as the protagonist’s crime starts to weigh on him, and how this internal conflict is eventually the driving force for his journey towards redemption.
I’ve noticed that Raskolnikov, in his isolation, begins to rationalize his actions, convinced that he is above the moral law, but as the novel progresses, this sense of superiority fades, and he finds himself increasingly tormented by his conscience. What I find fascinating is how Dostoevsky uses characters like Sonia and Porfiry to help push Raskolnikov into facing his own guilt, even though he doesn’t directly engage with them in a way that could be considered “redemptive” in the traditional sense.
Do you think Dostoevsky is trying to suggest that redemption comes only through suffering? Or is there more to it in terms of understanding personal responsibility and guilt? How do you interpret Raskolnikov’s ultimate confession in the context of the novel?
I’m really interested in hearing your thoughts on this theme, and whether you think Dostoevsky’s portrayal of guilt and redemption holds relevance to modern readers.
by lunchbockslarry
2 Comments
Redemption comes from outside, from characters like Sonia and his return to the Gospel. Compare Svidrigailov against Rashkolnikov, it is clear that accepting the help from outside saves Rashkolnikov while Svidrigailov suffers as he only seeks to use people.
When he first goes to take a swing with the ax, he giggles to himself first. It was a pre meditated rational decision in his mind that he keeps seeking ways to rationalize to himself rather than accept guilt. Suffering comes from not seeking redemption