Isa's Term Paper

            Isa Scola

5/4/14

Period 5

Crime and Punishment Term Paper

             “The Seven Deadly Sins are those transgressions which are fatal to spiritual progress” (Deadlysins.com); Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.  Each one contributes to the demise of an individual. Pride is defined as a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity,  merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. (Dictionary. Reference).This often fatal flaw has been written into many of literature’s complicated characters; Oedipus, Macbeth, King Claudius etc.  Crime and Punishment written by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a composition that denotes the fragility of the human psyche and the consequences of one’s actions. But the protagonist’s pride and zealous self-belief contribute to his catastrophic downfall. While pride can be positive, more often than not, pride only leads to false delusions of grandeur. It is impossible for Raskolnikov to undergo any change as his pride cripples his emotional growth.

              Raskolnikov could be described as a somewhat enigmatic character. His sudden shifts from a rambling mad man to coherence often polarize the reader. Mental illness is never explicitly spoken, but as the novel progresses, Raskolnikov’s emotional stability decreases. Like his mental state, Raskolnikov’s motive for murder remains unclear. Reasons such as cruelty, insanity, money and even boredom could have led the killing spree. But Raskolnikov’s enduring pride begins to become a constant trait. “Every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. His ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other to and to a greater or lesser extent.” (apsa.org Freud_Quotes). Applying Freud’s thesis, Raskolnikov is acutely in touch with his “id” , the carnal and instinctual nature to which man must hide in order to survive in society. But his embrace of this bestial nature has led to a warped complex. Raskolnikov is under the belief that he is a “superior man”. He believes himself to be extraordinary and thus impervious.  A select few of the society have the privilege to rise above others and the laws that smaller men have created. Raskolnikov’s own insecurities could have created such delusions. Similar to the Napoleon Complex, Raskolnikov’s own shortcomings are manifesting themselves as “extraordinary qualities.” Raskolnikov even references Napoleon thus showcasing his admiration for despicable, yet powerful men. (A Study of Pride and Guilt in Dostoevsky, Jennifer Cleary) Though living in squalid conditions and financially unsecure, he is under the distinct belief that he is above others and rules do not apply to men of his nature. And it his very pride that inhibits any self-awareness. His inability to speak of failure or weakness destroys any chance of repent or integrity. Raskolnikov’s arrogance could also explain the murders he committed. A question that Raskolnikov would pose himself is if he is such an extraordinary man, than wouldn’t something as “sensational” as murder prove his ability?

            Raskolnikov’s aversion to weakness drives his actions. He sneers at shortcomings and believes that he, nor any other superior man, should have. But beneath that, Raskolnikov hides a deep, almost pathological self-loathing. His pride is a clever ruse for his paralyzing fear. He is unable to identify his own being, and he kills and alienates himself from others in order to control something in his life. Perceiving this as a unspeakable flaw, Raskolnikov rationalizes with the belief that he must “overcome” this hate. His gruesome dream of the beaten horse seemed to have been a wakeup call for Raskolnikov. His own disgust at the dream is palpable. But does the cruelty toward the animal, or his own “weak” reaction to the horse drive his disgust? Is he ashamed of himself for a perceived feminine reaction? Immediately after, Raskolnikov decides to kill two women. His pride was hurt after his dream; he was ashamed that such a reaction came from him. To prove his superiority was intact, he proceeded to kill two defenseless women. His pride provides him with the rationale that the superior man shouldn’t feel guilt for killing the meeker.   

            Raskolnikov’s pride is a part of a vicious cycle. His delusional behavior hinders his ability to grow and instead, feeds his self-importance. The regulations he has set for himself, those of a superior man, enable him to disassociate with the brutality of his actions. By adhering to the rigid guidelines, he never fully comprehends the extent of his doings.  Without this self-awareness, his pride is forced to emerge as his forefront characteristic and controls different aspects of his life. But with pride at the helm, any growth is impossible for change is seen as unnecessary.

Almost every individual is prideful. Pride can go hand in hand with a healthy amount of self - confidence. But through the novel, it is proven that pride became Raskolnikov’s downfall and in fact, compensates for his lack of self-confidence.  His high self-regard impedes his emotional tethers. Raskolnikov has a strong familial presence around him. His mother and sister love him though he continually alienates himself. His human connections are limited due to the esteem to which he holds himself at.  It is ambiguous whether Raskolnikov disregards others due to self-importance or the thought that dependence is weak. But it is very probable that the lack of stable love in his life could be due to a latent belief that he does not require help, leading to a constant isolation. His relationship with Sonia is enigmatic. She is a kinda-hearted prostitute that is able to see something in him, which he himself has never been able to.  He confesses he loves her, but only while incarcerated.  “Prisoners struggle to control and suppress their own internal emotional reactions to events around them…Admissions of vulnerability to persons inside the immediate prison environment are potentially dangerous because they invite exploitation. The outward appearance of normality and adjustment may mask a range of serious problems in adapting to the freeworld.”(aspce.gov) The effect of prison is undeniable on emotional health. Raskolnikov’s “love” of Sonia could be an attempt to override the isolation and abuse he felt in prison. After all that has occurred, it is difficult to judge whether Raskolnikov is genuine, or even capable of sincerity. Even more telling is his relationship with Razhumin. Razhumin seems to be the antithesis of Raskolnikov. He is accepting, loyal and understanding. And though he continually offers his support, Raskolnikov constantly rejects it. In fact, he mocks the man. Friendship with Raskolnikov will never be conventional or even healthy for his pride does not allow for a two sided relationship.

          '‘Pride and self-confidence were growing in him every moment; with each succeeding moment he was no longer the man he had been a moment before.” (Crime and Punishment p. 172) Raskolnikov’s esteem has begun to result in dangerous outcomes. His self-confidence now efficiently thwarts any desire to turn himself in. One of the ongoing conflicts within the novel is whether to live a wretched but free life or turning himself in to an uncertain life sentence in prison. Raskolnikov hesitates  with a life of freedom vs. incarceration. He knows prison guarantees some peace of mind, but he also recognizes the alternative. As time goes on, his psychosis develops further as does his pride. Delusions lead him to believe he can now escape the law and escape repercussions of what he has committed. His interactions with Porfiry feed his arrogance and the dangerous cat-and-mouse between the two entertains Raskolnikov. He is now engaged in this “duel” with the investigator, and with a foe near him, confessing soon morphs into an option that only the “weak” would take.

                 “Dreams are the royal roads to the unconscious.” (apsa.org Freud_Quotes) Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is noted for the importance he placed on dreams. If one were to apply Freud’s methods to Raskolnikov, then Raskolnikov’s complex character could be deciphered. The reader  is introduced to Raskolnikov with his first and last dream. The two trances contrast the differences in mind set as time goes on.  In the prison infirmary, Raskolnikov dreamt of an apocalyptic world where a plague swept across the nations. A select few are able to survive while the majority of the world parish at the hands of this infection. Superficially, one could say that the survivors represent the superior men that deserve and have found a way to survive amongst filth. But the countless deaths that occur also symbolize the repressed guilt that is only shown unconsciously, for Raskolnikov’s pride masks any remorse while awake.  Raskolnikov could  be applying himself  as the actual illness. It is men like himself that infects society and kills those that are weaker.  It is interesting to note that Raskolnikov never gives an explicit reason for his so called superiority.  It is simply that he is born so gifted. The lack of explanation could be ignorance or Raskolnikov himself has no explanation but his pride does not allow him to believe that his superiority complex is futile and without evidence.

                 Like any “tragic flaw”, Raskolnikov’s excessive hubris eventually leads to his downfall. One of the deeper consequences due to his pride is the isolation that Raskolnikov subjects himself to. He has effectively driven away the ones who cared for him in his life. Only Sonia seems to still believe in him, and that is only on the promise of his surrender. Once boastful and sure of himself, Raskolnikov now lives in constant paranoia and fear of his imminent capture.  It is fairly ironic that such a prideful man has morphed into the weaker individual; exactly the type of man he despises. His rejection of support has led him to a diminished state and even more unlikelihood of realization.

                 By the time the epilogue is revealed, it is questionable whether Raskolnikov has had any emotional growth. Has he been able to change? It is a valid question since it was Raskolnikov who turned himself in. He seems to be quietly finishing his sentence, and has found that he has fallen in love with Sonia. But it is slowly shown that Raskolnikov is in fact confused by the reaction to his crimes. He believes that his murders were not that punishable, and in fact, what is worse,to him,was his inability to avoid getting caught for his crimes. He still believes that the superior man does not deserve punishment and it is within his right to kill those beneath him. His love for Sonia is interesting; his passion for her engulfs him and he is seized with a sudden happiness that not only surprises the couple, but the reader themselves. The lightness of Raskolnikov’s self is startling especially when he is still in prison. But arguably, his ravenous love for her is a compensation for the love he has never been able to have for himself. Often relationships, whether romantic or platonic, are ruined due to insecurities one has for themselves. When one cannot learn to love themselves, just as Raskolnikov, it is likely that they project “too much” affection and importance on to the other. The novel ends with Raskolnikov’s new life approaching. But in reality, a new life is far from attainable for this man. His low self-esteem but toppling pride have never allowed him to properly develop. The confusion and existential crisis can be reduced, if not solved, with a companion in his life. But Raskolnikov’s final rant on the overreaction to his crimes proves that he is still very alone in his beliefs. His alienation has not ended even with Sonia at his side. A change would only be attainable by accepting the finality of his actions yet his pride would never allow him to realize that the absolute insanity not to mention brutality of the murders he committed. There will always be an excuse or rationalization as long as his pride is in tact.

                The sins that Raskolnikov committed were brought upon by a deadly sin; pride. The god-like complex not only set off a bloody crime scene, but also effectively killed any remaining humanity in Raskolnikov. His weakened self-identity and heightened pride will follow him for the rest of his life, and proactively stop any chance of emotional growth.

Works Cited

-Cleary, J. (n.d.). Dreams, Devils, and Dominion: A Study of Pride and Guilt in Dostoevsky. Dreams, Devils, and Dominion: A Study of Pride and Guilt in Dostoevsky. Retrieved May 4, 2014

-Freud Quotes. (n.d.). Freud Quotes. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from http://www.apsa.org/About_Psychoanalysis/Freud_Quotes.aspx

-The Contrary, Heavenly, and Cardinal Virtues. (n.d.). The Contrary, Heavenly, and Cardinal Virtues. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from http://www.deadlysins.com/virtues.html

-The Psychological Impact of Incarceration: Implications for Post-Prison Adjustment. (n.d.). The Psychological Impact of Incarceration: Implications for Post-Prison Adjustment. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/prison2home02/haney.htm

-pride. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pride

-Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment.New York: Barnes & Nobles, 2007. Print.  

Keri's term paper

 Dostoyevsky illustrates in "Crime and Punishment" that guilt can have a damaging effect on mental stability through Raskolnikov's journey after having committed his crime. Raskolnikov goes through many a mental stage to cope with this guilt. He goes back and forth on whether or not he should confess, he suffers from a mad fever, and he confesses to the police at the end which can be viewed as an act of attempted redemption.
 First and foremost, a possible definition of guilt can be: an emotion that people feel when they believe they have done something regretful. It is an "internal state" (Krauss Whitbourne, A Definitive Guide to Guilt). According to psychologytoday.com, there are five types of guilt that a person can experience. These are "Guilt for something you did", "Guilt for something you did not do but want to", "Guilt for something you think you did", "Guilt that you did not do enough to help someone", and "Guilt that you are doing better than someone else" (Krauss Whitbourne, A Definitive Guide to Guilt). This emotion can, oftentimes, restrict a person's feeling of freedom and time. It can also have an effect on a person's behavior. Some of these effects include "trying hard to make things right by overworking and over-giving in an attempt to make everyone happy", "Ignoring your needs and desires in order to avoid upsetting others", "Becoming overly sensitive to making right decisions in your personal actions, choice of words and decisions", "Becoming fearful of doing or saying something wrong to the point where you give in and choose to stay within the status quo", "Lacking decision-making skills since you always want to make the "right" choice", "Creating self-denial by always putting other people first", "Becoming emotionally closed off and only able to see the negative aspects of life", "Using the discomfort of guilt to motivate you to change things in your life to eliminate the guilt", "Using guilt as a mask for your low self-esteem", and "Making irrational decisions based on the guilt" (Therapists.com, Guilt and Shame).
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. Guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, Depression and other emotions of this sort can cause a person to sleep constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, It was obvious to me that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt.  Raskolnikov was constantly in an unconscious state.
Guilt can cause a fever like that seen in "Crime and Punishment". It can also cause more severe illnesses. This is due to the amygdala which is the part of the brain that associates emotions with occurrences in a person's life. People can then know that guilt is what is causing their sudden madness.
Guilt can also affect a person physically. An example of this would be avoiding direct eye contact with someone. Another example could be perspiring frequently and avoiding social scenes. Raskolnikov does almost all of these things which shows readers just how guilty he feels.
 Dostoyevsky goes even further to demonstrate  Raskolnikov's journey after having committed his crime. The guilt he feels after his crime goes to show how debilitating guilt is. The part of this novel that showed just how guilty Raskolnikov felt was when Raskolnikov was present when others were discussing the crime he committed. The people blamed someone else in this conversation. This ultimately leads to an intense discussion both in Raskolnikov's house and in Raskolnikov's head. A riveting debate ensues in both places. The other people discuss who could have committed the crime while Raskolnikov debates whether or not he should confess that he was the one who committed the crime. He drives himself crazy and even mad while continuing to fall unconscious. Since the others in his apartment do not know that Rasklnikov is the culprit, they do not take his constant falling unconscious as a sign of guilt. In their minds, his illness is inexplicable. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.
 However, if it is known that someone has done something wrong, it is oftentimes transparent from an aerial perspective.
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. Even if other people do not know, the kind of illness that Raskolnikov has should send anyone red flags. Sleeping all of the time shows guilt or even sadness so it should be looked into. If they had looked into Raskolnikov's case from a different perspective, they would have seen that Raskolnikov has the worst kind of guilt- the kind that comes from killing someone. If the others had looked into it further, they would have known that this illness is not just a small cold or a random occurrence, it is significant both health wise and mental state wise. The doctor was clearly mistaken when he assumed that Raskolnikov's ailments were due to  general sickness. The doctor did not look into the possibility that Raskolnikov may have Antisocial Personality Disorder, a disorder where a person does not have any regard for committing criminal acts. Although he did feel remorse afterwards, he did not concern himself with whether or not he should commit the crime. This reiterates how transparent guilt can be.
 Dostoyevsky demonstrates in "Crime and Punishment" that another effect of guilt is heavy drinking since the person's mental stability is not necessarily in check after having committed a crime. The guilt he feels after his crime makes Raskolnikov feel as if he needs to drink and sleep to make himself forget about what he did and the repercussions that come with it. As seen by Raskolnikov's actions, sleeping and drinking heavily can be used as outlets to forget about guilt since it is so unpleasant in people's minds.
As mentioned, Guilt has been shown to cause such behavior. It makes sense in human nature since people tend to use defense mechanisms to make themselves feel better about whatever it is they did.  This can, oftentimes,  change a person's behavior. Drinking oftentimes makes people forget about their daily lives so it is often used as a kind of defense mechanism. Another kind of defense mechanism used would be cautious behavior. They can comfort themselves in the fact that they are not doing anything illegal in the current moment. In this way, when someone has done something wrong, it is oftentimes transparent from an aerial perspective whether that be through heavy drinking or extremely cautious behavior.
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. He essentially overcompensates which could also be seen as a defense mechanism. This would be called repression. Raskolnikov represses his feelings by sleeping and falling unconscious. He also begins to drink a lot to forget. He puts himself in these kinds of settings where he witnesses debauchery since others are probably attempting to do the same thing as him. This is probably a cause of alcoholism. Another defense mechanism that Raskolnikov uses is projection. He randomly finds himself angry at others when he really should be angry with himself. This is projection since when one is worried about something about themselves, they project it onto someone else. Raskolnikov is worried that someone will suspect that he committed the crime, he gets worried and angry when he overhears his colleagues speaking about it. He projects this worry and anger onto his colleagues since he wants to try to do anything he can to keep from being discovered until he decides whether or not to confess.  In this way, guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, depression and other emotions of this sort can also cause repression in that a person sleeps constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, it was obvious to all readers that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt. This further reiterates how transparent guilt can be.
 All of these instances represent defense mechanisms and how they work to relieve people from the guilt they feel. It also provides a comment on how desperate people are to relieve themselves from unpleasant aspects of their personalities. It shows why people in our society need outlets to get away from their struggles since otherwise, it is too hard to deal with.
Ultimately, there are ways to deal with guilt that do not require forgetting about what you are dealing with. Psychcentral.com gives advice on how to deal with guilt. According to this website, the first step is to "Recognize the guilt you have and its purpose" (Grohol, 5 Tips For Dealing With Guilt). This can help by making the person conscious of what is making them feel guilty. Identification is the first step. If Raskolnikov had openly recognized that his illness and drinking were a direct result of the guilt he felt, he would have been better off. The second step is to "Make amends or changes sooner rather than later" (Grohol, 5 Tips For Dealing With Guilt). This makes sense since letting a feeling linger can only make your guilt grow stronger due to the time it spends festering in one's mind. If Raskolnikov had confessed or even changed his indifferent attitudes towards everything, he would not have suffered nearly as much.  The third step is to "Accept you did something wrong, but move on" (Grohol, 5 Tips For Dealing With Guilt). One knows that they did something wrong but there comes a point where, in order for the person to stop bothering themselves with it, they have to accept the cards they have been dealt and move on with their life. The major error Raskolnikov made was not confessing earlier therefore, he did not accept what he did early enough. He did not move on since his entire days were spent predicating on whether or not he should have confessed. He should have just confessed and dealt with the consequences. The fourth step is "Learning from our behaviors"(Grohol, 5 Tips For Dealing With Guilt). One must accept what they have done and move on but they cannot do this effectively if they do not learn from their mistakes. If one learns from their mistakes, it is possible that they will not have to feel the same kind of guilt. Since most of the book is taken up by Raskolnikov's decision about confessing, readers do not really get to see if Raskolnikov learns from his mistakes. Readers do not get to see whether or not he commits another crime. Readers do not even get to see whether his next crime, if it happens, was trivial or as horrible as his first. Readers can only hope that Raskolnikov learns from his mistakes and does not commit another crime like the one he did. He should learn from all of the trauma that his guilt caused himself. Lastly, the fifth step is to realize that "Perfection does not exist in anyone" (Grohol, 5 Tips For Dealing With Guilt). Nobody is perfect. Everyone has done something in their lives that they regret. In this way, guilt is relatable. Raskolnikov's crime, on the other hand, is different. Since he killed someone, it is not a great idea to relate to others about it. No one is perfect but not many have killed another person before. So in conclusion, guilt is a very difficult aspect of life that all people are forced to deal with at some point. Dostoyevsky provides a commentary on this ever present part of our lives. Since guilt is a huge aspect of our lives, people may wonder if it is even possible to redeem oneself from guilt. It is possible to free oneself of this guilt and to change. After some time has gone by and punishments have been administered, it is possible to become a better person. One just needs to learn from their mistakes and truly make an active effort to change their morals and ideals.

Ryan's Term Paper

Ryan Pearson

Mr. Shapiro

May 5^th, 2014

Life in St. Petersburg in the 19^th Century and its influence in Crime and Punishment

The nineteenth century was a turbulent time in Russia and in St. Petersburg particularly.  Russian society was largely divided with the overwhelming majority comprised of the lower working class who struggled daily to survive and who were clearly dissatisfied with their status in life.  Indeed, the poverty they endured and the oppressive atmosphere of their daily life was constant.  Fyodor Dostoevsky successfully conveys the tone and mood abundant in St. Petersburg in the 1860’s in the literary novel, Crime and Punishment.  The setting of the novel, the rampant oppressive and stifling atmosphere in the mid-nineteenth century is St. Petersburg is critical to the development of the novel. Dostoevsky effectively outlines and incorporates the disharmony and disconnect of the Russian impoverished class overflowing in St. Petersburg in many elements of the story and in the daily existence and in the actions of the main character Raskolnikov.  The oppressive living conditions, the stifling climate, high unemployment, rampant alcoholism and a general day-to-day sense of futility are effectively used by Dostoevsky to illustrate the suffering of the working society and to link the city’s problems to Raskolnikov’s actions.

To begin with, the deplorable living conditions in St. Petersburg, Russia during the 1860’s that Dostoevsky writes about and effectively incorporates into the novel Crime and Punishment serve as a constant reminder to the reader of the depressing and gloomy existence of the large majority living in the city during that time. Images of squalor and poverty emerge from the pages of the novel. References to the filth of the city, the shabby buildings, the dirty taverns peeling paint, windowless bedrooms provide detail and realism to the story which help set the tone for the sequence of events which unfold. Raskolnikov’s living conditions are prison-like: small, cramped, five or six feet in length, wedged in the top of a seemingly old and decrepit building. His furniture is old and tattered.  His “home,” while appalling, is comparable if not superior to many of the other characters in the story.  The Marmeladov family lives in much worse conditions, without bedding or basic necessities for survival. The children are sick, hungry, dirty and emotionally and even physically tortured. Sonia, who becomes a prostitute to help her family exist, lives in squalor in an irregular shaped barn like room with low ceilings and almost no furniture, filled “with every sign of poverty” (Dostoevsky, 302). The environment is one which understandably influences the weak to give up and often surrender to ill-advised ideas and bad decisions. Dostoyevsky effectively uses the theme of poverty in many aspects of the novel to set the stage for Raskolnikov’s criminal actions and others choices in the story.  Indeed, the deplorable and hopeless existence of day to day life for the lower socioeconomic class in St. Petersburg is an important component of the novel’s setting and helps to connect the gloom, hopelessness and despair felt and experienced by Raskolnikov and many of the other characters in Crime and Punishment.

            The hot and stifling climate referred to by Dostoevsky throughout the novel also effectively illustrates the oppressive atmosphere which existed during the mid-nineteenth century. The miserable environment and stifling weather conditions symbolize the constant suffering in St. Petersburg and serve as a constant reminder of the uncomfortable existence of the Russian population during this time.  These constant references provide the reader with a somewhat realistic impression of life during this period. For example, throughout the novel Dostoevsky references the stickiness and humidity prevalent day-to- day and the bad “odor” that fills the city. Similarly, he writes about the crowdedness and dirtiness of St. Petersburg. This theme permeates the book and operates as a constant reminder of unhappiness and despair. The imagery conveys the personal struggle and sense of hopelessness experienced by so many lower socio-economic Russians struggling to survive.  It also is a brilliant use of foreshadowing by Dostoevsky which helps him illustrate the inescapable desperateness of some of the main characters in the story including Raskolnikov, Marmeladov and his wife Katerina. 

The inability to escape St. Petersburg and its weather symbolizes the inability to escape reality, and contributes to the demise of many of the novel’s characters. Marmeladov uses alcohol to avoid his responsibilities and life, which ultimately contributes to his death. His wife Katarina fares no better. She suffers from illness which she cannot escape.  She lashes out physically and emotionally to those closest to her: her children and her husband. She drives Sonia to a path of prostitution as a way to provide money to Katarina and her family.  She dies from her sickness, which, similar to the oppressive climate and harsh life, she is unable to escape. The disorder, bedlam and oppressive environment contribute to and parallel Raskolnikov’s disturbed state of mind.  In fact, it is only at the conclusion of the story when Raskolnikov is sent to a prison in Siberia that he is able to escape the “prison” of St. Petersburg and release some of his anger and troubled mind.

In addition, Dostoevsky uses prevalent social problems in St. Petersburg, including high unemployment and poverty, to develop the theme of the novel and to support the actions of many of the characters.  Most of the characters in the story have no money. Poverty binds these characters together in many ways although their financial struggle also leads to poor decision-making and ill-advised conduct. The social and financial injustices revealed in Crime and Punishment are detailed in the actions of many of the characters including Raskolnikov, his sister Dunya, and Sonia. 

Raskolnikov lives in a state of agitation that fuels his thoughts and clouds his judgment. His impoverished life and his need for money lead him to the home of Alyona Ivanovna, the pawnbroker.  He develops a lingering disdain for her and her treatment of others.  He concludes that life would be better without her and creates a plan to kill her. Raskolnikov executes his plan and kills Alyona and her pitiful sister Lizaveta, who shows up before he is able to flee from the scene of murder. His sister Dunya follows a different path. She agrees to marry Peter Luchin solely for financial stability. The contemplated marriage is seemingly loveless but filled with conveniences and ulterior reasons by both Dunya and Luchin.

Dostoevsky also uses the prevalent abuse of alcohol to illustrate the unhappiness and despair that permeated St. Petersburg in the mid-nineteenth century. Many of the characters drink daily and suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol is used as an escape from reality and is introduced into the story by Dostoevsky as a social commentary about the troubled and harsh reality of life in St. Petersburg. Dostoevsky implies that alcohol is one of the main causes of misery and suffering in St. Petersburg and indeed alcohol permeates many of the story lines. For example, several of the important scenes take place in or around crowded and dirty taverns.  Raskolnikov, himself, often frequents local drinking pubs and much of the story line is developed in these places. Raskolnikov meets Marmeladov the father of Sonia and husband of Katerina at a tavern at the beginning of the novel. Marmeladov is an alcoholic whose drinking problem is wrecking his family and himself, and, in the end, leads to his death, either accidentally or intentionally—this is unclear. Also, during a visit to a different pub, Raskolnikov overhears a student talking about Alyona Ivanov, the pawnbroker, and how society would be better off if she was dead. The idea to kill Alyona and is seemingly hatched in this bar and the murder of Alyona and her sister is central to the plot, the demise of Raskolnikov and the events that unfold in the novel. Interestingly, Raskolnikov does not drink, but despises those who do. Even at the funeral of Marmeladov, Katarina ironically spends much of the money Raskolnikov gives her to buy alcohol for the guests, even though alcohol is the main cause for the death of her husband and the demise of her family. Dostoevsky brilliantly uses alcohol in Crime and Punishment to symbolize the suffering of those living in St. Petersburg and the weakness and vulnerability of man.

Dostoevsky uses two distinct character studies to illustrate the path of mankind and to provide a commentary on life in St. Petersburg. First, he develops the feelings of day-to-day futility, lack of purpose and hopelessness in Raskolnikov, Marmeladov, and Katarina, to show how their impoverished lives lead them to a path of isolation and unhappiness, and consequently, bad decisions. In contrast, in characters such as Sonia, Razumikhin and Dunya, Dostoevsky illustrates that those who do not succumb to poverty or hopelessness but rely on devotion to family, friends and faith to guide their choices live life filled with compassion and a better sense of morality.  Dostoevsky effectively uses these two distinct character types to develop the story line in Crime and Punishment.

Raskolnikov is a prime example. He lives in isolation and a world filled with disdain. His own moral standard for what is right leads him to kill Alyona and her sister. Although he alienates himself from many, he is able to justify his actions, even though he is tormented about whether he should confess. It is only once he is able to accept his mediocre existence and his life status (which happens towards the end of the novel) that he is able to find some happiness and appreciation for humanity.  It is in the Epilogue when “something seemed to seize him and fling him down at her feet,” and “he wept and threw his arms round her knees,” that Raskolnikov recognizes that he loves Sonia and that is ready to re-engage in society and humanity (Dostoevsky, 520).  Marmeladov is another character whose life is filled with hopelessness.  He drinks regularly to escape his unhappiness and his depressing and gloomy circumstances.  He is so poor that he allows his daughter to sell her body to support him (and his drinking habit) and his family. His wife Katarina is physically and emotionally ill and unstable.  She beats their children (and Marmeladov) out of frustration and unhappiness.  He loves her and is seemingly aware that his drinking is ruining him and his family, yet he continues to drink to avoid his situation.  In the end, his reality leads to his death, although it is unclear whether it happens by accident or on purpose.

In contrast, Dostoevsky illustrates through Sonia and Dunya the benefit of positive outlook, self-sacrifice and faith in humanity, in family and in religion.  Both of these characters are seemingly examples on the virtue of strong females, positive outlook, and devotion to family and fellow man.  Sonia sacrifices herself and her life for her family.  She lives an oppressive and shunned life, which is embraced by Katarina and her father.  Rather than use the money that Sonia earns to get ahead and pull Sonia out of her life as a prostitute, Marmeladov drinks through her earnings, unable or unwilling to face reality.  In spite of this, Sonia remains devoted to her family and to religion.  Her faith leads Raskolnikov to confess and her devotion to him leads him in the end to a path of happiness. Dunya is another strong, compassionate character who also sacrifices for the good of her family and her brother. She is not tormented by her poor status but maintains a positive outlook and approach throughout the story.  She makes choices in her life (such as her consideration of marriage to Luchin) to try to benefit her family but remains strong throughout the story even when she discovers Luchin and his motives are fraudulent.       

Life in St. Petersburg, Russia during the mid-nineteenth century was for the vast majority difficult and stifling.  Poverty was rampant and unhappiness was overflowing. There existed an oppressive atmosphere fueled by unemployment, alcoholism, and a general sense of futility. Many people emerged as heroes while many others remained isolated and unable to advance. Fyodor Dostoevsky successfully conveyed the tone of Russia during this time period through his detailed account of life in Crime and Punishment. Many factors contributed to the success or failure of each character however, as admirably conveyed through each character the most important qualities included a sense of self-sacrifice and compassion and a strong commitment to family, humanity and faith.  As Dostoevsky effectively communicates, those who embraced these qualities were able to prevail and emerge stronger and be a successful part of mankind; those who were unable to do so were less fortunate.   

     

Ryan Pearson

Works Cited

Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2007. Print.

Alex's 3rd 500 Words

    Raskolnikov’s guilt stemming from the murders of Lizaveta and the Pawnbroker, deems to be unbearable physically and emotionally. Guilt is a natural cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes that he or she has compromised his or her own standards of conduct or has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. Although guilt is usually associated with feelings of regret, Raskolnikov does not show any signs of regret for his actions. The crimes seem to have been a mishap in communication between his conscience and his body. Raskolnikov  takes responsibility for the crimes committed at the start of the book. He grows a desire or need of self-inflicted punishment, for the purpose of relieving the burden and giving him a sense of closure or retribution for his actions. He drives himself into isolation, which only serves to intensify his inner sense of self-condemnation. The novel depicts the struggle of the human psyche against guilt. This struggle shows just how prone one is to physical and mental deterioration when confronted with the tremendous burden of guilt. Raskolnikov is not able to withstand the effects of guilt; physically nor emotionally. His internal drive to serve the consequences for his actions, ease him into a mental inner loop of thought and worry. He becomes jailed in his own mind, where expectations for his rightful or deserved punishment become increasingly strict. His room is his jail cell as well as his mind. The internal struggle to keep this abominable secret proves stronger than his emotional capacity. Other than mental isolation, Raskolnikov physically barricades himself from the world. He avoids social encounters at all costs and eventually becomes unable to participate in any kind of social activity. Anyone who tries to help Raskolnikov becomes the enemy- the world itself is the enemy. The unbalance of physical and emotional forces reaches its peak during this period of intense rejection and isolation. Raskolnikov merely relies on the help of others, which he refuses. However, he is unable to function or survive in society without it. 

Isa's 3rd 500 Post

Like any “tragic flaw”, Raskolnikov’s excessive hubris eventually leads to his downfall. One of the deeper consequences due to his pride is the isolation that Raskolnikov subjects himself to. He has effectively driven away the “beloved’’ in his life. Only Sonja seems to still believe in him, and that is only on the promise of his surrender. Once boastful and sure of himself, Raskolnikov now lives in constant paranoia and fear of his imminent capture.  It is fairly ironic that such a prideful man has morphed into the weaker individual; exactly the type of man he despises. His rejection of support has led him to a diminished state.

“Dreams are the royal roads to the unconscious.” Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is noted for the importance he placed on dreams. If one were to apply Freud’s methods to Raskolnikov, then Raskolnikov’s complex character could be deciphered. The reader greets and says Farwell to Raskolnikov with his first and last dream. The two trances contrast the differences in mind set as time goes on.    In the prison infirmary, Raskolnikov dreamt of an apocalyptic world where a plague swept across the nations. A select few are able to survive while the majority of the world parish at the hands of this infection. Superficially, one could say that the survivors represent the superior men that deserve and have found a way to survive amongst filth. But the countless deaths that occur also symbolize the repressed guilt that is only shown unconsciously, for Raskolnikov’s pride masks any remorse while awake.  Raskolnikov could easily be transferring himself as the actual illness. It is men like himself that infects society and kills those that are weaker.  It is interesting to note that Raskolnikov never gives an explicit reason for his so called superiority.  It is simply that he is born so gifted. The lack of explanation could be an actual ignorance. Raskolnikov himself has no explanation but his pride does not allow him to think of such a thing. 

Keri's 3rd 500 words for her term paper

 Dostoyevsky demonstrates in "Crime and Punishment" that guilt can result in heavy drinking since the person's mental stability is not necessarily in check after having committed a crime. The guilt he feels after his crime makes Raskolnikov feel as if he needs to drink and sleep to make himself forget about what he did and the repercussions that come with it.
Guilt has been shown to cause such behavior. It makes sense in human nature since people tend to use defense mechanisms to make themselves feel better about whatever it is they did.  This can, oftentimes,  change a person's behavior. Drinking oftentimes makes people forget about their daily lives so it is often used as a kind of defense mechanism. Another kind of defense mechanism used would be cautious behavior. They can comfort themselves in the fact that they are not doing anything illegal in the current moment. In this way, when someone has done something wrong, it is oftentimes transparent from an aerial perspective whether that be through heavy drinking or extremely cautious behavior. 
After Raskolnikov commits the murder, he immediately drives himself mad with illness. He is unconscious and spends a lot of time sleeping. He essentially overcompensates which could also be seen as a defense mechanism. This would be called repression. Raskolnikov represses his feelings by sleeping and falling unconscious. In this way, guilt has been proven to affect a person's health. In a similar field, depression and other emotions of this sort can also cause repression in that a person sleeps constantly in order to avoid dealing with these emotions. For these reasons, it was obvious to me and all readers that Raskolnikov suffered from guilt. This reiterates how transparent guilt can be. 
In a similar way, guilt can cause a fever like that seen in "Crime and Punishment". It can also cause more severe illnesses. This is due to the amygdala which is the part of the brain that associates emotions with occurrences in a person's life. The amygdala makes it possible for a person to know while they feel a certain way. As a result of this, a person can know that they feel this way due to an exact circumstance that occurred. 
Guilt can also affect a person physically. An example of this would be avoiding direct eye contact with someone. Another example is Raskolnikov's fever mentioned above. All of these instances represent defense mechanisms and how they work to relieve from people the guilt they feel. 

Ryan Pearson Part 3

Dostoyevsky also uses the prevalent abuse of alcohol to illustrate the unhappiness and despair that permeated St. Petersburg in the mid-nineteenth century. Many of the characters drink daily and suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol is used as an escape from reality and is introduced into the story by Dostoyevsky as a social commentary about the troubled and harsh reality of life in St. Petersburg. Dostoyevsky implies that alcohol is one of the main causes of misery and suffering in St. Petersburg and indeed alcohol permeates many of the story lines. For example, several of the important scenes take place in or around crowded and dirty taverns.  Raskolnikov, himself, often frequents local drinking pubs and much of the story line is developed in these places. Raskolnikov meets Marmeladov the father of Sonia and husband of Katerina at a tavern at the beginning of the novel. Marmaladev is an alcoholic whose drinking problem is wrecking his family and himself, and, in the end, leads to his death, either accidentally or intentionally—this is unclear. Also, during a visit to a different pub, Raskolnikov overhears a student talking about Alyona Ivanov, the pawnbroker, and how society would be better off if she was dead. The idea to kill Alyona and is seemingly hatched in this bar and the murder of Alyona and her sister is central to the plot, the demise of Raskolnikov and the events that unfold in the novel. Interestingly, Raskolnikov does not drink, but despises those who do. Even at the funeral of Marmeladov, Katarina ironically spends much of the money Raskolnikov gives her to buy alcohol for the guests, even though alcohol is the main cause for the death of her husband and the demise of her family. Dostoyevsky brilliantly uses alcohol in Crime and Punishment to symbolize the suffering of those living in St. Petersburg and the weakness and vulnerability of man.

Dostoyevsky uses two distinct character studies to illustrate the path of mankind and to provide a commentary on life in St. Petersburg. First, he develops the feelings of day-to-day futility, lack of purpose and hopelessness in Raskolnikov, Marmeladov, and Katarina, to show how their impoverished lives lead them to a path of isolation and unhappiness, and consequently, bad decisions. In contrast, in characters such as Sonya, Razumikhin and Dunya, Dostoyevky illustrates that those who do not succumb to poverty or hopelessness but rely on devotion to family, friends and faith to guide their choices live life filled with compassion and a better sense of morality.  Dostoyevsky effectively uses these two distinct character types to develop the story line in Crime and Punishment.

Ryan Pearson