Raskolnikov V. Svidrigailov - 1393 Words

Gunnar Stoddard Ms. Spicer AP Literature and Composition 27 May 2011 We Are Not So Different, You and I Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a psychologically charged novel in which the primary element that plagues the protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov, is not a person but rather an idea; his own idea. Raskolnikov has an unhealthy obsession with rendering himself into what he perceives as the ideal, supreme human being, an à ¼bermensch. Raskolnikov forms for himself a theory in which he will live purely according to his own will and transcend the social norms and moralities that dominate society. Raskolnikov suggests that acts commonly regarded as immoral are to be reserved for a certain rank of â€Å"extraordinary† men. Raskolnikov’s faith†¦show more content†¦Keeping this in mind, it comes as no surprise that Raskolnikov would feel utterly abhorred when Svidrigaà ¯lov refers to them as â€Å"birds of a feather†(p.340; Part 4, Chapter 1). While Svidrigaà ¯lov is rather keen of their shared similarities, such as their status as murderers, Raskolnikov willingly fails to realize these associations. Raskolnikov’s better side objects to the hedonistic behavior of Svidrigaà ¯lov, decrying him as a man of the most abject nature. The dramatic irony lies in the fact that Raskolnikov desires to be an â€Å"extraordinary† man, the very epitome of Svidrigaà ¯lov, a man he holds in no high regard. Despite their superficial variances and dissidences, Raskolnikov had slowly rendered himself into a facsimile of the man he detested, Svidrigaà ¯lov. Although both men, whether knowingly or unknowingly, desire to transcend above the ordinary masses, it is only a matter of time before self-realization indicates the folly of their ways. Raskolnikov’s brusque affectation eventually yields to his predilection for salvation and redemption. He ultimately comes to the realization that he is not worthy of being â€Å"extraordinary† because of the crippling guilt that followed his murder of the pawnbroker. Raskolnikov reflects upon the implications of his crime on his psyche, â€Å"I murdered myself, not her! I crushed myself once for all,Show MoreRelatedRaskolnikov Internal Conflict1831 Words   |  8 PagesChloee Henley, Period 5 Part I: Reader’s Journal Part I: Comment on a Character I find it very interesting how suspicious of everything Raskolnikov appears to be at the beginning of the novel. Obviously in the first few pages of the novel readers can quite easily identify his internal conflict and the way he goes back and forth on whether or not he should commit his crime, but I find it odd that this intense level of suspicion comes before he has even committed the crime. Most would think that his