Raskolnikov's Psychological Punishment in Dostoyevsky’s Novel

Introduction

Fyodor Dostoevsky the author of the book “Crime and Punishment” depicts Russia, capitalist society, the rules and laws that govern it, the cruelty of everyday people, the perpetration of a double murder on behalf of powerless students, and the ensuing punishment for the crime. With this novel, the author wants to show that crime can not go without punishment. Through a psychological portrayal of the protagonist - Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky in the novel shows that psychological punishment is far greater and painful than any other legal punishment. This psychological torture also contains the idea of ​​this novel, that one person can avoid the punishments of society, but not the punishment of conscience, which is stronger and more terrible than any other punishment. Also, that there is no justification for murder, we have no right to judge other people. Killing is never a solution to our problems when we do such a thing like the protagonist - Raskolnikov that's the first point where our problems are beginning. Everybody's life is worthy. 'Crime and Punishment' have criminal, but also social and philosophical elements.

Dostoevsky developed a very complex, interesting and dynamic story that provides a rich picture of the social atmosphere, metropolitan and rural life, different human destinies, striking characters, moral dilemmas, and psychological breakdowns. That is why this novel contains characteristics of different types of novels. In the face of the social milieu and the broad picture of a society layered on the rich and poor, which is still dominated by material misery - this is a social novel. In terms of content, given the many raised issues of human existence (social, political, ethical, philosophical, psychological), this is a problem-philosophical novel. By the way, the plot is developed and the story is run, the novel shows the traits typical of a crime novel. According to the technique of direct internal monologue introduced by Dostoyevsky into the modern novel, this is one of the best examples of a psychological novel. Finally, from the perspective of the story's actors, given that the focus is on one personality, the protagonist Raskolnikov, whom the writer follows from chapter to chapter, who focuses on the narration of the narrative subject and is the mainstay of the inner monologue, this is a character novel. Such genre (and content) richness of the novel Crime and Punishment favours the well-established view of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's romance mastery, but on the other hand, shows that the novel is a complex narrative structure of rich content, so it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to classify a particular novel into a specific genre.

Summary and characters

In the very beginning, Dostoevsky presents us with the main character - Rodion Romanovic Raskolnikov. Rodion is a very handsome young man with beautiful dark eyes, dark-skinned, middle-aged, young man, a former law student. He abandoned his studies because of the extreme poverty he found himself in that period. By describing Raskolnikov's life, the author presents us with the first syllable line in his work. Raskolnikov develops a theory that divides people into two groups: ordinary - who spend their lives in obedience, obeying life circumstances, and unusual - strong people, who transcend norms and laws, people who are allowed to achieve their goal. Ordinary people often struggle with their poverty and carry the burden of society, they make the slightest mistake, they are punished and persecuted, and the 'big' people - where Napoleon takes, for example, are allowed everything. He killed thousands of people, and yet he is not punished, he is present as a commander and emperor. We know that the 'heroes' of history who committed thousands of crimes by killing innocent people are more respected than the real heroes who fought for their rights with the power of reason. Dostoevsky, through the theory of the main character, tells us that anyone ready to commit a crime in front of him develops a theory that justifies that crime in front of his conscience. Raskolnikov, with his philosophy, wants to justify his intention to kill the old lady, who in his opinion is an unnecessary 'lice' that only hurts people, and especially the students. Her money, he thinks, can be used much more efficiently. He plans to commit the crime on behalf of society, ie to return the pledged items to other students and to release all students from the evil old woman. To convince himself of his idea, he goes to the old woman's apartment to lay down the clock, the only memory of his father. He is especially angry when Alyona Ivanovna takes his watch for a very small amount of money and tells him the conditions to return the watch, in those moments he contemplates killing, planning and looking around, but at the same time, he feels both fear and disgust from all his thoughts.

Resolution

After Raskolnikov killed the Alyona Ivanova, he tells himself he has behaved admirably by his perverse logic, moneylenders are so cruel that they do not deserve to live. “Crime?” he says. “What crime?” Raskolnikov is the man who will lose the ground beneath his feet, a man who will dive deep into his conscience and perceive their strength and misery. The more the conscience is easily broken, the stronger the conscience is. It will deepen like the heart of a young social rebel, it will make him a tormented and very sad figure who, due to a completely wrong choice, will taste the darkness of existence. Wanting to do social good, killing a cruel old woman, he will kill himself. The accidental innocent victim to pain will burn his consciousness and he will sink deeper and deeper into his pit. There is no way out. Although partially reassured by Sonia, he cannot reconcile his crime. He is here, present in every corner of his being, tormenting him, killing him. He is no longer seen as a man, but as a shadow left by his former 'I'.His conscience will require redemption for the sin committed, final confession and resolution of the case. He'll have to stand before the world and say, 'I'm a Killer! “. The prison sentence begins with the reconciliation of his consciousness and conscience. But he is aware that the scar in his soul will erase neither Siberia, nor his good deeds, nor his love for Sonia.Dostoevsky, with his realistic view of the world, expands my horizon of thinking about the society in which I live today. The double murder, which was supposed to bring him money and a comfortable life, now gives Raskolnikov only psychological problems, mildness, and total distance because he cannot bear the burden of his conscience and the burden of sin. Revolt of an individualist, poisoned by the 'crime philosophy' of a man driven by the hardships of life. Awareness of the 'right' of individual rebellion turns into a crime of knowing sin, caring for the conscience, and the need for confession and repentance.

Repentance

Raskolnikov is remorseful for his actions 'if I went down that same path again, I might never again commit murder' and this particular sense of guilt is his greatest punishment. In addition, the development of the awareness that she must embrace the social, legal punishment, and this is most aided by Sonja Marmeladova, a girl who, because of extremely difficult family finances situation, was brought to prostitution, who must feel intimate. Despite her social environment, Sonja is the most moral character in a novel that carries the idea of ​​religious meaning. Her view is that every human life is equally valuable and that under no circumstances is anyone entitled to deprive anyone of their life is opposed to Raskolnikov’s. She gives final incentives to go to Siberia to serve his sentence sooner rather than later and support him in everything. Asked by Sonja whether he had the right to kill Raskolnikov came to the conclusion that he had no right, and it could be concluded that no one was there, because human life is the most valuable and the only irresistible life. In any case, the freedom of the individual ceases to threaten another's freedom, but, with other parties, when it comes to minor, primarily purely materialistic crimes (e.g., that Raskolnikov only robbed usury), over the issue of 'right', justification, use measures, and the pity remains much discussion space that goes beyond the scope of the school essay.

My opinion about this book

The novel 'crime and punishment' goes beyond the boundaries of time and space by the fact that it is a great work of art, which, like any other work of art, is designed to defy and resist the time that inexorably passes. Dostoevsky is exploring the depths of personality with such immense psychological plunge that has not yet been achieved, exposed man as a being, illuminated the merciless and darkest and most hidden parts of his soul, and at the same time, he gave a general picture of his epoch and society that is rare for any artist and creator for left with him.

Dostoyevsky's work is inexhaustible because as we delve deeper into it, we come across more ideas and messages.

I am aware that in the world were, there are and will always be rebels like Raskolnikov, who are trying to change something, make a difference, bring a handful of light into the world. But the example of our sufferer has to show them that by carrying that light they must be careful, guarding humanity, conscience, cheek, and dignity, lest they fall into Raskolnikov's abyss, into the tunnel without exit, into the labyrinth without a solution, in the bottomless well. All the characters, the events, their actions have taught me that every crime, every lie, no matter how horrible we may have to admit it and face the punishment because the biggest and most dangerous punishment is conscience and it can lead us to ruin. Our most important goal in life should be to uplift our souls. In other words, the advancement of our spiritual powers: to enlighten our spirit every day, and to feel more free and better every day.

Conclusion

In this novel, Dostoyevsky shifts boundaries, far from those previously set. I believe that this part foresaw the future and the problem of today's people. The root of all our character's crimes and doubts comes from poverty, poverty and deep depression that swallows him like a black hole. This novel may introduce many people today, but the question is how much they will be able to. Forever? I can't know that. It's all a matter of time. Will man ever be able to resist the temptations and nature, whether the crime results from illness or the disease gives rise to crime, and finally, can man find worldly happiness and eternal peace. There is no doubt that poverty exposes the darker side of humanity. This novel pictures us the real world how people become greedy ones when they see poverty. The question is whether the crime is forgotten once the sentence is served. I come to the conclusion that human life is the most valuable, none of us can punish anyone by killing. Many “greats” of the past may have been heroes because they killed, but that doesn't give us the right to be heroes with killing people. Raskolnikov chooses his path and arrived at his final destination - Siberia. If we kill we will fall into the well without an exit, a well filled with anger and repentance. Siberia and low temperatures even Sonya's love did not save Raskolnikov from his mental punishment. Dostoyevsky shows us that love and faith are the drivers of everything and that every evilness carries at least a little good.