Reading Response #4: Character

When I first started reading Crime and Punishment, I didn't like the main character because of his unpredictable nature, and because I couldn't relate to his situation, or his personality. However, as I read more of the novel, I began to feel a closer connection to him. Although I still can't empathize with him, I do feel that I now am able to understand him a bit more, and I at least now know his motivations. I also did some more research on the novel, and found some interesting information, that gave me a greater insight to his character. For example, Raskolnikov's name is a play on the Russian word 'raskol' which means a schism or split. This was done by Dostoevsky to help explain his character's personality. It is a fitting description, as Raskolnikov does indeed seem to have a split personality. A good example of this is the time that Raskolnikov tries to help the drunk, raped girl, but quickly changes his mind. This is also shown at many other points in the novel, where Raskolnikov quickly changes from being overly rational, and extremely iratalbe around others to being good natured and pleasant towards them, or vice versa.

In the beginning of the novel, during the time before the murder, and the time after it, when Raskolnikov is trying to justify his actions, he tries to ignore the gentler side of his personality. He believes that it will get in the way of his ambitions, and his ability to be 'extraordinary'. However, as the novel progresses, and Raskolnikov begins to feel more remorse for what he has done, it is apparent that the kinder side of

his personality is putting up a fight, and trying to push aside the darker personality.

Partway through the book, Raskolnikov meets a girl named Sonya, who helps in the struggle between his personalities. Sonya is a kind, and religious young woman who has been driven to prostitution to keep her family alive. When Raskolnikov first meets her, he feels pity for her situation, and the two develop a strong bond. Throughout their relationship, Sonya is able to get Raskolnikov's gentler side to show its self more often, and is even successful in 'toning down' his darker side, making his anger at the world less extreme. Sonya doesn't believe that Raskolnikov is a cold blooded killer, and over time, she even gets Raskolnikov to believe it himself; something he could never have done without her help. By the end of the novel, when Raskolnikov finally decides to confess, his two personalities have begun to merge into one. Although there are still times when he is antisocial, and sullen, he has - for the most part - overcome that, and has been able to join his two personalities to become a logical and rational, yet kind-hearted person. In the end, this change in character allows Raskolnikov to begin to find redemption, and begin to feel true remorse for his actions, which is his first step towards clearing his conscience.

"...here begins a new account, the account of a man's gradual renewal, the account of his gradual regeneration, his gradual transition from one world into another, his acquaintance with a new, hitherto completely unknown reality." (Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment).